Tools and Resources

The Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator helps inform strategic decisions about financing energy efficiency projects. This document provides an explanation of the calculations and methodology at work behind the calculator.

This 12-page paper describes the voluntary ENERGY STAR program policy approach selected to engage and motivate the automobile manufacturing industry to improve its energy performance, and the results of the industry’s efforts to advance energy management as measured by the updated EPI. Most notably, the paper shows that electricity use per vehicle in the best plants improved by 2 percent, while the fuel use per vehicle improved by a dramatic 12 percent.

This report describes the work of EPA and the automobile manufacturing industry to develop an Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for assembly plants. These types of plants are defined as those that produce passenger cars, light-duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans in the United States. Learn how EPA uses EPIs to encourage industries to voluntarily improve their energy use. The report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the EPI for automobile assembly plants. The equations are presented with instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

This report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for cement manufacturing plants. It also explains how the EPI was developed to provide a plant-level indicator of energy efficiency by working with the cement manufacturing industry. This report is useful if you would like background information on how EPA's ENERGY STAR Cement Manufacturing Plant EPI was developed. The report presents the individual equations used to develop the EPI, as well as instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

This report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for corn refining plants. It also explains how the EPI was developed to provide a plant-level indicator of energy efficiency by working with the corn refining industry. This report is useful if you would like background information on how EPA's ENERGY STAR Wet Corn Milling Plant EPI was developed. The report presents the individual equations used to develop the EPI, as well as instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

This report describes the work of EPA and the food processing industry to develop an Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for food processing plants and explains how EPA's ENERGY STAR program uses EPIs to encourage industries to voluntarily improve their energy use. The report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the EPI for the following food procession plants: juice, frozen fried potatoes, tomato products, and cook and cracker bakeries. The equations are presented with instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

This report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for glass manufacturing plants. It also explains how the EPI was developed to provide a plant-level indicator of energy efficiency by working with the glass manufacturing industry. This report is useful if you would like background information on how EPA's ENERGY STAR Glass Manufacturing Plant EPI was developed. The report presents the individual equations used to develop the EPI, as well as instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

This report describes the work of EPA and the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry to develop an Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for facilities that develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products in the United States. Learn how EPA uses EPIs to encourage industries to voluntarily improve their energy use. The report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the EPI for pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. The equations are presented with instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

This report describes the data and statistical methods used to construct the Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) for pulp, paper, and paperboard mill plants. It also explains how the EPI was developed to provide a plant-level indicator of energy efficiency by working with the pulp and paper mill industry. This report is useful if you would like background information on how EPA's ENERGY STAR Pulp and Paper Mill EPI was developed. The report presents the individual equations used to develop the EPI, as well as instructions for using them in an associated Excel spreadsheet.

Do you have energy efficiency projects that have been postponed or rejected due to capital budget limitations, other projects with better returns, or lack of expertise? Yet, from your perspective the project should be a “no brainer” due to the immediate positive cash flows generated by the energy savings. Understanding your organization’s decision-making process, being able to effectively speak to the benefit of improved cash flow, and improving your financial literacy can greatly increase your probability of receiving approval for a project.