A new study from the International Energy Agency estimates there is potential for technical efficiency improvements of 18-26 percent for the manufacturing industry worldwide and said energy savings could be larger if new technologies were taken into account, CNET reports.
Industry could be made more energy-efficient by upgrading the engines used in factories, including adjustable speed drives, steam systems and combined heat and power, and by recycling materials.
“The potential is so large that more efforts are warranted, in order to achieve deep carbon dioxide emission reductions, reduce fossil fuel dependence and increase industrial competitiveness,” IEA Chief Claude Mandil said.