Industrial Newsbriefs
December 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
While every URL in Industrial Newsbriefs is checked for accuracy prior to distribution, URLs may change and servers may temporarily fail to connect to working URLs.
Special Announcement
Congratulations to the recipients of the first annual Washington Industrial Energy Leaders awards, who were honored by Governor Chris Gregoire on December 5, 2012 at the Washington State Capitol. Five industrial companies received Governor's Awards for their energy efficiency leadership: Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc.; North Pacific Paper Corporation; Nucor Steel Seattle, Inc.; Rainier Fruit Company; and Stemilt Growers LLC. Three industrial companies received utility Sponsor Awards: Shields Bag & Printing Co.; Spokane County Regional Water Reclamation Facility; and Trident Seafoods – Anacortes Plant. Award recipients will be featured during a special session at the Fifth Annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit in Portland, Oregon on January 16, 2013. Visit the Washington Industrial Energy Leaders website for more information about the program.
Announcements
5th Annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit
January 16, 2013, 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. The focus of the fifth annual Summit is industry sharing knowledge with industry. Educational sessions are focused on practical applications of energy efficient technologies in both electricity and natural gas. Attendees represent all industrial sectors and include energy champions, engineers, plant managers and superintendents, operations directors/managers, sustainability directors/managers, and anyone responsible for energy use as well as energy program providers, utilities, government agencies, industry associations, energy services and products providers, and academia. Register today to hear real-life energy savings success stories and challenges presented by energy experts and industry peers.
Idaho Awards for Energy Efficiency Leadership
On November 29, 2012, Idaho's Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter announced the Idaho Awards for Leadership in Energy Efficiency program. Annual awards will be granted for up to five facilities demonstrating excellence in energy efficiency by reducing energy intensity within their plant, and one leadership award will be granted to the facility that best demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency. Industrial facilities with total energy expenses greater than $200,000 are eligible to apply; the application deadline for 2013 is March 1.
Biofuels/Biomass
Campbell to open biogas plant
Campbell Soup Co. has announced plans to divert up to half the waste from its Ohio plant to a methane-producing biogas plant. Waste from other local industries will also be processed at the facility; the resulting methane will generate enough electricity to account for about 25% of annual usage at the plant. To learn more, read "Campbell to Create Ohio's First Biogas Power Plant," published November 16, 2012, at foodprocessing.com.
Mycelium packing foam
A styrofoam-like packaging material made from plant matter and mycelium is now being manufactured as a cost-effective, fossil fuel free alternative to plastic foam. The material is fully compostable and comparable in cost to plastic foam, and is already being used by large manufacturers such as Dell. To learn more, read the November 23, 2012, EPA It Starts With Science blog post, "Are Mushrooms the New Styrofoam™?" or see the technology in action on YouTube.
Giant cane could replace coal at Oregon plant
Portland General Electric is studying the viability of using Arundo donax (commonly known as giant cane or giant reed) and other biofuel crops to fuel its power plant in Boardman, Oregon. Research is being conducted at Washington State University to determine how best to prepare the plant material, but concerns remain, such as the potential for Arundo donax to become an invasive weed. To learn more, read "Portland General Electric Tests Biofuel Options to Replace Coal at Boardman Plant," published by the Associated Press (AP) and appearing December 3, 2012, at OregonLive.com, or "'Giant Reed' Arundo donax – Miracle Biofuel or Invasive Menace?" published by AP and appearing November 28, 2012 on the same website.
Compressed Air
Compressed Air Best Practices
The November 2012 edition of Compressed Air Best Practices is now available for download; this issue's focus is Auto Manufacturing. Article topics include dryer purge air reduction; water costs of water-cooled air compressors; air blower technology; pneumatic component replacement; and a review of compressed air dryers by Ron Marshall of the Compressed Air Challenge.
Centralized compressor control at Ball
"Centralized Compressor Control Saves Energy at Ball Corporation," published November 20, 2012, at SustainablePlant.com, is a detailed description of how and why the Ball Corporation adopted a centrally-controlled compressor configuration at its Arkansas plant. Starting with a detailed energy audit, the plant made changes which resulted in a 20% reduction in total horsepower.
Energy Management
Sustainability measures at Coca-Cola
"Coca-Cola Builds Sustainability from the Watershed Up," published October 31, 2012, at SustainablePlant.com, provides insight into sustainability measures adopted by the Coca-Cola Corporation through an in-depth interview with Bruce Karas, Coke's vice president of environment and sustainability. The article is third in a series of interviews about sustainability at Coca-Cola.
Permanent energy monitoring
"The Case for Permanent Energy Monitoring," by Bill Holmes, PE, appeared November 26, 2012 at SustainablePlant.com. This article is a textual version of a Webinar presented by Holmes, which relays his extensive experience with energy monitoring and explains how to use it most effectively. Slides from the webinar are also available.
Policy and Legislation
CHP energy accounting for EERS
"Determining CHP Savings in an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard," published November 23, 2012, by ACEEE, examines the importance and potential difficulties of measuring the energy savings of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) for inclusion in state-level Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS). EERS establish specific, long-term targets for energy savings that utilities or non-utility program administrators must meet through customer energy efficiency programs.
Tax reform's impact on industrial efficiency
Industrial Energy Efficiency and Tax Reform, a new report published November 20, 2012, by ACEEE, examines tax proposals currently under consideration and analyzes their potential effect on industrial energy efficiency. While none of the proposals specifically prioritize industrial energy efficiency, an indirect reduction in energy intensity could occur if tax reform encourages investment in newer, more efficient equipment. Additionally, ideas from past proposals are under discussion which would reduce energy intensity in industry with incentives and/or taxes.
Pumps
The following two articles were published in the October 2012 issue of Pumps & Systems:
"How to Size a Relief Valve," by Lev Nelik, Ph.D., PE, and President, Pumping Machinery, LLC, is a three-Web-page article. It addresses alleviating the blocking of the discharge in positive displacement pumps by sizing the relief valve correctly. As the question and answer section of the article shows, correct sizing is difficult, but possible.
"Sealless Eccentric Pumps for Isocyanates," by Paul Cardon, Mouvex Industrial Products Manager, Pump Solutions Group (PSG), is a three-Web-page article. The Union Carbide disaster at Bhopal, India is reviewed showing the volatility and toxicity of isocyanates and making the case for eccentric disc pumps for use with these organic compounds.
Resources
Fact sheet on EERE programs
Energy-Saving Homes, Buildings, & Manufacturing, by David Moore, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is a five-page, September 2012, fact sheet from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at DOE. It reviews EERE programs and the energy savings associated with each for buildings in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Steam systems manual for manufacturers
Improving Steam System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry, Second Edition, Revised October 2012, is a 64-PDF-page document from the U.S. DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO). This valuable sourcebook is a reference for steam systems users seeking to improve efficiency and performance. Basic steam system components are described, and opportunities for improvement in both efficiency and performance are presented. Also included are tip sheets and a directory of helpful resources, contacts, and programs.
Energy Project examines oil supply, domestic production, and peak oil
Oil: The Next Revolution – The Unprecedented Upsurge of Oil Production Capacity and What It Means for the World was written by Leonardo Maugeri, Ph.D., Research Fellow of the Geopolitics of Energy Project at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. This is an 86-PDF-page, June 2012 discussion paper that is part of the work of the Energy Project; it includes an Executive Summary on document page one (or scroll to PDF-page 11). The paper discusses increases in conventional oil production around much of the world and the explosion of shale/tight oil production in the United States and Canada. It, additionally, reviews the strong evidence that there is an enormous supply of discovered and undiscovered oil to be found, undercutting arguments to defend against any peak-oil crisis. The value (and reality) of the concept of oil self-sufficiency is questioned as is the likelihood of sustained political attention to environmental concerns.
Water
Water's share of energy expenditures examined
According to research published in the September 2012 issue of Environmental Research Letters, "Evaluating the Energy Consumed for Water Use in the United States," the transport, storage, and treatment of water accounts for 12.6 percent of U.S. total energy expenditures. The report underscores the interconnection between water and energy, and suggests that water-saving strategies be employed as a cost-effective way to save energy.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS
Pacific Northwest
Energy Management: Introduction to Best Practices
December 11, 2012, Moses Lake, Washington
Register by November 9.
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.
Energy Management: Introduction to Best Practices
December 13, 2012, Twin Falls, Idaho
Register by November 29th.
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.
5th Annual Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit
January 16, 2013, 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. The focus of the fifth annual Summit is industry sharing knowledge with industry. Educational sessions are focused on practical applications of energy efficient technologies in both electricity and natural gas. An afternoon poster session will feature recipients of the Oregon Energy Leaders, and the Washington Industrial Energy Leaders awards. Register today to hear real-life energy savings success stories and challenges presented by energy experts and industry peers. Network with companies that are implementing energy efficiency programs/projects to share and learn from their experiences.
Compressed Air Challenge – Level 1
January 17, 2013, Portland, Oregon
Are your compressed air energy costs under control? Even the smallest compressed air system is a relatively large source of energy consumption and cost. Make your company more profitable with the Compressed Air Challenge™, a series of seminars that applies proven techniques to achieve cost-effective solutions. Optimizing your compressed air systems can lead to higher productivity, energy savings, increased product quality and greater efficiency. This training offers attendees the opportunity to use their own system data in seminar exercises, as well as mastery of compressed air system components and techniques. Attendees can apply training and implement changes immediately upon return to their work place.
Introduction to Energy Data Analysis and KPIs
January 17, 2013, Portland, Oregon
In this course, the end-user will learn how to use information available at their facility to identify how energy impacts their business. The training presents methods, tools, and resources that can be employed by the participant in their effort to control energy use. A case study is drawn on to show that when energy efficiency improvements are made, energy costs decrease while (ideally) productivity increases. Attendees are urged to contribute their experiences during the discussion.
Clean Energy: The New Public Policy Reality
January 28, 2013, Seattle, Washington
Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense for Presidents Bush and Obama, will keynote this Washington Clean Technology Alliance conference investigating the new political realities for cleantech. Expectations have changed. Decision makers in both Washingtons are new. What does it mean in the development of a new cleantech economy? Join the Clean Technology Alliance, and sponsors Apco Worldwide and Boeing, for this important discussion.
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.
Subscribe Free
Past issues available here