Chemical Manufacturer Receives $82,711 Cheque for Energy Efficient Retrofits

April 20, 2017

Bradford Ontario’s Galata Chemicals, a producer and marketer of additives for the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and associated industries, has reduced its electricity consumption by 28% through “Save on Energy” retrofits.

As a result of its involvement in the program, the company received a cheque from Alectra Utilities (formerly PowerStream) for $82,711 at a recent presentation ceremony. Shown in photo, L-R: Trevor Van Eerde and Mark Henderson, Alectra Energy Solutions; Davide Achiluzzi, Sven Bachmann and Leo Ciampa, Galata Chemicals.

The company has participated in several retrofit projects over the years, including one involving lighting, but has recently completed the conversion of key pieces of equipment to variable frequency drives (VFDs). What made the project unique was the sheer size of the motors being controlled, some of which are 400 horsepower.

The conversion to VFDs will reduce the company’s electricity consumption by 2,859,942 kilowatt-hours per year, the equivalent of removing 325 homes from the grid. This will result in electricity savings of over $400,000 per year.

VFDs are becoming more widely used in all sorts of applications. They are capable of varying the output speed of a motor without the need for mechanical pulleys, which reduces the number of mechanical components and overall maintenance. The biggest advantage that a VFD has is the ability to save money for the customer by consuming only the electricity needed for the work required at the time. Since electricity is a controllable operating expense, any energy reductions achieved will result in almost immediate, corresponding reductions in operating costs.

“Galata Chemicals has demonstrated a proactive approach to managing their energy costs and it is their strength and leadership that serves as an example to others to pursue similar objectives,” says Mark Henderson, SVP, Energy Solutions & Services for Alectra.

Alectra’s family of energy companies distributes electricity to nearly one million customers in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe Area and provides innovative energy solutions to these and thousands more across Ontario. Its employees are allies in helping customers discover the possibilities of energy conservation and new technologies for enhancing their quality of life.

The Save on Energy for Business electricity conservation program, made available through local distribution companies, offers financial incentives to help small businesses with the costs of installing energy-efficient equipment and improving the energy efficiency of their buildings.

Find out more: https://saveonenergy.ca/Business.aspx.