Energy Audits Net Dufferin Concrete Plant $10-$30K/Year In Potential Savings

In an exhaustive energy monitoring program designed to lower utility costs in both the short and long term, Canadian ready mixed producer Dufferin Concrete signed a multi-plant contract with Inventure Systems to track power surges and peak consumption, and determine whether the producer’s equipment requires modification or replacement

Source: Inventure Systems, King City, Ontario; Dufferin Concrete, Toronto

In an exhaustive energy monitoring program designed to lower utility costs in both the short and long term, Canadian ready mixed producer Dufferin Concrete signed a multi-plant contract with Inventure Systems to track power surges and peak consumption, and determine whether the producer’s equipment requires modification or replacement. Dufferin is a subsidiary of St. Lawrence Cement, whose Swiss parent company, Holcim Group, has been at the forefront of environmental and conservation action.

By monitoring all of a plant’s motors, Inventure staff can isolate which are causing surges and suggest a remedy. The majority of the payback is derived from energy savings. During the first audit–at Dufferin’s Markham, Ontario, facility–it was observed that 60 percent of the utility bill was due to a maximum peak demand created by the main conveyor. Inventure’s proposal called for a $20,000 investment, with two-year pay back, and identified further opportunities in reduced power consumption. Inventure’s Mark Wallgren ([email protected]), who is leading the audit program, believes that savings of $10,000Ò$30,000/year/plant are not unrealistic expectations for this type of overhaul.