A combined approach to energy efficiency monitoring in the pulp and paper industry

This paper discusses the aspects to be considered in the development of key performance indicators (KPI) for the management of energy efficiency at a corporate level in the pulp and paper industry. The term 'combined approach' refers to linking energy efficiency monitoring with business strategy and combining technology, operation and process integration perspectives into the development of the KPIs. We address the tasks, methodological issues and setting of objectives related to energy efficiency monitoring. A case study demonstrating the use of the KPIs for fault detection and the indication of operational improvement and process integration opportunities is presented. In the case study, monitoring is applied to the heating of process water in an integrated thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and papermaking line based on data from an existing mill. The results encourage the use of process systems engineering methods and tools for energy efficiency monitoring.