Mining, refineries, smelters, oil and gas operations, manufacturing and pulp and paper mills are the main examples of FortisBC’s industrial customers.
A large energy consumer, this sector accounts for more than 40 per cent* of all the natural gas consumed in Canada—nearly double of what is used in homes for heating. When you consider that a single pulp and paper mill can use as much as 1.5 million gigajoules of natural gas a year (enough to heat about 15,000* new average sized homes), the potential for energy savings is huge.
Through rebate programs and conservation education, our Energy Efficiency and Conservation team can help you incorporate energy efficiency practices into your operations, so you can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Industrial Energy Audit Program is the first program we’ve launched, with more coming soon.
Hot tips for industry
- Blowdown initiation - start when boiler water conductivity rises to a specific level. Automatic controls that continuously measure boiler water conductivity are now available.
- Increase your boiler efficiency by one to two per cent by using the oxygen trim feature.
- Reducing flue gas temperature by 20°C (68° F) can improve boiler efficiency by about one per cent.
- Un-insulated NPS 6 flanges will cause heat loss, as much as $100 a year for each pair.
- Combustion systems:
- Inspect for steam leaks and steam traps regularly.
- Keep boiler and piping insulation less than 49° C / 120° F.
- Operate boilers and furnaces at a designed capacity.
- Clean hot surfaces.
- Inspect for air leaks.
- Poor condensation drainage leads to water hammer, increased maintenance, poor heat transfer and wastes energy.
Have questions or want to get started?
Call us at 604-592-8243 or email us at industrialrebates@fortisbc.com
*Source: Natural Resources Canada