Process energy
A 110,000-population works cut treatment energy without new capital plant
Independent monitoring recorded 34% less energy to treat the load, alongside improved nutrient removal, with no new infrastructure required.
In short
What are industrial energy efficiency solutions?
Industrial energy efficiency solutions are the measures that cut the energy industrial buildings, processes and treatment works consume, and recover energy from the systems already running, so the same load is met for less power and lower carbon. The strongest take the waste out of assets you already operate, with no new plant, and prove every saving against your baseline.
- Cutting the biggest controllable cost on site, where a quarter or more of building energy is wasted
- Optimising heating, ventilation and cooling, the single largest building load
- Cutting treatment energy, where aeration alone is 45 to 75% of a plant's energy
- Recovering energy from the pressure and flow already in your water network
- Delivering the saving with no new plant or civil construction
- Evidencing it all against your baseline for net zero, SECR and ESOS
The challenge
The biggest controllable cost is also the most wasted, and now it has to be reported
Across industrial buildings and treatment processes, energy is the largest cost you can control, a large share of it is lost before it does useful work, and it is now an obligation as well as a bill.
Commercial buildings waste roughly 25 to 30% of the energy they use, with heating, ventilation and cooling the largest load. At a wastewater works, aeration alone takes 45 to 75% of the energy the plant uses. The waste is structural, not occasional, so the cost rises every year the site runs unchanged.
Net zero commitments and expanding carbon disclosure mean energy is now a reporting obligation, not just a cost. SECR puts your energy and carbon data into the Directors' Report each year, and ESOS requires large organisations to audit their energy use and identify cost-effective savings. Both expect measured data, not estimates.
The conventional fix, new plant and new infrastructure, is capital you may not have. The opportunity is to take the waste out of the systems you already run, and to turn some of the energy moving through them back into supply.
How it works
Cut the waste, recover what is left moving, on the assets you already have
We optimise the energy your existing buildings and processes use, and recover energy from the water already flowing through them, with no new civil infrastructure.
On the demand side, building and treatment processes are optimised in place, so consumption falls without a refit and the saving is measured against your baseline. On the supply side, the pressure and flow already in your water network can be turned into generation, recovering energy that is otherwise dissipated.
Because the gains come from systems you already operate, they arrive without capital construction. And because they are measured, the same work that cuts your bills produces the auditable evidence your net zero, SECR and ESOS obligations require, rather than the estimates a survey leaves you with.
What it delivers
Lower bills, lower carbon, evidenced and no new build
Cost
Cut treatment energy
Take 34% off the energy to treat the load at a 110,000-population works under independent monitoring, with no new infrastructure, against an aeration demand that runs at 45 to 75% of plant energy.
Cost
Cut building energy
Reduce building energy by 15 to 30% through optimisation, with heating, ventilation and cooling the single largest opportunity, measured against your baseline.
Cost
No capital construction
Savings and generation come from the systems you already operate, so they land without new plant or civil works, and without the disruption a refit brings.
Obligation
Recover energy from water
Turn the pressure and flow already in your water network into generation, with no new civil infrastructure and no disruption to supply.
Obligation
Recover energy from sludge
Get more from existing anaerobic digestion, typically 10 to 20% more biogas in field trials, adding renewable energy from a process you already run.
Obligation
Evidence net zero, SECR and ESOS
Produce the measured, auditable energy and carbon data your net zero targets, SECR or UK SRS disclosures and ESOS audits require, not estimates.
Evidence
Measured, not modelled
Independently evidenced, reportable against your baseline.
34%Less energy to treat the load at a 110,000-population works, measured by an independent consultancy, with no new plant
15 to 30%Building energy reduction through optimisation, heating, ventilation and cooling the largest opportunity (US DOE, NREL)
10 to 20%More biogas from existing anaerobic digestion in field trials, adding renewable energy from a process you already run
Reference sites
Evidence behind the saving
Compliance
The compliance you carry
The UK environmental and safety duties that commonly reach industrial energy efficiency solutions. Open any one for what it requires, the deadlines, what is at stake, and how to evidence control. Every entry is sourced.
ACoP L8RiskObligationLegionella control in water systems (ACoP L8 and HSG274)
What you must doAppoint a competent Responsible Person, assess the risk in writing, put a control scheme in place, monitor it, and keep records. A court can treat failure to follow the ACoP as evidence of breaking the law.
Applies toAny business with a water system that could create a risk of exposure to Legionella: hot and cold water services, cooling towers, spa pools, calorifiers and more.
When it bitesContinuously, wherever a water system could let Legionella grow and create breathable droplets.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeProsecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act with unlimited fines. One spa-pool outbreak that caused three deaths led to a fine of GBP 1,000,000.
How to evidence itA current written risk assessment, up-to-date monitoring and temperature records, and, increasingly, independent laboratory verification that the system is under control.
Legal basisHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (s2 and s3) and COSHH 2002, with the Approved Code of Practice L8 (special legal status) and HSG274. Issued by Health and Safety Executive.
Turn a continuous, personal Legionella duty into a defensible compliance file, with waterborne risk brought under control and independently confirmed.
WFD Regs 2017ObligationRiskWater Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations 2017
What you must doDo not cause deterioration of water-body status and comply with conditions, derived from River Basin Management Plan objectives, that flow through your permits and licences.
Applies toOperators whose abstraction, discharge or physical works could affect the status of a river, lake or groundwater body.
When it bitesWhen an activity could cause deterioration of water-body status; River Basin Management Plan objectives feed into permit decisions.
DeadlinesOngoing (River Basin Management Plan cycles)
What is at stakeNo standalone penalty in most cases; enforced through the permits and licences that carry the conditions.
How to evidence itPermit and licence compliance records that show no deterioration and that conditions are met.
Legal basisWater Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/407). Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales / Defra.
Reg 31ObligationRiskRegulation 31: materials and products in contact with drinking water
What you must doUse only approved substances, products and processes in public supplies; manufacturers must obtain Regulation 31 approval before water companies use a product.
Applies toManufacturers, specifiers and contractors using chemicals, products or materials in contact with public drinking water from source to delivery.
When it bitesWhen a substance, product or process is to be used in a public water supply.
DeadlinesOngoing (approval precedes use)
What is at stakeAn approval-and-compliance mechanism overseen by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, enforced through the Water Industry Act 1991 regime for water companies; there is no separate Regulation 31 penalty figure.
How to evidence itEvidence that materials and chemicals specified hold current Regulation 31 approval.
Legal basisRegulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended). Issued by Drinking Water Inspectorate / Secretary of State.
Storm overflowsObligationCostRiskStorm overflows and phosphorus targets (Environment Act 2021)
What you must doReduce spill frequency and phosphorus loading to the statutory targets, with a roughly GBP 12bn programme to cut spills, and a 50% phosphorus-loading cut by 2028 and 80% by 2038.
Applies toWater and wastewater companies, and the works and networks that discharge to rivers and the sea.
When it bitesAcross the asset base, against statutory reduction and phosphorus-loading targets.
Deadlines2028 and 2038 (phosphorus); 2029, 2035 and 2050 (spills)
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency and Ofwat, with penalties for breaches and a strong public and political spotlight.
How to evidence itMonitored spill data, nutrient-removal performance, and delivery against the investment programme.
Legal basisEnvironment Act 2021, the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, and the Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023. Issued by Defra / Environment Agency / Ofwat.
Hit tightening discharge and nutrient targets while cutting the energy and chemicals it takes to get there.
EPR 2016ObligationRiskCostEnvironmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
What you must doHold the correct permit or registered exemption and operate within its conditions, applying best available techniques where required, with records and reporting.
Applies toOperators of regulated facilities: installations, waste operations, water-discharge and groundwater activities, and certain air-emission activities.
When it bitesBefore carrying on a regulated activity, such as discharging to controlled waters or operating combustion or waste plant.
DeadlinesOngoing (permit precedes the activity)
What is at stakePollution offences carry unlimited fines and up to five years' imprisonment. Civil sanctions include variable monetary penalties, which became unlimited when the previous GBP 250,000 cap was removed in December 2023.
How to evidence itThe correct permit in force, monitoring to its conditions, an environmental management system, and an incident log.
Legal basisEnvironmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1154), as amended. Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales / local authorities.
Stay inside permit conditions and reduce the load your processes put to water and air, lowering both risk and cost.
AbstractionObligationCostWater abstraction licensing and reform (Environment Act 2021)
What you must doHold an abstraction licence, stay within its volumes and conditions, and prepare for licences to become revocable Environmental Permits by 2028.
Applies toOperators abstracting water from rivers, lakes or groundwater above the licensable threshold, including farms, food sites and large estates.
When it bitesOn abstracting above the threshold; licences are converting to revocable Environmental Permits.
DeadlinesPermit conversion by 2028
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency, with the prospect of tighter or revoked entitlements in stressed catchments.
How to evidence itMetered abstraction within licensed volumes, and a plan to reduce reliance where catchments are under pressure.
Legal basisWater Resources Act 1991 abstraction licensing, reformed under the Environment Act 2021. Issued by Environment Agency / UK Government.
Do more with less abstracted water, protecting both your entitlement and your running cost as catchments tighten.
Reservoirs ActObligationRiskReservoirs Act 1975 (reservoir safety)
What you must doRegister the reservoir, appoint qualified panel engineers to inspect and supervise it, maintain and inspect the structure, and hold an on-site emergency flood plan.
Applies toOwners and operators of large raised reservoirs holding more than 25,000 cubic metres above the surrounding land, including estates, farms, industrial sites and water companies.
When it bitesOn constructing, altering or operating a qualifying reservoir.
DeadlinesRegistration within 28 days of the final certificate; ongoing inspection
What is at stakeOffences under the Act, such as failing to register or to appoint engineers, are punishable by fines, with the most serious offences carrying an unlimited fine.
How to evidence itRegistration on record, panel-engineer inspection reports, maintenance records and a current emergency plan.
Legal basisReservoirs Act 1975 and the Reservoirs Act 1975 (Capacity, Registration, Prescribed Forms, etc.) (England) Regulations 2013. Issued by Environment Agency.
ESOSObligationCostEnergy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
What you must doAudit total energy use across buildings, processes and transport, identify cost-effective savings, and report compliance, with an action plan and progress updates.
Applies toLarge undertakings that meet the size threshold (broadly large companies and groups).
When it bitesEvery four-year compliance phase, on qualifying organisations.
DeadlinesPhase 4 compliance by 5 December 2027; four-yearly thereafter
What is at stakeCivil penalties from the Environment Agency for failing to comply or report.
How to evidence itA completed ESOS assessment, a board-signed-off report, an action plan, and progress against it.
Legal basisThe Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended). Issued by Environment Agency.
Turn the audit you must do anyway into delivered savings, by cutting the energy your water, air and process systems burn.
MCPDObligationCostMedium Combustion Plant Directive and Specified Generators
What you must doHold the right permit, meet emission limits for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust, and monitor and report emissions.
Applies toOperators of medium combustion plant rated 1 to 50 MW thermal, including boilers, engines, CHP and standby or peaking generators.
When it bitesOn operating an in-scope plant, with permitting and emission limits phased by size and age.
DeadlinesExisting plant: 2024 for above 5 MW, 2029 for 1 to 5 MW; new plant before operation
What is at stakeEnforced under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, with unlimited fines and civil sanctions.
How to evidence itThe permit in force, emission monitoring to its limits, and maintenance records.
Legal basisMedium Combustion Plant and Specified Generator provisions of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (transposing Directive (EU) 2015/2193). Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales.
UK ETSObligationCostUK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
What you must doHold a greenhouse gas emissions permit, monitor and report verified emissions each year, and surrender allowances equal to those emissions.
Applies toOperators of installations combusting fuels above 20 MW thermal, energy-intensive industry, aviation, and larger sites with significant standby generation.
When it bitesAnnually, on in-scope installations, to monitor, report and surrender allowances.
DeadlinesAnnual compliance cycle; second allocation period from 2027
What is at stakeCivil penalties under the scheme: an excess emissions penalty of GBP 100 for each allowance not surrendered (uprated for inflation, with the allowances still falling due), a GBP 20,000 fixed penalty plus GBP 1,000 a day for failing to return allowances, and an under-reporting penalty based on the annual carbon price.
How to evidence itA current emissions permit, a verified annual emissions report, and surrendered allowances on record.
Legal basisThe Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 (as amended), under the Climate Change Act 2008. Issued by UK ETS Authority / Environment Agency.
Duty of careObligationRiskWaste duty of care, the waste hierarchy and hazardous waste
What you must doStore waste securely, transfer it only to authorised persons with the correct transfer or consignment notes, and apply the waste hierarchy of prevent, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose.
Applies toEffectively every commercial and industrial operator that produces, holds, carries or transfers controlled waste.
When it bitesContinuously, whenever waste is held or transferred; hazardous waste triggers extra duties.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeBreach of the duty of care is an offence with an unlimited fine on conviction.
How to evidence itWaste transfer and consignment notes, evidence the carrier and destination are authorised, and a record of how the hierarchy is applied.
Legal basisEnvironmental Protection Act 1990, s34; the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011; the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. Issued by Environment Agency / Defra.
Before you commit
A measured saving, not a modelled one
The questions that decide it are whether the saving is real, whether it needs capital construction, and whether it stands up in a disclosure or an audit.
All three are answered in the work. Savings are measured against your baseline rather than modelled, they come from the systems you already operate so there is no capital build, and the same measurement produces the evidence your net zero, SECR and ESOS reporting need. We start with your highest-energy building or process, prove the saving, then scale.
Every saving is measured against your baseline.
Questions answered
What are industrial energy efficiency solutions?
They are the measures that cut the energy industrial buildings, processes and treatment works consume, and recover energy from systems already running, so the same load is met for less power and lower carbon. The strongest take the waste out of assets you already operate, with no new plant, and prove every saving against your baseline.
How do you reduce industrial and plant energy costs?
By taking the waste out of the systems you already run. Buildings waste roughly 25 to 30% of their energy, with heating, ventilation and cooling the largest load, and optimising them in place cut building energy by 15 to 30% in independent evidence, measured against the baseline.
What is the biggest energy use in water treatment?
Aeration. At a wastewater works it accounts for 45 to 75% of the energy the plant uses, so it is where the largest saving sits. Improving how the existing process treats the load cut energy by 34% at a 110,000-population works under independent monitoring, with no new infrastructure.
Can you cut energy without capital works?
Yes. The saving comes from optimising and recovering energy from the buildings, processes and water network you already operate, so it lands without new plant or civil construction. That is why the cut arrives without the capital, downtime or disruption of new infrastructure.
What are ESOS and SECR obligations?
ESOS is a four-yearly mandatory energy audit for large UK organisations that identifies cost-effective energy savings. SECR is an annual disclosure that puts your energy consumption and carbon emissions into the Directors' Report. Both expect measured energy data, which the same work that cuts your bills produces.
Does it support net zero and carbon disclosure?
Yes. The same measurement that proves the saving produces the auditable energy and carbon evidence your net zero targets, SECR or UK SRS disclosures and ESOS audits require, rather than the estimates a desktop survey leaves you with.
Is the saving independently verified?
Yes. Reductions are tracked against your baseline rather than modelled, including 34% less treatment energy at a 110,000-population works measured by an independent consultancy, so the figure stands up in a disclosure, an audit or an asset review.
Where to next
Go deeper on your situation
Energy reduction and recoveryTake energy out of your buildings and processes, and recover it from the network.Water and wastewater sectorWhere aeration and treatment energy sit, and how operators take cost out.Wastewater treatment solutionsHit consent and cut the treatment energy bill on the plant you already run.The compliance you carryThe UK energy, carbon and disclosure duties that reach your site, each sourced.Estimate your aeration energySee where your treatment energy sits before you talk to us.
Start with your highest-energy building or process
Tell us where your energy cost or carbon sits heaviest. We will quantify the saving against your baseline, in confidence, before you commit.
Speak to the Team
Tell us your challenge
Tell us the cost, the risk or the obligation you are facing. A senior member of our team will respond, in confidence, with how we would help.
Every enquiry is handled in strict confidence.