The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) is calling on businesses across the UK’s industrial sector to prioritise energy audits as a key strategy for improving operational efficiency, cutting costs, and reducing environmental impact. With energy prices continuing to fluctuate and sustainability becoming increasingly central to business operations, understanding how and where energy is consumed has never been more important.
Energy audits are an essential first step in identifying areas of energy waste and inefficiency. They provide businesses with a comprehensive assessment of their energy use, highlighting opportunities for improvement and offering actionable recommendations. For industries reliant on energy-intensive processes, such as manufacturing and production, these audits can lead to significant savings both in terms of energy consumption and cost, while also contributing to broader environmental goals. Most existing pump systems were not originally designed with energy conservation as a major consideration. If pump systems are initially designed on an energy efficient basis and pumps are correctly sizes and applied, the energy savings will often be in excess of 50%.
Central to this process is the BPMA’s Certified Pump System Auditor (CPSA) scheme, which offers a critical foundation of knowledge for conducting energy audits in systems involving pumps. Pump systems are often one of the largest consumers of energy in industrial operations, yet they are also an area where efficiency gains can be most easily realised.
Through the CPSA scheme, professionals are equipped with the expertise to thoroughly assess pump systems, identifying inefficiencies, and providing solutions to optimise performance.
By undergoing a CPSA-accredited audit, businesses can ensure they are receiving expert advice tailored to the specific challenges of pump systems. The knowledge provided by a certified auditor goes beyond identifying simple inefficiencies – it provides a strategic understanding of how to enhance overall system performance. This not only results in direct energy savings but also leads to improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs, driving long-term operational resilience.
Candidates carry out the Pump System Audit in accordance with ISO/ASME 14414:2019, the standard which outlines the requirements for conducting and reporting the results of a comprehensive pumping system energy assessment. This assessment evaluates the entire pumping system, from energy inputs to the work performed, with the objective of determining the current energy consumption and identifying opportunities to improve system efficiency.
BPMA Director and CEO, Wayne Rose, commented:
“The value of an energy audit cannot be overstated. Pump systems are fundamental to the functioning of many industrial operations, but they also represent a significant opportunity for energy savings. The CPSA scheme is designed to provide the industry with highly qualified professionals who can deliver real, measurable improvements in energy efficiency. We urge all businesses to take advantage of this and make energy audits a priority.”
As the UK strives to meet its energy reduction targets, the role of energy audits in industrial settings will become even more pivotal. The BPMA is committed to supporting businesses in their journey towards greater energy efficiency, offering not only the tools but also the expertise needed to make a tangible impact.
Through the CPSA scheme, pump engineers are being trained to correctly assess the efficiency of pump systems, and to provide appropriate recommendations in order to improve the efficiency of those systems.
By adopting energy audits as standard practice, and by leveraging the deep expertise provided through the CPSA scheme, UK industries can unlock significant improvements in energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The next CPSA Training Course will take place in West Bromwich from 18th-21st November 2024, so for more information on how to gain the skills and knowledge needed to conduct a full pumping system audit, please visit the dedicated website – https://www.bpma-cpsa.co.uk/.
