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What is energy efficiency? |
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Energy efficiency is simply the efficient use of energy. While our own energy use is something we often take for granted, the production of energy has societal costs and environmental impacts. Using products and services that employ energy-efficient technologies is a way every person or business can reduce those impacts, lower monthly energy bills and in many cases increase the comfort and productivity of a workplace. Energy-efficient practices benefit industries, businesses and suppliers because energy efficiency:
- Helps reduce operating costs
- Improves production and safety
- Supports voluntary and mandated environmental practices
- Assists companies in remaining competitive in today's global marketplace
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What is the Industrial Efficiency Alliance? |
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The Industrial Efficiency Alliance helps Northwest industries use energy more efficiently by making energy management a normal part of their business operations. Currently focused on the food processing and pulp and paper industries, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance provides energy management assessments, training, educational tools and collaborative opportunities to support companies interested in making an organizational commitment to effective energy use. The Industrial Efficiency Alliance is a multi-year strategic effort of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - a nonprofit corporation that makes affordable, energy-efficient products and services available in the marketplace. |
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When was the Industrial Efficiency Alliance formed? |
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The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance launched the Industrial Efficiency Alliance early in 2005 to help Northwest industries adopt more energy-efficient business practices. |
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What is the goal of the Industrial Efficiency Alliance? |
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The Industrial Efficiency Alliance's goal is to save 130 average megawatts by 2015, enough to power 90,000 households for a year. |
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Who is involved in the Industrial Efficiency Alliance? |
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Ideal industry participants include food processing or pulp and paper companies with a large facility or with multiple facilities that:
- Are interested in improving their overall energy management practices
- Have a learning culture
- Are willing to share success stories concerning participation in this program
In addition to industry participants, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance is committed to collaboration with many types of organizations and suppliers that support business and industry in the Northwest, including:
- Bonneville Power Administration
- Idaho Department of Water Resources
- Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities (ICNU)
- Manufacturers and Suppliers/Trade Allies
- Northwest Electric Utilities
- Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
- Northwest Food Processors Association
- Northwest Industries
- Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE)
- Public Benefits Administrators
- US Department of Energy - Industrial Technologies Program
- Washington State University Extension Energy Program
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| Q: |
How can I get involved in the Industrial Efficiency Alliance? |
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The Industrial Efficiency Alliance seeks to make energy management planning an integral part of a company's or an organization's decision-making process. To underscore the mutually beneficially relationship between the Industrial Efficiency Alliance and the companies they serve, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance asks companies to make an organizational commitment to continuous improvement of their energy management practices.
The Industrial Efficiency Alliance makes it easy to provide this commitment through its Continuous Energy Improvement Program, which provides assessment and planning support.
To ensure that commitments are actionable and easy to execute, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance works with the company to develop a customized continuous energy improvement program that ties energy management activities into the company's objectives (e.g., production, safety, environment). |
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What are the benefits of participation? |
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In the Northwest, the pulp and paper and food processing industries rank among the highest energy consumers. Transforming energy consumption levels within these industries, and others, will create significant electrical savings potential for the region. Benefits to participating industries include increased productivity and cost savings, and improved safety and reliability. That's a win-win proposition for all involved. |
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| Q: |
In what other ways does the Industrial Efficiency Alliance create energy efficiency opportunities? |
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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. |
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What resources are available through the Industrial Efficiency Alliance? |
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To assist organizations in carrying out their commitment, the Industrial Efficiency Alliance provides a number of tools, opportunities, and support services, including:
- Energy management practices assessment and support through the Continuous Energy Improvement Program
- Best practices training in areas such as pumps, motors, compressed air, and/or refrigeration
- Services to assist your organization in adopting corporate-wide energy management practices
- Community recognition
- Contributed article(s) to your company's website/newsletter
- Mentions in business and trade press news articles pertaining to energy savings
- Featured story and case study placement on the Industrial Efficiency Alliance web site
- Company/organization name inclusion in outreach materials to industry leaders
- Co-marketing opportunities
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How can I find out more about the Industrial Efficiency Alliance? |
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For more information concerning the Industrial Efficiency Alliance or its Continuous Energy Improvement Program, please call 888-720-6823 or contact us. |
