Introduction
Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is a continuous improvement process that centers on managing energy as a controllable expense, encouraging teamwork to reduce energy use, and implementing actions to lower energy intensity. It focuses on increasing payback from energy-related capital improvements, reducing operational and maintenance expenses, complementing existing continuous improvement programs, and gaining a competitive cost advantage at the production level.These Industrial Energy Talk Cards make it easier than ever to stimulate energy efficiency conversation and learning among staff. Outlining a variety of SEM tools, approaches and methods, the Energy Talk Cards can be printed or easily viewed on display boards, smart phones and tablets. These cards will help you increase participation and reinforce energy efficiency practices for key industrial systems in your facility with refreshed photos, graphics and updated content including dust collection/fans, compressed air dryers, and sample calculations.
Section Summaries
MOTORS
Learn about the factors that play a part in buying, operating, and maintaining electric motors for your industrial facility. This section also provides information about lifecycle costs, proper storage, the benefits of higher motor efficiency—including lower operational costs, longer motor life, and higher reliability—and the importance of having an action plan to address motor failures.
COMPRESSED AIR
Did you know energy makes up 75% of the total cost of operating a compressed-air system over 10 years? Read this section to understand the inefficiencies and costs that come with these systems. You will also get a closer look at the causes of sub-optimal pressure, how to determine baselines by measuring power, energy, pressure, and other factors, and the importance of dry air in your facility. Other topics include common inefficient uses of compressed air, efficient part-load methods, types of air dryers, and calculating the cost of air lost through leaks.
REFRIGERATION
Explore how lighting, open doors, compressors, fans, and electricity use impact a facility’s refrigeration systems by acting as additional heat loads. Consider the approximate cost of common missteps in operations, and ways to identify, address, and resolve the cause of unnecessary loads that cause your refrigerated areas to heat up or lose their cool.
PUMPS
Get a better understanding of how pump monitoring, maintaining pumping systems, and emphasizing methods to improve efficiency and reduce costs can greatly benefit your facility. Take a closer look at how to control water flow, learn the symptoms of unreliable pumping systems, and understand why tactics such as throttling are inefficient. This section also examines strategies such as tracking operation performance and key performance indicators, comprehensive assessments, and how selecting a Pump System Champion at your facility can set the stage for improvements.
ELECTRICAL UTILITY
Discover how upgrades to lighting, motor-driven, and compressed air systems can change the rate electricity is used—and how much it costs your facility each month. This section provides readers with a greater understanding of factors that influence energy bills, rate schedules, how demand is calculated, and how meter readings can help identify trends and opportunities to reduce costs.
HVAC
Receive detailed guidance on HVAC systems, focusing on fan schedules, air flow requirements, fan and filter efficiencies, preventative maintenance, and imaging to support diagnostic techniques. Readers will also learn best practices for improved system operations, including scheduling for peak and off-peak hours, components for your HVAC checklist, and how damaged coils in your refrigeration systems can impact the loss of conditioned air in your facility.
DUST COLLECTION
Learn more about the positive environmental, health, and safety effects a properly working dust collection system can have on facility operations and occupants. Readers will understand how to access the benefits of low pressure drop filters such as a longer lifetime, reduced downtown, better filtration, and reduced maintenance labor.
BOILERS
In older buildings, poorly maintained boiler systems can waste a significant amount of heat and energy. Learn the three ways to characterize boilers, why this information is necessary for evaluation, and how to optimize system performance for maximum efficiency.