What's Happening?
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have introduced a new software tool called JUSTIFI, designed to help U.S. manufacturers better understand and capitalize on the full value of their energy productivity
projects. JUSTIFI is a free, open-source tool that quantifies the often-overlooked multiple benefits of energy projects, such as productivity gains, quality enhancements, safety improvements, reduced downtime, and lower maintenance costs. By highlighting these benefits alongside energy savings, JUSTIFI aims to strengthen the business case for energy projects, reduce payback periods, and align project outcomes with an organization’s strategic goals. Since its beta release in April 2025, the tool has been used by over 1,000 users, and ongoing feedback is being used to enhance its features.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of JUSTIFI is significant for U.S. manufacturers as it provides a comprehensive approach to evaluating energy productivity projects. By quantifying multiple benefits, the tool helps businesses build a more compelling case for investment in energy improvements, potentially leading to increased competitiveness in the manufacturing sector. This is particularly important as industries seek to optimize operations and reduce costs in a competitive global market. The tool's ability to generate decision-ready reports that tie project outcomes to key performance indicators can lead to more informed decision-making and higher project implementation rates, ultimately contributing to economic growth and sustainability in the manufacturing industry.
What's Next?
As JUSTIFI continues to be refined based on user feedback, it is expected to become an integral part of the decision-making process for energy productivity projects in the manufacturing sector. The tool's developers are likely to focus on expanding its database of multiple benefits and enhancing its reporting capabilities to further support manufacturers in achieving their strategic objectives. Additionally, as more businesses adopt JUSTIFI, there may be increased collaboration between industry stakeholders and research institutions to explore new ways to maximize the value of energy projects.
