Energy Assessment Application
U.S. manufacturing companies are encouraged to apply for a Save Energy Now energy assessment. Before completing the online application form, please review the following:
Eligibility Requirements
Only manufacturing facilities in the United States and territories are eligible for a Save Energy Now energy assessment. Companies that qualify as large plants must complete and submit the online application form. Small- and medium-sized plants may complete the online application or may directly contact the Industrial Assessment Center nearest to their location. DOE will make every effort to provide an assessment or technical assistance support to all applicants. Depending on size, a facility will be considered for one of the following:
- Large plants: The energy use guideline for large, energy-intensive plants selected for a 3-day system assessment led by a DOE Energy Expert is consumption of at least 0.3 trillion (i.e. 300 billion) British thermal units (TBtu) of combined energy per year, or its equivalent. For reference, this equates to approximately $3 million in annual energy bills (this number should only be used as a rough estimate for qualification, and should not be taken as a qualifier in and of itself). As a result of the number of applications received, DOE may adjust this guideline based on available funding for the program. If your plant uses less than 0.3 TBtu per year of energy, but you have special circumstances that you believe make a strong case for receiving a system-specific assessment (for example, a substantial portion of your company's energy use is in one of the systems covered by the assessment, or you have several similar systems), please explain that in the application. Assessments are available for these systems: steam, process heating, pumps, fans, compressed air, and paper (specify "paper" in the comments section of the application).
- Small- and medium-sized plants: If your annual energy use does not qualify your plant for a 3-day system assessment, you may be given priority consideration for a 1-day comprehensive plant assessment by one of DOE's university-based Industrial Assessment Centers in your region, or receive a customized energy efficiency consultation by the EERE Information Center.
- All plants: Industrial plants of any size will be eligible to receive technical assistance from the EERE information Center.
Group applications were discontinued in 2008. However, smaller facilities can qualify on their own, as the assessments will be based on applications received. Large amounts of natural gas use will be given additional consideration in the selection process. Third parties may apply on behalf of a plant or company.
Participation Requirements
The following requirements apply to Save Energy Now assessments conducted at large plants by DOE Energy Experts. Visit the Industrial Assessment Center Web site to learn more about assessment requirements for small- and medium-sized plants.
- Provide a single point of contact for coordination with the Energy Expert.
- Provide a set of available dates for the 3-day assessment. Providing this information on the application will expedite Energy Expert selection and scheduling.
- Consider investing in the energy-saving opportunities identified in the assessment that are consistent with corporate financial policies and production/maintenance downtime schedules.
- Participate in the assessment throughout the 3 days. Please remember that these are intended as training assessments, not just opportunity searches.
- Consider attending either a 1-day in-class training session or a 2-hour Webcast training before or after the assessment.
- Work with the Energy Expert to identify energy savings opportunities.
- In collaboration with the Energy Expert, provide a confidential final report to DOE on the energy savings identified. View a blank report template (PDF 35 KB). Download Adobe Reader. This information must be provided to the Energy Expert so that a draft report can be developed within 10 business days of the completed assessment. If at all possible, you will review the draft report, provide comments to the Energy Expert, and approve the final report within 15 business days of the completion of the assessment.
- Work with the Energy Expert to generate a public report that provides highlights of the assessment. The public report is posted on the Participating Plants section of the Save Energy Now Web site. The report will not include any proprietary or confidential information.
- Provide information to DOE on progress toward implementing the identified savings at 6, 12, and 24 months after the assessment, as well as replication data, if applicable.
- Allow DOE to list your company on the Save Energy Now Web site.
Agree to Actively Participate
Save Energy Now energy assessments are training assessments. They are intended to help a company's staff develop the expertise they will need for the plant to continue the process of reducing the amount of energy used to produce its product. While an Energy Expert will guide your assessment, the success of the assessment depends on the involvement of your staff throughout the process. Representatives from the plant hosting the assessment are required to participate fully in the assessment. In addition, DOE encourages (but does not require) representatives from other company facilities to participate.
On the first day of a 3-day assessment, the Energy Expert will teach participants about the DOE software tools and the approach to identifying energy savings opportunities using the tools. In addition, DOE encourages staff from the plant submitting the application to attend either an in-class DOE training session or an energy-efficiency Webcast on the system to be assessed. In either case, we recommend completing the training before the assessment or as soon after it as possible. In-class trainings are held at locations throughout the country. The 2-hour Webcast sessions are held monthly and cover various energy system topics. Training descriptions, dates, times, and locations are available on the training calendar.
DOE requires the use of the Quick Plant Energy Profiler, or Quick PEP, tool before the assessment. Quick PEP is a Web-based tool that quickly provides the user with answers about where their fuel is being used, where the greatest potential is for reducing energy use, and what resources are available to help. Using the Quick PEP tool will allow the applicant to develop a picture of the overall energy use in the plant and to obtain a preliminary estimate of potential energy and cost savings. In addition, data developed using Quick PEP can be used to fill out the application.
Application Information
Before you begin the online application, please gather the following information. This is all required in order to submit an application:
- Point-of-contact information for the individual who will be responsible for working with DOE throughout the scheduling, assessment, and follow-up process.
- Name, location, plant description, and industry type of the plant being considered for an assessment.
- Amount of fuel and electricity purchased over a recent 12-month period. You will have the option to specify and input various types and quantities of fuel including electricity.
For faster scheduling, DOE also requests the following information as part of your application:
- Type of system assessment: process heating, steam, pumps, compressed air, fans, or paper (specify "paper" in the comments section of the application).
- Preferred assessment dates: Provide at least three available weeks or at least three periods of 3 days each. DOE understands that these dates are not firm, however, and that they can change at the plant's discretion.
- Any other relevant information you feel DOE may need for scheduling. This could include a preferred Energy Expert if you know or have one on staff; any training a visitor will need to enter your plant or plant floor; any wardrobe requirements; etc.
View an example application form (PDF 650 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact the EERE Information Center online or by calling 1-877-337-3463.
