Economic Impact of Control and Optimization on Industrial Utilities

Abstract

Industrial energy management includes the fuel procurement, production, conservation and efficient use of utilities such as steam, electricity, compressed air and water. Steam is the underpinning utility and has the greatest economic impact. The efficient production and delivery of quality steam directly affects the cost of the other utilities as well as the manufacturing process. Utilities are rarely looked upon as a source of corporate profit, especially in times of double-digit expansion. They typically represent only 3 to 11% of manufacturing cost and are perceived as an unavoidable cost. However, in an era of heighten global manufacturing competition and world wide reallocation of natural resources, utilities are recognized as a variable cost that can be a major cost savings opportunity and a strategic contributor to corporate profit. This paper will discuss the economic justifications for boiler control, a methodology to identify and address energy savings, case studies of successful energy management projects and an overview of possible control and optimization solutions.