Industrial Newsbriefs

November 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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Note: Due to the government shutdown, links to federal government sites may not be working.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wine Science Center breaks ground

The Wine Science Center at Washington State University broke ground on September 26, 2013, with Governor Jay Inslee present. The center is being designed to LEED certified standards, and will house research and activities specific to wine grape growing, wine production, and the promotion of a healthy and productive wine industry in Washington State. To learn more, see WSU’s Voice of the Vine, or visit the Campaign for Wine web page.

BIOFUELS/BIOMASS

Flathead Electric biomass project underway

FEC Making Use of Solar, Biomass Projects,” published September 20, 2013, at KPAX.com, describes an industry/utility cooperative biomass power project in Columbia Falls, Montana. As part of a 20-year contract with Flathead Electric, a newly constructed biomass generator at Stoltze Lumber will utilize wood waste to provide enough electricity to power about 2,000 homes. A solar project is also in the works.

COMBINED HEAT AND POWER

Western Industrial Energy Efficiency and CHP Regional Dialogue Meeting

The U.S. Department of Energy, in coordination with the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action) Industrial Energy Efficiency and CHP Working Group, and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), is hosting a Western Regional Dialogue Meeting to bring together key stakeholders and obtain input on best practices and innovative solutions that address the multiple barriers to greater investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP. The meeting will take place October 29, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah. For information, click the link above, or visit the registration link.

CHP guide for power resiliency

Guide to Using Combined Heat and Power for Enhancing Reliability and Resiliency in Buildings was jointly published by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in September 2013. Inspired by power systems that remained functional through Hurricane Sandy, it provides practical information on how to configure a CHP system to operate independently of the grid.

COMPRESSED AIR

Compressed Air Best Practices

The September 2013 issue of Compressed Air Best Practices is now available for download; this issue’s focus is Blower Aeration for Wastewater Treatment. Article topics include the ASME blower standard, evaluating blower technologies, magnetic bearing systems, and more.

ENERGY EFFICENCY & ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Challenges to industrial energy efficiency

Why Efficiency is Harder in Industrial Facilities than Commercial Buildings” was written by Marcus Wilcox, CEO, Cascade Energy, and published September 20, 2013 at theEnergyCollective.com. The article highlights some key reasons why implementing energy efficiency in manufacturing settings can be challenging and slow going.

SEM for the future of industry

Strategic Energy Management Today Creates Brighter Energy Environment Tomorrow” was written by Mary Burgoon, Market Development Manager, Rockwell Automation; it was published in the August 2013 issue of the NEMA publication Electroindustry. This is a call to manufacturing leaders to change their commonly-held view of water, air, gas, electric, and steam (WAGES) from simply the costs of doing business to opportunities for positively and seriously influencing the bottom line of a business.

SEM at Boise Cascade

With assistance from Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program, Boise Cascade’s Kinzua Lumber mill in Pilot Rock, Oregon, has managed to trim 1.8 kWh of electricity per year by implementing a toolbox of energy-saving strategies, techniques, and practices. Read all about it in the Fall 2013 issue of The Champion, Energy Trust of Oregon’s quarterly newsletter.

CAGI issues new blower standard

In August 2013, the Compressed Air and Gas Institute (CAGI) announced the release of a new standard for testing blower performance. Standard 5389, Simplified Acceptance Test of Electric Driven, Low Pressure Turbocompressor Air Blower Packages, provides a cost-effective, accurate method for testing the performance of packaged, low-pressure turbocompressors handling atmospheric air. The standard will be submitted for consideration as an annex to ISO 5389.

Green roofs help cut energy costs

In “J.W. Winco’s CFO Explains Why He Bought a Vegetated Roof,” published September 25, 2013, at SustainablePlant.com, an industrial machine parts supplier in Wisconsin explains his company’s rationale for installing a green roof. The article enumerates the energy benefits of green roofs over conventional roofing, including decreased heating and cooling costs and a lowered carbon footprint.

Lighting retrofits: What to consider

A 6-Step Process to Get the Most for Lighting Retrofits,” published September 20, 2013, at SustainablePlant.com, provides succinct advice for those considering a facility-wide or localized lighting retrofit. Note: each bullet links out to further information from Precision Paragon, a supplier of lighting for commercial and industrial facilities. The advice given, however, is applicable beyond this specific supplier.

THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES

Refractories research

"Improved Refractories = Energy Savings" was written by James G. Hemrick, Oakridge National Laboratory, and published in the September 2013 issue of the American Ceramics Society Bulletin. The author provides a history of the support for refractories research by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the outcomes of some of that research. Additionally, he believes that DOE’s interest in traditional manufacturing technologies has waned in favor of innovative ones.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Better Plants participants recognized by DOE

On September 25, 2013, the United States Energy Department recognized more than 120 manufacturers that are making smart investments to save on energy costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve profitability through the Better Buildings, Better Plants Program. Since inception, the program has helped over 1750 plants across the U.S. save a combined $1 billion in energy costs. To learn more, read the DOE press release, or see the list of manufacturers in the Fall 2013 Better Plants Progress Update.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS

Pacific Northwest / West

Introduction to Energy Data Management: A Hands-on Workshop
October 17, 2013, Roseburg, Oregon

See description below.

Introduction to Energy Data Management: A Hands-on Workshop
October 23, 2013, Spokane, Washington

The training presents methods, tools, and resources to analyze energy use. Attendees will work in a collaborative environment to evaluate energy drivers and create statistically significant models to inform energy efficiency decisions. Attendees will gain new and/or deeper understanding of their company’s energy performance using best practices/considerations and basic statistical approaches. By the end of the day, attendees will know how to develop an energy model and dashboard. Knowledge of Excel is required for this course. This course is coordinated by the NEEA Industrial Training project and is sponsored by Avista, Inland Power and Light, Bonneville Power Administration, Washington State University Energy Program, and Northwest Food Processors Association.

Western Industrial Energy Efficiency & Combined Heat and Power Regional Dialogue Meeting
October 29, 2013, Salt Lake City, Utah

An in-person, one day dialogue meeting that will focus on developing and implementing state best practice policies and investment models that address the multiple barriers to greater investment in industrial energy efficiency and combined heat and power (CHP). This dialogue meeting is hosted by DOE's Advanced Manufacturing Office in coordination with the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action) and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).

Washington Future Energy Conference
October 30, 2013, Seattle, Washington

Now in its fourth year, the Washington Future Energy Conference has become the state’s “must-attend” clean energy event. Presented by NEBC and the Washington State Department of Commerce, this unique conference provides an unmatched forum for learning, networking, and business development – bringing together members of the energy industry, energy end-users, policy makers, and economic development professionals. The educational sessions will cover The Context for Clean Energy in Washington, The Business of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, and New Fuels for Transportation.

Pump System Assessment Tool (PSAT)
November 5th, 2013, Yakima, Washington
Registration deadline: October 22

Developed for plant engineering and operations staff, this course discusses performance problems encountered in everyday applications. The workshop covers practical issues involved in field measurements of fluid and electrical data and presents the Pump System Assessment Tool (PSAT), used to assess the performance of pump systems. Learn how the software functions, what data is required, how to use the software when measured data is not available, and what the assessment results mean. After completing this course, you will understand how to use PSAT to actively determine the best configuration for your pump system in order to achieve optimal energy and cost savings.

NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference
November 8-9, 2013, Seattle, Washington

Please join us this fall at the NW Energy Coalition’s NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Seattle November 8 – 9. Energy experts from across the Northwest will address some of the region’s most pressing energy issues. The conference will focus on the changing role of electric utilities. Panels and speakers will examine how utilities might adjust their service models and business strategies to thrive as part of the growing clean energy economy.

Introduction to Strategic Energy Management
November 12th, 2013, Hermiston, Oregon
Registration Deadline: October 29

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.

Webinars and Online Courses

PGE Webinar (Free!): Intro to Compressed Air Systems
October 8, 2013, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Compressed air systems can be one of the largest energy consumers in your facility. Learn how to start saving energy and money today. At this introduction webinar you will learn highlights from our 4 hour seminar of how compressed air systems work and practical advice about making the most of your compressed air system investment.

WEBINAR (Free!): Energy Efficiency Investment Analysis
October 15, 2013, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Do not let inadequate financial analysis stop a good project dead in its tracks. As you purchase new, energy-efficient equipment in support of your 2013 energy plan, you will need to conduct a payback analysis to justify the investment. This webinar will discuss key financial concepts that lay the foundation for investment analysis, including: simple payback, time value of money, net present value, internal rate of return, and life-cycle cost analysis. We will also review real-world examples. Attending this webinar will help boost your confidence when discussing the justification for energy-efficiency investments with senior management. 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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