Energy Efficiency National Partnership

Implementing Energy Efficiency Projects

What are Energy Efficiency Projects?

There are a variety of opportunities available at industrial facilities for the implementation of energy efficiency projects.

Some potential areas for energy efficiency measures include:

Steam systems

  • Inspect and repair steam traps
  • Insulate steam distribution and condensate return piping
  • Install an automatic blowdown control system
  • Improve combustion efficiency of boilers by operating with an optimum amount of excess air
  • Minimize standby losses of boilers

Process heating systems

  • Check and reset the air-fuel ratios of burners periodically
  • Check and clean heat transfer surfaces periodically
  • Minimize radiation losses from heated equipment
  • Recover waste heat for fuel-fired furnaces
  • Preheat combustion air

Motors & motor systems

  • Use of high-efficiency motors for pumps, fans & compressors
  • Proper sizing of the motor to the load requirements
  • Use of variable speed drives to match the speed and the torque to the load requirements
  • Optimize the complete motor system, including the driven system (e.g. pumps, fans, compressors), distribution (e.g. pipes, ducts, valves, regulators, dampers) and efficient end-use equipment (e.g. tools, heat exchangers, presses)
  • Maintaining acceptable levels of power quality
  • Implement an effective maintenance & repair program

Compressed air systems

  • Minimize compressed air leaks
  • Eliminate poor practices in compressed air use (eg. use of compressed air to provide air for low-pressure applications, like agitation, combustion air)
  • Have an optimal compressed air storage strategy to help balance supply with demand
  • Establish preventive maintenance program for compressed air systems
  • Work with compressed air solution providers to improve your compressed air systems performance