Environmental Management Program - Reducing electric and fuel use, waste management

[Randy]

Hey, I knew you were out there. You know from experience that I promote tying O&T's into something that Top Management will bye into like cost savings, but I specify that environmental performance improvement has to be tied to something that directly impacts the environment. Both are important, but ultimately the environment has to win out.

Unprofessional? I have to think on that one.

 

[tigerfan51]

Randy - I disagree with some of your comments regarding utilities cost reductions.

Environmental aspects can be put into into one of three main categories - Consumptive Aspects (such as use of natural gas, use of electricity, use of water, etc.) - Upset Aspects (such as potential spills, potential fires, unplanned/emergency releases, etc.) and Wastes (normally occurring emissions/wastes such as air emissions, waste water, soild waste, liquid waste, haz, non-haz, etc.). Your coments suggest that only the last category is important in an EMS.

Most of the manufacturing operations that I audit have designated utilities consumption aspects as significant (based upon cost and environmental impact). Many companies are working on objectives/targets/programs to reduce their utilities consumption. I agree that it is difficult to make the connection between reducted energy consumption in a manufacturing plant and corresponding coal consumption reductions in a power plant, however, I do not believe that establishing a waste reduction result is a requirement of an ISO 14001 objective/target/program. The requirement is to identify and (hopefully) achieve environmental goals consistent with the EMS policy.

We should remember the big picture - the cumulative effect of many industrial plants reducing their electrical requirements results in a more stable/reliable power supply, a reduced requirement for new power generation facilities and reduced natural resources / environmental impacts. When a company reduces their energy consumption they become more efficient and isn't that the whole idea behind an EMS - to produce a product with less waste, reduced consumption, reduced impact and therefore lower costs?

I accept utilities reductions as appropriate EMS ojectives/targets/programs without question. We encourage our clients to look at their big ticket expenditures related to significant aspects for possible programs that represent potential cost savings. In automotive manufacturing the EMS has to be both a cost savings and an environmental protection proposition.

I'd be interested in your comments.

Greg

 

[Randy]

Apparently you haven't read everything I've contributed in the last 6 years on this subject.

As for aspects themselves the list is endless.

 

[lucygray]

Re: Environmental Management Program - Reducing electric and fuel use, waste manageme

Hello,
I don't have more experience to waste manegment but i thinks we can reduce electricity and fuel use by reduce the waste uses of the fuel.

 

[gpainter]

Re: Environmental Management Program - Reducing electric and fuel use, waste manageme

On the sustainability side energy is the low hanging fruit. Lighting projects seem to have the biggest all-around bang as they reduce cost, improve motivation and increase quality. I would:
Get management support.
Track & report energy usage-include water too- your utilities can provide you past information.
Make sure you are not being taxed on energy used for production
Start with lighting- there are rebates in every state, most by the utility providers- most lamp providers will do and assessment for free with current state and future state

Other areas to look at:
Motor systems and practices.
Compressed air- about 5% efficient and about a 30% leak rate
VSD usage as applicable
Process heating
Steam systems
Pumping systems
Fan systems
Control Systems
Proper PM- after about a year without it most system are usually at about 70% efficiency
Others
Power Factor correction- do this last on the electric side

All of the above reduce operating overhead costs, save energy, reduce carbon footprint, reduce pollution, eliminate waste, etc. Saving energy is a gift that really keeps on giving. A good start on energy side learning would be to get into the DOE classes.

 

[gpainter]

Re: Environmental Management Program - Reducing electric and fuel use, waste manageme

It begins with conservation.