Technology Tuesdays: Industrial Energy Efficiency Measures
When we think of industrial customers, a specific picture comes to mind. This picture often includes heavy machinery and manufacturing-type facilities. However, the industrial category encompasses a wide range of activities, including agriculture, food processing, commercial laundry, and water processing. Incentives for industrial customers also depend on your utility provider.
Since industrial customers tend to be among the larger utility customers, they are uniquely positioned to realize significant energy savings, often with relatively minor adjustments.
Process Optimization Process optimization is always a great starting point. Process optimization involves taking an in-depth look at how work is being done in the manufacturing process, identifying opportunities to make those processes work more efficiently, and pinpointing areas where waste may be occurring. There are a few ways to do this. Some businesses use PLCs, which stand for Programmable Logic Controllers. There is also SCADA, which stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. Both systems work by receiving information from input devices and using that data to trigger outputs based on pre-programmed metrics.
Heat Recovery Heat recovery is crucial in the manufacturing process. Where steam is produced in the manufacturing process, it is essential to eliminate any redundancies from the process. The primary reason for this is that creating steam requires a tremendous amount of energy, and therefore, significant energy resources and costs. Wherever possible, you would want to create opportunities to leverage that energy/steam in other parts of the process.
Operational and Maintenance Practices Other measures that yield significant energy savings for industrial customers include operational and maintenance practices. This involves monitoring and maintaining equipment on a regular schedule, rather than repairing it only when it fails. This method creates a more predictable model, which is more conducive to cost management. Additionally, when equipment breaks down, it can be costly to get things back up and running. For these reasons, preventive maintenance practices are preferable.
Load Management Most utilities offer special rate structures for their industrial customers, allowing them to operate their facilities during times of the day when rates are more favorable. These programs are often referred to as demand response programs and help utilities manage electricity loads. These programs can also result in significant energy savings for the customer.
If equipment replacement is the route you need to take, our utility partners offer many rebates and incentives for new, energy-efficient equipment.
If you are in PG&E’s service area, you can take advantage of rebates for the following measures applicable to industrial customers:
Variable frequency drives
Pipe and tank insulation
Electric submersible pump (replace induction motors with permanent magnet motors)
Stack gas economizers
Industrial pump variable frequency drive controls
Customers in the Southern California Gas Company service area have access to rebates for the following equipment:
Commercial Boiler
Gas Modulating Controller
Greenhouse Curtin
Infrared Film (for greenhouse)
Heat recovery rooftop unit
Laminar flow restrictor
Pre-rinse spray valve
Process heating boiler
Recirculating pump control
Recirculating pump time clock
Space heating boiler
Steam boiler stack economizer
Steam trap for commercial customers
Storage/tankless commercial water heaters
Tank insulation
Southern California Edison offers assistance for industrial customers through their Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) program. The CEI program provides a comprehensive examination of business operations and process flows, offering recommendations for improvements from a holistic perspective. Energy assessments through CEI are at no cost to the customer.
Customers in the San Diego Gas & Electric service area have access to rebates for the following equipment:
Water storage water heater
Process boiler
Steam trap replacement
Pipe and fitting insulation
Variable frequency drive
Water-cooled chiller
Space heating boiler
High-efficiency commercial furnace
This is not an exhaustive list of San Diego Gas & Electric rebates. The complete list can be found using the link below.
