Energy-Efficient Manufacturing
Hundreds of Connecticut businesses have reduced costs through operations and maintenance improvements in their facilities, and you can too.
To start, we can provide you with “lean manufacturing” training. Traditionally, manufacturers operate on a “push” basis—accumulating excess inventory and scrambling to find customers so they can push the product out. Lean manufacturing techniques promote a “pull” approach—producing to the customer’s immediate needs. This reduces costs and is better for customers.
We can also help you figure out how to tackle common business issues like utility costs, waste, and employee engagement in the context of sustainability and energy efficiency through our Business Sustainability Challenge. This allows you to become competitive and resilient by following recommended action steps that are accessible, achievable, and profitable.
Access to this specialized training is often limited to very large businesses with the resources to invest in it. But with the Process Reengineering for Increased Manufacturing Efficiency (PRIME) program we make lean training available to manufacturers of all sizes.
In addition to training, we can help you improve your facility’s electrical and thermal efficiency through operational changes and repairs rather than capital investments. With our Operations & Maintenance program, you'll realize lasting benefits that improve your operation’s overall performance and develop long-term, sustainable energy management strategies.
With the technical and financial assistance, we provide through the PRIME program and our Operations & Maintenance program, you can apply lean techniques to streamline your operations and take advantage of advanced operations and maintenance practices and technology.
Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information on our lean manufacturing training and how we can help you make improvements to your manufacturing efficiency.
How the PRIME Program Works ➞
1) Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for a list of participating contractors. The utilities have contracted with several companies that will provide a no-cost review of your entire manufacturing process.
2) Schedule your no-cost facility walk through with a qualified PRIME vendor from the authorized list. The walk through will examine your entire manufacturing process and determine if there are opportunities to save energy and optimize your processes.
3) If the no-cost walk facility through reveals opportunities that will lead to verifiable energy use reductions, your company will be eligible for funding of “lean manufacturing” training events through the PRIME program. These training events, held at your facility, teach the fundamentals of lean manufacturing, and facilitate the implementation of process changes to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. The first two PRIME events are fully funded by Eversource. The following two PRIME events are funded by Eversource at 50% of the total cost.
Eligibility for the PRIME Program
Eversource and UI industrial and manufacturing customers with significant electric demand (150 kW or over) will be considered.
Your business must be pre-qualified by a no-cost facility walk through performed by a qualified PRIME vendor authorized by Eversource or UI’s PRIME program administrator. Starting the process is easy. Just contact your Account Executive for a list of participating contractors. Click the link to your utility below:
Eversource UI
If you are a Connecticut business and are not served by one of the utilities listed above, please visit your utility’s website to see what energy efficiency programs are available to you. Please click here for information on how to contact your municipal utility.
Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information on how the program works and on eligibility for it.
How the Operations & Maintenance Assistance Program Works ➞
1) Utility energy experts work with your design professional, contractor, or facilities group to identify opportunities for operations and maintenance improvements at your facility. Based on the findings, we review your proposal and help you assure the savings proposed from those changes.
Please contact your utility below to get started:
Eversource UI CNG SCG
2) Operation & Maintenance energy efficiency measures may be eligible for incentives to offset a portion of the installed project cost. When appropriate, we may provide training and outreach to help your in-house personnel maintain energy-efficient improvements over time. Find details of the current incentive structure on your utility’s website.
3) Utility representatives provide the general and technical support necessary—as determined by the size and complexity of the project—to prepare an agreement for signature before you implement your Operations & Maintenance measures. This agreement details all energy-efficient measures, estimated energy savings, and the proposed incentive amounts.
4) After the project is completed and the measures are inspected and verified, you will receive your incentive payment.
Each facility is unique, but examples of common energy-saving Operations & Management measures include:
- Improvements to compressed air systems, such as repairing leaks or installing solenoid valves that automatically shut off the air supply to machines when they are not running.
- Rewiring of lighting circuits for more efficient control.
- Maintenance of the facility’s energy management system including reprogramming and replacing defective sensors, relays, and actuators.
- Repairs or replacement of defective steam traps.
Operations & Maintenance Program Details
All commercial, industrial, or municipal customers of any size.
Customers who need to identify energy inefficiencies and opportunities with their HVAC and industrial production systems may participate.
This program is not intended for normal preventive maintenance and repetitive procedures or to subsidize major equipment purchases.
Eversource and UI customers on a commercial or industrial rate can participate in electric energy efficiency measures. CNG, SCG or Eversource customers on a firm commercial or industrial rate can participate in natural gas energy-saving measures.
Starting the process is easy. Call 877-WISE-USE or click the link to your utility below:
Eversource UI CNG SCG
If you are a Connecticut business and are not served by one of the utilities listed above, please visit your utility’s website to see what energy efficiency programs are available to you. Please click here for information on how to contact your municipal utility.
Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information on how the Operations & Management program works and on eligibility for it.
Southern New England Industrial Assessment Center ➞
Small to medium-sized manufacturing plants, paying more than $100,000 annually in energy bills, may be eligible for incentives from the federal government. Request a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment by a U.S. Department of Energy-funded program to reduce your energy usage and improve the overall energy efficiency of your plant. Visit https://iac.uconn.edu/learn-more/ for details.
“It’s been a team effort with a
Paul Balavender O&G’s General Counsel
lot of learning on both sides.
Working with Eversource,
we’ve found a receptive and
engaged partner who was able
to connect us with the experts.
Together, we’ve been able to
realize the possibilities and stay
focused on the future,”
Forms and Documents
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