Energy Consumption and Analysis

Energy consumption is recognized as one of the fundamental inputs for economic growth and development. The amount of energy used across various sectors such as industry, transportation, agriculture, and buildings holds significant importance in terms of both economic costs and environmental impacts. Energy consumption analysis is a systematic process conducted to evaluate the efficiency of current energy use, identify points of waste, and ensure more sustainable management of energy resources. This analysis enables businesses, institutions, and individuals to reduce energy costs, improve operational efficiency, and lower their environmental footprint.

Definition and Purpose of Energy Consumption Analysis

Energy consumption analysis is an evaluation process that comprehensively examines the energy usage patterns of a facility, building, or process. During this process, the temporal trends of energy consumption, its distribution across different units or equipment, and the factors influencing consumption are thoroughly investigated. The primary objective of the analysis is to enhance energy efficiency, optimize costs, and achieve sustainability goals. Within this scope, the analysis identifies areas of waste and energy loss, calculates potential energy savings, and supports data-driven decisions regarding investments in technologies or equipment that improve efficiency. Additionally, compliance with international standards such as ISO 50001 Energy Management System is also a key objective of the analysis. As a result, organizations enhance their competitiveness while simultaneously improving their corporate reputation.

Energy Consumption Analysis Process

Energy consumption analysis is a structured process that follows specific steps, beginning with data collection and extending through analysis, interpretation, and the development of improvement strategies.

1. Data Collection

The first and most critical step of the analysis is the accurate and complete collection of required data. In this phase, information is gathered from various sources. Utility bills for energy sources such as electricity, water, and natural gas provide basic information on consumption volumes and costs. Meter data, particularly from smart meters, enable real-time and instantaneous monitoring of energy consumption. These technologies facilitate detailed analysis by remotely transmitting consumption data. In addition, other data that may influence energy consumption—such as production volume, operating hours, and weather conditions—are also collected to broaden the scope of the analysis.

2. Data Organization and Analysis

Raw collected data are organized to make them suitable for analysis. In this stage, data from different sources are integrated into a single platform, erroneous or incomplete data are cleaned, and the dataset is standardized. Classifying data by time intervals—hourly, daily, or monthly—helps reveal trends and patterns in consumption. Presenting data through graphs, tables, and other visualization tools simplifies and clarifies the analysis process. At this stage, various analytical methods are applied, including descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis. Descriptive analysis identifies general trends, while diagnostic analysis investigates the causes of sudden changes in consumption. Predictive analysis forecasts future energy demand, and prescriptive analysis develops concrete recommendations to enhance efficiency.

3. Identification of Key Factors and Detection of Waste

In this phase of the analysis, factors influencing energy consumption are identified. Weather conditions directly affect energy use in heating and cooling systems. In production facilities, production volume and the equipment used play decisive roles. Operating hours of the facility, staff habits regarding lighting and air conditioning, and the presence of outdated or inefficient equipment are also significant factors. By analyzing these factors, areas of unnecessary energy consumption and points of waste are pinpointed. These findings clarify where efforts should be focused to achieve energy savings and lay the groundwork for developing preventive strategies.

Technologies and Methods Used in Energy Consumption Analysis

Energy analysis processes are supported by advanced technologies and analytical methods that make data collection, monitoring, and optimization more efficient.

Smart Meters and Real-Time Monitoring Systems

Smart meters are advanced devices that, unlike traditional meters, monitor energy consumption in real time and transmit data to a central system. These systems enable users to observe their energy usage patterns in detail, detect anomalies immediately, and prevent energy waste. Real-time monitoring is particularly critical for energy-intensive operations.

Energy Management Software and Data Analytics

Energy management software provides comprehensive solutions to optimize energy use by analyzing data collected from smart meters and sensors. These software platforms identify consumption trends, offer recommendations for energy savings, and visualize data through user-friendly dashboards. Data analytics forms the foundation of these software systems, enabling the extraction of meaningful insights from large datasets.

Internet of Things (IoT)-Based Solutions

IoT technology has revolutionized energy monitoring and management. By enabling various sensors and devices to communicate over the internet, systems such as heating, cooling, and lighting in buildings can be automatically optimized. For example, smart thermostats continuously monitor ambient temperature and operate heating and cooling systems in the most efficient manner, thereby achieving energy savings.

Energy Mapping and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods

Energy mapping is a strategy that visualizes an organization’s energy flows. Tools such as energy flow diagrams and thermal imaging cameras allow precise identification of locations where energy losses occur. For strategic decisions such as energy planning in production, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods such as Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), TOPSIS, and VIKOR are employed. These methods assist in selecting the most suitable energy project by simultaneously evaluating different criteria such as cost, efficiency, and sustainability.

Energy Audits and Inspections

An energy audit is a comprehensive service based on inspection and detailed analysis of a facility’s or building’s energy consumption. This study identifies energy-saving potential, waste heat levels, and greenhouse gas emissions, and presents necessary measures from both technical and economic perspectives. In Türkiye, according to Law No. 5627 on Energy Efficiency, industrial facilities and commercial buildings with annual energy consumption above a specified threshold are required to conduct regular energy audits. Energy audits can be carried out at different levels—including preliminary, detailed, and investment-stage audits—and help organizations develop a roadmap for energy efficiency.

Application Areas and Benefits

Energy consumption analysis can be applied in virtually all sectors with high energy demand, including industrial plants, factories, shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, universities, and public buildings. The benefits of these analyses are multifaceted. The most prominent benefit is direct cost savings achieved through reduced energy expenditures. Increasing energy efficiency allows organizations to maintain the same level of production or service with less energy, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the market. Reducing energy consumption contributes to lowering carbon emissions and achieving environmental sustainability goals. Furthermore, data-driven analyses promote more informed and strategic decision-making in energy management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Energy Consumption and Economic Growth

Energy is also a critical input at the macroeconomic level. Academic studies have demonstrated a long-term and significant relationship between energy consumption and economic growth. Research conducted in Türkiye supports this finding. This relationship highlights how efficient use of energy resources and effective energy management are not only important at the organizational level but also crucial for the overall health of the national economy and sustainable development. Therefore, energy consumption analysis and efficiency initiatives are strategic activities that contribute to national energy security and economic stability.