A growing number of CEE members are discovering the benefits of tapping into the technical resources available through the DOE Industrial Technologies Program (DOE-ITP). In fact, some members are actively incorporating these resources into their industrial efficiency programs. In order to assess the potential benefits of closer communication and coordination with DOE-ITP, CEE’s Industrial Program Planning Committee recently heard from Kathy Kuntz of Wisconsin Focus on Energy and Tony Wong of the California Energy Commission (CEC).

Save Energy Now Assessments
In 2006, DOE launched a new and highly cost-effective form of industrial energy savings assessments. Under the program large, energy-intensive plants can apply to DOE to receive a three-day, on-site system assessment. The assessments are led by DOE Energy Experts who use DOE software tools and technical information to target a specific system area. The assessments are designed to provide valuable hands-on learning that can help plant staff gain knowledge of efficiency measures. The Energy Experts are DOE Qualified Specialists, skilled at using DOE assessment and analysis software tools.

By the end of 2006, DOE completed 200 assessments, identifying potential natural gas savings of more than 50 trillion Btu and energy cost savings of about $500 million. ITP has expanded the effort in 2007 with the goal of conducting 250 more assessments in large U.S. industrial plants. The 2007 assessments are addressing not only steam and process heating, but also pumping, compressed air, and fan systems.

Kuntz noted that Focus on Energy works closely with DOE to support Save Energy Now Assessments in Wisconsin. Focus on Energy cosponsors and participates in the assessments, offers implementation grants for projects identified by the assessments, and follows up with customers to encourage implementation.

During the last two years, approximately 50 Save Energy Now Assessments have been conducted in Wisconsin. The assessments have identified potential savings of 6 GWh and 8 million therms. Customers view output from the DOE software tools as credible, which reduces the risk associated with efficiency projects.

Tony Wong of CEC’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Program described how his office provides technical assessments to identify process energy efficiency opportunities and works with manufacturers and utilities to implement assessment recommendations. To support both statewide plant assessments and DOE Save Energy Now Assessments in the state, CEC has three staff who have been trained by DOE and certified to use BestPractices assessment and analysis software tools. Wong explained that assessment teams usually include CEC staff, DOE Qualified Instructors, utility account representatives, and plant personnel. He also noted that in 2007 a total of nine Save Energy Now Assessments were conducted. Steam systems and compressed air systems were the most popular.

BestPractice Trainings and Qualified Specialists
DOE BestPractices offers system-wide and component-specific training programs to help industrial plants run more efficiently. The training is offered throughout the year and around the country. In addition, industry professionals can earn recognition from DOE as Qualified Specialists in the use of the DOE BestPractices Tools.

Wong reported that CEC is finding DOE BestPractices training to be an effective way to help implement and sustain energy efficiency in California’s industrial sector. The assessments are key activities leading to greater implementation of energy efficiency projects. Statewide CEC has facilitated more than 60 workshops in California with more than 1,500 attendees between 2005 and 2007. A survey of workshop participants indicated that more than 60 percent took action to improve efficiency within their plants.

Kuntz noted that for efficiency programs, DOE BestPractices Training offers an opportunity to increase local skill levels among customers and consulting engineers using a credible and consistent source. To date more than 200 customers and engineers have participated in DOE trainings in Wisconsin.

Both Focus on Energy and CEC are looking to partner with allies, like DOE, who can help them identify and implement energy-saving projects. The CEE Industrial Program Planning Committee is considering a number of strategies to increase the effectiveness of member industrial programs through greater deployment of DOE-ITP resources. Opportunities currently under consideration include increasing the level of coordination between efficiency program administrators and DOE Save Energy Now Assessments, making DOE trainings more accessible to utility account representatives, and efficiency program staff, and exploring an effort to certify more efficiency program staff in DOE BestPractices tools.

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