The purchasing advice Kloepfel Consulting has now created a checklist against gas bottlenecks. This includes measures that customers of the Düsseldorf company have already successfully implemented in their own plants and in the supply chain.
According to Kloepfel Consulting, the companies made up their minds power supply (Gas, electricity, heat) in their own plants and had some thoughts task forces furnished. In addition to the supply, they struggled with the dramatic price development. The topic often comes up in framework of risk management on the agenda.
Checklist against gas bottlenecks
- Convert secondary fuel system from gas to oil
- emergency generators
- Buy and bunker oil or diesel for existing and new emergency generators
- Converting thermal power stations from gas to oil
- Switch gas power plants from LNG to LPG
- Set up an LNG tank on the factory premises to ensure the supply
- Collaborate with neighboring companies and support each other in terms of heat, energy, LPG etc.
- Remove solar modules
- Consider on-site wind turbines
- Examine the supply chain and check risks at (upstream) suppliers due to gas bottlenecks
- Source alternatives to (upstream) suppliers with gas bottlenecks
- Stock up on material affected by gas bottlenecks to avoid production downtime
- Have energy saving measures checked
Autonomous supply
Some companies would have been on one for years self-sufficient energy supply switched. Additional aspects played a role here, such as sustainability heat recovery and public posts.
Kloepfel Consulting gives further examples: A company had one ten years ago strategic initiative in the field of wind energy started. However, the permits for the wind turbines were only granted in the last few weeks.
Another company put up biomass around and be thus no longer dependent on the gas. Another company has it Power plant bought back from utility and modernized to ensure long-term supply.
Screen supply chains for risks
In the supply chain However, the companies are far less systematic in order to such as gas bottlenecks at suppliers and pre-suppliers in good time recognize and to react accordingly.
Customers with worldwide plants should contact Thoughts about suppliers with possible gas shortages do, advises the consulting company. For risk considerations would be one increased stockpiling announced, as far as the current bottlenecks still allow it.
geopolitical risks should be taken into account when selecting a supplier (2nd source) if possible. It is worth sharpening your focus on dealing with geopolitical risks. The Ukraine war was a wake-up call.
In general, it can be observed that those companies have an advantage that have been part of the supply chain law serious initiatives with regard to various ESG criteria (environment, social, governance) and during the corona pandemic Implementation experience in task force management could collect. The deep look into the supply chains has built up a lot of knowledge. (jk)