Why is the treasure still buried? Breaching the barriers to compressed air system efficiency
The authors conducted a literature review and market player interview to assess the level of activity and potential for market transformation to efficient compressed air systems in the Northwest US. Potential savings in the Northwest are large, perhaps 150 Average MW. Savings are sometimes a significant share of plant electric use. Paybacks can be less than a year and, where the number of compressors is reduced, total capital costs can be reduced. In spite of this, knowledge of efficiency and current activity is limited. Many customers are not aware of the cost of compressed air. Most of the local service and equipment providers deal with limited aspects of the compressed air system, even though a system-wide approach provides a much better financial reward. For all but the largest customers, the size of annual dollar benefits limits the interest in developing customer expertise. Therefore, customers must outsource planning or turnkey installation of system enhancements to a trusted contractor. Yet contractors are positioned to offer this service only for the largest customers. Education and demonstration efforts (featuring non-energy benefits) may be themselves accelerate activity among the largest systems--those over 300--500 HP. However, about half of the horsepower is in smaller systems. For 100--300 HP systems, the focus should be on building business alliances which offer integrated services to customers of that scale. This may require significant and sustained support. For systems under 100 HP, market transformation may be difficult. The best approach may involve hotline advice and mailings.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Energy Associates, Inc. (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20001902
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1999 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry, Albany, NY (US), 06/15/1999--06/18/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Industry and innovation in the 21st century, proceedings, 854 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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