We are now living in crucial times. Record high temperatures and extreme weather have sparked great concern and conversations on how the world is progressing towards net-zero and sustainable development. More and more are realizing the need to future-proof the systems that fuel economic growth and productivity. Accelerating sustainability plans can help minimize and prevent future threats from impacting the way we live and work.
Climate change poses many threats and risks to daily activities, including the upkeep and the long-term growth and development of a company. Climate change and other factors can disrupt and destabilize energy systems. The loss of such a vital resource can hinder economic growth. Business leaders now must think of how to sustain operations.
Energy resilience is a way to protect a company’s operations amidst disruptions and outages, through adopting sustainable and reliable sources of energy and creating strategies that prepare the company for future disruptions. This secures operations amidst times of uncertainty caused by factors such as extreme weather and geopolitical conflict.
The world we know now is vulnerable and at risk; power outages can interrupt daily business activities and can put lives at risk, especially in vital sectors such as infrastructure and healthcare. This can also lead to financial losses and a decrease in productivity. Through energy resilience, business can ensure continuous operations. Energy prices can also fluctuate. With the volatility of these costs, developing energy resilience plans can help companies better manage their costs.
Energy resilience is a way for businesses to practice sustainability and comply with new regulations. Clean energy and the integration of renewable resources in a company’s energy mix can bring a company closer to sustainability targets and net-zero commitments. In addition, clean energy policies and regulations are also in development all over the world. Energy resilience can keep a business compliant and can help contribute to sustainable development goals.
Through energy resilience, businesses can future-proof themselves, ensuring growth, productivity, and a competitive advantage amidst uncertainties.
To prevent and minimize the impact of energy disruptions, a company must develop energy resilience strategies that prepare them for these external threats. Building reliable energy supply and adopting energy-efficient practices, and creating contingency plans are some of the few practices that protect the business against an evolving volatile energy landscape. Here is how your company can get started:
Making a comprehensive and detailed resilience plan gets your company ready for any energy-related occurrence that may hinder the business. This plan can consist of large-scale projects that delve deep on alternative energy sources to contingency plans and emergency protocols outlining procedures the company must follow when experiencing energy disruptions. This plan can detail communication strategies, protocols, and roles and responsibilities people must undertake during energy disruptions. Through an energy resilience plan, businesses can ensure continuity in operations across all functions. It is important to communicate, test and update these plans to ensure that it is embedded across the organization and applicable to current changes in climate.
Having a single energy source is a risk to the organization. When this energy source is down, a company becomes vulnerable due to the lack of any alternative. Diversifying your energy mix guarantees supply when other sources of energy are unavailable. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass can be added into the mix. In addition, solar panels or other onsite generators can also ensure operations continue during outages.
Green architecture and infrastructure is a growing industry and the integration of clean energy and energy efficient technology are key features that positively impact the health and wellness of its users and the planet. Businesses can make the shift from current technology and incorporate better and sustainable practices in their current facilities and offices. Investments in energy-efficient technology and systems that better manage energy consumption allows the company to react and respond to disruptions quickly. By retrofitting and upgrading your current infrastructure, your company can be both efficient in using energy and resilient during times of unpredictability.
During peak energy production times, there may be excess energy. To reduce energy turning into a wasted resource, companies can maximize the use of their energy sources by using energy storage systems. Through the use of these energy storage devices like batteries, a business is able to store excess energy and use them in the future during outages or peak demand periods. This practice helps companies manage energy costs, reduce reliance on grid systems, and also prepare them for unwanted energy disruptions.
Adopting energy resilience can’t be done alone. It is an initiative that requires the support and enthusiasm from upper management and everybody across all functions and levels. By building awareness on the importance of energy resilience and efficiency in the company, a sustainable culture can spread across the business, from company-wide changes to individual contributions focused on saving energy.
Outside the organization, consulting with experts can help the company build more knowledge and utilize the best practices in building an energy resilient organization. Collaborating with local communities and aligning with government authorities by participating in local initiatives can also improve and strengthen relationships and support for future sustainability projects.
Regular monitoring of your energy systems can help you immediately spot any inefficiencies. By going through data gathered by energy management systems, your team can respond quickly to issues across your energy mix. Actively monitoring your energy systems can help you create better solutions that are up-to-date and capable of adapting to and addressing current changes.
Enhancing energy resilience and climate-proofing the organization is necessary to thrive and grow in the modern economy directly affected by climate change. From diversifying the energy mix to retrofitting infrastructure, from setting contingency plans to engaging with stakeholders, companies can safeguard and protect their operations against energy disruptions while managing costs and taking one step closer to sustainable development.
At Keslio, we are deeply passionate about sustainability, equipping us with the expertise and extensive network needed to guide clients through their sustainability journey effectively and efficiently. Our expertise is particularly valuable for companies looking to embed sustainability practices into their businesses and investors looking to integrate ESG and impact into investment portfolios. To learn more about how Keslio can assist your organization on its sustainability journey, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
