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Saving Energy with Compressed Air Systems Training
EPHRATA - Industries and manufacturing firms rely on the Grant County Public Utility District for more than reliable, low cost electrical power. They also turn to Grant PUD’s energy conservation specialists for ideas on gaining energy use efficiency and the latest in “best practices” to reduce operating costs. These Grant County firms are very savvy energy users, but any new idea is welcome.
The focus of attention now is on an area often overlooked – gaining energy efficiency in compressed air systems. “Large air compressor systems run on electricity – a lot of electricity,” says John Molitor, Grant PUD Industrial Accounts Engineer. “It gets the attention of compressed air system users when we explain it takes 8 horsepower of electrical energy to run a 1 horsepower air motor. Reducing and improving compressed air system requirements has considerable economic benefits.”
Grant PUD is teaming up with the Industrial Efficiency Alliance (IEA) to provide classroom training and certification for the Dept. of Energy’s Compressed Air Challenge Level 1 and 2 courses. The classes will be held in Moses Lake on March 12, 13, and 14.
Northwest energy suppliers like Grant PUD and the Bonneville Power Administration are teaming with the Industrial Efficiency Alliance to put a sharp focus on promoting energy efficient operations. Local industries have eagerly embraced these new operating concepts.
In 2006, five Grant County industries participated in compressed air efficiency training and operational analysis to gain significant energy savings. The training helps company employees to take a “comprehensive systems approach” to ensure plant operations at optimal efficiency.
With industrial-size air compressor systems, notable energy savings are found in: reducing air line pressures, eliminating air leaks, removing moisture from compressed air, and analyzing compressed air use to see if there is a less energy-intensive approach that would work just as well.
Regional energy conservation specialists like those at Grant PUD and IEA are developing a valued relationship with businesses and industries in this successful effort to provide continuous energy improvement.
“Our large industrial customers are happy to see us when we can provide training and assistance that definitely improves production and reduces operating costs,” said Molitor. “Helping the largest electrical customers reduce their electrical use really ends up helping all of the customers we serve.”
For information on the Compressed Air Challenge Level 1 and 2 courses set for March 12, 13, and 14 in Moses Lake contact John Molitor at 754-6601.
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Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942. Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle. A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gary Garnant
(509) 754-5027 / ggarnan@gcpud.org
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The Industrial Efficiency Alliance is an initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Contact: Aili Jokela, jokelaa@fleishman.com
503.721.4242
GRANT COUNTY PUD, BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION AND
THE INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE RECOGNIZE
BILL CALLAHAN, JASON JOHNSTON, BRUCE MILLER AND ROB STOKES
FOR SIGNIFICANT ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONTRIBUTIONS IN GRANT COUNTY, WASH.
Callahan, Johnston, Miller and StokesHonored As Individuals Committed to
Energy Efficiency Operations in Northwest Industrial Food Processing Plants
Continuous Energy Improvement Champions Recognized at the
2007 Northwest Food Processors Association Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo
PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 8, 2007—Bill Callahan of J.R. Simplot Co., Jason Johnston of National Frozen Foods, Bruce Miller of Quincy Foods and Rob Stokes of Basic American Foods were recently named Continuous Energy Improvement Champions, thanks to the energy saving contributions they made over the past year as energy champions for their industrial food processing plants in Moses Lake and Quincy, Wash. Grant County PUD, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Industrial Efficiency Alliance honored Callahan, Johnston, Miller and Stokes, along with 25 other Continuous Energy Improvement Champions, at a recognition event held during the Northwest Food Processors Association’s annual trade show and exhibition in mid January.
These individuals were selected as Continuous Energy Improvement Champions based on their initiative, personal accountability, and interest in making their food processing plant’s work environment more energy efficient. Grant County PUD and BPA recognized their willingness to make their plants stronger and more globally competitive using a concept called Continuous Energy Improvement, which uses a practice-based approach to making the region’s industrial plants more productive.
Continuous Energy Improvement Champions voluntarily agree to be accountable for improving the energy efficiency of the industrial plants where they work. “With support from their managers, co-workers and local utility representatives, these champions have worked for the past year to increase productivity, safety, and reliability of their plant’s industrial systems and to increase energy efficiency for their employers,” said John Molitor, industrial accounts/energy services engineer for Grant County PUD.
As Continuous Energy Improvement Champions, Callahan, Johnston, Miller and S tokes manage energy costs and improve energy savings at their food processing plants through Continuous Energy Improvement, which has the potential to increase production capacity, improve equipment reliability, and reduce operating costs and energy use by as much as 20 percent.
“We call these individuals ‘champions’ and consider them heroes because they are unique role models in their companies and their industries,” added Jennifer Eskil, industrial program manager from the Bonneville Power Administration. “They are making long-term change for the better through their energy improvement accomplishments.”
According to a recent Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) Leadership Priority Survey, energy efficiency is the number one priority for regional food processing companies. NWFPA – working with organizations such as Grant County PUD, the Bonneville Power Administration and the Industrial Efficiency Alliance – supports the industry in managing energy savings to help the region’s food processors remain economically viable and globally competitive.
“NWFPA is committed to helping the Northwest’s food processing industry remain profitable and competitive through sustainable energy practices” said Dave Zepponi, NWFPA president. “Energy championshave contributed a great deal to our efforts and should be commended for their ongoing hard work and dedication to Continuous Energy Improvement on behalf of food processors region-wide.”
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About Grant County PUD
Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942. Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle. A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources
About Bonneville Power Administration
BPA is a not-for-profit federal agency that markets about 40 percent of the electricity consumed in the Pacific Northwest. The power is produced at 31 federal dams in the Northwest and one nuclear plant, and is sold to over 140 Northwest utilities. BPA operates a high-voltage transmission grid, comprising more than 15,000 miles of lines and associated substations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
About the Industrial Efficiency Alliance
The Industrial Efficiency Alliance helps Northwest industry gain competitive advantages via the adoption of energy efficient business practices. Participants are asked to commit to Continuous Energy Improvement, which has the potential to increase production capacity, improve equipment reliability, and reduce operating costs and energy use by five to 20 percent. For more information, contact the Industrial Efficiency Alliance at 888-720-6823 or www .industrialefficiencyalliance .org.
About the Northwest Food Processors Association
Organized in 1914 as a canners association, the NWFPA represents food processors in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. NWFPA has more than 450 member companies, including 86 food processors with 200 production facilities across the NW. NWFPA is an advocate for members’ interests and a resource for enhancing their competitive capabilities. For more information call 503-327-2201 or visit www.nwfpa.org.
The Norpac-Quincy Food’s Assistant Maintenance Manage Steve Rivedal (blue hat) passes on compressed air knowledge to maintenance mechanics Angy Algertson and Joey Rubio
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