October 2006
Industrial Technologies Program E-Bulletin: Your Online Connection
Welcome to this edition of the E-Bulletin — your connection to news and resources from DOE's Industrial Technologies Program (ITP). Each monthly edition brings you the latest industrial news highlights, and announcements about new tools and resources, training events, and project opportunities.
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Round 2 of Energy Savings Assessments Kicks Off
ITP has just launched the second round of Energy Savings Assessments (ESAs); apply online now! This second phase of the Save Energy Now campaign brings industry partners an even greater chance to participate with an expanded scope of system assessments and cost-shared opportunities.
To be eligible for an ESA, an individual plant must have annual energy consumption of 1 trillion Btu or more; however, groups of plants with a combined total of 1 trillion Btu per year are also eligible. In Round 2, ITP is offering several new options to broaden the scope of the ESAs. Now, in addition to steam and process heating systems, fan, compressed air, and pumping systems will also qualify for assessments. Also, cost-shared options will be available for those plants that have already received an ESA, but are interested in an assessment on a different industrial system. ITP will also provide an opportunity for third parties wishing to cost share, to apply on behalf of a group of plants.
An ESA Energy Expert will work closely with your plant staff to provide information about DOE Software Tools, training, and Web casts, and perform the assessment. Prior to the assessment, interested plants will also have the opportunity to use the Quick Plant Energy Profiler (Quick PEP) tool to determine their overall energy use and estimate potential energy and cost savings.
DOE will make initial selections of applications for ESAs in late November 2006. Additional selections will be announced periodically until the target of 250 assessments is reached for the calendar year 2007.
State Partnership Projects Raise Awareness and Boost Productivity of Industry
ITP has just awarded a total of approximately $1.5 million to six State Partnership projects to promote energy efficiency, and foster Save Energy Now initiative activities within their industrial base. The selected projects will promote industry/State partnerships and outreach activities such as informational resources and training to save energy and costs in energy-intensive industries. This solicitation opportunity focused on multi-state collaborations, as they allow DOE to reach more states and achieve greater energy savings results through ITP's Technology Delivery strategy. Details on the selected projects.
New Report Highlights ITP 2006 Successes
Read the new ITP report, Industrial Technologies Program: Improving the Energy Performance of U.S. Industry (PDF 2.0 MB) to review program achievements, challenges, strategies for innovation, and technology highlights for the past year. Learn about several new technological innovations developed for industry, the Save Energy Now initiative which offered 200 free Energy Savings Assessments to industrial partners, eight ITP-sponsored technologies that won R&D 100 awards, and outreach activities to help industry identify energy cost savings. Through its diverse R&D portfolio and technical assistance to U.S. manufacturing facilities, ITP has helped save nearly 5 quads of energy, or $23 billion, since its inception.
Petroleum Refining and Glass Energy Bandwidth Studies Now Available
Two more energy bandwidth studies are now available that will help identify the greatest potential for energy efficiency improvements in industrial systems and help to guide future R&D efforts.
- Energy Bandwidth for Petroleum Refining Processes (PDF 2.0 MB) evaluates the theoretical minimum, practical minimum, and current average energy requirements for the five different processes that make up petroleum refining to arrive at the bandwidth, or the amount of energy that can be recovered through energy management and state-of-the-art technologies.
- The Industrial Glass Bandwidth Analysis (PDF 625 KB) examines the most energy intensive parts of the glassmaking process to determine energy losses that can be recovered through improved technologies and operating practices.
New Materials Save Energy and Money for Chemical and Petrochemical Industries
Metal dusting degradation of iron- and nickel-base alloys presents a significant problem for the Chemicals and Petrochemicals industries. To avoid metal dusting problems, industry is often forced to design lower temperature processes that are less energy efficient, waste materials, and produce lower yields. Now, a breakthrough in understanding of the mechanisms of metal dusting has led researchers at Argonne National Laboratory to develop new alloys for equipment for these industries which will recover heat of effluent gases more efficiently, extend the life of reforming systems, and increase productivity through reduced downtime. Use of these new alloys will allow processes to operate at optimal conditions up to 800º C, saving 85 trillion Btu annually in hydrogen plants alone. Learn more (PDF 543 KB) about this ITP-sponsored project that recently captured a prestigious R&D 100 award.
Don't Miss These Upcoming Energy Conferences!
Register now for these key industry conferences:
- The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) will hold its 23rd Annual Conference on November 15-16, 2006, in Dallas, TX. Attend this conference and get expert update on federal, regional and state market trends that affect your business, review policy initiatives, refine your market strategies, and visit the Vendor Showcase to see the latest energy-saving innovations. Early bird discount is available for those who register on or before October 27!
- The Texas Technology Showcase, on December 6-7, 2006, in Galveston, TX targets energy saving technologies and practices for the chemical and petroleum refining industries. Learn about the tools in The Engineer’s Energy Toolbox: Practices, Technology and Management through sessions examining the best practices in programs and new technologies that are proving themselves today, as well as the energy management strategies for long-term results. Special presentations will highlight case studies on NOx reduction technology implementation. Exhibit booth spaces are limited, so early application is encouraged. Submit the Exhibitor Information document (PDF 142 KB) to reserve your space
Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Coatings Garner Technology Innovation Award
The Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Coatings (PDF 235 KB) technology has been awarded a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Technology Innovation award for its unique diamond thin-film microstructure that provides superior low-friction, corrosion- and wear-resistance, chemical, and electronic properties. This ITP-sponsored project was developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory and Advanced Diamond Technologies (ADT), who will commercialize the coatings for use in industrial rotating pump and gas seal applications. UNCD thin films have broad applicability in many industries, and could reduce pump shaft frictional torque by as much as 60%, which translates into a reduction of 80% frictional energy loss. The 2006 WSJ Technology Innovation awards competition received more than 600 applications from 24 countries, and awarded four top prizes, 12 category winners, and 37 runners-up.
Optimize Your System Know-how Through ITP Training Workshops
Boost your knowledge about managing industrial energy systems through ITP BestPractices' technical training workshops in compressed air, steam, motor, fan, process heating, and pumping systems. Here are upcoming training events for October 2006:
October 20: Steam System Assessment
Sturtevant, WI
October 25: Pumping System Assessment
Manchester, NH
October 31: Steam System Assessment
Springfield, MA
For a complete listing of BestPractices training events, visit the Training Calendar Web site.
ITP offers technical publications, software tools, and other resources to help you address your company's industrial energy needs. Here are the latest products from ITP.
Just Released! Energy Matters Summer 2006 Issue
The Summer 2006 issue of Energy Matters turns its attention on effective corporate energy management programs—tools and tactics for a successful program, cumulative benefits of energy management practices, and examples of company strategies. The feature article on energy pathfinders illustrates how 10 trailblazing companies are using energy management programs to improve their bottom line. Also, read about California Portland Cement’s award-winning energy management methods in obtaining management support, improving processes, and making use of incentives and rebate programs. Energy Matters also looks at the Super Boiler, a new steam generation technology which could reduce U.S. steam system operating costs by more than $10 billion annually. In addition, in this issue you will find out about SoCalGas' industrial end user pilot program, tips on fortifying your plant against hurricane damage, and how Rohm and Haas' largest production plant is saving $2 million per year in energy cost savings. You won't want to miss this new Energy Matters!
How's Your ESP?
Test your plant's Energy Savings Potential (ESP) with a new online questionnaire! This tool helps you quickly calculate the potential energy and cost savings at your industrial plant. It also directs you to helpful resources to help you reach your energy goals. Try the ESP quiz today!
Visit the ITP Web site for more BestPractices technical publications, software tools, and case studies to help you improve efficiency, productivity, and the bottom line.
ITP awards cost-shared funding for R&D and plant assessment projects through a competitive merit review process.
FY2007 SBIR and STTR Solicitation is Now Open
Apply now for the Fiscal Year 2007 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) solicitation; the deadline is November 21, 2006! This funding opportunity provides approximately $36 million to small businesses with strong research capabilities in science and engineering to help increase private sector commercialization of technologies. Approximately 360 projects will be selected for the Phase I grants to evaluate the feasibility of the idea. Phase II grantees will further develop their project to commercialization. Read about the eligible technical topics, and apply today!
Be sure to first register at Grants.gov, the access point for funding opportunities. Prior to submitting an application for a solicitation posted in Grants.gov, you must first complete the one-time registration, which may take up to 14 days to process. Please register as soon as possible to be eligible to apply for solicitations without delay!
To learn more about project opportunities, visit ITP's solicitation page.