November 2007 – Volume 1, Issue 1
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Energy Management magazine arrives!
Welcome to the first e-newsletter for Energy Management, a new magazine that will officially launch in December. Energy Management
is the first step in what will be an ongoing, concerted, and passionate
effort to “move the needle” on effective energy management in Canada.
Each issue of Energy Management
will deliver building owners, managers, facilities managers and
engineers practical advice on energy management strategies and
technologies to help them better manage their energy use and reduce
costs.
Each issue features expert columns,
legislation updates, best practice case studies, and the latest energy
efficiency and cost-savings products from lighting, power transmission
and drives, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), energy
management systems, test and measurement, building automation systems
and much more.
We’ve assembled a top-notch line up of
expert columnists and our editorial team is hard at work making
contacts and building bridges with the movers and shakers that are
shaping this industry.
We will provide the
information, contacts and resources to help readers use less energy
while achieving better results for their companies and facilities.
Please view our prototype issue at www.energymanagementcanada.com. I welcome your feedback, so don’t hesitate to contact me at rcolman@clbmedia.ca.
Robert Colman Editor / Associate Publisher
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FEATURE STORY
Can we produce ethanol more efficiently?
By Thomas R. Casten
Corn-based
ethanol can displace the use of fossil fuels, but its widespread
adoption comes with additional challenges — conventional ethanol
production requires fossil fuels to manage the crop and to run the
ethanol plant. Net fossil savings are only 20 per cent of the ethanol
energy content. Although process efficiency improvements are likely to
help over time, installing local generation could provide an immediate
300 per cent improvement in net fossil efficiency.
Consider,
for example, a 55 gallon-per-year dry-mill ethanol plant that requires
roughly 130,000 pounds of steam (38 megawatts) to operate, plus about
five megawatts of electricity. There are two energy supply options to
manage this — conventional energy supply, or a combined heat and power
plant (CHP). Although a CHP plant is expensive to build, it will
satisfy the ethanol facility’s steam and electric needs, and export 45
megawatts of electricity to the grid.
Full story: Can we produce ethanol more efficiently?
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NEWS STORIES
U.S. Governor proposes bold approach to energy supply
By Robert Colman
West
Virginia Governor Joe Manchin addressed the Economic Club of Toronto in
mid-October, outlining the challenges and possible solutions for the
United States’ dependence on foreign oil. Asked to address his
country’s national energy policy, he stated “we still don’t have one.”
The
governor, who also serves as chairman of the Southern States Energy
Board, went on to say that he didn’t believe one would be created any
time in the near future.
“By 2020, it is said that we
will start depleting the world’s oil reserves,” he noted. “Every
presidential candidate knows this but won’t discuss it. I don’t believe
(policy change) will happen in Congress, I think it will happen state
by state.”
Full story: U.S. politician calls for new energy approach
Canada could be energy superpower, say experts
Canada
needs huge national projects comparable to the building of the
transcontinental railway or the oil sands to become a sustainable,
environmentally sound, energy superpower, energy experts meeting in
early October at the University of Calgary say.
Three
bold technology projects, backed by hundreds of millions of dollars and
a coordinated national strategy, will make Canada a global leader in
addressing the ‘collision’ between energy and environment that will
dominate this century, delegates to the Canadian Academy of Engineering
(CAE) Energy Pathways workshop say.
Full story: Canada could be energy superpower
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CASE STUDIES
Hot times in Whistler
The
resort community of Whistler, B.C., the largest ski resort in North
America offering year-round activities, will soon be hosting the 2010
Winter Olympics. In preparation for the games, numerous infrastructure
projects were identified to ensure a secure Olympics. This included the
installation of energy-saving hybrid heating systems in area hotels,
which reduced costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 14%.
Full story: Hot times in Whistler
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ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS |
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Variable speed ac drives
Schneider Electric Canada has introduced Simply Smart industrial ac
drives for 3-phase asynchronous motors from 0.5 to 900 hp. The Altivar
71 model, dedicated to all industrial applications, is complemented by
the Altivar 61, for pumps and fans. Altivar 71 can deliver up to 220%
overtorque; 130% for Altivar 61. Both drives offer flux vector control
(FVC) with or without sensor, online auto-tuning, speed or torque
control, output frequency up to 1000 Hz and an energy saving function
for pump and fan applications. One drive can independently control up
to 3 motors, units withstand voltage drops of up to -50%, RF
interference and operating temperatures up to 50ºC (without derating).
www.schneider-electric.ca
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High thrust rod actuator
The Type CRES high thrust rod actuator from THK is said to produce
maximum operating efficiency, while a low voltage dc motor (12 V”15%)
contributes to reduced energy consumption. The IP55 unit provides a
maximum stroke of 130 mm, making it suitable for packaging machines,
automatic seat positioners, panel operating mechanisms, positioning
systems, height adjusters and opening/closing mechanisms. Nominal speed
ranges are from 15 to 55 mm/s, with a nominal feeding force of 196 to
490 N.
thk.com |
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Low-voltage motors
Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) introduced a new range of IEC
low-voltage motors with aluminum housing. The new motors of the 1LE1
series are offered in the efficiency classes EFF1 and EFF2. The
energy-efficient EFF1 motors achieve their high efficiency through the
use of copper rotors.
www.siemens.com |
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Power up with QT gensets
Generac Power Systems offers QT series gensets, which help protect
against disruptive and costly power (energy) interruptions. The new
model line-up includes liquid-cooled offerings with outputs ranging
from 20 to 150 kilowatts, all with sound-attenuated enclosures and the
Quiet Test feature. The 100 and 150 kW models are compatible with
Generac’s Modular Power System, making possible for the creation of
higher output systems, says the company. QT gensets are natural gas or
LP vapour-fuelled, so there isn’t the fuel-spillage, spoilage or odour
concerns that are common with diesel models, says the company. OHVI
(overhead valve industrial) engines power Generac’s air-cooled
products. They’re matched with new, high-output alternators to produce
greater amounts of standby power, says the company. All the 2007
automatic standby products feature Rhino-Coat, which is Generac’s new
textured paint finish. This durable, long-lasting protection provides
consistent coverage and better bonding to seams and edges to resist
corrosion, says the company.
www.generac.com |
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