Compressed Air Best Practices-August 2008

Focus Industry COMPRESSED AIR AUDITS | 08/08 | Account Executive at Seattle City Light. The budget is integrated into the $7–9 million annual Commercial Incentive Program, which includes many industrial processes. “We have three different incentive levels depending upon the size of the project,” said Jim Evans, a Energy Management Analyst at Seattle City Light. The three levels are: 1. Level 1: Very large installations (>250 hp installed). Work with outside consulting firms. Offer up to 100% financing of the audit. Offer up to 23 cents per kWh on projects up to 70% of the total installed cost (40–50% is average). 2. Level 2: Average installations (<250 hp installed). Work with local vendors or do the audit ourselves. Offer up to 23 cents per kWh on projects up to 70% of the total installed cost (40–50% is average). 3. Level 3: Smaller installations (<50 hp installed). We are increasingly finding smaller projects but can’t justify the costs of metering smaller installations. We did a study of 20 installations and found that most run at partial loads ideal for variable speed drive (VSD) air compressors. We now offer a blanket rebate of 9 cents per horsepower per operating hour on VSD’s under 34 hp. on how to allocate their capital — the fate of their companies rest with these decisions. Utility companies like Tacoma Power and Seattle City Light have structured their programs so that ROI’s are guaranteed. We hope that other utility companies will take note of how they have structured their compressed air incentive programs. We have huge areas in the U.S., which are very industrial, where there is a huge opportunity for the utility companies to get involved with “the Business of Saving Energy.” For more information, contact Rod Smith, Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices™ magazine, tel: 251-680-9154, email: rod@airbestpractices.com, www.airbestpractices.com CO2 O “We are a zero-carbon footprint utility. Industrial energy-saving projects are a critical component of our strategy.” — GREG WHITING, MANAGER, ENERGY CONSERVATION, SEATTLE CITY LIGHT An Example for Other Utilities In the Northwest, it seems as though everyone is excited about the “Business of Saving Energy.” These utility companies play such an important role as a catalyst. They not only provide some financing but more importantly, they give proposed projects the credibility they need. Business owners must choose wisely kW www.airbestpractices.com 19 http://www.airbestpractices.com http://www.uesystems.com http://www.uesystems.com http://www.airbestpractices.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Compressed Air Best Practices-August 2008

Compressed Air Best Practices- August 2008 Contents From the Editor Utility-Air News The August Audit of the Month: A Vacuum System Audit Energized for Savings at Seattle City Light and Tacoma Power Know Your System CASE: Compressed Air Supply Efficiency Ecos Air: Managing Incentive Programs Kaeser Compressors: Loyalty, Energy and Growth Building Relationships at Cummins-Wagner McIntire is Moving Forward The 2008 A.I.C.D. Conference & Exhibition Tuthill Vacuum and Blower Systems Resources for Energy Engineers: Training Calendar & Product Picks Wall Street Watch Advertiser Index Job Market

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