What is energy management? Insight into usage and control over costs
For many businesses, energy is one of the largest cost drivers and responsibilities. Yet in many organisations, energy consumption is not actively managed. The question “What is energy management?” is therefore more relevant than ever.
In this blog, we explain what energy management entails, why it’s important, and how to use it strategically for cost savings, sustainability, and compliance.
What is energy management?
Energy management is the systematic measurement, analysis, and optimisation of your energy consumption. It goes beyond simply tracking meter readings. It gives you full visibility of all energy flows within your organisation — electricity, gas, heat, and often also water and CO₂ emissions.
The real difference? You move from being reactive to proactive. Instead of being surprised by high energy bills after the fact, you actively control usage and take targeted action to prevent waste.
Energy management turns energy data into concrete actions for cost savings, sustainability, and compliance.
Why is energy management important?
Effective energy management delivers benefits across multiple business areas:
- Reduce costs by preventing waste
- Drive sustainability with insight into CO₂ emissions
- Ensure compliance with regulations such as the EED audit requirement or CSRD reporting
- Improve operational efficiency by streamlining processes
How does energy management work?
Energy management typically follows four logical steps:
- Measure – Record real-time energy consumption via smart meters or an energy management system (EMS)
- Analyse – Interpret consumption data to identify peaks and irregularities
- Optimise – Adjust systems for greater efficiency or justify investments
- Sustain – Monitor, report, and embed improvements in policies
In this context, an energy management system like EnergyGrip provides a solid foundation to automate and scale this process.
How is it different from energy monitoring?
Energy monitoring is the passive collection of consumption data. Energy management goes further and is action-oriented: based on the data, processes are adjusted, installations are controlled, and strategic decisions are made.
Energy management in practice: Linking with other themes
Energy management is closely tied to other current topics.
- In our blog on energy costs per m² in commercial buildings, you’ll see how crucial insight is for cost control.
- In our blog on solar panel battery storage, you’ll discover how energy management is essential for maximising self-consumption.
Who benefits from energy management?
Any organisation looking to control, reduce, or report on its energy consumption can benefit:
- Manufacturing – optimise energy-intensive processes
- Real estate & offices – monitor per building and meet label requirements
- Logistics & data centres – control cooling systems and manage consumption peaks
- Public sector & healthcare – meet sustainability goals and audit requirements
See how Veiligheidsregio Zeeland already saves energy year-round with centralised insight and control via EnergyGrip.
The role of an Energy Management System (EMS)
An EMS is the engine behind professional energy management. With EnergyGrip, Aurum’s scalable EMS, you can monitor consumption per location or installation, generate smart reports, and more easily meet legal requirements.
Energy Management System for Businesses
Energy management as a strategic tool
Energy management is much more than a technical tool. It’s a strategic asset to lower costs, reduce CO₂ emissions, and future-proof your organisation. By investing in data, insights, and smart technology like EnergyGrip, your business can make a real impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about energy management
What exactly does energy management involve?
Energy management is the process of measuring, analysing, and optimising energy consumption within an organisation. The goal is to gain control over usage, prevent waste, and support strategic decision-making.
Which businesses benefit from energy management?
Virtually any organisation — from manufacturers and offices to public institutions — can benefit. Energy management supports cost savings, sustainability, and compliance with regulations like the EED and CSRD.
What’s the difference between energy management and energy monitoring?
Energy monitoring only records usage. Energy management goes further, using that data to actively adjust processes and control systems for better performance.
Is an energy management system necessary?
While not mandatory, an EMS is highly recommended. It provides real-time insight, simplifies reporting, and helps achieve sustainability goals. For multi-site companies or those with high energy costs, it’s often indispensable.
How do I start with energy management?
Start with insight. The first step is implementing an energy monitoring system like EnergyGrip, which gives you immediate access to real-time data and actionable information.