Energy saving is a vital component of a stable grid fed from renewable sources
Renewable sources of electricity may be not consistent, but they are highly predictable. Smartly combining them through a smart grid with efficiency measures makes it possible to compensate intermittence effectively. On the other hand, traditional sources of electricity, like coal and nuclear, have 10-12% downtime, which may happen unpredictably. Just to put things into perspective: the greenest kWh is the [...]
Lighting retrofit with a 3-day payback based on non-energy operational savings
Lighting retrofits in industrial environments are known to be short-payback energy management solutions due to significant energy savings and incentives. In the case described below, the cost of a massive energy waste prior to retrofit was immaterial, when non-energy benefits were considered. Avoided cost of wasted energy was dwarfed by non-energy operational savings resulting in a 2.6-day payback. Yes, 8 [...]
LED tube vs T8 LFL: bulb replacement cost solves the competition
When it comes to choosing bulb replacement technology in industrial environment even an extensive comparison of technical characteristics of LED and T8 hardly brings a clear winner. Choice depends on many considerations. We would like to resolve the competition comparing the total cost of ownership in Food & Beverage industry. Let me reiterate that commercially available T8s and LEDs produce [...]
Energy management lessons from Dofasco
This post continues the Learning from the Big series about the ways big industrial companies of Ontario deal with energy management. I spoke with Michael Cortese, Energy Manager of ArcelorMittal Dofasco, located in Hamilton. Role of utilities in your business? Utilities are the major cost; they comprise 20%–25% of the direct costs of production. The company uses electricity, natural gas, [...]
Electricity conservation incentive programs beyond 2015: a transition from IESO (OPA) to LDCs
IESO has announced the transition of incentive programs to utilities. How will this transition affect industrial and commercial companies? Message from provincial electricity authorities is reassuring: at Toronto Hydro most programs will continue in the similar format, incentive application process is expected to become faster and easier. Conservation incentive programs past 2015 Programs to be continued past the end of [...]
Energy management at 3M Canada
This post continues our mini-series Learning from the Big - interviews with energy managers of big manufacturers with operations in Ontario, Canada. I spoke with Andrew Hejnar, Energy Manager at 3M Canada. What is the history of energy efficiency at 3M? First Energy Group at 3M (USA) was formed in 1974, by the mid-70s a position of Corporate Energy Manager was introduced. [...]
Energy management at Atlantic Packaging
Through my continuous networking, I am privileged to meet people dealing with energy efficiency. With this post I am starting a series titled Learning from the Big. Though we target mid-sized companies, experience from market leaders can help us and our clients. My first source of conservation experience – Atlantic Packaging – provides a total packaging solution for any need. Atlantic strives [...]