Energy efficiency in California cement plants accessing utility program resources

The cement manufacturing process is highly energy intensive. Energy can account for up to 40% of production costs. While solid fuels make up the largest amount of energy use, electricity prices make it the highest cost energy. Energy efficiency initiatives cut these costs by reducing consumption and improving operational output. Utility sponsored third party Energy Efficiency programs focusing on large industrial users of electrical energy and the cement industry in particular, have been in place since 2006. This paper will summarize the implemented energy efficiency projects by energy efficiency measure categories including process improvements, minimizing air flow requirements, efficient movement of air, and support systems (e.g. compressed air systems). The object of this paper is to provide a summary of the Energy Efficiency projects in California that have been implemented with the support of utility programs since 2006, the savings impact in terms of kW and kWh, and the total utility incentives earned for those projects.