Emerson. Amidst growing global concerns around energy and the environment, industrial plants are feeling the pressure to take a closer look at their operations. Nearly one-third of all energy consumed in the United States is consumed by industrial facilities.
An astonishing one-ninth of the nation's total energy use is attributable to steam systems alone. Despite frequent “ups and downs,” energy costs consistently remain one of the biggest items in the operating budget of a typical industrial plant. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximately 30 percent of an operating budget is typically spent on energy.
Even when energy costs are relatively low, an average mid-size plant can face a $10 million energy bill annually. Yet pinpointing where energy is being consumed, and where it could be saved, remains a challenge for many plant managers.
Energy use within industrial facilities is extremely complex. There are thousands of manufacturing processes in operation, and no two are exactly the same, even within the same organization. Subsequently, each plant will have a unique path to improved efficiency.
The good news? It doesn't take a major plant overhaul to see measurable results: For example, research shows companies can often reduce the overall energy costs of running a typical industrial steam system by 10-15 percent through simple operational improvements.
