Industrial Newsbriefs

January 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

Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems Training

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Kennewick, WA: Three Rivers Convention Center

Join compressed air challenge instructor Tom Taranto for 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. Participants will learn how to calculate compressed air energy costs, improve system efficiency, find and fix leaks, and more. This event is sponsored by Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, Washington State University Extension Energy Program, JR Simplot, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and the US Department of Energy.

COMBINED HEAT AND POWER

Overview of CHP from the Alliance to Save Energy

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) has been gaining attention nationally as a viable solution for industrial facilities looking to make major increases in energy efficiency. “CHP for Industry: Renewed Focus” provides an overview of CHP, and describes its potential in satisfying evolving greenhouse gas emissions guidance.

Ohio paper mill cuts its energy use by one half with CHP

SMART papers in Cincinatti, Ohio will save 50,000 tons of coal annually with its new co-generation plant, and will sell excess energy to the grid. The facility will generate enough grid power to have earned certification as a renewable energy resource generating facility for the State of Ohio. To learn more, read "U.S. Papermaker is Certified 'Renewable Energy Resource Generating Facility' in Ohio" in Industry Week, or read a commentary on Clean Technica.

PLANT MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Technology presents a plethora of ideas for lean plant maintenance

"From Good to Great with Lean Maintenance" is a two-part article by Christer Idhammar, IDCON, Inc. and published in the October and November 2010 issues of Maintenance Technology.

Part I offers suggestions for improvement in several areas, including reliability, storage, over-manufacturing, and more. Part II begins with over-maintenance, and describes how optimized preventative maintenance fits into a lean maintenance effort. Shutdowns and decisions about storing spare parts and materials are also addressed.

"How to Begin Maintenance Planning" is a two part article by Raymond L. Atkins, published in the August and November 2010 issues of Maintenance Technology. Part I provides and overview of why a comprehensive maintenance plan is essential, and provides strategies for its justification. Part II discusses the elements of a job plan to be included in the maintenance plan, and describes exactly how to write one.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas accounting rules

"BACT to the Present: New Permitting Guidance Could Affect Industry,” by R.B. Lung of the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), describes how new EPA permitting guidance for greenhouse gas emissions could effect industrial operations. The new guidance directs industries to implement best available control technology (BACT) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency upgrades usually meet BACT criteria better than carbon sequestration or other more technologically complicated measures.

Biodiesel Tax Extension signed into law

On December 17, president Obama signed into law H.R. 4853, which contains a reinstatement and extension of alternative fuel tax credits until December 31, 2011. The incentive is designed to make biofuels competitive with conventional diesel fuel in the marketplace. For more information, read "President Obama Signs Bill Extending Biodiesel Tax Incentive into Law" on biodiesel.org.

NEWS

First companies receive certification under the Superior Energy Performance program

The first companies to receive certification under the Superior Energy Performance program were announced on December 9 by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Superior Energy Performance program is an ANSI certified program which provides a framework for evaluating energy performance in industry on a domestic and international scale. To learn more, read the press release on EERE News.

Obama signs bill extending energy efficiency and renewables provisions

On December 17, President Obama signed a bill which extends a biodiesel tax credit, an alternative fuel tax credit, cash in place of a tax credit for renewable energy producers, and other measures which were due to expire this month. To learn more, read "President Obama Signs Bill Extending Energy Efficiency, Renewable Provisions" on EERE News.

California becomes first state to ban incandescent 100 watt bulbs; Ikea takes preemptive action

California has banned the 100-watt incandescent light bulb one year ahead of a nationwide ban legislated with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In concert with the California ban, Ikea will no longer sell incandescent bulbs of any wattage. To learn more, read "CA Incandescent Ban, Green Building Codes Go into Effect" in Environmental Leader.

RESOURCES

On-site generation page from EERE

EERE recently added a new section to its website dedicated to on-site generation. A basic overview of on-site generation, statistics, links to further resources, and a list of producers of on-site power are included.

Fall issue of Energy Matters now available

The fall issue of Energy Matters, the quarterly newsletter for the U.S. Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program, is now available online. This issue features profiles of industrial energy saving companies, an overview of the Steam System Tools Suite, and information about a new, super-efficient aluminum forging technique.

Renewable energy project financing website from NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has unveiled a new website dedicated to renewable energy project finance. Features of the site include a resource database, case studies and analysis, a weekly blog, and an events calendar.

New web tool calculates energy savings for commercial and industrial lighting upgrades

Precision Paragon has added to their website a simple tool for calculating the savings possible from lighting retrofits for commercial and industrial buildings. The Lighting Retrofit Calculator assumes an existing standard incandescent initial condition, and requires entry of square footage, cost per Kilowatt, and annual hours of operation.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

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 is 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
In this Funding Opportunity Announcement entitled Research and Development of Fuel Cells for Stationary and Transportation Applications, the Fuel Cell Technologies Program seeks to fund fuel cell research and development in the areas of fuel cell system balance-of-plant, fuel cell components, and innovative concepts that will reduce the cost, improve the durability, and increase the efficiency of fuel cell systems, thereby enabling a competitive domestic fuel cell industry.

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

Pacific West Biomass Conference & Trade Show
January 10-12, 2011, Seattle, WA
The Pacific West BIOMASS Conference & Trade Show will connect the area’s current and future producers of biomass-derived electricity, industrial heat and power, and advanced biofuels with waste generators, aggregators, growers, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, investors, and policy makers. Tracks include: Electricity Generation, Industrial Process Heat & Power, Biorefining, and Biomass Project Development & Finance.

EXPO 2011: NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo
January 16 – 19, 2011, Portland, Oregon
The Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo (Expo) is considered the largest regional food processing expo in North America. The event offers industry relevant sessions with industry relevant information featuring high level speakers to encourage a broad based attendance by food processor company personnel. Two workshops will be offered as part of an energy track: Saving Energy Costs with Refrigeration Systems and Cool New Things in Refrigeration.

3rd Annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit
January 19, 2011, Portland, Oregon
The 2011 NW Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit, now in its third year, is the premier annual gathering of regional industrial leaders. You’ll leave the Summit with actionable, practical and successful strategies to control one of industry’s most important variable costs – energy.

Industrial Refrigeration Systems - Energy Management and Certification Preparation
January 17–19, Portland, OR
With a focus on maintenance, operation, and safety, this training will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to reduce energy usage and operating costs, and improve the reliability of refrigeration systems. This course will help guide attendees to efficiently manage and minimize energy consumption through awareness of applied best practice and strategies for refrigeration operations.

Process Safety Management Audits for Compliance and Continuous Safety Improvement
January 25-27, 2011, Madison, Wisconsin
Learn how to conduct high-performance, effective process safety management systems audits. The course will enable you to understand a range of approaches for conducting PSM compliance audits; assess and allocate required resources to conduct the audits; use proven strategies and techniques for executing effective PSM audits; turn your audit results into PSM program improvements; and continuously improve the reliability and deliverability of “cold” as a result of conducting a compliance audit.

Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems Training
Tuesday, February 8, 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.
Presented during the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers 2011 Annual Meeting

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 and action plan, and validating your efficiency improvements.

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.

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

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