ENERGY SAVING METHODS - TIPS ON CONSERVING ENERGY CONSUPMTION

The four general categories in which energy savings can be grouped are as follows:

a) Housekeeping measures. 
Energy savings can result from better maintenance and operation. Such measures include shutting off unused equipment; improving electricity demand management; reducing winter temperature settings; turning off lights; and eliminating steam, compressed air, and heat leaks.

Proper lubrication of equipment, proper cleaning and replacement of filters in equipment, and periodic cleaning and lamp replacement in lighting systems will result in optimal energy use in existing facilities.

b) Equipment and process modifications. 
These can be either applied to existing equipment (retrofitting) or incorporated in the design of new equipment.

Examples include the use of more durable or more efficient components; the implementation of novel, more efficient design concepts; or the replacement of an existing process with one using less energy.

c) Better utilization of equipment. 
This can be achieved by carefully examining the production processes, schedules, and operating practices. Typically, industrial plants are multiunit, multiproduct installations that evolved as a series of independent operations with minimum consideration of overall plant energy efficiency.

Improvements in plant efficiency can be achieved through proper sequencing of process operations, rearranging schedules to utilize process equipment for continuous periods of operation to minimize losses associated with start-up; scheduling process operations during off-peak periods to level electrical energy demand; and conserving the use of energy during peak demand periods.

Commercial facilities will typically achieve energy savings by relamping, installing adjustable speed drives in ventilation systems, and considering solar effects.

d) Reduction of losses in the building shell.
Reduction in heat loss is achieved by adding insulation, closing doors, reducing exhaust, utilizing process heat, etc. Management should provide effective personnel motivation, planning, and administration to achieve meaningful energy savings.

The establishment of a formalized energy management responsibility is highly desirable to give the effort both the focus and the direction required. An energy management function gives the line manager the tools to get the job done.

Line managers need to know their energy use and costs, the future energy supply availability and its cost, problems or opportunities of energy situations, and those alternative solutions worth pursuing.