In 2004, the Board of the Alliance approved the Industrial Sector Initiative, which was developed to address energy efficiency in the industrial sector. The initiative began with extensive research and evolved to include a number of participants who are working together to create energy savings potential in Northwest industry. In 2005, the Alliance launched the Industrial Efficiency Alliance - a collaborative organization that helps Northwest industries use energy more efficiently.

In the Northwest, the pulp and paper and food processing industries rank among the highest energy consumers. Transforming energy consumption levels within these industries will create significant electrical savings potential for the region. The benefits to the industries themselves will be increased productivity and cost savings, as well as improved safety and reliability. That's a win-win proposition for all involved.

The Industrial Efficiency Alliance works to create efficiencies in two areas:

1. by helping companies incorporate energy efficiency into their normal business operations, and
2. by supporting companies in taking a "whole systems" approach-pumps, motors, compressed air, refrigeration-to energy efficiency, as opposed to merely addressing the issue of individual components. As a combined solution for high energy consumption industries, these two approaches can produce significant results.

The Industrial Efficiency Alliance helps Northwest industry gain a competitive advantage via the adoption of energy efficient business practices. The organization provides expert support, resources and services to give companies tools and training to make energy efficiency a core business value. In exchange, participants are asked to commit to a Continuous Energy Improvement Program, which has the potential to increase production capacity, improve equipment reliability, and reduce operating costs and energy use by 5% to 20%.

The Industrial Efficiency Alliance is a multi-year strategic effort of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (Alliance) - a nonprofit corporation that makes affordable, energy-efficient products and services available in the marketplace.

The Industrial Efficiency Alliance works to improve energy efficiency in two regional industries considered heavy energy users - the food processing and the pulp and paper industries. The Industrial Efficiency Alliance also works with companies that produce equipment and provide services for these industries and with the utilities that serve them.

To find out more, add your name to the Industrial Efficiency Alliance's email list or contact us.