Industrial Newsbriefs

February 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 

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INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

Continuous Energy Improvement for Industry

Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) is a complete energy management system developed by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). The system is designed to facilitate the permanent integration of energy management principles into all aspects of business and manufacturing, including people, manufacturing systems, organizational structure, and measurement.

INNOVATIONS

Grand Challenge Portfolio: Driving Innovations in Industrial Energy Efficiency

The Grand Challenge Portfoliois an online brochure published in January by the Department of Energy Industrial Technologies Program (ITP). The ITP Grand Challenge program comprises 47 research and development projects studying new, high-risk, high-potential innovations in materials science, manufacturing, industrial processes, and carbon reduction strategies for industry.

Nanomanufacturing Portfolio: Manufacturing Processes and Applications to Accelerate Commercial Use of Nanomaterials

This document, published by the Department of Energy Industrial Technologies Program (ITP), discusses the growing importance of nanotechnology in the development of efficient industrial manufacturing processes, and describes the projects being supported by ITP in this area.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Greenhouse gas standards for oil refineries and power plants to be set within two years

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must set emissions standards for greenhouse gas emissions for refineries and power plants within the next two years, to remain in compliance with Clean Air Act regulations. Public and stakeholder input on the new standards will be sought early this year, in the form of listening sessions. For information, see the EPA page on addressing greenhouse gas emissions.

Final air pollution rules for boilers to be released by February 21st

Amidst some delay and controversy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release new standards for industrial boiler emissions, in compliance with the Clean Air Act, on or before February 21st, 2011. For more information, see "With Extension Denied, EPA Sends Boiler Rules to White House," by Gabriel Nelson of Greenwire.

NEWS

'Biobased' labeling launched by USDA

A new program developed by USDA will provide voluntary certification and labeling of products whose main ingredients are renewable plant or animal materials. The qualification criteria vary by product type, and food, fuel, and feed products are ineligible. A New York Times article, "USDA Lowers Bar for New 'Biobased' Product Label," analyzes the program and compares its progression to that of organic certification and labeling.

Three big energy companies team up to invest millions in energy alternatives

ConocoPhillips, NRG Energy, and GE Capital have formed a collaborative entity, called Energy Technology Ventures, which will invest over $300 million in startups working with renewable power generation, smart grid technologies, energy efficiency, biofuels, and other renewable and non-renewable energy technologies. Learn more at Grist, the Wall Street Journal, or visit the Energy Technology Ventures website.

A brief recap of the Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit

The third annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit took place on January 19, 2011, in Portland, Oregon. More than 60 representatives from industries attended, and many practical strategies and ideas for industrial energy efficiency were shared. A brief synopsis of the summit was posted on the Seattle PI website.

RESEARCH

Major global cuts in industrial greenhouse gas emissions are realistic, according to UN research

A series of newly released studies by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) found that a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon capture and storage, along with policies which promote their consistent use, could result in meaningful and dramatic reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from industry in both developed and developing countries. The reports, Global Industrial Energy Efficiency Benchmarking - An Energy Policy Tool; Renewable Energy in Industrial Applications - An assessment of the 2050 potential; and Carbon Capture and Storage in Industrial Applications: Technology Synthesis Report, can be downloaded from UNIDO, or read a summary at the UN News Center.

RESOURCES

Management Systems and Managing Energy: Putting a Proven System to Work for your organization, published in December 2010 by Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), describes the benefits of effective energy management, and recommends specific goals, strategies, and processes for instigating an energy management system for your company or industrial facility. Links to further resources are provided.

Industrial Energy Management Resources and Tools Version 2.3 (Save Energy Now CD)

This free CD features software tools, tip sheets, fact sheets, and case studies to help manage process heating, steam, and motor-driven systems, as well as data centers. Get information on energy assessments, learn how to partner with Save Energy Now, and discover energy-saving emerging and commercialized industrial technologies. The CD is easy to use and is especially ideal for facilities that are unable to access the Internet.

Latest issue of Compressed Air Best Practices now available online

The January 2011 issue of Compressed Air Best Practices is now online. This issue's focus is bulk handling; contents include "Chillers Provide Temperature Regulation for Fine Wine," "Dealing with High Volume Intermittent Demands," and "Compressed Air Systems Improvements."

New analytical tool for bioenergy collaboration

A new online collaboration, communication, and data coordination tool for all facets of the bioenergy industry was recently unveiled by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework uses interactive mapping features to display data on biomass feedstock production, fueling stations, and biorefineries at the national, state, and county level. Registered users will be able to submit data sets, which will then be integrated into the map tool, thus expanding the possibilities for coordination and analysis of bioenergy feedstocks, transportation, and production.

Doorway Infiltration Estimator

This handy new tool from The Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC) allows the user to specify the doorway operation and obtain an hourly load estimate for infiltration due to a temperature difference between two adjacent spaces.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Emerging Energy Technology Demonstrations - Alaska

The Alaska Energy Authority requests proposals for the Emerging Energy Technology Fund Grant Program. Through this RFP, AEA seeks to expand Alaskan's access to reliable and affordable energy sources through funding demonstration projects of technologies that have a reasonable expectation to be commercially viable in the next five years. Technology priorities include: Energy Production (including renewables); Storage, Distribution, and Controls; and Energy Efficiency and Conservation. Subcategories of interest include, but are not limited to: Energy efficiency and conservation, biomass, wind, geothermal, micro-CHP, and solar. Project abstracts due 3/2/11.

FY 2011 Vehicle Technologies Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement

DE-FOA-0000239

Close Date: 2/28/2011

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for the FY 2011 Vehicle Technologies (VT) Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement. The VT program seeks to develop more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for highway transportation vehicles that will meet or exceed performance expectations and environmental requirements, and enable America to use significantly less petroleum and reduce GHG emissions. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Advanced Fuels and Lubricants Technologies; Lightweighting Materials; Advanced Cells and Design Technology for Electric Drive Batteries; Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Motors Technologies; and Fleet Efficiency. $184 million expected to be available, up to 47 awards anticipated. Letters of Intent are requested but not required and are due 1/18/11.

Fuel Cells for Stationary and Transportation Applications

DE_FOA-000360

Close Date: 3/3/2011

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals R&D of Fuel Cells for Stationary and Transportation Applications. Areas of interest include: Balance-of-Plant Components; Fuel Processors; High Temperature Stack Component Research; and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrode Assembly. $65 million is expected to be available, up to 35 awards anticipated. Letters of Intent are required, and are due 1/21/11.

Superior Energy Performance Program Administrator

DE-FOA-000435

Close Date: 3/10/11

The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Superior Energy Performance Program Administrator Technical Assistance. This RFP will fund an administrator and technical assistance provider for a new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Superior Energy Performance (SEP) Certification program. SEP is a planned certification program that will provide third party verification of continual improvement in energy efficiency at industrial and commercial facilities. Once launched, the program will provide a transparent, globally accepted system for validating energy intensity performance improvement and management practices. Up to $5 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS

Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems Training

Tuesday, February 8, 2011, Kennewick, WA

A one-day introductory course designed to teach facility engineers, operators, and maintenance staff how to achieve 15 - 25% cost savings through more effective production and use of compressed air. Learn how to calculate energy costs, improve system efficiency, find and fix leaks, and more. Seating is limited, so early signup is recommended.

Steam Systems Management

Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Boulder, CO

This 1-day course covers the operation of typical steam systems and discusses methods of system efficiency improvement. The training helps industrial and institutional plant personnel—energy managers, steam system supervisors, engineers, and equipment operators—identify opportunities to improve steam system performance.

Achieving Energy Cost Savings for Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

February 9-11, 2011

Madison, Wisconsin

In this course, you will enhance your ability to deliver energy savings back on the job by understanding factors that influence system energy efficiency and energy costs, identifying methods for improving system energy efficiency, developing an action plan, and validating your efficiency improvements.

PGE Series: Industrial Fan Systems

February 16, 2011

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.

Advanced Management of Compressed Air (Level 2)

February 16-17, 2011
Downey, California

This advanced course in compressed air system management teaches you to develop a system profile and address point-of-use issues, including determining actual air quality requirements, investigating and reducing highest point-of-use pressure requirements, and addressing high-volume intermittent applications. In addition, you will learn how to implement a compressed air system maintenance program, determine different compressor control strategies, align the supply-side to demand-side operation, and gain an understanding of the value of heat recovery. Participants will also gain knowledge on how to successfully present project proposals to management.

WEBINAR: Fundamentals of Compressed Air (Level 1); Four-Part Series

February 28 - March 21, 2011

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: Introduction, Why Care About Air and Study Your Supply Side; Understand Your Demands & Are You On Base; Controls; and Maintain Systems Efficiency, Get with the Plan and Summary- Evaluation.

Data Center Energy Practitioner Program Training/Exam Opportunity

February 28, 2011

Santa Clara, CA

The DOE, in collaboration with The Green Grid (TGG), is proud to announce the next Data Center Energy Practitioner Program (DCEP) Generalist training/exam in conjunction with TGG Technical Forum.

ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

February 28 – March 2, 2011

Washington , D.C.

Connect with America's Brightest Innovators! Join more than 1,800 energy leaders to explore how global energy challenges are directing research and investment priorities and driving American innovation. Topics include: Re-Inventing American Energy Manufacturing; Driving Towards Zero Waste; The Role of Breakthrough Technologies in Natural Gas; and The Future Grid.

PGE Series: Chilled Water Systems

March 2, 2011

Wilsonville, OR

This free half-day seminar focuses on chilled water systems in large commercial buildings and industrial facilities, including high tech and data centers. Working together, operating staff and facility engineers will learn about opportunities to control energy costs and improve efficiency. See our syllabus (PDF) for additional details.

Pumping Systems Management

March 9, 2011
Stockton, California

This 1-day workshop discusses performance problems encountered in everyday applications and presents the Pump System Assessment Tool (PSAT).

Industrial Energy Technolgy Conference

May 17-19, 2011, New Orleans, Louisiana

The IETC, hosted by the Energy Systems Laboratory at Texas A&M University, is a one-of-a kind conference that focuses on a wide variety of topics of current importance to industrial energy managers, utility experts, government program managers, vendors and others. The latest technologies and expertise on combined heat and power, smart manufacturing, energy opportunity analysis, and case studies of successful, real-world industrial efficiency projects are presented.

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 MathewsT@energy.wsu.edu . We strive to keep this publication as useful and relevant as possible to you, our readers.


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