Plant Services - April 2008 - (Page 29)

ASSET MANAGER Grow greener plants Establish effective energy-management protocols S ome maintenance, operations and engineering manfive times as long and consume from 1/4 to 1/5 the energy for agers argue that energy management has been on the same lumen output. Less labor is required for a replacetheir agendas since the 1973 energy crisis. Others say ment strategy because fluorescent bulbs last longer. that much more has to be done in the name of corporate soMost offices and plants use 1.5-in. diameter T12 fluorescent cial responsibility, green, sustainability and saving our planlighting and magnetic ballasts. This is being replaced by the et. Pragmatists need to see a project payback. Many need more efficient 1-in. diameter T8 lamps. The PCB content in a push from government through regulatory pressures, or the old-style magnetic ballasts makes it difficult to dispose demands from customers. Finally, some asof them. These are being supplanted by more sert that energy-management initiatives are energy-efficient electronic ballasts. Typical savan excellent public relations opportunity tarings with these two upgrades is between 55 watts Modify your geting customers, employees, shareholders, and 60 watts for each four-lamp fixture. Further CMMS or use suppliers, government, media, special intersavings can be achieved by replacing some another tracking four-lamp fixtures with two-lamp units in est groups and the general public. system to These approaches aren’t mutually exclusive. areas where light levels are excessive. Replace Some energy-reduction initiatives have always gather data on incandescent or regular fluorescent lamps in been there, and will be long into the future. current energy old exit signs as soon as possible using the These same measures benefit the environment most efficient lighting – LEDs – which last consumption by reducing waste, have a solid business case 50 times to 100 times longer and use about 1 patterns. and are good for marketing purposes. /20 th the energy of incandescent bulbs. It should come as no surprise that, regardWorkers are happier, more productive and less of rationale, an aggressive energy-mangenerally healthier where there’s lots of natuagement program is the right thing to do, independent of ral light. Timers and sensors can be used to adjust lighting your industry, size or location. Many of the initiatives under levels after sundown, as well as for outdoor or infrequently such a program are low-cost and easy to implement. used locations such as washrooms. Energy strategy and planning Maintenance technicians are more accustomed to action than planning. But, with energy, it’s most effective to plan a comprehensive, multiyear strategy that has both shortand long-term projects. Build a track record through visible short-term wins that engage stakeholders at every level. A useful starting point for longer-term projects is a comprehensive energy audit to identify, quantify and prioritize opportunities. This can be useful in the development of energy policies such as design guidelines for new construction and new equipment, or for establishing maintenance practices that address gaps the energy audit identified. HVAC Lighting The easiest short-term projects to launch in the name of energy efficiency is a lighting system evaluation. The days are numbered for the incandescent lamp. Fluorescent bulbs last April 2008 Many CMMS packages have sophisticated condition-based monitoring capability that is useful for monitoring heating, cooling, steam generation and air-handling equipment. Specialized building-management systems can help you monitor systems such as HVAC, fire protection and security. Some measures to consider for reducing waste and improving the efficiency of these systems include: • Tune boilers regularly and use the CMMS to initiate regular inspections, or use a condition-based monitoring system for tracking boiler efficiency • Inspect and clean heat-transfer surfaces regularly • Install variable-speed drives on pumps and fans • Replace standard chilled water control valves with valves that are insensitive to line pressure • Adjust HVAC control systems to avoid simultaneous heating and cooling (as preheating overheats incoming air) 29 www.PLANTSERVICES.com http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com

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Plant Services - April 2008 Contents From the Editor Letters The PS Files Up and Running Crisis Corner What Works Asset Manager Technology Toolbox Cover Story Compressors Motors Flooring Web Hunter In the Trenches Product Picks Classifieds Energy Expert

Plant Services - April 2008

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