Industrial Newsbriefs

December 2013

Welcome to this edition of Industrial Newsbriefs, produced by the Washington State University Extension Energy Program. Please forward this issue to those of your colleagues interested in industrial energy efficiency. View archive 

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AWARDS

Washington Industrial Energy Leaders award recipients recognized

Winners of the Washington Industrial Energy Leaders (WIEL) awards will be honored during a special ceremony at the Washington State Capitol with Governor Jay Inslee on December 10, 2013. Nearly two dozen applications were submitted for the 2nd annual WIEL effort – highlighting a variety of impressive energy efficiency accomplishments of industrial companies in the state. The 2013 award recipients represent companies that are leading the way in innovative energy achievements. The 2013 winners will also be recognized during a special session at the 6th Annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit on January 15, 2014 in Portland, Oregon.

COMPRESSED AIR

Compressed Air Best Practices

The November 2013 issue of Compressed Air Best Practices is now available for download; this issue’s focus is Metal Manufacturing and Machining. Article topics include pneumatic circuit tubing volume optimization, air gauging in metal fabrication and machining centers, innovative adsorption media for nitrogen generation, a report from the 2013 World Energy Engineering conference, and more.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Western Forest Products embraces energy efficiency

An article published November 20, 2013, in the Vancouver Sun, “Western Forest Products: ‘Being more efficient important part of being globally competitive’,” describes the advantages of embracing energy efficiency for Western Forest Products, a large Vancouver Island wood products manufacturer. The multi-site mill implemented multiple energy-efficiency strategies over a five-year period with the assistance of BC Hydro Power Smart.

Longview mill wins sustainability award

The KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation’s Longview Mill has been recognized by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) as a leader in sustainability by winning an AF&PA 2013 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Award. The awards were presented at the association’s annual meeting in Charleston, S.C. Learn more in “KapStone Longview Mill Receives Sustainability Award,” published November 8, 2013 in the Vancouver Business Journal. The mill was also recognized in 2012 with a Governor’s Award for Leadership in Energy Performance during the 1st annual Washington Industrial Energy Leaders awards ceremony.

HVAC/R

Why certification pays off

Why Encouraging Staff to Become Certified Refrigeration Specialists is Good for your Plant” was written by Denis Du Bois of EnergyPriorities.com and was published November 27, 2013. It describes firsthand the high value of training and certification for refrigeration specialists, and provides supporting statistics, information, and links.

Certification for industrial refrigeration energy specialists

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and the Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association (RETA) recently partnered to develop an energy efficiency certification for industrial refrigeration operators in the Pacific Northwest. The Certified Refrigeration Energy Specialist (CRES) training gives refrigeration professionals the skills and capabilities they need to optimize the energy efficiency of their plants, discover low- and no-cost savings, gain a competitive edge, and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. To learn more, read NEEA’s October 29, 2013, press release.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

New rules proposed for electric motor efficiency

On November 25, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a pre-publication Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking regarding energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial electric motors. The proposal increases the efficiency requirements of some motor types, and also incorporates new types of motors not formerly covered. Comments on the proposed rule are currently being accepted. Learn more on the DOE Building Technologies Office tracking page, or read “Just in Time for Thanksgiving, A Feast of Energy Savings from DOE’s Proposed New Electric Motors Standard,” published November 25, 2013, at ACEEE.org.

Aluminum and steel plants recognized by DOE

On November 22, 2013, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized Alcoa, an aluminum manufacturing plant, and ArcelorMittal, a steel plant, for leadership in the Better Buildings, Better Plants initiative. Both plants have set impressive goals for energy efficiency, and are co-hosting an energy training program this week in Cleveland, Ohio. To learn more, read the press release at energy.gov.

Climate Action Plan for coal-fired plants

The U.S. Energy Department (DOE) recently announced funding for 18 projects which will investigate and develop innovative technologies to reduce carbon emissions and increase the efficiency of new and existing coal-fired power plants. The projects will focus on post-combustion carbon capture and the development of gasification-based electric power plants. To learn more and link to the list of projects, see the November 7, 2013, press release at energy.gov.

PUMPS AND MOTORS

The following three articles were published in the October 2013 issue of Pumps & Systems:

Motor Efficiency Matters

Boosting your Bottom Line: Got Efficiency?” was written by Motor Decisions Matter and published in the November 2013 issue of Maintenance Technology. This brief article points readers in the right direction to obtain information, tools, and resources pertaining to motor management and motor efficiency.

RESEARCH

Labor market study detects future energy engineer shortage

The demand for a highly skilled and trained electric utility labor force is increasing, according to a labor market study conducted by the Washington State University Energy Program and published by the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy/A Centralia College Partnership (PNCECE). Workforce Challenges of Electric Power Employers in the Pacific Northwest, published in October 2013, reveals that a shift in priorities for training and hiring energy engineers will need to take place in order to meet demand.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS

Pacific Northwest

Pumping System Optimization
December 10, 2013, Bend, Oregon

Did you know that the average pumping system efficiency is 40% or less? When pumping systems are not optimized for best efficiency, they will drain your company’s profitably with higher energy and maintenance costs, shorter mean time between repairs, more CO2 emissions and a less reliable system overall. The course will show how the variable speed drive can save additional power by slowing down the pump speed, which will save energy and reduce cost in the process. With the system running more efficiently, maintenance and operating costs will go down and the mean time between repairs will improve.

Efficient and Effective Industrial Lighting
December 12, 2013, Moses Lake, Washington

This class focuses on high bays, hooded industrials, strips, troffers and even some exterior lights will be included. Pros and cons of high lumen full and reduced wattage T8s will be covered. T8s, T5HOs, T8VHOs, electronically ballasted ceramic metal halide, induction, plasma and LED will be compared. Wet locations, explosion proof lighting, food safety and other issues will be discussed. Although LED has been really only cost effective for cold storage, LED high bays are becoming more cost effective for other applications. Learn about wired and wireless controls. Attendees will also learn about some of the benefits of human centric lighting, which includes improved circadian rhythms, mood, visual acuity, performance and sustainability. Case studies, and low cost/no cost options will be discussed during the class.

Fan System Assessment Tool (FSAT)
December 18, 2013, Boise, Idaho

Developed to highlight the benefits of fan system optimization, this training discusses performance and practical issues, as well as introduces the Fan System Assessment Tool (FSAT). You will learn how the software functions, what data is required, what to do when measured data is not available, and how to interpret the assessment results. After completing this course, you will understand how to use FSAT to actively determine the best configuration for your fan system in order to achieve optimal energy and cost savings.

6th Annual NW Energy Efficiency Summit
January 15, 2014, Portland, Oregon

The NW Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit is the region's premier gathering of industries and energy interests working to advance northwest industrial competitiveness through energy efficiency. Presentations will include practical applications of energy efficient technologies in both electricity and natural gas. Energy experts and industry peers will discuss real-life energy savings success stories and challenges. In breakout sessions, attendees will gain hands-on experience and instruction on the use of data loggers to measure energy use or opportunities to talk one-on-one with energy program providers about training, services, and incentives that can help them save energy. Attendees will also engage in small group discussions on selected topics.

Webinars and Online Courses

WEBINAR: Improve Power Factor at Your Facility
December 17, 2013, 9:00 –10:00 AM PSTM

Find answers to common questions about this pesky power problem. Discussions about power factor tend to evoke a lot of questions. This webinar will address a number those questions, including: What is power factor and how does it differ from load factor? What causes power factor and how do you improve it? What are the downsides to improving power factor? What is the cost of power factor correction? Become more comfortable addressing power factor problems and learn of ways to decrease your power factor utility charge by attending this webinar. This webinar is coordinated by the NEEA NW Regional Industrial Training project and is sponsored by Bonneville Power Administration, Washington State University Energy Program, and Northwest Food Processors Association.

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.


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