In West Virginia, the State Energy Office has partnered with the WV University Statler School of Engineering’s College of Mechanical and Aerospace to provide low- and no-cost energy efficiency training audits, technical assistance and other service options to businesses, municipalities, schools and nonprofits throughout the state. This program uses senior and graduate-level engineering students, providing them with real world working experience. Since 2010 this partnership has provided:
• Hands-on training to 600 engineering students
• Assistance to 400 public and private sector clients
• 30.3 million KWh and $20 million in identified potential energy savings.
A notable example is Crestwood Inc, a natural gas compression station, in Salem, WV. The client requested an energy assessment. Suggested recommendations included: condensing turbine for electricity generation from waste heat, installing a PLC-based control system to improve operation of a reboiler, installation of a building energy management system, adjusting boiler air-to-fuel ratio, and energy efficient lighting. When implemented the company will see combined savings and increased revenue exceeding 11,000,000 kWh/year of electricity, 3,700 MMBtu/year of natural gas, with annual cost savings of nearly $1,000,000. Estimated payback on investment is approximately two years.
Contact Information for the West Virginia Energy Office