Incentives—Manufacturing and Heavy Industry
Save on Energy Costs
Heavy Industry and Manufacturing processes consume an enormous amount of energy. Often, inefficiencies are due to operating and maintenance practices. Fortunately, making even small amounts of energy-efficient changes to your manufacturing process can save money and increase operational efficiencies. This is where PG&E's energy management solutions and incentives come in.
How You Can Save
Here are some examples of how upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment can reduce your energy overhead in the long run.
- Motors
Install National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Premium efficiency motors. Studies from the Department of Energy prove that NEMA Premium efficiency motors reduce motor-related energy costs by up to 6 percent. Download
motors fact sheet (PDF, 205 KB).
- Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
Install variable speed drives on pumps, fans and other equipment. VSDs electronically control the motor speed and can result in substantial energy savings. For example, reducing fan speed by 20 percent can reduce energy use by up to 50 percent.
- Compressed Air
Install variable frequency drives on your compressed air systems to improve energy efficiency by up to 50 percent, according to the Department of Energy. In addition, PG&E will cover up to 50 percent of the extra cost for more efficient air compressors. Download
compressed air fact sheet (PDF, 777 KB).
- Injection Molding and Machinery
Save energy by upgrading to a hybrid or all electric injection molding system, which applies pressure only when needed during the molding process, unlike the older injection molding machinery with hydraulics. You can reduce the energy consumption of injection molding up to 70 percent.
- Boilers
Replace your steam or hot water boiler with a high-efficiency boiler for substantial energy savings. In addition, ensure your boiler has an efficient burner, insulation, feedwater economizers, automated blowdown control systems, oxygen trim systems and more. Download a
boilers fact sheet (PDF, 93 KB).
- Process Heat Recovery
Add heat exchangers and replace your existing oxidizer with a high-efficiency thermal oxidizer. In addition, incorporate software such as the Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool, along with best management practices, to reduce process heating energy by up to 15 percent. Preheating combustion air can reduce process heating-related plant energy use by as much as 30 percent as well.
- Pumps
Select a pump and drive motor correctly sized to the load. Simply replacing throttling valves with speed controls can reduce energy use by as much as 60 percent.
- Steam
Improve your steam systems and reduce energy costs by up to 15 percent. Even if your facility already utilizes energy management programs, you can still save up to an additional 15 percent by incorporating best practices.
Start with an Energy Analysis or Audit
Start your comprehensive energy management plan with an energy audit or analysis. After gathering data on how your business uses energy, PG&E will create a customized report detailing ways you can save energy and which rebates and incentives are available for your facility. As a PG&E business customer, you are eligible for on-site and integrated audits and analysis.
If you’ve already completed an energy audit, contact your PG&E representative, or call the Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743 to get an in-depth estimate of your potential savings. You can also email us.
More Efficiency Resources
