Industrial Newsbriefs
October 2012
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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Announcements
Nominations due for Washington Industrial Energy Leaders (WIEL) program
The WSU Energy Program and the Washington State Department of Commerce, with support from the Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, recently announced the launch of the Washington Industrial Energy Leaders (WIEL) program. This multi-year effort was designed to honor industrial companies in Washington that are making exceptional progress toward improved energy efficiency. All Washington state industrial businesses are eligible, and anyone can nominate a company through a simple application process. Nominations will compete against each other in three categories: Leadership in Innovation, Leadership in Energy Performance, and Leadership by Example.
One company will be judged as the leader within each category, and will be honored on December 5, 2012 at the Washington State Capitol with Governor Chris Gregoire.Self-nomination in one or more of the awards categories is encouraged. Nominations are due by October 19, 2012.
Oregon Leaders Award nomination deadline is October 5
The Oregon Leaders Award was created to identify and recognize industrial businesses in Oregon that demonstrate energy efficiency leadership and commitment. This year’s award winners and nominees will be recognized on November 26, 2012, in Salem at the Oregon State Capitol Building. Awards will be presented in three categories: Leadership in Innovation, Leadership in Energy Performance, and Leadership by Example. The Oregon Leaders Award is made possible by support from the Oregon Department of Energy, NEEA, the Bonneville Power Administration, and Energy Trust of Oregon. Nominations are due by October 5, 2012.
ASERTTI Fall Meeting
ASERTTI Fall Meeting: Transformative Innovations in Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Generation
The fall meeting of ASERTTI, the Association of State Energy Research & Technology Transfer Institutions, will take place in Seattle on October 10-12, 2012. This year’s meeting brings together ASERTTI members, private sector energy technology leaders, national energy research experts, and others to discuss energy innovation, investment, and deployment. State and private research and technology transfer institutions are changing the way we create, deliver, and use energy, and ASERTTI’s Fall Meeting offers a one-of-a-kind venue to access experts in the fields of energy storage, advanced manufacturing, bioenergy, building technology, and combined heat and power. Hosted by the Washington State University Energy Program and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, this event includes visits to Microsoft and Boeing, and is open to ASERTII members. If you would like to learn more about becoming an ASERTTI member, please contact Christine Love at 360-956-2172 or lovec@energy.wsu.edu.
Biofuels/Biomass
Harbor Paper on a roll
Harbor Paper, a paper mill in Hoquiam, Washington, which in May 2012 took over the mill site formerly run by Grays Harbor Paper, produced its first roll of paper in mid-September. The mill utilizes its three large biomass turbines to produce standard copy paper, and will soon roll out other products including the 100 percent recycled Harbor 100. For details, see "Harbor Paper is On a Roll," published September 19, 2012, in the Daily World.
Combined Heat and Power
CHP for malt production
"Cogenerated Heat Used to Dry Malt at German Producer," published in the August 2012 issue of Cogeneration & Onsite Power Production, is a case study of a malt house that produces malt for the beer brewing industry. On-site combined heat and power (CHP) plants produce both electric and thermal energy for the malt making.
Compressed Air
Compressed Air Best Practices
The September 2012 edition of Compressed Air Best Practices is now available for download; this issue’s focus is Wastewater Treatment Aeration. Article topics include bubble mixing, wastewater treatment plant design, aeration energy saving opportunities, and adaptive control for wastewater treatment air systems.
Energy Management
Net-zero energy shingle production
"Back to the Basics of Sustainability -- Houses of Bark and Energy of Sunshine," by staff, was posted August 2, 2012, on Energy.Gov. A small manufacturer of shingles made of poplar bark used in residential dwellings has reached net-zero electricity for both the manufacturing facility and its industrial processes.
TEMA’s teamwork pays off with increased efficiency
"Toyota’s Multi-Front Assault on Energy Consumption," published September 7, 2012, at sustainableplant.com, describes how Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) has managed to reduce its energy consumption per vehicle by 21%. Effective incentives, including benchmarking, rewards, and transfer of knowledge between plants, have encouraged individual plants to implement successful strategies such as lighting efficiency upgrades, VFDs, and air compressor leak repairs.
Energy efficiency and natural gas
A new American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) white paper, "Saving Money and Reducing Risk: How Energy Efficiency Enhances the Benefits of the Natural Gas Boom," was published September 13, 2012. This paper explains the important role of energy efficiency in conjunction with an abundant natural gas supply. The authors explain how increased efficiency can reduce natural gas consumption, keep costs down for consumers, and contribute to the stability of energy prices.
Funding/RFPs
Request for Proposals: Market Characterization and Baseline Study for Refrigeration System Operator Training
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is undertaking the CRES/RETA Training Initiative to accelerate industrial energy efficiency savings in the Northwest. The focus of the initiative is to transform the operations of industrial refrigeration systems by establishing training programs for Refrigeration Systems Operators. In support of this initiative and to better understand its potential impact, NEEA is soliciting proposals to conduct a market characterization and baseline study of the Northwest Industrial Refrigeration market.
HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration)
The following three articles were published in the August 2012 issue of HPAC Heating/Piping/AirConditioning Engineering:
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"Enhancing Air-Cooled-Chiller Performance With VFDs" was written by Eddie Rodriguez, Chiller Product Manager, Daikin McQuay. It describes how variable frequency drives reduce energy consumption during off-peak hours and, to a lesser but still signification degree, reduce the size of the power draw that compressors normally take to start up.
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"IEQ: What Building Owners Need to Know" was authored by Ron Burton, Codes and Standards Consultant for BOMA International and President of PTW Advisors LLC. It is a discussion of the intersection of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy savings in HVAC/R and other facility systems.
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"Natural-Gas-Engine-Driven Heat Pumps" is a two-page article by Martin J. McDonough, President, and Stephen Lafaille Product-Development Engineer, both of Ilios Dynamics/Tecogen Inc. The authors explain the Carnot cycle to show the superiority of heat pumps over traditional heating which combusts fossil fuels. Natural gas, they note, has the added benefit of heat recovery.
Policy and Legislation
Replace coal with CHP
Coal Retirements and the CHP Investment Opportunityis a new report by the American Council for a Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), released Wednesday, September 19, 2012. The report details how CHP could replace a substantial number of retiring coal plants in the 12 states analyzed, while maintaining or improving cost-effectiveness. The report finds that none of the 12 states currently provide enough incentives to encourage adoption; the Obama administration’s recent Executive Order -- Accelerating Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency provides an opportunity for improvement.
Improving energy efficiency program evaluation
Meaningful Impact: Challenges and Opportunities in Industrial Energy Efficiency Program Evaluationwas released on September 24, 2012, by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The report examines the challenges involved in evaluating industrial energy efficiency programs, and makes recommendations on how to increase the effectiveness and accuracy of evaluations.
Resources
Northwest Reports Summer 2012
The Summer 2012 issue of Northwest Reports was released in September 2012 by the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA). This issue includes a profile of the Clark County Energy Consortium; a discussion of rulemaking by NWFPA president David Zepponi; an article on management succession; and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS
Note: Trainings and webinars from the NEEA calendar now link to the main NEEA calendar page. To see full description and register, search for the title and/or navigate to the appropriate date.
Pacific Northwest
Adjustable Speed Drive Applications and Energy Efficiency
October 4: Roseburg, OR
November 15: Yakima, WA
This course addresses the choices available and relevant issues regarding the use of adjustable speed drives (ASD) with electric motors, and demonstrates the energy cost savings and other benefits made possible by this technology. In this course we explore how adjustable speed drives work and ways to assess the savings. Variable frequency drives (VFD) are the most common speed control method and is the major focus of the course content which will cover the benefits of pulse width modulation technology and well as discovering and mitigating harmful electromagnetic interference that can cause motor failure. This course is coordinated by the NEEA Industrial Training project.
ASERTTI Fall Meeting: Transformative Innovations in Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Generation
October 10-12, Seattle, Washington
This year’s Fall Meeting brings together ASERTTI (Association of State Energy Research & Technology Transfer Institutions) members, private sector energy technology leaders, national energy research experts, and others to discuss energy innovation, investment, and deployment. State and private research and technology transfer institutions are changing the way we create, deliver, and use energy, and ASERTTI’s Fall meeting offers a one-of-a-kind venue to access experts in the fields of energy storage, advanced manufacturing, bioenergy, building technology, and combined heat and power. This event is sponsored by the Washington State University Energy Program.
Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute
October 15-17, 2012, Blaine, Washington
This 2 ½ day training, hosted by Impact Washington, is an excellent opportunity for you to learn various innovation tools that will help your organization create, communicate and commercialize new ideas. NIST MEP is focused on increasing manufacturers’ capacity for innovation and ultimately helping them achieve more profitable sales growth.
Efficiency Connections Northwest
October 17-18, 2012, Spokane, Washington
More than just another energy conference, Efficiency Connections Northwest provides opportunities for attendees to collaborate and learn from each other, encouraging innovation and advancing the performance of energy efficiency programs throughout the region. This event was developed by and for Northwest utility professionals at both public- and investor-owned utilities. It emphasizes learning and peer-to-peer information sharing instead of sales and development. You will make create and cement valuable relationships and better understand emerging trends in our industry.
Designing for Impact: Workshop on Building the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation
October 18, 2012, Boulder, Colorado
This workshop series provides a forum for the advanced manufacturing community to learn more about AMPNPO, and for the NPO staff to introduce the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) and the Network's regional components, the Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation (IMIs). The workshop discussion will cover: Technologies with Broad Impact, Institute Structure and Governance, Strategies for Sustainable Institute Operations, and Education and Workforce Development. Registration will open on or about October 1, 2012.
Industrial Refrigeration Systems Energy Management
October 23: Hermiston, Oregon
October 24, 2012, Caldwell, Idaho
With a focus on industrial refrigeration systems that use ammonia as the refrigerant, this training will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to reduce energy usage and operating costs, and improve the reliability of refrigeration systems. With the knowledge and tools gained, past attendees and their customers have implemented low/no cost strategies resulting in annual energy savings greater than $50,000.
PGE Series: Compressed Air Systems
November 11, 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.
Pumping Systems Optimization
November 27, 2012, Bellevue, Washington
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. This course will show how the variable speed drive can save power by slowing down 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. This training is coordinated by NEEA Industrial Training Project and sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, City of Port Angeles, Grays Harbor PUD, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County PUD, Tacoma Power, Bonneville Power Administration, Washington State University Energy Program, and Northwest Food Processors Association.
Motor Systems Management
December 6, 2012, Lebanon, Oregon
Motors use more than half of all electricity. Their inefficiencies contribute significantly to expensive peak demand. Efficient motors, optimized controls, improved component sizing and repair, better transmission hardware, and more comprehensive motor monitoring and maintenance could cut U.S. electricity demand by 27% to 40%, save motor users and utilities billions of dollars, reduce pollutant emissions, and enhance productivity. This is training is coordinated by NEEA Industrial Training and sponsored by Pacific Power, Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland General Electric Bonneville Power Administration, Northwest Food Processors Association, and Washington State University Energy Program.
Webinars and Online Courses
Webinar: Adjustable Speed Drives
October 4, 2012, 10:00-11:00 AM PST
In the right applications, adjustable speed drives (ASDs) offer great energy-saving potential from high power factor to improved speed control, soft-start capabilities, and more. This webinar will discuss how they work, the savings potential, best applications, sizing, and how to solve variable frequency drive (VFD) power-quality issues.
Better Buildings, Better Plants: How You Can Benefit, plus New Executive Order on Industrial Energy Efficiency
Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST
Over 100 manufacturers have set ambitious energy efficiency targets in partnership with the Department of Energy's Better Buildings, Better Plants Program. This webcast will provide an overview of the program, highlight successes to date, and preview activities for next year, including ongoing work with partners in the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge. DOE presenters will also discuss the new Executive Order on industrial energy efficiency and combined heat and power, and describe new opportunities for partners and others to engage in the Department's work to advance energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector.
Webinar: Introduction to Compressed Air Systems
October 24, 2012: 8:00-9:00 AM PST and 12:00-1:00 PM PST
At this introduction webinar you will learn highlights from our four-hour seminar of how compressed air systems work and practical advice about making the most of your compressed air system investment. The four-hour seminar on this subject is scheduled November 11 in Wilsonville.
Webinar: Energy Auditing and Troubleshooting
November 6, 2012, 1:00-2:00 PM
This webinar will show you how to estimate energy consumption by end use without the need for submetering. We will focus on refrigeration, compressed air end uses, HVAC, lighting, and office equipment. In addition, you will receive audit checklists for energy conservation. Several third-party auditing tools will also be reviewed.
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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