If, in common sense, a buck saved is a buck earned, this proves all the more significant in energy savings, when a sum invested may result in higher profits and higher benefits. If, for an individual, energy saving merely means to avoid money burning big holes in his or her pocket, then for a company, it means better returns and better business efficiency, and for an economy, there are even greater dimensions of cost-effectiveness.

Siemens has launched its renewable energy business arm in India to get a sizable share in one of the fastest growing markets in the world. The German engineering giant has opened its business in India at just the right time given the abundant economic and policy incentives offered by the government to the project developers as well as manufactures in the renewable energy sector.

A report published by an Indian Defense ministry-backed think tank has proposed for the establishment of an international space-based solar energy program with India and the United States initiating this massive project. The report is prepared by Peter Garretson, a US Air Force lieutenant colonel, working with the Institue of Defense Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. The reports calls for the Indian and the United States’ governments to extend their strategic partnerships to initiate this pathbreaking project and make the space-based solar energy a commercially viable business venture by 2025.

In earlier September, in Dong Thap, representatives of the Center for Industrial Promotion & Consultancy Development reported and discussed the results of energy audit for businesses in the province. This is the program following the national energy policy which has been supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in some Southern provinces and cities (called ANEP 2).

Massive fit-out works both above and below ground will begin in the next six months as landowners move to upgrade their property portfolios. This will add to the already burgeoning construction on at least five big sites in Sydney's central business district.

Almost 800 businesses from 22 countries and territories from around the world will take part in the International Exhibition of Construction, Building Materials, Housing and Interior Décor (Vietbuild) being held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 16-20.

According to Can Tho Energy Conservation Center, after six months of implementing energy efficiency projects and programs, many businesses in the city have had a change in awareness and actively participated in the implementation of energy saving measures. Since the beginning of the year, Can Tho City has saved over 9.5 million kWh of power.

Along with the development and renovation of the country, Hai Phong has been constantly renovating. Currently in the area, there are hundreds of large enterprises operating in such sectors as shipbuilding, cement manufacturing, steel production, etc with thousands of small and medium enterprises. The strong growth of businesses has brought about the increasing demand for energy.

There have not been many domestic businesses such as these two to recognize the wind power potential in Vietnam. Cavico spent 60% of their investment fund for renewable energy on wind power, among other energy sources such as solar power, wave power (power generated by the combination of ocean waves and wind turbines).

Operating under the General Department of Logistics, the Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company, which specializes in building and repairing means of marine transport, has applied many energy conservation methods. The company has undergone 14 years of development and become a big business of Hai Phong City in the field of shipbuilding with the annual production value of more than 550 billion.

With active involvement of many ministries, industries, localities, businesses during the period 2006 – 2010, the National Target Program on economical and efficient use of energy has achieved very commendable first results, saving a total of 3.2% of the national energy consumption amount (the target was to save from 3% to 5%). There are, however, many difficulties ahead to attain the target of saving from 5% to 8% in the next period 2011 – 2015.

In Quang Ninh, in May, the average allocated capacity is just 4.4 – 4.5 million kWh per day (not including capacity for cement factories), while the demand is up to 5.5 – 6 million kWh per day. “That businesses take the initiative to invest in energy-saving systems is primarily for their own economic purpose. Moreover, they have contributed much to the society and shared the difficulties with the community. If each hotel, each factory can save a few thousands of kWh, hundreds of families will have electricity to use”, said Mr. Do.

Asia needs to create new business/production models for green and clean development in combination with preservation of natural resources and protection of the environment. The need was addressed at seminars held on June 7, the second workday of the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2010 (WEF on East Asia 2010).

“Encouraging small and medium businesses in developing countries to use resources effectively" is a pilot program which has been carried out by UNEP to reinforce manufacturing competence of these businesses to implement cleaner production and to use natural resources effectively, in the end, contributing to decreasing production costs, minimizing pollution, improving health and enhancing industrial safety.

Held by The World & Vietnam Magazine (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in cooperation with the Asia Business Forum (ABF), and European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham), the conference is the largest ever on the issue. It is forecast that Vietnam's economy continues to grow rapidly while the population will reach 100 million by 2020. To meet the demand for electricity, Vietnam's power sector must maintain a growth rate of more than 12% annually.

To learn energy situation at the whole group and find opportunities to save energy cost, Vinacomin conducted energy audits at its 32 affiliates, including 12 coal-pit and 5 open-cast extraction businesses, 2 sieving units, 6 mechanical engineering units and 2 transport enterprises. The survey results showed that coal-pit extraction facilities could save between six to 14.7 percent of total power consumption, averaging 10.7 percent. If energy efficient measures were taken, these coal-pit extraction units could save nearly 30 million KWh (equal to 3,000 tonnes of oil equivalent) or more than VND25 billion each year.

There are two large industrial factories in the Nam Dong Ha Industrial Zone. These are Geruco Quang Tri MDF Wood Factory and the Hoa Tho – Dong Ha Garment Company. Geruco Quang Tri pays VND1.2-1.5 billion for power monthly consuming one-third of power supply in the city of Dong Ha. With that in mind, the company’s leaders are very concerned about energy efficiency.

Designed with small capacity of 3-8kg per hour, the incinerator is suitable for small and medium businesses, hospitals or medical centers. It uses LPG gas (or DO oil) at the rate of 2,5kg of LPG per hour, uses 220V – 50Hz – single phase electric power.

In Hanoi alone, the survey results in 10 big businesses active in major economic sectors such as textile-garment, leather and footwear, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronics etc. showed that these businesses could save 3.2 million kWh, or VND40 billion, each year if they took energy efficient measures.

Each year businesses added 2,000MW-3,000MW to the national power grid in the recent years, bringing Vietnam’s total power production to more than 18,400MW currently. In 2009, the country succeeded in dealing with power outages