Electrical utilities are integral parts of business operations in all industry sectors irrespective of enterprise size. Electrical energy is converted into other useful forms, which vary by sector. Electric motors are the major power consumers in manufacturing and processing plants. At the same time, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) as well as lighting are the major consumers in the service industry and buildings. Associated systems like cooling towers, fans and blowers, and pumping systems also contribute to overall electrical energy consumption. Transmission and distribution networks that supply power from generation points to users allow industrial growth, infrastructure development, urbanization, and economic growth to spread across regions.
However, fossil fuels remain the major primary energy source for generating power and they are slowing efforts to decouple business growth and environmental degradation. Nonrenewables like coal, oil, and gas extracted underground have limited reserves, and their combustion leads to environmental degradation through air pollution and increased carbon emissions. Adopting best practices in efficient operations and installing energy-efficient electrical equipment could be major contributors to mitigating climate change, meeting the SDGs, and benefiting industry monetarily.
To disseminate technical knowledge and benefit enterprises through energy efficiency and management, several e-learning courses, such as General Aspects of Energy Management and Audit and Energy Efficiency and Management in Thermal Systems, are already uploaded on the APO e-learning website. This course continues those e-learning courses with a specific focus on electrical utilities. Participants are encouraged to enroll in these e-learning courses to add new dimensions to their energy conservation efforts.