Understanding
Demand Control for Energy Usage
By practicing demand control, you can lower your electric bill without sacrificing production efficiency.
Bob Zak, Powerit Solutions, Seattle, Washington
Managing a facility’s power usage, or demand, can yield cost reductions in a number of ways. Specifically, shaving off high de-
B
mand spikes in energy usage can reduce the demand charges on your energy bill. These charges are based on the single highest point of use in an entire month and may be just a por- tion of the 15-minute period by which utilities measure demand (see sidebar
ecause of the many elements of the metalcasting produc- tion process, one often overlooked source of cost savings is the electricity bill.
“What Is Power Demand?” for more information). Peak demand savings are estimated
on a percent vs. peak load basis. An end user can reduce peak demand charges by 10-40% using demand control. A typical metalcasting facility’s peak de- mand charges represent 20-50% of the overall bill in most cases. This is true for metal melting and treating facilities both large and small, as the technol- ogy and applications can scale down to facilities equal to or less than 1-MW.
Rapid Response Facilities all over the nation earn
money by participating in their utility provider’s demand response program. Demand response usually is a volun- tary option where participants agree to reduce their demand at some point in the future, typically when the provider is short on power. If the facility is able to successfully reduce consumption, it will save money on its utility bill. Some facilities receive a check from the provider for their efforts. For example, on an unusually hot
summer day, a utility might notify demand response participants that it needs them to curtail their usage by an amount specified in their participa- tion contract. If the business delivers the agreed-upon reduction, it receives compensation while alleviating stress on the power grid. Most users also receive a payment
just for being a part of the program, whether curtailment events occur or not. For users who opt to participate in auto-demand response, where the entire event from communication to curtailment is automated, the pay- ments can be greater. Automation can introduce some risks in the production process, but with the proper strategies, that risk can be mitigated. “Our automatic demand meter is
The process of demand control entails monitoring your facility’s energy usage and ensuring it does not exceed pre-set limits at the wrong times.
32
kind of set-it-and-forget-it unless we make minor adjustments,” said Robert Murillo, plant engineer, Pacific Steel Casting Co., Berkeley, Calif.
MODERN CASTING / December 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60