U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Advanced Manufacturing Office

OIT Times: NICE3 Class of 2001 Dominated by Collaborative Project Teams

January 2, 2002

In 2001, OIT NICE3 program awarded 11 grants to demonstration projects organized by collaborative partnerships. In one example, a new steam turbine will be installed at the Rolex Building in New York City to generate electrical power from energy previously wasted in pressure letdown valves feeding an absorption chiller. Lisa Barnett, NICE3 Program Manager says, it makes so much sense that you wonder why we haven't been doing this all along. Partners are the California Energy Commission, Douglas Energy Co., Rolex Realty, and Carrier Corp.

Washington State Univ. Cooperative Extension Energy Program and MagnaDrive Corp. will demonstrate a new adjustable-speed coupling system (ASCS) that should cut waste energy by 40-74% in 500-1,500 horsepower industrial motor systems.

One technology to be demonstrated was developed under the I&I Program. "Now it has picked up the backing of industry," explains Barnett. The technology uses ultrasonic Lamb waves for on-stream examination of petroleum pipe support areas. DuPont, Exxon/Mobil, and Shell Oil will host demonstrations.


New Projects

Note: Additional NICE3 projects are listed with the relevant Industries of the Future.
NICE3
Title Partners
Commercialization of Cleaner Technologies for the Continuous Dyeing of Textiles Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance; Brittany Printing and Dyeing Corporation
Demonstration of a Dual Pressure Euler Steam Turbine for Industrial and Building Applications California Energy Commission; Douglas Energy Company
The Aflex Microturbine@ for Pecan Waste: Electricity and Heat in a Nutshell Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Non-Vacuum Electron Beam Welding Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; Acceleron
Commercial Demonstration of an Improved Magnesium Thixomolding Process Michigan Energy Division; Thixomat, Inc.
Adjustable Speed Drive for 500 to 1500 Horespower Industrial Applications Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy Program; MagnaDrive Corporation
Support Inspection: A Method of Inspecting On-Stream Process Piping at Support Areas Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission; Tubular Ultrasound, L.P.