May 2007
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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Partner with ITP to Implement Data Center Energy Efficiency
U.S. data centers currently use roughly 1.2% of all retail U.S. electricity sales to run and maintain computer systems and servers. The rapid growth of these energy-intensive data centers has prompted efforts to study the energy use of the equipment used to run the data centers and address opportunities for energy efficiency in this sector. Register now for the Data Center Facilities and Engineering Conference and Expo, to be held on May 18, 2007, in Washington, D.C. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with industry partners, government officials, and service providers to learn about emerging trends in the industry. Visit the Expo to view new products and solutions now commercially available. Andrew Fanara, U.S. EPA, and Paul Scheihing, ITP, will present on the "Status of Federally-Sponsored Initiatives to Improve Energy Efficiency of Data Center Facilities and Servers".
Get involved today! Visit the Data Center Web site to learn how ITP is meeting data center efficiency challenges, and register to receive regular updates and to serve on a technical working group to participate in product and protocol development.
GE Advances Wireless Sensing Technology into the Marketplace
ITP's Sensors and Automation (S&A) teams with industry partners to develop cross-cutting technologies that optimize operations and productivity of industrial facilities. General Electric (GE) is one ITP partner that is successfully moving wireless technology into the commercial market through a variety of different applications. Through ITP funding, GE and its subcontractors are developing a standards-based wireless sensor technology for industrial equipment monitoring which is proving to be reliable, robust, affordable, and suitable to a broad range of monitoring applications. In one field test, GE's subcontractor Sensicast Systems installed a wireless monitoring system to evaluate the compressed air system of a paper mill. Evaluation of the performance data allowed the company to improve energy efficiency of the compressed air system dramatically; this convinced plant managers to expand the system throughout the facility. As a result of the energy savings realized and the low cost of deployment, the host has decided to add five additional wireless demand point measurements.
Using a similar core wireless technology from Dust Networks, developed as part of this project, GE has commercialized two products for use in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. LabWatch™ , a wireless facilities monitoring system, can monitor temperature and other parameters at a low cost unattainable with a wired system. It also enables storage conditions to be controlled more accurately. ValProbe™ ensures exact data collection through monitoring temperature, humidity, and pressure, preventing reruns due to insufficient or incorrect data.
Owens Corning Makes Energy Efficiency a Top Priority
At Owens Corning, energy efficiency is the name of the game, and not just because its main product is glass fiber insulation for buildings. Although its insulation products are designed to save energy, the company knows that manufacturing them can be quite an energy-intensive process. The focus on efficiency is producing measurable results; overall energy intensity is down by more than 15% since 2002. How do they do that? One way is to integrate best practices in energy management into all the company’s operations. Reducing the amount of energy used in process heating, fan, and compressed air systems is definitely a priority. The corporate strategy includes posting information and tools that plants can use to reduce energy use on the company's corporate intranet, which also includes links to numerous resources and energy-saving tips like the ones recommended by ITP. Wall posters and plant newsletters feature helpful information and tips on energy efficiency tailored to an individual plant's operations. For more on Owens Corning’s successful energy management strategies, see the full story in the Winter 2007 issue of Energy Matters, the ITP BestPractices quarterly that provides in-depth articles to help industry professionals save energy, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
ITP to Host Nanomanufacturing Roadmapping Workshop
Nanotechnology is leading the next Industrial Revolution, transforming the way products are manufactured and ushering in new, radically precise, less expensive, and more flexible production methods that will be more energy efficient. The U.S. government has invested $6.5 billion in nanotechnology research, however, more R&D is needed to translate scientific discoveries into new manufacturing products and processes. ITP is hosting a "Nanomanufacturing for Energy Efficiency Workshop" on June 5-6, 2007, in Baltimore, MD, to develop an industry roadmap to guide the development of nanomanufacturing processes and commercialization of the products. The workshop will bring together stakeholders from various disciplines to address the barriers that inhibit nanomanufacturing advancement, and identify the R&D needed to overcome these barriers. More information and to register.
Save Energy Now Activity Update
Round 2 of ITP's Energy Savings Assessments (ESAs) is now well under way, and there will be another opportunity to apply in July, 2007. Watch the ITP E-Bulletin for announcements on Round 3 of the ESAs and visit the Save Energy Now Web site for up-to-date information on results of assessments.
In the meantime, take advantage of ITP's series of 2-hour Webcasts, which help you learn the basics—and the benefits—of using the BestPractices software tools to find energy savings opportunities in your facility. This training is for you if your plant is scheduled to receive a 2007 Energy Savings Assessment, if you are considering applying for one, or if you want a good start in using the tools. The Webcasts rotate regularly to feature fans, pumping, compressed air, steam, and process heating systems. Learn more and register now for an upcoming session!
You Could Be the Next Qualified Specialist!
If you are an engineer or other industrial professional with expertise in industrial systems, ITP invites you to share your knowledge and increase your business potential by becoming a Qualified Specialist. Get started now by registering for advanced training in using one or more of ITP’s software tools to assess energy use and savings opportunities in industrial compressed air, fan, process heating, pumping, or steam systems. Once recognized as a Qualified Specialist, you can apply the tools to help your plant or your customers find ways to save energy and money. Also, being recognized as a Qualified Specialist is the first step to becoming one of the "Best of the Best"—an ESA Energy Expert. These experts conduct Energy Savings Assessments as part of ITP’s Save Energy Now strategy.
Don’t delay—visit the BestPractices Training Web site to sign up now for one of several upcoming 2- or 3-day Qualified Specialist training sessions in 2007. ITP is interested in increasing its pool of ESA Energy Experts for the next round of assessments. If you already are a Qualified Specialist, ITP encourages you to submit a proposal to become an ESA Energy Expert in time for the next round of assessments.
Advanced Component Coating Technology Resists Corrosion and Saves Energy
Corrosion of industrial components is a pervasive problem in manufacturing processes, costing U.S. industries $300 billion per year. With ITP support, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) led a project team to develop a new, low-cost ceramic-based coating for steel and superalloys. This coating protects the base metal from oxidation, metal dusting, carburization, and sulfidation, and prevents high-temperature (700º C to 1000° C) corrosion of metals in industries such as chemical processing and industrial power generation. The coating reduces manufacturing costs by extending component lifetimes, and allowing less expensive substrates to be used instead of expensive base materials. The coating is fabricated at significantly lower temperature than typically required for conventional ceramic coatings, therefore the new process saves energy and reduces harmful emissions. In fact, researchers are estimating that enhanced corrosion resistance could yield 5% increase in energy efficiency and energy savings as high at 160 trillion Btu per by 2010. Read more.
Attend these key events to learn about the latest energy-efficient technologies and practices, and network with industry peers.
For more upcoming conferences, please visit ITP's Events calendar.
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.
New Pumping Tip Sheet Examines Options for Centrifugal Pumps
Read ITP's new pumping tip sheet to learn how to apply adjustable speed drives (ASDs) to optimize your industrial pumping system. Control Strategies for Centrifugal Pumps with Variable Flow Rate Requirements (PDF 246 KB) is the latest in a series of two-page tip sheets developed by ITP to help plant personnel better manage their industrial systems. Visit the BestPractices Technical Publications Web site to find out about the many resources ITP brings you to assist you in your energy efficiency efforts.
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.
DOE Issues Solicitation for R&D to Boost Energy Infrastructure
DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) has issued a solicitation for cost-shared agreements that will support OE's mission to enhance U.S. energy infrastructure. Anticipated funding for this program over the course of 5 years is $38 million. This solicitation consists of two program areas of R&D: Secure Control Systems for the Energy Sector; and, Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration. The deadline for applications is June 19, 2007; apply now!
NYSERDA Promotes Industrial Energy Efficiency in New York
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering more than $5.7 million to promote New York State industrial energy efficiency projects to develop, demonstrate, or commercialize new industrial energy-efficient technologies or processes. Upcoming due dates for applications are July 16 and November 8, 2007. Visit the NYSERDA funding opportunities Web page to learn more and apply; see Program Opportunity Notice 1130.
To learn more about project opportunities, visit ITP's solicitation page.