energibudsjettering

Energibudgeting, or energy budgeting, is a systematic approach to planning, allocating, and tracking energy use and energy costs within an organization or project. The aim is to align energy spending with strategic objectives, reduce waste, and improve energy performance over time. The practice combines financial budgeting with energy data, forecasting, and opportunities for efficiency improvements.

Key elements include establishing a baseline of energy consumption and costs; setting energy performance targets; creating a formal energy budget that covers operating costs and investments in efficiency or renewables; forecasting future energy prices and demand; and defining governance roles. Data sources such as metering, utility bills, and energy audits are identified, and frameworks such as ISO 50001 may guide implementation.

Process steps typically involve: collecting historical energy data and establishing a baseline; identifying drivers of energy use and variability; setting targets and allocating budgets for ongoing energy use and capital projects; implementing efficiency measures, procurement strategies, and demand-side management; monitoring performance with dashboards and regular reporting; reviewing variances and adjusting plans.

Applications include commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, public sector operations, and large fleets. Energy budgeting can support procurement strategies, risk management against energy price volatility, and the financing of energy efficiency or renewable projects through energy performance contracts or internal capital budgeting.

Benefits commonly cited are lower energy costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, greater budget certainty, and improved resilience. Challenges can include data quality, the need for reliable forecasting, split incentives between departments, and coordinating across multiple sites or stakeholders.

See also: ISO 50001, energy audit, energy management, energy performance contracting.