Industrial operations are able to benefit substantially from participating in demand response programs, particularly those that have flexible hours of operations or are able to stockpile several days of inventory. Depending on the type of activity, material handled, and equipment used, your operation may be able to employ a variety of activities to drop your electricity demand and capitalize on the incentives and positive public image the demand response programs offer.
Suggested Programs
Energy Reduction Strategies
- Manufacturing
- Turn off all motors, vertical lifts and other non-essential process and pumping equipment.
- Reduce or reschedule production to avoid unnecessary use of compressed air.
- Turn off or turn down chillers, and reset chilled water temperature.
- Adjust variable speed drive controls to reduce load from fans, pumps and chillers.
- Reduce or reschedule production.
- Shift melting (kilns), finishing (grinders) and other tasks to either before or after an event, or to another day.
- Pre-cool, then float or cycle refrigeration.
- Delay use of scrap grinders, bailing and other non-essential equipment.
- Stockpile inventory prior to an event, then stop production during the event.
- Move batch and continuous processes to either before or after an event, or to another day.
- Produce extra product a day ahead, and do only packaging on the event day.
- Minerals and Chemicals
- Turn off vertical lifts, conveyor belts, crushers and all non-essential process and pumping equipment.
- Stock pile or overproduce inventory prior to an event, then shut down production and resume operations after the event.
- Move batch and continuous processes to either before or after an event, or to another day.
- Produce extra product day ahead, and do only packaging or transport on the event day.
- Reduce, slow down, or shut down operations completely.
- Petroleum
- Turn off pumping units.
- Postpone post-extraction pumping, transportation and storage activities.
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Shut off all or most pumps during an event.
- Some agencies have permits to operate internal combustion engines (backup generators) that can be used for the event duration.
- Pump water into storage tanks prior to an event, and use this water during an event.
- Shut off operations completely during an event, then store and collect untreated water for processing after the event.
- Decrease use of aerators during an event.
For general office tips, see Demand Response Incentives for Office Buildings.
Case Studies
Articles
Get more information on rebates and incentives for the industrial industry.
