Footprints Map Energy Efficiency Opportunities in U.S. Manufacturing & Mining

August 20, 2004

Energy footprints have been completed for key U.S. manufacturing industries and mining that evaluate and map out energy end-use and loss patterns. The footprints identify large opportunities for energy savings prior to plant processes, which has been the traditional focus of energy efficiency improvements. The footprints are available at http://www.eere.energy.gov/industry/energy_systems/footprints.html.

The footprints reveal U.S. manufacturing uses over 24 Quads of energy, of which only 10 Quads is available to plant processes. The balance is loss in the generation, distribution, and conversion of energy within the plant boundary. Depending on the industry, losses in energy input can range from 35 to 80%, which presents opportunities for increased energy efficiency. Targeting equipment, technology, and systems that produce, use, transport, and manage energy in plants—such as steam, process heating and cooling, and mechanical drive systems—are effective means to reduce energy intensity in U.S. manufacturing and mining. Some target opportunities can be found on EERE's Energy Savers and BestPractices websites. (http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/industry/ and http://www.oit.doe.gov/bestpractices/)