Improving industrial energy efficiency: Demonstration from global leading companies and promotion from EU policies
introduction
As the world attaches increasing importance to sustainable development, energy efficiency improvement in the industrial field has become the focus of various industries. This article will explore the current trends and challenges in improving industrial energy efficiency by analyzing the energy efficiency practices of Siemens, TCL and other companies, as well as the latest developments in the European Commission's industrial electricity price policy.
Corporate Practice: Examples of Siemens and TCL
Forvia: Towards greater energy efficiency
Siemens is actively advancing its Forvia project with the goal of achieving greater energy efficiency. By adopting advanced automation technology and intelligent energy management systems, Siemens not only hopes to reduce energy consumption in its own operations, but also aims to help its customers maximize energy utilization and jointly promote green transformation.[1]
TCL: Using ESG to drive transformation of the global value chain
China's TCL Group is gradually transforming into a global leader in sustainable development models by strengthening environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. TCL leverages its ESG efforts to actively promote the greening of its global value chain. In this case, TCL not only focuses on energy efficiency in the production process, but also achieves optimal management of energy use in the entire value chain through technological innovation and management optimization, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in the industrial field.[2]
Technological innovation: Fürth’s sustainable lighthouse factory
In terms of technological innovation, Siemens' Fürth factory is known as the "Lighthouse Factory of Sustainable Development". The factory integrates a variety of high-efficiency energy-use technologies and practices, such as smart energy distribution systems, high-efficiency motors and lighting, and waste heat recovery systems. Through the application of these technologies, the Fürth factory has not only greatly reduced energy consumption, but also achieved significant improvements in production efficiency, providing valuable practical experience to the industry.[5]
Policy support: European Commission review and approval of industrial electricity prices
In addition to self-motivation by enterprises, policy support is also an important driving force for improving industrial energy efficiency. In April 2026, the European Commission officially adopted a series of new regulations on industrial electricity prices, aiming to encourage the industry to adopt more energy-saving measures and technologies through a more reasonable electricity price mechanism. The new regulations place special emphasis on providing more support and subsidies to companies that adopt renewable energy and technologies, which undoubtedly injects new impetus into the improvement of industrial energy efficiency in Europe and around the world.[3]
Goals and Vision: Concept and Practice of Zero-Carbon Factory
Zero-carbon factories are considered one of the ultimate goals for industrial energy efficiency improvements. China Daily reported on the latest definition and development trends of zero-carbon factories, pointing out that zero-carbon factories should not only reduce direct carbon emissions through technical means, but also achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire value chain. The proposal and practice of this concept are of great significance for promoting the green transformation of the industrial field and even the whole society.[4]
in conclusion
To sum up, the improvement of industrial energy efficiency is not only a manifestation of corporate social responsibility, but also the key to achieving sustainable development goals. Successful cases from companies such as Siemens and TCL show that through technological innovation and effective management measures, the industry can achieve a greener and more efficient production model. At the same time, the support and guidance of government policies are also crucial to promoting the transformation of the entire industry. With the promotion of the zero-carbon factory concept and the development of technology, we have reason to believe that the future of the industrial field will be brighter.
Reference sources
📰 Reference source
- Forvia: Towards greater energy efficiency- Siemens (February 13, 2026)
- [ESG+20 Sustainability Leaders] China's TCL Leverages ESG to Drive Global Value Chain Transformation- Yicai Global (March 20, 2026)
- Industrial electricity price: Approval by the European Commission (as of April 2026)-Taylor Wessing (April 24, 2026)
- Word of the day | zero-carbon factory- China Daily Network (January 22, 2026)
- Fürth Sustainable Development Lighthouse Factory- Siemens (February 13, 2026)
FAQ ❓
What are the main challenges currently facing improving industrial energy efficiency?
The main challenges currently facing industrial energy efficiency improvements include the cost of technology updates, uncertainty in policy support, and the difficulty for companies to optimize energy use management throughout the entire value chain.
What are the goals of Siemens' Forvia project?
Siemens' Forvia project aims to achieve higher energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption in its own operations through the use of advanced automation technology and intelligent energy management systems, and help its customers maximize energy utilization.
How does TCL use ESG practices to promote the greening of its global value chain?
By strengthening environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, especially in terms of technological innovation and management optimization, TCL has achieved optimal management of energy use throughout the value chain, thus promoting the greening of its global value chain and becoming a leader in sustainable development models.
What are the specific contents of the new industrial electricity price regulations adopted by the European Commission in 2026?
The new industrial electricity price regulations adopted by the European Commission in 2026 aim to encourage the industry to adopt more energy-saving measures and technologies through a more reasonable electricity price mechanism, with a special emphasis on providing more support and subsidies to companies that use renewable energy and technologies.
What is the concept of a zero-carbon factory and why is it important?
Zero-carbon factories not only reduce direct carbon emissions through technical means, but also achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire value chain. This concept is of great significance in promoting the green transformation of the industrial field and even the whole society, and is regarded as one of the ultimate goals of improving industrial energy efficiency.