Pennsylvania industries looking to control rising energy costs can benefit by registering for a no-cost targeted assessment offered by the U. S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Program, Save Energy Now initiative.

A Save Energy Now assessment targets industry’s primary energy use in process heating, compressed air, steam, motor, pumping, or fan systems.

Assessments are performed by highly experienced DOE Qualified Energy Specialists in unison with key plant staff such as managers, equipment operators, engineers, maintenance staff, or others. The specialists work to increase system energy efficiency through the application of industrial best practices.

Participating manufacturers have reduced energy consumption in targeted systems by 8 percent annually, or roughly $2 million dollars, on average.

An added benefit of the program is that plant staff are trained in the use of DOE’s system analysis software tools. This aspect of the assessment process empowers companies to enhance energy savings through continued application of the software tool in similar systems or at branch operations.

Total energy consumption by a company requesting an assessment should equal or exceed approximately 300 billion Btu’s, or more, annually. This includes all energy sources used plant wide. Although exceptions may be made for a manufacturer that demonstrates a particular need for an assessment, those below 300 billion Btu’s are automatically referred for assessment by the DOE Industrial Assessment Center nearest their location.

Follow this energy assessment link to complete DOE’s online application, review all details of the program, and join over 500 manufacturers already saving energy and money.

Businesses applying for an assessment are also required to apply DOE’s Quick Plant Energy Profiler tool. This tool provides data helpful in completing DOE’s assessment application and provides a picture of overall plant energy saving potential, areas using the most fuel, and company resources available to implement energy saving recommendations.

Companies already assessed under the Save Energy Now initiative may also register for a second assessment during 2008 without the need for cost-sharing. Suspension of the cost-sharing requirement equates to an added savings approaching $10,000.

8/1/2008