Nucor Steel – Nebraska, a member of the Nucor Bar Mill Group, produces special bar, cold heading and merchant bar steel products. It was one of 200 energy-intensive facilities to receive a DOE Energy Saving Assessment. (Artwork by Nucor Bar Mill Group) |
Individual Assessments Now Available to More Companies More companies can become involved in free, or nearly free, industrial energy assessments. As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Save Energy Now program, large-and-medium-sized facilities can now participate in an energy savings assessment by joining together to reach the minimum potential energy savings threshold.Industrial plants may apply individually, or in groups of up to 10 if they consume a total of 1 trillion British thermal units or more annually. In either instance, the results of a plant’s assessment will remain confidential. Assessment areas include process heating, steam, fans, pumps and compressed air. The program’s goal is to reach large industrial energy users having the potential for significant energy savings. If a company is selected for an assessment, an Energy Saving Assessment Energy Expert will work onsite with the company to identify savings opportunities. Plant employees will help gather data, learn about software tools and perform a system analysis to minimize energy use. Individual companies qualifying for a first-time assessment will receive a full evaluation free of charge. The only cost to the company will be time invested by their staff. Multiple facilities applying as a group will be eligible for a free assessment for one plant. If additional plants in the group want an assessment, the Department of Energy will pay $4,000, plus the Expert's travel expenses. Selected plants are encouraged to work closely with their state energy offices, trade associations and utilities. The federal energy agency hopes this will help create partnerships that will encourage additional plants to implement energy saving technologies. For more information, visit the Save Energy Now Web site or call 877-337-3463 to apply for an assessment and to find out how to partner with the Industrial Technologies Program. |