The BCAS 10% Taskforce – Striving to Avoid Wasted Compressed Air Energy
In an age where environmental consciousness and operational efficiency are crucial business priorities, Edinburgh’s business community stands at a critical juncture. With recent announcements of the Scottish Government’s planned investments in offshore wind among other initiatives and programmes, it’s fair to say that the city is taking environmental responsibility and stewardship seriously.
One of the more forgotten pollutants in the atmosphere, not just here in Edinburgh but all over the world, is wasted air from compressed air systems. These systems are utilised across a broad spectrum of industries in numerous applications that are often easy for us to take for granted.
Many Edinburgh business owners may be thinking of how we can reduce energy emissions stemming from wasted compressed air, given its propagation and continued evolution.
The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has launched an innovative initiative that promises not just ecological benefits, but significant financial advantages for local enterprises: the 10% Taskforce.
The hidden cost of compressed air
Many businesses might be unaware that compressed air systems can represent up to 30% of a site’s total electricity bill. This startling statistic from the BCAS reveals a substantial opportunity to both reduce overheads and costs (already a familiar priority for many business owners) and minimise their carbon footprints.
The 10% Taskforce aims to help UK businesses cut their compressed air energy usage by a targeted 10%, with the potential to save a combined £147.5 million in wasted electricity costs.
For Edinburgh’s diverse business community – from manufacturing and engineering to the technology and service sectors – this represents a compelling opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership without compromising financial performance or their ambitious growth prospects.
Tangible impact, local significance
The taskforce’s ambitions are impressive and admirable. By encouraging businesses to implement simple, low-cost energy-saving measures, they project saving over 411,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is equivalent to removing 317,000 cars from the road. These numbers represent a sizable contribution towards Scotland’s ambitious climate and net zero goals.
However, the complexity of compressed air systems must be duly noted. These systems possess intricacies and nuances that require thoughtful implementation, not least considering the potential measures to implement that preserve more wasted air.
Local businesses like Kerr Compressors, a prominent Scottish compressed air engineering company, understand the critical role of compressed air dryers in maintaining system efficiency. As they note: “The atmospheric air drawn into a compressor is a mixture of gases that always contains water vapour. However, the amount of water vapour that air can carry varies [and] is mostly dependent on temperature. As air temperature rises – which occurs during compression – the air’s capability to hold moisture increases also.“
This technical insight underscores why business owners in Edinburgh must take wasted energy seriously. According to a recent report entitled Compressed Air Systems in the European Union, energy savings from compressed air usage can amount to 32.9% over a span of 15 years.
Practical steps for business leaders
The BCAS 10% Taskforce isn’t here to suggest a radical overhaul of compressed air systems and their integrations in different business contexts. Its aim is to provide a framework of incremental, achievable improvements that businesses can make over the course of the next few years, if they are to achieve substantial energy savings.
Key strategies include:
- Leak reduction: One of the most impactful measures is to detect and patch any leaks in systems. A mere 2mm hole in a compressed air system can cost over £1,249 annually in wasted energy.
- Heat recovery: Up to 95% of the energy consumed by a compressor is converted to heat. Innovative heat recovery systems can redirect this otherwise wasted energy.
- Smart system design: Approaching compressed air as a holistic system – from generation to distribution – can uncover substantial opportunities to improve overall design efficiency and minimise energy wastage.
- Maintenance optimisation: Regular, low-cost maintenance can substantially reduce leak rates and improve equipment reliability.
What are the financial and environmental rewards of the 10% taskforce?
The possible financial advantages make for compelling and interesting reading. Based on current UK energy prices, businesses are spending approximately £1.475 billion generating compressed air.
Shockingly, roughly 32.9% of this energy – amounting to £485.43 million – is being wasted through inefficient practices, whether that’s through design flaws, leakages, or overall minimal heat recovery measures being implemented. However, it’s difficult to pinpoint specific measures as the main contributor to such high amounts of energy being wasted.
For Edinburgh’s business community, this outlook should not be viewed as exclusively bleak and daunting. Use this data as inspiration to make smart financial and environmental changes that benefit both the planet and business productivity.
By participating in the 10% Taskforce, companies can simultaneously reduce operational costs and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
A call to action for Edinburgh businesses
The BCAS 10% Taskforce is both a blueprint for sustainable business practices and energy-saving initiatives, especially in light of broader goals such as Edinburgh City Plan 2030.
As Edinburgh continues to position itself as a hub of innovation and progressive commerce, embracing such efficiency-driven approaches becomes increasingly crucial.
Local businesses are invited to:
- Conduct comprehensive compressed air system assessments
- Implement recommended energy-saving measures
- Share their success stories and inspire peer learning
Conclusion: Leadership through efficiency
The 10% Taskforce represents a pivotal moment for UK industries relying on compressed air. It challenges businesses to view energy efficiency not as a burden, but as an opportunity for innovation, cost savings, and environmental stewardship.
For Edinburgh’s dynamic business ecosystem, this is a chance to lead by example – demonstrating that economic success and ecological responsibility can, and must, go hand in hand.
Take the first step. Reduce your compressed air energy consumption. Join the 10% Taskforce.
Chloe Miller is a business graduate and freelance writer, who is passionate about researching industry insights and the latest best practices. She specialises in marketing, business and HR content, and this together with running her own freelance business offers her a different perspective from which to write.
