by Js 1012 a3 — October 12, 2008—Steel manufacturers across the US are participating in energy assessments offered by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Technologies Program (ITP). Part of Save Energy Now, a national effort to reduce energy use 25% in 10 years, these no-cost assessments help US industrial facilities identify ways to reduce energy use in key process systems. Two new case studies are available that provide examples of how steel manufacturers have improved the efficiency of their process heating and steam systems, the Steel Industry Case Study and the US Steel Minntac Plant Case Study.
The Save Energy Now assessment conducted at US Steel, the largest producer of steel products in the country, validated existing energy efficiency projects at its Minntac plant in Mt. Iron, Minnesota. The company realized annual energy cost savings of $760,000, as well as $30,000 in maintenance labor cost savings. In addition, US Steel reduced its annual natural gas energy consumption by 95,000 MMBtu and achieved a simple payback of 1.5 years.
The assessment was conducted by a DOE Energy Expert who used DOE’s Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST) to quantify existing energy savings measures at the Minntac plant, as well as identify nine additional opportunities. To learn about PHAST and other DOE system assessment software tools, visit the EERE Software Tools Web site.
To see recommendations that can help a company become more energy efficient, see additional Save Energy Now case studies on industries such as aluminum, automotive, chemical, forest products, and textiles. Visit EERE to apply for a Save Energy Now energy assessment to be conducted at your facility.
