Innovative KPIs for sustainability and energy management : Creation, value generation, visualization

Sammanfattning

In light of the unpredictable and rapidly evolving nature of the contemporary business and geopolitical landscape, characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), a data-driven approach enables industries to formulate their short- and long-term strategies and actions on the basis of solid information, rather than on risky intuition and assumptions. The creative utilisation of data can have a significant influence on the strategies that energy management platform users may implement with regard to sustainability and decarbonisation of their facilities. The objective of this thesis is to make a contribution to the advancement of sustainable energy management practices in the context of the current datadriven environment, by addressing the challenges associated with the creation, validation and visualisation of actionable key performance indicators (KPIs). The project employs a clearly defined methodology for the examination of the processes of data collection, integration and analysis associated with the EMS. Additionally, it investigates the current energy management platforms on the market, evaluating their value, functions and technological capabilities. Furthermore, an assessment of the current deficiencies in the industry with regard to energyrelated KPIs is conducted in order to identify the principal areas of focus for the development of innovative KPIs. These areas of focus include the development of KPIs at various process levels, for benchmarking, the measurement of energy use, the assessment of energy flexibility, and the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, ten innovative KPIs have been proposed following a validation process with the input of experts in the energy field. These indicators facilitate the interpretation of cause-effect relationships, thereby supporting companies in their operative decision-making process. Finally, this project reviews the innovative technologies and digital spaces that will facilitate the translation of these KPIs into real value for users in the future. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the benefits of utilising these technologies within the context of energy management.