Multiple Benefits of Manufacturing Energy Productivity for Operational Excellence
NLR supports the identification and capture of operational improvements and cost savings (multiple benefits) associated with manufacturing energy projects.
Dedicated software tools, targeted trainings, practical comprehensive guides, and applied practical case studies can help strengthen the impact of industrial energy assessments and support performance-driven decision making.
Why Multiple Benefits Matter
With rising energy costs, and operational reliability concerns, energy productivity has become a critical driver of industrial competitiveness. Manufacturing energy projects often deliver operational and strategic improvements (commonly called multiple benefits, non-energy benefits, or co-benefits) beyond energy cost savings. This includes improved quality, reduced maintenance costs and downtime, enhanced safety, and increased productivity.
When these operational impacts are identified and quantified alongside energy savings, they can strengthen the business case by improving financial payback periods and demonstrating alignment with an organization’s key performance indicators and strategic objectives. This can support more informed decision-making and higher project implementation rates.
Identifying and Quantifying Multiple Benefits
To help users and decision makers fully capture the value of energy projects, the Learning Suite, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, provides detailed guidance and curated resources focused on identifying and quantifying operational improvements alongside energy savings. Paired with the open-source JUSTIFI software, which streamlines the identification, estimation, and analysis of operational impacts, these resources enable users to maximize return on investment and shorten payback periods for energy productivity initiatives.
Learning Suite
Explore comprehensive guides and practical examples to capture operational improvements and cost savings associated with energy projects using the JUSTIFI software.
Access tailored guides and applied scenarios for users, teams, and decision makers to learn how to connect energy projects to operational improvements and practice.
A curated collection of reading materials and research articles to deepen understanding of operational improvements and support energy productivity initiatives.
JUSTIFI Software Tool
A software tool designed to identify, quantify, and report operational and strategic improvements (multiple benefits) through industrial energy assessments. For access and technical support, please visit JUSTIFI.
Related Resources
Better Plants Program: a U.S. Department of Energy partnership program supporting manufacturers in improving efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness.
Funding Resources: a list of programs that support manufacturers of all sizes in implementing energy projects and operational improvement initiatives.
MEASUR: a free, open-source industrial system assessment tool.
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Last Updated Feb. 11, 2026