Industrial Newsbriefs

December 2011

Welcome to this edition of Industrial Newsbriefs, produced by the Washington State University Extension Energy Program, and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Please forward this issue to those of your colleagues interested in industrial energy efficiency. View archive 

While every URL in Industrial Newsbriefs is checked for accuracy prior to distribution, URLs may change and servers may temporarily fail to connect to working URLs.


Announcements

2012 Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit

For Northwest industry, efficiency isn't a buzzword. It's how manufacturers gain and maintain a competitive advantage — by reducing costs, improving productivity, and using limited resources wisely. Efficiency can be the different between surviving and thriving. The focus of the fourth annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit is all about "industry sharing knowledge with industry." Sessions will feature energy experts and case studies that discuss actions taken by the presenting industrial companies. The agenda will focus on success stories from industry, and include great applications of existing and cutting-edge technologies, O & M opportunities, the power of executive engagement, project economics, creating energy efficiency across multi-plant organizations and in small-size companies, and leveraging third party resources to achieve energy efficiency.

Note: Sponsorships are still available for this event. To learn how you can help support this one-of-a-kind event, contact Tawnia Linde at NWFPA at 503-327-2212 or tlinde@nwfpa.org.

Compressed Air

Compressed Air Best Practices

The November 2011 edition of Compressed Air Best Practices is now available for download. This month's issue is focused on food processing; topics include automatic leak detection, cycling of refrigerated air dryers, advanced energy management, and a case study of a prepared food company's compressed air demand reduction strategies.

Control Systems

"Energy Efficiency: Open, Modular Control System Cuts Waste, Adds Throughput" is an article by Gary Sherman, Senior Executive Account Manager, Schneider Electric; it was published in the October 2011 issue of Control Engineering. An open and modular control system using off-the-shelf components is installed in a meat-packing plant. The new system replaced an older, proprietary one that had become difficult to maintain. The new system reduces waste by 10% and troubleshooting time by 20%, it increases throughput by 15%, and it will pay for itself in about a year.

Duct Flow

Duct flow measurement

"How to Accurately Measure Duct Flow," published November 14, 2011, in Sustainable Plant, provides tips and advice for accurately measuring the flow of air or fluid through large ducts or pipes. Challenges to accurate measurement are discussed, and various measurement tools are described and evaluated.

Energy Management

Cowlitz County industries tap energy efficiency potential

Cowlitz County, Washington, is unique in that industrial energy expenditures account for about 70% of its combined electric load. Taking this into account, the PUD has offered incentives which industries have taken advantage of to great effect, resulting in energy savings equal to triple that of all other PUD programs combined. Learn more in "Great Potential for Energy Savings in Industrial Sector," written by guest columnist Doug Swier and appearing November 6, 2011, in the Daily News Online.

Manufacturing sector sees shortages in STEM sector

"Where We'll Find Tomorrow's Manufacturers," published November 17, 2011, in Sustainable Plant, explains how and why there is a shortage of science, technology, engineering, and math talent to fill current and pending positions in manufacturing in the United States. The article summarizes a panel discussion from a Manufacturing Perspectives panel at Rockwell Automation's Automation fair, held November 16-17, 2011, in Chicago.

An overview of the OECD Toolkit for Sustainable Manufacturing

In "Tools of the Trade," a three-part series posted in October and November 2011 at the Green Manufacturing blog, David Dornfeld of the University of California Laboratory for Manufacturing and Sustainability (LMAS) shares insight gained from attending the California France Forum on Energy Efficiency Technologies (CaFFEET), and provides an overview of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit.

Tools of the Trade Part I focuses on overcoming barriers to industrial CO2 reduction. The article points readers to the OECD Toolkit for guidance, and describes a set of 18 key performance indicators (KPIs) set forth in the Toolkit to measure and improve the environmental performance of manufacturing facilities.

Tools of the Trade Part 2 shares more material from the OECD Toolkit, including a set of steps for utilizing the 18 KPIs described in Part 1. The article goes on to describe some of the research being done at LMAS on the social metrics of sustainability.

Tools of the Trade Part 3 continues the discussion of the OECD Toolkit, this time focusing on how to prioritize areas for improvement.

Grants and Funding

Energy efficiency loans a sound and profitable investment

According to a September 2011 report by ACEEE, energy efficiency loans for industrial, residential, and commercial purposes have proved to be a good investment for utilities and financial institutions, with low default rates and low interest rates for borrowers. Because of this, the development and growth of these types of loans should be encouraged and anticipated. To learn more, see What Have We Learned from Energy Efficiency Financing Programs? (free registration required for download).

Heat Treatment

Pulse firing basics

"The Basics of Pulse Firing" was written in two parts by Dan Curry, Product Development Manager for Controls, Eclipse, Inc:

Part 1 was carried in the October 2011 issue of Industrial Heating. It provides information about pulse firing in heat-treating applications.

Part 2 was Web posted on the Industrial Heating website on October 3, 2011. It compares amplitude-modulating with pulse firing.

Fuel Cells

Profiles of fuel cell usage by corporations and industries

The Business Case for Fuel Cells 2011: Energizing America's Top Companies was published in November 2011 by Fuel Cells 2000, a nonprofit group which promotes the commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen. The report contains 29 profiles detailing the use of fuel cells in commercial and industrial settings. Also included are links to further resources and a list of fuel cell-powered forklifts in North America.

U.S. Army commissions fuel cell system

As part of an interagency partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy, innovative four-stack fuel cell system will be installed at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The system will be used to provide backup power, and will also act as a test laboratory for the development of similar systems for commercial and industrial settings. To learn more, read the November 17, 2011, press release.

Resources

Efficiency Connections Northwest conference materials now posted

Presentation materials from 2012 Efficiency Connections Northwest, which took place November 2-3 in Tacoma, WA, are now available online at Conduit. Topics include industrial strategic energy management, commercial and industrial lighting, emerging technologies, and how to leverage contractors and trade allies.

Waste-to-Energy

Paper pellet fuel for boiler applications

"Paper Pellets," by Lisa Gibson, Associate Editor, appeared in the September 2011 issue of Biomass Power & Thermal. It describes the promising combination of industrial paper waste with pellet technology, and explains how the resulting paper pellets can be co-fired with fossil fuels in large boiler applications. The Manitowoc Public Utilities in Wisconsin, in conjunction with two local pellet manufacturers, has had great success using the combination to provide fuel for its boilers.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS

Pacific Northwest

Energy Management: Introduction to Best Practices
December 8, 2011, Spokane, Washington
Gain the basic tools that every company needs to manage energy as a controllable cost. Understand energy management as a systematic approach to monitor, control, and conserve energy, and learn how energy management is integral to reducing operating costs. You will leave this training with information that will help you effectively implement an energy management system at your company.

Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit
January 18, 2012, Portland, Oregon
For Northwest industry, efficiency isn't a buzzword. It's how manufacturers gain and maintain a competitive advantage — by reducing costs, improving productivity and using limited resources wisely. Efficiency can be the different between surviving and thriving. The focus of the fourth annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit will again be "industry sharing knowledge with industry." Sessions will feature energy experts and case studies that discuss actions taken by the presenting industrial companies. The topics will include great applications of existing technologies, applications of cutting-edge technologies, O & M opportunities, the power of executive engagement, project economics, creating energy efficiency across a multi-plant organization, creating energy efficiency in small-size companies, and leveraging third party resources to achieve energy efficiency.

PGE Series: Compressed Air Systems
February 2, 2012, Wilsonville, Oregon
This free half-day seminar provides an overview of how compressed air systems work and practical advice about making the most of your compressed air system investment. Compressed air systems can be one of the largest energy consumers in your facility. Learn how to start saving energy and money today. See our syllabus (PDF) for additional details.

PGE Series: Industrial Fan Systems
February 16, 2012, Wilsonville, Oregon
This half-day free seminar provides an overview of the principles of industrial fan, blower, and dust collection systems and how to save energy without reducing production. See our syllabus (PDF) for additional details.

PGE Series: Industrial Pump Systems
February 17, 2012, Wilsonville, Oregon
This free half-day seminar provides an understanding of motors, pumps and variable-speed drives that can reduce energy use and improve process control in systems with varying loads. See our syllabus (PDF) for additional details.

Other Events, Trainings, and Webinars

UW-Madison Engineering Professional Development Ammonia Refrigeration Courses
Various dates beginning January 2012
Madison, Wisconsin or on-site
The University of Wisconsin – Madison Engineering Professional Development (EPD) is offering courses which provide comprehensive coverage of all aspects of ammonia refrigeration systems. Courses focus on specific topics, including ammonia system safety, energy efficiency, process hazard analysis, compliance auditing, mechanical integrity, piping, and design. EPD can deliver courses on-site and tailor programs to meet individual needs.

Save Energy Now: Illinois Utilities Incentives for Industry
December 15, 2011, Oak Brook, Illinois
This event features Information about Illinois utilities incentive programs for industrial energy efficiency projects, US Department of Energy technical assistance, and the ISO 50001 certification process.

Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems - Web Edition (4-part Series)
Mondays, February 28 – March 14, 1:30 – 3:30 PST
This web-based version of the popular Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems training uses an interactive format that enables the instructor to diagram examples, give pop quizzes and answer students' questions in real time. The curriculum will be organized into four 2-hour sessions.

Steam End User Training – E-Learning
Self-paced online workshop
This course covers the operation of typical steam systems and discusses methods of system efficiency improvement. A brief demonstration of the BestPractices Steam System Tool Suite software is highlighted to help identify and quantify savings from selected potential improvement examples. The training is designed for plant personnel, such as energy managers, steam system supervisors, engineers, and equipment operators, who have steam system responsibilities in industrial and institutional plants.

Steam Systems E-Learning
Self-paced online workshop
This training course will provide an overview of the BestPractices Steam Tool Suite. The training course will begin with a navigational tutorial to guide you on how to move through the three modules. Each training module will demonstrate the capability of one tool and its interactions with the other tools. Interactive quizzes will be used to test your basic understanding of the tools after you complete the course.

MORE TRAININGS IN INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY

For a listing of other upcoming industrial energy efficiency trainings, visit the following websites:

Energy Events Calendar

Northwest Regional Training Calendar

U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Best Practices Training Calendar

Input Requested: Is there something else you would like to see in Industrial Newsbriefs?

If you have thoughts or ideas for what you would like to see in this publication, please email suggestions to Talia Mathews at MathewsT@energy.wsu.edu . We strive to keep this publication as useful and relevant as possible to you, our readers.


Subscribe Free

Past issues available here