Consumers Energy Industrial Energy Management Program
Energy management systems for industry focus on ISO50001 or similar auditable processes. Most sites are not willing to do this, and they represent a large portion of energy consumption. In order to tap into this market for energy efficiency, Consumers Energy's IEM Program takes a customer centered approach. Sites want projects that fit into their existing systems for improvement.
Level 1 of the program is a half day with two program engineers on site. A basic training session with the energy team covering principals of energy management, continuous improvement, and the Energy Star Challenge for Industry is presented. Discussion during that session covers the plant processes, significant energy users, their motivation, and their energy projects. Energy saving opportunities are identified during these discussions, and a plant tour identifies more. A report discussing each of the opportunities is sent to the site within a week. The IEM program conducts 20-30 of these each year.
Level 2 is an audit that quantifies the most promising opportunities. This has four engineers on site for a day plus follow-up. The Level 2 report quantifies the savings for 5-10 recommendations.
There is no charge for these services. Level 1 requires the formation of an energy team. Level 2 requires signing up for the Energy Star Challenge for Industry, Better Plants, or ISO 50001. Participating companies report implementation rates of 30%+, and incentive applications increase.
Speaker Bio
Jerry Zolkowski, PE CEM CMVP is a Principal Engineer with DNV GL. Since 2013 he has been working on the Consumers Business Energy Efficiency Program in Michigan with a focus on making industrial plants more efficient. He can be contacted at: Gerard.Zolkowski@dnv.com
Prior employment includes: 2.5 years at Dow Corning, the world leader in silicones, supporting global manufacturing energy efficiency efforts; and 6 years finding and evaluating energy conservation opportunities for Shaw Industries' manufacturing operations. Shaw has over 50 manufacturing plants and is the country's largest carpet producer. Also 10 years at the state's industrial extension service at Georgia Tech. That work included energy conservation, environmental compliance, and plant & design engineering.
Jerry's writings have appeared in Compressed Air Best Practices, Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment, Energy Engineering, Computer Shopper, and Machine Design.
Education includes a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester and an MBA from Columbus State College.