Saving energy and carbon through partnering
April 1st 2007

What with increasing uncertainty and complexity in the energy market,maybe now is the time to consider whether expert outsourced advice is the right thing to do for your energy management needs

Outsourcing Energy Management – Saving Energy and Carbon through Partnering by Steven Fawkes describes energy management outsourcing as a way of addressing the current energy challenges facing all organisations. It offers advice on whether to do it and how to do it.

The book focuses on the high and volatile energy prices, the need to mitigate climate change and potential supply constraints as oil production peaks.These problems are likely to intensify in the coming years, yet most organisations have reduced in-house capability to address them, thus outsourcing is increasingly seen as an essential part of any strategy to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.The author describes the basic processes of energy management and how to outsource them in a strategic way to achieve maximum results.The process is based on a new model of energy management looking at total costs,which is presented in the book.

The book offers a comprehensive guide to outsourcing energy management, discussing the risks and benefits and taking managers through the process of deciding whether to outsource or not, and finding and assessing an outsourcing partner.Managers looking to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions through the use of external service providers will find Outsourcing Energy Management an ideal 'how to do it' guide.

The book starts with an interesting background to the state of the energy market in 2007 including a good round-up of the latest legislation and regulations that are affecting energy managers.

It then goes on to describe the basics principles of energy management such as billing,M&T and benchmarking.The book then goes in the crux of the issue which is,why outsource? The chapter starts with a quote from Jack Welch which sums up the author's views on this subject:"Don't own a cafeteria: get a food company to do it.Don't run a print shop: Let a printing company do that. It's understanding where your real value added is and putting your best people and resources behind that." The Outsourcing Cycle outlines what you should do to to assess the benefits of outsourcing energy management and which areas in particular should you outsource. It also has an interesting discussion on getting the best from your outsourced supplier and managing exactly what they are responsible for and holding them to agreed service levels.The next chapter looks at the actual energy services companies themselves, what differentiates their business models and what services they offer.This then looks at future trends for these companies.

Steven Fawkes has written a clear and understandable book that will be of use to anyone considering the option of outsourcing their energy management. He says:"To date, much of the outsourcing activity has focused on one aspect of energy management, whether it be monitoring and targeting or identification and development of projects.Models under development as a result of supplier and customer partnerships are beginning to look at the total energy management picture and this approach will result in improved savings and reduced management of interfaces between different activities and suppliers.

Contents Introduction.

Part One: The Importance of Energy: Oil peaking and the decline of fossil fuels; Climate change; Legislation and regulation.

Part Two: The Energy Management Process: Energy management.

Part Three: Outsourcing Energy Management:Why outsource?;The outsourcing cycle.

Part Four: Energy Service Companies:The supply of outsourced energy solutions; Future trends for ESCOs.

Overall Summary; References; Bibliography; Internet resources; Glossary; Resources; Index.

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