Energy Intensity
Energy consumed per unit of production output
What is Energy Intensity?
Energy intensity is the amount of energy used to produce each unit of output. It shows how efficiently a plant uses energy.
Energy is a major cost and a source of emissions in manufacturing, so lowering intensity saves money and reduces environmental impact.
How this KPI is measured
- Function
- Operations & Supply Chain
- Sub-function
- Energy & Sustainability
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Type
- Lagging
- Impact
- Operational
- Unit
- kWh
- Measurement frequency
- Monthly
- Formula
- Total energy consumed / Total units produced
How to calculate it
Divide total energy consumed by total units produced.
For example, if a plant used 500,000 kWh to produce 250,000 units, energy intensity is 2 kWh per unit.
Measure over consistent periods, and adjust for product mix, since some products need far more energy than others.
Where it is used
Cutting energy cost
Find savings.
Reducing emissions
Support sustainability goals.
Comparing sites and lines
Benchmark.
How to improve it
Tips and common mistakes
- Adjust for product mix and volume.
- Low volume raises intensity because of fixed loads.
- Track by energy type.
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