First Year Analysis of Industrial Energy Conservation/Management of the Texas A&M University- Kingsville Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Center

Abstract

An Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Center was established at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I University) in November 1993 by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Center is managed by the University City Science Center, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the 1993-94 academic year, the Center conducted 15 energy audits of small and medium sized manufacturing plants in South Texas. The SIC code of the plants audited ranged from 20 to 39. The Center's chief purpose is to serve the energy-related needs of small and medium sized manufacturers. These needs relate specifically to energy used in manufacturing processes but also include other aspects of a manufacturer's energy use. The Center analyzes operating characteristics and energy requirements of manufacturing plants; to identify, quantify, and recommend specific opportunities to conserve energy and/or utilize alternate energy sources. The findings are reported to the manufactures, together with estimates of their savings, implementation costs, and payback periods. In addition, the Center provides students with hands-on experience in the fields of energy auditing, energy management, and energy utilization in industry. During its first year of operation the A&M-K EADC recommended 89 Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs). The estimated energy savings totaled 30,598 MMBtu/yr that translated to savings of $464,245 (include operation modifications cost reductions, such as demand shifting). The estimated implementation costs totaled $309,669 yielding a simple payback period of 8 months. The energy savings represented 6.3 % of the total energy used at these plants; while the cost savings represented 8.8 % of the total energy cost. This paper describes the Center, its mission in South Texas, and its operation. The ECOs are classified in three groups: electrical, natural gas, and operation modification. These are discussed in detail.