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Industry uses more than one-third of all the energy used in the United States. Most of the energy industry uses is supplied from natural gas and petroleum, with electricity coming in a distant third, followed closely by coal. Certain industries, for instance steel production, require a large amount of energy per unit of product, and are the best candidates on which to focus energy-efficiency efforts.
More basic information about industrial energy efficiency is also available.
Technologies
Industry-Specific Technologies
Efforts to develop energy-efficient technologies are focused on the most energy-intensive industries, including agriculture, the aluminum industry, the chemical industry, the forest products industry, the glass industry, the metalcasting industry, the mining industry, the petroleum industry, and the steel industry. Much of the work in agriculture and the chemical industry focuses on producing bioproducts from agricultural crops. See the Biobased Chemicals and Materials page of the Bioenergy section for more information.
Combined Heat and Power Systems
The onsite production of electricity is particularly attractive to industries that can also make use of the waste heat. Such combined heat and power (CHP) systems — also called cogeneration systems — achieve higher thermal efficiencies than stand-alone power plants.
Motors
Motor-driven equipment accounts for 64% of the electricity consumed by U.S. industries. Energy-efficient motors can cut this energy use by at least 12%.
Steam Systems
Over 45% of all the fuel burned by U.S. manufacturers is consumed to raise steam. A typical industrial facility can realize steam savings of 20% by improving its steam system. Simple approaches to improving energy performance include insulating steam and condensate return lines, stopping any steam leaks, and maintaining steam traps. Condensate return to the boiler is essential for energy efficiency.
Compressed Air Systems
Optimization of compressed air systems can provide energy-efficiency improvements of 20–50%. Many industries use compressed air systems as power sources for tools and equipment used for pressurizing, atomizing, agitating, and mixing applications. Compressors using variable-speed drives are saving energy, while simple measures like detecting and fixing air leaks remain all-important.
Continuous Fiber Ceramic Composites (CFCC)
These composites are light, strong, corrosion resistant, and capable of performing in high temperature environments, without the brittleness of pure ceramics.
Combustion
Boilers and furnaces, rely on advanced burners to operate cleanly and efficiently. Emissions of pollutants such as nitrous oxides (NOx) are always of concern in combustion processes.
Sensors and Controls
All industrial systems rely on sensors and controls. Advanced sensors and control systems can allow processes to operate at their optimal conditions.
Issues
Industrial Energy Assessments
Just as homes need energy audits, industries need energy assessments to identify the areas they can focus on for energy savings.
Financing
A variety of financing sources are available to fund industrial energy efficiency improvements.
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