Energy Management
Improving a facility’s efficiency is often the most cost-effective means of lowering energy costs and carbon footprint. Implementing energy efficiency measures will not only reduce your energy bill but also decrease the size of the renewable energy systems needed for further cost and carbon reduction. Nexamp takes a whole-facility approach to improving energy efficiency: We first conduct a comprehensive energy audit to identify all potentially cost-effective energy efficiency measures. A baseline is established and the building benchmarked against similar facilities. We then do an interactive analysis to determine the most cost-effective combination of measures.
For example, lighting efficiency measures may interact with HVAC to lower a facility’s overall energy requirements. Nexamp models all of these interacting measures to determine the optimum set of measures to meet our clients’ needs. These efficiency measures are then integrated with various renewable energy options to develop a total facilities program that can be implemented over a period of years.
We also offers customized energy efficiency financing solutions. These solutions can help customers use the cash savings from an energy efficiency retrofit project to finance a renewable energy investment without any up-front capital cost. Critical areas for efficiency improvement include HVAC; lighting; motors, drives, and pumps; and smart metering and controls. Demand response and energy procurement also provide opportunities for cost savings. Learn more about Energy Efficiency.
HVAC
Nexamp’s multidisciplinary team conducts comprehensive analyses of HVAC efficiency options. Our controls specialists look at overall system controls and data collection, operations, and operational controls. Our HVAC specialists examine various factors, including the current status of equipment and the potential for economizing, and the use of variable air volume systems. Our technology specialists look at options such as cold storage, heat recovery, and demand response opportunities.
Lighting
Lighting accounts for 22 percent of electricity use in the U.S. (cf. USDOE) and is second only to HVAC in energy consumption in most buildings. Lighting technology is improving so rapidly that the 130-year-old incandescent light is now being phased out around the world. Nexamp conducts lighting audits of your facility either as a stand-alone retrofit or as part of a comprehensive analysis. We look at all proven technologies, including daylighting, task lighting, occupancy sensors, CFL (compact fluorescent light) fixtures, T8 fluorescent fixtures, LED (light emitting diode) fixtures and various system control options.
Motors, Drives, and Pumps
Pumps are the largest single energy consumers in many enterprises, including municipal water utilities, pulp and paper factories, and petroleum refining facilities. Optimizing system efficiency can often reduce energy use by 20 to 50 percent. Nexamp conducts a complete system assessment to determine potential measures for improving efficiency, reducing maintenance costs, and improving process management and product quality. In many cases, the use of “intelligent” pumps with variable frequency drives provides both improved control as well as a basis for pump condition monitoring that can be seamlessly integrated into a single-process management system.
Smart Meters and Controls
The electric utility grid is evolving to incorporate intelligence at both ends of the wire -- the utility end and the customer end. This is the so-called “smart grid.” It can lead to large system-wide savings through such measures as demand response and real-time pricing, and significant savings on the customer’s side of the meter through smart meters and controls. As part of its comprehensive assessment, Nexamp identifies opportunities for the use of advanced metering and load control to reduce energy use and costs and lower your carbon profile.
Demand Response
Many electric utilities offer demand response programs for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. These programs provide financial incentives and other benefits to participating customers to reduce their energy usage during times of peak demand. Demand response programs are currently available in New England, New York, California, New Mexico, and Florida. Nexamp can help customers evaluate the various programs and, if those programs are attractive, facilitate participation. We can also provide a turnkey solution of ongoing cash payments to the customer with no front-end cost.
Energy Procurement
Electricity and natural gas are commodities that you may be purchasing through the local utility company or other third-party supplier. Nexamp offers alternative plans for energy supply that are designed to better fit your needs. For example, many businesses have found that a hybrid plan is preferable to the “lock-in” programs offered by most energy suppliers. Our hybrid plan allows companies to buy electricity on the index while retaining the option to lock in prices at various times of the year.