State Energy Program (SEP) State Partnership Awards Announced

October 16, 2006

DOE’s Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) recently awarded a total of approximately $1.5 million to six State Partnership projects to promote energy efficiency, and foster Save Energy Now initiative activities within their industrial base. This solicitation opportunity was particularly interested in multi-state collaborations, as they allow DOE to reach more states and achieve greater energy savings results through ITP’s Technology Delivery strategy. Following is a list of the State projects that were awarded funding:

State of California — California Energy Commission (CEC)
State Partners: N/A
Project Summary: CEC won high marks for their proven track record of strong partnership activities with utilities, industry, and other key players, and potential high energy impact of the projects. This project plans to sponsor 10 ITP BestPractices training sessions and 10 Energy Savings Assessments (ESAs) at industrial facilities. As a result of this project, an estimated 2.25 trillion Btu in energy savings per year is anticipated by January 2010, with an annual reduction of 110,000 tons of CO₂emissions.
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (Division of Energy Resources)
State Partners: Mississippi Development Authority, Energy Division/North Carolina Department of Administration
Project Summary: This project brings together a top-notch team of experts who will provide significant activities to the region, such as training events, ESAs and follow-up activities, as well as flexible fuel studies—a high priority focus for DOE. Estimated energy savings for these activities is 42.7 trillion Btu.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State Partners: Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development and Wisconsin Energy Center
Project Summary: This project tackles the most significant barrier to implementing energy projects—financial risk. The goal is to develop new and revitalize existing financial mechanisms for industrial energy efficiency capital improvements. This includes loan guarantee programs in multiple states, which have potential for wide replication. The team expects to complete approximately 150 industrial energy efficiency projects, with annual energy savings exceeding 2.2 trillion Btu.
State of Ohio — Ohio Department of Development
State Partners: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Project Summary: This project team has a proven track record of implementing energy efficiency programs, and plans to host BestPractices training sessions in compressed air, process heating, and steam systems. In addition, the team will investigate the feasibility of using gasified coal as an industrial fuel source. The estimated energy savings potential is 50.01 trillion Btu, the largest potential energy savings of all the projects proposed.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
State Partners: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Project Summary: This project will use a threefold approach to improve energy efficiency and reduce the high natural gas use in Texas and Louisiana industries through the use of non-traditional fuels. Activities will include training on technologies, tools, and resources for the largest energy intensive plants in the Texas chemical and petroleum refining industries; evaluating the feasibility of use of landfill gas in refineries; and increasing the adoption of CHP in Louisiana by medium and large industrial sites. The total estimated energy savings is 26.8 trillion Btu per year.
Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
State Partners: State of Oregon, Oregon Department of Energy/Idaho Department of Water Resources
Project Summary: This ambitious partnership project will target large energy use plants in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington and will conduct 15 ESAs with corresponding follow-up assistance, and nine BestPractices training sessions. In addition, the partnership will help industrial end-users implement energy savings measures identified in projects already completed in the region, and advance identified flexible fuel projects. Estimated annual energy savings for these activities is 4 trillion Btus.

Visit the ITP Web site to learn about the many partnership opportunities and activities available through the program.

The ITP BestPractices Web site links you to a number of technical resources such as plant assessments, publications, software tools, and training available to corporate executives, plant managers, and the general public.

For more information about the ITP Solicitation process, and current and future opportunities, please visit the ITP Solicitations Web site.