Smart Energy and Your Business

If you’re a manufacturer in the polymer industry in Ohio, life might get a lot more cost-effective for you, thanks to the Smart Energy Program directed by PolymerOhio and funded through the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). This program offers the chance to have your facility energy-audited so recommendations can be implemented for significant energy cost savings. Small-to-medium-size manufacturers (SMEs) with up to 80 employees represent in excess of 50 percent of polymer industry employment and consume disproportionately more energy than other industries’ processors.

At the same time, they tend to be the least energy-efficient users,due to the nature and condition process equipment currently in operation.In applying for ODOD funding, PolymerOhio wanted to provide a pathway to incent Ohio Polymer SMEs to invest in energy efficiency in their operations in order to be more cost competitive in the future. Because PolymerOhio has connections with companies that can provide energy efficiency audits, such analyses can be provided at very low cost and thus allow companies to make changes in energy consumption. Hanging over everyone’s head is the likelihood that in the future, energy inefficiency will be penalized with fines from electric utilities.

Most SMEs are managed by owners who wear many hats and are first and foremost engaged in sales for the company. Most spend minimal time on investigating incremental operational improvements, even though there is an abundance of new technology available to these SMEs. To date, relatively few companies have taken advantage of existing investment incentives. Most SMEs frankly do not have time to wade into the intricacies of filing for investment incentives without a clear understanding of potential cost benefits for implementing new technology. Now, PolymerOhio can connect SME companies with providers of energy-efficiency opportunities and analyses. By applying subsidies from a newly awarded ODOD grant, PolymerOhio can provide SMEs with an energy efficiency assessment and roadmap at virtually no cost and virtually risk free. This assessment and plan for the future will be formulated by energy-efficiency experts (see below) and companies will also be provided with information on other energy areas that will offer attractive savings potential to the SME when weighed against future penalties that may be assessed to companies without an energy-efficiency plan. Cost match will be provided by PolymerOhio directly or through subcontracted resources to market the program and monitor post-implementation success. PolymerOhio’s energy efficiency partners are PCX Energy of Cleveland, www.PCXEnergy.com and CPT of Cincinnati, www.cinprotech.com.

PCX Energy Services, LLC helps companies to improve profitability and achieve sustainability objectives by identifying “real” energy savings and waste reduction opportunities associated with their facility, operation and processes. PCX focuses exclusively on “Return on Investment” and applies a discrete, objective, four-phased approach, which starts with an initial energy assessment followed by the development of a prioritized energy reduction plan and then full project implementation management and follow up. PCX’s technical experience resides in the polymer injection molding industry and energy management field.

Cincinnati Process Technologies (CPT) offers a comprehensive range of energy saving and efficiency improving products, services, and technology for plastics processes, including injection molders, blow molders, and structural foam molders, and their primary equipment, including plant auxiliary, water, air, and lighting systems.

Starting in June 2010 and for the following 12 months, the ODOD grant will allow PolymerOhio and its energy-efficiency partners to conduct walkthroughs and assessments for up to 20 SME companies. PolymerOhio expects to generate at least $500,000 in energy savings over the next three years following completion of the assessments for participating SMEs. SMEs interested in Smart Energy should apply to PolymerOhio, which is an Ohio non-profit entity and an Edison Center.

For more information please e-mail smartenergy@polymerohio.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Toll-Free 866-996-9296 and leave a voice mail.