Industrial Assessments and Why Your Plant Should Have One

Abstract

The "in-depth" assessment of a plant site and its facilities, services and manufacturing operations can help you make your plant cleaner, more productive and more energy efficient. This paper discusses the components of a successful assessment, what you can expect, and how you can benefit. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Assessment Center Program, its track record and its approach, are described in some detail -including the criteria for receiving an assessment through the Program. The authors also identify and describe other good sources of industrial assessment assistance- such as utilities, state offices, trade and professional associations and local engineering schools. Also described are ways to use your in-house staff and, if you are a multi-plant company, peer reviews to conduct assessments. To further help you with the assessment process, a variety of tools and programs that you can easily access are described. The paper also provides information on a range of related resources including: programs which focus on specific technologies like motors or steam/compressed air; databases with specific assessment recommendations by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code that you can access; self assessment workbooks and manuals; programs which offer grants (on a competitive basis) for new demonstrations of clean industrial technologies; software programs; guidelines, and more.