When energy prices rise, engineers have a much easier time selling management on the benefits of efficient systems.
Even in regions where power costs are a relative bargain, management is biting the budgetary bullet and giving the green light to capital-intensive programs to better manage energy consumption. Rather than view energy investments in narrow return on investment (ROI) terms, firms are taking a more holistic view of the cost of inefficiency. And when they look at it critically, they often find that a lower electric bill is just the tip of the savings iceberg.