b"where over time, both during peak and non-peak periods. Its a hands-on, eyes-on process, explains Lammle. To conduct his energy audits, Lammle spends three to five days in a facility watching every part of the operation cycle. Thats the only way to understand an operation and figure out where youre going to target. Otherwise, I'd be no different than the engineer who walks in in a suit, puts a meter onto yourUltimately, power ismain service, walks away and says, Turn off the lights and payexpensive in Alberta. Because me $10,000. An energy audit report should consider the unique operationsits unregulated, its insane. of each piece of equipment in each operation, then provideSo, decreasing usage pays a detailed list of targeted improvements, including return on investment (ROI) for each. itself back very quickly. You cant just base an assessment on every piece of equipment running 10 hours a day, five days a week, 52 weeks Byrne Lammleper year, says Lammle. Every individual circumstance in any of these facilities could be completely different.Take, for example, a plant that uses a grain drag to fill cars. While that piece of machinery requires massive horsepower machine, it only runs for about 15 minutes every three days. People will say: I want to trim the fat on our energy usage. We need to start with that big sucker. But in true kilowatt hours,$20,000 for 10 years ago is now probably $5,000. Meanwhile, that machine really doesnt make much of an impact becausethe technology has done nothing but gallop ahead.it's only running 30 minutes per week, says Lammle. You needToday, he says an energy efficient motor is only about 20 per to focus on what is running the majority of the time and pullingcent more costly than a standard motor. Variable Frequency significant power.Drives (VFDs) have similarly dropped in price. When it comes to energy efficiency, usage peaks and valleysVFDs are the humdinger solution of all solutions for most of are inefficient: the ideal printout from an energy metering toolthe problems out there, but they used to be so cost prohibitive. shows a smooth and consistent usage line.Now, take the price of it a decade ago and multiply it by maybe Basically, you want to chop the tops off the mountains, says0.3 and thats pretty close to what you're going to pay today. Lammle. The good news, he adds, is that theres technologyLammle says that, while some experts might consider a five-available today to shave those suckers right down. The evenyear return on investment reasonable, he prefers to sharpen his better news is that those technologies are now affordable, andpencil a little further. for two reasons.I prefer a two-year plan. If I do an audit, Ill say: here are First, the rising cost of power means energy efficiencies canthe top 10 things you're gonna get a payback on. Heres whats save huge and cut unnecessary cost.going to be in year one; in year two. Its not worth having Ultimately, power is expensive in Alberta. Because it'sto wait five years because of how fast the technologies are unregulated, it's insane. So, decreasing usage pays itself backimproving right now.very quickly, says Lammle.The Three Hills Plants is currently undergoing a half-million-Second, the up-front costs of efficient new technologies havedollar upgrade that is nearly complete. dropped drastically in price, bringing many to just a fraction ofThe plant has a 400-amp service, 600-volt system. We are the price they used to be. doubling the volume of grain that'll pass through, from 400 It used to be very cost prohibitive to do energy upgrades,bushels to almost 1000 bushels. And we do not expect to do a says Lammle. But the pricing on the equipment to improveservice change to do that. Well be consuming more energy, but your efficiency has dropped 75 per cent or more. What I paidnothing compared to double, says Lammle. Spring 2023 29"