Insights that power smarter energy decisions

How Global Textile Alliance Saved €175,000 with Data-Driven Energy Management

In industry, "small" efficiency gains are rarely truly small. A few percent less standby consumption, smarter compressed air control, or better-tuned steam pressure… It quickly adds up in euros and CO₂ impact.

Global Textile Alliance is a strong example of this: thanks to a series of optimizations driven by data and insights from Enprove, the company achieved a total cost saving of approximately €175,000.

Gaining control over the major consumers

The production environment of Global Textile Alliance (GTA) is extremely energy-intensive: the company knits and weaves mattress fabrics and finishes and dyes yarns for mattress and upholstery fabrics.

Two major consumers, or "big guzzlers," stand out in their processes. The weaving mill is mainly powered by compressed air, resulting in high electricity consumption. Additionally, the dyeing department uses steam dryers to generate heat, which also creates a significant energy demand.

Stricter regulations and increased compliance pressure

On top of that comes the reality of the energy transition. The sector is under increasing pressure to reduce gas consumption and lower CO₂ emissions (within the framework of EBO obligations).

This translates into concrete questions such as: is it worthwhile to install electric boilers? How do you handle obligations regarding rooftop PV installations, including the necessary stability studies? These are decisions that require expertise across multiple fields.

Measuring, analyzing, and targeted adjustment

Global Textile Alliance decided to involve Enprove because certain aspects were too specialized to cover internally. We have now been working closely together for ten years, with Enprove experts supporting them in energy plans and monitoring reports, specific calculations, and developing suitable measures. Our experts are also always available for questions regarding energy consumption and its impact.

Collecting data to understand what’s happening

Previously, nothing was actually measured, and the compressed air system was outdated. Therefore, we conducted a temporary measurement to map the actual consumption. These meters were connected to our Enelyzer software, allowing us to measure and monitor energy data. Based on this, reports were created and the information could be "sized." In plain language: not just collecting numbers, but being able to specifically see where heat was lost, when standby consumption occurred, and where leaks were present.

Based on this, reports were prepared and the information could be "quantified." In simple terms: not just collecting numbers, but being able to clearly identify where heat was lost, when standby consumption occurred, and where leaks were present.

Where are the deviations and opportunities?

The data revealed, among other things, that the existing compressors’ switching was no longer aligned with consumption, causing the specific consumption to be higher than normal. Additionally, there was a relocation of the 10-bar compressed air network to a new site: based on actual consumption, it was now possible to make a well-founded estimate of how much heat recovery could be achieved.

Appropriate measures that truly deliver results

Based on all the insights, targeted actions followed. We critically reviewed supplier proposals for new compressors to ensure the solution matched actual consumption. We also advised investing in compressed air meters so that consumption could be monitored per department and leaks detected more quickly.

It was a significant investment, but one that Global Textile Alliance considers the right step: thanks to smart switching between pressure networks, the site became more flexible and compressor capacity could be better aligned with compressed air needs.

Small percentages add up to make a huge difference

Together with several additional optimizations, the result is clear: the processes are now significantly more energy-efficient. Global Textile Alliance reports a total cost saving of approximately €175,000. Here’s a summary of the "small" gains:

• 1.3% savings by reducing standby consumption
• 4% through steam optimization
• 4% through heat recovery
• 5% through compressed air optimization
• 3% through dryer optimization

All together, this naturally makes a huge difference in absolute numbers. This business case from Global Textile Alliance clearly shows how data-driven energy management can quickly pay for itself—even when significant investments are required.

Curious about where the (most profitable) levers are in your company? Feel free to get in touch; we’d be happy to explore it together—with a focus on payback time and IRR.

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Since the announcement of the new BACS legislation, we have noticed that many questions are arising in practice: who exactly falls within the scope, what is expected concretely, and what are the key points of attention when it comes to enforcement?

We closely follow the legislation and notice that its interpretation sometimes clashes with practical realities. Based on these insights, we share 5 lessons learned that can help you assess the legislation in a more targeted way.

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1. Define the scope first, then draw conclusions

The first question you will probably ask is: does my organisation fall under this obligation?

Determining the scope happens in two steps:

• First, verify whether the building or building unit qualifies as a non-residential building unit.
• If so: check whether there is a comfort heating or cooling circuit with a thermal output greater than 290 kWth.

An important point to keep in mind: process heating is outside the scope, both when determining whether the legislation applies and when implementing the BACS system.

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2. Thermal output as the determining factor

To determine whether the legislation applies (> 290 kWth), only the circuit with the highest thermal output is considered. In other words: the combined capacity of all generators or installations that are hydraulically or refrigerant-technically connected. Heating and cooling are considered separately, so their capacities do not need to be added together. From 31 December 2029, this threshold will be reduced to 70 kWth.

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3. Don’t forget the decentralised units

If your building falls under the BACS obligation, decentralised generation units must also be included in the monitoring. Think, for example, of standalone air conditioning units used for cooling or heating. Individual measurements are not required; grouping units is perfectly acceptable. However, they must be connected to the control system. An exception applies to generators below 12 kW, unless they are part of the main heating system.

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4. IAQ: not every room requires a sensor

For IAQ measurement (Indoor Air Quality), one measurement per 100 m² is sufficient. It is therefore no longer necessary to measure each individual room starting from 15 m². This significantly simplifies implementation in practice. It remains important, however, that the sensors are connected to the BACS system. In spaces with a usable floor area larger than 100 m², the number of sensors may be limited to one per room.

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5. Enforcement is not yet in place

The technical requirements currently published by VEKA are not yet final. The legislation and the associated requirements are still being further refined, including the definition of potential exceptions. Supporting documentation is available on the VEKA website, and this will continue to be expanded.

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More questions about BACS? Mail to info@enprove.be and we are happy to hulp you further!

For years, energy savings for companies were synonymous with efficiency: better insulation, replacing outdated installations, optimizing lighting, streamlining production processes, etc. Most enterprises have now followed that path. The traditional savings gains have largely been captured.

Today we stand at a different tipping point. The question keeping industry leaders awake is no longer how to consume less, but when to consume. Energy is becoming a dynamic resource: its price and availability fluctuate constantly, driven by demand, weather conditions, and market forces. Those who ignore these fluctuations pay the price. Those who use them wisely gain a competitive advantage.

The future of energy management therefore lies not only in further savings, but in responding more intelligently to fluctuations. Think of companies that flexibly align their processes with moments of low energy costs, temporarily deploy their own storage, or actively participate in demand-response programs. It is a shift from static to dynamic energy management, from efficiency to agility.

This requires more insight, technology, and collaboration. Smart meters, data platforms, and predictive algorithms make it possible to respond to the energy landscape in real time. But even more important is the mindset shift: energy management is no longer purely a technical discipline, but a strategic one.

Dynamic energy contracts are changing the rules

Since 1 October 2025, dynamic energy contracts in Europe have been settled based on quarter-hour prices instead of hourly prices. Energy suppliers are not obliged to apply this, so some contracts still operate on hourly pricing for the time being.

A non-dynamic contract now carries more risk for suppliers than before. Today, this risk is being passed on more heavily to their customers. By switching to a dynamic contract, most companies can achieve significant savings. Initial results among our clients show a clear trend: by optimizing contracted capacity and applying conservative peak shaving, companies achieve average cost savings of 10%, with amounts reaching up to €50,000 per year.

This is provided they can actively steer their consumption. Companies that succeed in shifting their processes to low-price moments can benefit from exceptionally favorable conditions, such as negative energy prices. This cost flexibility creates new opportunities to respond to market conditions and better align consumption with sustainable production.

A dynamic energy contract is not a miracle cure, but it is a lever for those who view energy as a strategic factor in business operations. Companies that invest today in data, insight, and smart technology are setting the standard for tomorrow’s economy. The future belongs to those who not only save energy, but master it

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The application of the EPC-NR legislation described in this article applies to Flanders.

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Energy Performance Certificates for non-residential buildings (EPC-NR) are currently being sold at dumping prices, as if they were standard documents you can “quickly have issued.” In a context where companies have been legally required to hold an EPC-NR since 1 January 2026, this may seem attractive.

As a result, Label X (undetermined) certificates are issued cheaply and in large numbers. However, rather than solving the problem, they merely postpone it. This label simply indicates that no valid assessment of the building’s energy performance could be made for example, because not all required measurements were available.

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An EPC-NR follows a very different logic than a “standard” EPC

Anyone who assumes that an EPC-NR is comparable to a residential EPC, a fairly straightforward process that would yield roughly the same result regardless of the expert, is mistaken. An EPC-NR goes far beyond a simple checklist. It requires substantive choices that directly affect future investment decisions. And that is precisely where the risk lies.

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Poor decisions today mean costly obligations tomorrow

With low-cost EPC-NRs, we often see that the absence of measurements is used as a convenient excuse to issue a Label X. This can be arranged quickly and cheaply.

However, legislation imposes a minimum energy label by 2030. In practice, this means companies will be required to produce a minimum amount of renewable energy themselves by that date. A piece of paper with a Label X offers no clarity on how far you are from that target.

You may already have sufficient renewable energy capacity, but it might not be taken into account due to an unfortunate scope definition by the expert. The result: unnecessary additional investments in renewable energy to meet the 2030 requirements.

More often, however, companies remain completely in the dark:

• Do we have too little renewable energy?
• How much are we short?
• What will it cost to comply with the legislation by 2030?

A Label X is of little value unless it comes with a thorough analysis and a clear roadmap. And this is not something you want to rush through six months before the deadline.

In other words: a cheap EPC-NR today can force investments tomorrow that could have been entirely avoided.

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EPC-NR compliance is a strategic exercise

An industrial EPC should not be treated as an administrative formality, but as a strategic analysis:

• Which measurements are absolutely necessary to move beyond a Label X?
• Which assumptions can be reasonably defended towards 2030?
• How do we avoid over-investing in “green energy” simply because the starting point was defined incorrectly?

This requires expertise.

At Enprove, we do not treat industrial EPC’s as off-the-shelf products.

We deliver:

• no EPCs without a future-oriented vision
• no labels without context
• no compliance without a plan

Because an EPC-NR without strategic choices is not a solution, it is a risk.
Contact Enprove to handle your EPC number correctly from the very beginning and make the right investment straight away.

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Over the past few years, industrial companies have made significant strides in energy efficiency, reducing their energy consumption by 20 to 30%. Today, many companies find themselves at a turning point. The major efficiency gains have already been achieved, and it is time for the next shift: moving from fossil-based installations to increasingly flexible electrification.

The companies that can be most flexible in how they draw electricity from the grid will be able to access the lowest electricity prices. As a result, the importance of flexible assets and buffering continues to grow.

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What role does the e-boiler play in this transition?

An e-boiler produces hot water using electricity, which makes it seem like the ideal replacement for a gas boiler. In practice, the e-boiler is typically operated when it can deliver heat more cheaply than the gas boiler. How often and for how long this is the case varies from one company to another. The required temperature level also has a significant impact on profitability. While the technology itself is relatively straightforward, the business case certainly is not.

The only correct answer to the question of whether an e-boiler is a smart investment is: you only know once you model it. A model allows you to test different scenarios, combining the factors you control (such as energy consumption, on-site generation from solar panels and heat pumps, and process heat demand) with external variables like fluctuating energy prices and the impact of new or stricter regulations.

This requires specialist expertise and high-quality data. Currently, 85% of our experts’ advisory services are subsidised, and we are happy to support you with the subsidy application. Using Enelyzer, our energy management and optimisation software, we model the project and objectively assess if and when investing in an e-boiler makes sense.

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Flexibly Responding to Volatile Electricity Prices

Volatile electricity prices combined with high gas prices are creating opportunities for e-boiler technology. The large-scale rollout of solar and wind energy increasingly leads to surpluses of (green) electricity. Stable electricity prices are a thing of the past:  sometimes electricity is expensive; sometimes it is extremely cheap.

An e-boiler is far more flexible than a gas boiler. It can be easily switched on and off to take advantage of fluctuating electricity prices.

This does not mean replacing your gas boiler entirely. Instead, you add an e-boiler alongside it. In this hybrid setup, the gas boiler remains the backbone of heat production, while the e-boiler supports or takes over when electricity prices are low. Today, this can already amount to around eighty days per year, resulting in a 10 to 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

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ETS2 and Congested Power Grids

Market prices alone do not determine whether an e-boiler is profitable, however. Grid capacity is also a critical factor in your energy model. A 5 MW industrial e-boiler requires as much power as around twenty fast-charging stations. If this exceeds the grid capacity available to your company, you may face annual costs of roughly €100 per additional kW. It is therefore essential to include grid constraints in your modelling.

Additional savings can be achieved through the European ETS system. This tax on fossil fuels will decrease as the e-boiler replaces the gas boiler by using green electricity. Companies not yet subject to this scheme will become so by 2028, when ETS2 introduces a new emissions trading system for buildings and transport. At that point, using gas will become more expensive for everyone.

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The Future of Energy: Constantly Switching Between Assets

Want to be ready for 2028? Start assessing today whether an e-boiler deserves a place in your medium-term roadmap towards 2030. If so, engage with your grid operator early to discuss all your transition plans. Waiting times for new or upgraded grid connections can quickly become significant.

The e-boiler is just one possible component of these plans. Ideally, you should develop a complete picture that also includes other assets such as heat pumps, charging infrastructure, solar panels, batteries, and a wide range of process optimisations.

Beyond electrification, flexibility will define the future of energy. Companies that can respond most effectively will benefit from both lower and more stable energy prices.

Build your model, define your roadmap, and always think a few years ahead.

Key Takeaways

• An e-boiler is a tailored solution; the business case differs from company to company.
• At Enprove, we model your energy situation. Take advantage of subsidies to do this in 2026.
• Think hybrid: an e-boiler is one piece of a broader energy strategy.
• Smart control is essential. Savings are created by running the e-boiler at the right moments.

With Enelyzer, the AI-driven energy management system, and its team of experts, Enprove supports industrial businesses in reducing and stabilising their energy consumption, emissions, and costs. Get in touch if you want to shape your energy future together.

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