Industrial Newsbriefs

October 2010

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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HEATING APPLICATIONS

Information for coping with the industrial heating challenges of wind energy apparatus

“Comparison of Carburizing-Furnace Technology for Long-Cycle Processes in Wind-Energy Applications,” by John W. Gottschalk, suggests strategies for dealing with the larger parts and higher volumes associated with wind-powered turbines. Furnace technologies capable of producing the required parts are discussed and compared. See this article in Industrial Heating at http://bit.ly/afOx4y.

LIGHTING

Lighting for Tomorrow Competition recognizes bright ideas for illumination

On September 22, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the winners of the Lighting for Tomorrow Competition. The Lighting for Tomorrow Competition recognizes exemplary energy-efficient lighting designs; this year’s winners include a selection of SSL fixtures, LED lamps, and energy saving lighting controls. See the list of winners on the Lighting for Tomorrow website at http://www.lightingfortomorrow.org/2010/10winners.shtml .

MOTORS

Pending electric motor requirements require careful consideration of existing systems

“The New Era of Electric Motor Requirements," by Tom Zind, explains the standards in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) that go into effect on December 17, 2010, and offers a discussion of the perennial motors question: repair or replace? The article includes the sidebars, "Dissecting EISA’s Impact," "Motor Mandate Specifics," and "The Excess Inventory/Obsolete Equipment Equation." Read this article in EC&M at http://bit.ly/bbEY5u.

Pumps and fans can make or break motor efficiency

"Efficient Motors or Efficient System Designs?" by Ken Lovorn, President, Lovorn Engineering Associates, LLC, reviews the energy-efficiency successes of motors and drives. He urges engineers to focus on efficient pump and fan designs to gain energy savings over and above what efficient motors and drives can deliver. He cautions that pumps and fans with designs that are inefficient will negate much of the energy savings of efficient motors. A sidebar, "Pump or Fan Substitutions," is included. See this article in Engineered Systems at http://bit.ly/beKX9x.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

New clean energy tax incentives for industry under review

In late September, Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) introduced a bipartisan package of clean energy tax incentives and are urging the Senate to take up the measure when it returns in November. The measure would address building and industrial energy efficiency, domestic manufacturing, new energy technologies, and carbon dioxide mitigation. For more information, see “Bingaman, Snowe Float Clean Energy Tax Package” at http://bit.ly/dgG6mE.

WIND AND WAVE ENERGY

WRI fact sheet outlines how U.S. wind energy growth could be a breeze

World Resources Institute (WRI), drawing from data from the 2009 Peterson Institute working paper It Should Be a Breeze: Harnessing Open Trade and Investment Flows in the Wind Energy Industry , released a fact sheet in September 2010 which outlines how the U.S. could become a leader in wind energy jobs by implementing policies which promote the commercialization of wind. The fact sheet, Policy Design for Maximizing U.S. Wind Energy Jobs, is available on the WRI website at http://bit.ly/b792oG.

First ever grid connection for a wave energy device in the US

Wave power developer Ocean Power Technologies has achieved the first ever grid connection for a wave energy device in the United States. The device is located near the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and consists of a buoy with a floating section which bobs up and down with the waves, powering a piston-type generator. The device is connected to the grid at the marine base. For information, read “OPT is first to connect wave power device to US grid” at http://bit.ly/anmUJn.

NEWS

ASME releases new industrial system assessment standards

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recently released four new standards to assist industrial plant personnel in pinpointing opportunities for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. New standards are available for compressed air, process heating, pumping, and steam systems; they can be purchased on the ASME website at http://bit.ly/bMbqKV .

WSU Energy Efficiency Program Recognized Among Best In U.S.

The Washington State University (WSU) Energy Services Industrial Program is among the recognized programs in States Stepping Forward: Best Practices for State-Led Energy Efficiency Programs, the first awards initiative by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The program recognized 18 programs from 14 states that are exemplary in reducing energy use and energy costs through energy efficiency, and provide economic benefits to customers and taxpayers. The WSU Energy Services Industrial Program received recognition in the Honorable Mention category. For information, see http://www.aceee.org/research-report/e106 .

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Funding opportunity: Energy Production with Innovative Methods of Geothermal Heat Recovery

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) is partnering with the technical community to advance geothermal systems research and development. This FOA seeks to fund geothermal energy research and development projects that address environmental risk factors, innovative extraction methods, and cost control. The closing date for this opportunity is 11/30/2010. Information is available at http://bit.ly/dmvyMo.

DOE invests in Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS)

On September 7, Stephen Chu announced that the Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories will invest $8.5 million to promote research and technologies which facilitate the incorporation of expanding solar PV resources into the nation’s energy grid. Four selections were announced, all of which have reached stage III, the final stage of the SEGIS selection process. Read the press release on the Department of Energy website at http://energy.gov/news/9453.htm .

Chu announces $37 million for marine and terrestrial hydro

The U.S. Department of Energy will provide $37 million for emerging marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies, which seek to generate renewable electricity from the nation's oceans and free-flowing rivers and streams. 27 projects in various stages of development, from concept studies to device testing, will receive funds. This funding represents the largest single investment of federal funding to date in the development of marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies. Read the press release at http://energy.gov/news/9470.htm.

DOE awards $16.5 million for biomass research and development

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), working through the DOE Biomass Program, will provide up to $12 million for advanced biofuels technology development and up to $4.5 million for advanced feedstock production. The Biomass program works with industry, universities, and national laboratories on a balanced portfolio of research in biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies. Read about the selected projects in the press release at http://www.energy.gov/news/9462.htm , or visit the Biomass Program website at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/index.html .

RESOURCES

Summer 2010 issue of Engery Matters now available online

Energy Matters, the quarterly newsletter for the U.S. Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program, provides in-depth articles to help industry professionals save energy, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The latest issue contains profiles of industrial energy efficiency successes, a DC energy profiler tool suite, information about server technology R&D, and more. Energy Matters is available on the ITP website at http://bit.ly/aLZCDn .

New issue of Shop Talk now available from the Plant Operations Support Consortium

The Summer 2010 issue of Shop Talk includes features on plant innovation, and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and cooling systems. View this publication at http://www.energy.wsu.edu/Apps/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=L0HLZCI8yAw%3d&tabid=70.

NREL unveils new biomass mapping tools

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released two visualization screening tools, BioPower and BioFuels Atlas. The tools allow users to layer related bioenergy data onto a single map to gather information on biomass feedstocks, and biomass and biofuels potential, production, and distribution. View these tools at http://maps.nrel.gov/bioenergyatlas .

Free download of ICC energy code available

Free digital copies of the International Council’s 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are now available, thanks to funding provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The funding is part of DOE’s initiative to meet nationwide energy-efficiency goals through its Building Technologies Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Registration and download are available at http://www.iccsafe.org/store/pages/doeregistration.aspx?r=FreeIECC .

UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS

Lighting Desing Lab events: What’s New in Lighting 2010 & Revisiting the Retrofit for Offices
Various dates and locations in WA and OR
“What’s New in Lighting 2010” will review the latest innovations in exterior and interior lighting luminaires, lamps, ballasts, publications, controls, and components, and “Revisiting the Retrofit Process for Offices” will delve into the idea of retrofitting spaces that may have already received a retrofit using case studies from a selection of today's modern offices as an example.

Energy Efficiency and Data Centers
October 12, 2010, 7:30 – 4:30, Everett, WA
Attendees will gain a fundamental understanding of how energy is consumed, industry best practices, and opportunities for improving energy efficiency in data centers.

PGE Series: Compressed Air Systems
October 19, 2010, 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Wilsonville, OR
Get the most out of your compressed air system. Learn how compressed air systems work and get practical advice for increasing performance while minimizing operating costs.

PGE Series: Industrial Fan Systems
October 20, 2010, 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Salem, OR
This seminar provides an overview of the principles of fan systems and how to save energy without reducing production.

PGE Series: Industrial Pump Systems
October 21, 2010, 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Salem, OR
This seminar provides an understanding of motors, pumps and variable-speed drives that can reduce energy use and improve process control in systems with varying loads.

Fan System Assessment Tool (FSAT)
October 21, 2010, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Albany, OR
Developed to highlight the benefits of fan system optimization, this training discusses performance and practical issues, as well as introduces the Fan System Assessment Tool (FSAT).

WEBINAR: Compressed Air Systems Tools Training
October 19, 2010, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST
DOE ITP will conduct an introductory 2-hour Webcast on the use of the ITP Compressed Air Challenge (CAC) Toolkit and the AirMaster+ software tool. This session introduces the tools and presents the basics -- and the benefits -- of using them to target opportunities for energy savings in your plant. This training is for you if your plant is scheduled to receive a Save Energy Now energy assessment, if you are considering applying for one, or if you want a good start in using the tools.

Fundamentals of Compressed Air (Level 1)
October 19, 2010, Las Vegas, Nevada
This is a 1-day introductory workshop 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.

Specialist Qualification: Steam Systems
October 19-21, 2010, San Francisco, California
DOE has developed a 2 ½-day Steam System Specialist Qualification training for steam service providers who are interested in becoming proficient in using the BestPractices Steam tools. To become qualified, candidates must pass a rigorous exam, demonstrating their ability to use the tools to perform global investigations, identify, and quantify potential steam system improvement opportunities.

Fan Systems Management
October 21, 2010, Albany, Oregon
This 1-day workshop introduces the Fan System Assessment Tool, which helps users to quantify potential benefits of configuring fan systems for optimal performance, calculate how much energy a fan system is using, and determine how efficiently the system is operating. The workshop also examines fan system performance characteristics and the practical issues involved in field measurement of fluid and electrical data.

Specialist Qualification: AIRMaster+
November 2-5, 2010, San Francisco, California
This 3 1/2-day intensive training explains how AIRMaster+ works, how to collect field data, enter data, and interpret the results. Participants can earn recognition as a Qualified Specialist by successfully completing classroom and practical training, passing a rigorous exam, and demonstrating the ability to use the AIRMaster+ software tool. Participants must have previously completed CAC’s Advanced Management of Compressed Air Systems.

Industrial Refrigeration Systems - Energy Management and Certification Preparation
November 3 & 4, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Spokane, WA
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. Available as part of this training is the option to take the online CARO or CIRO exams the day following the training.

Waste Heat Management in the Glass Industry
October 21, 2010, in conjunction with the 71^st Conference on Glass Problems.
Ohio State University
Workshop attendees and presenters will share, discuss, and promote Waste Heat Management technologies to increase glass industry sustainability. Separate registration will be required.

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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