Calistoga implemented an energy-efficiency project to replace their existing 300-hp Ingersoll Rand centrifugal compressor, which used inlet throttling and bypass control, with a new Ingersoll Rand 200-hp variable-speed-controlled air compressor to improve the overall efficiency of their complete compressed-air system. Ecos Air, which works on a brand-neutral premise, collaborated with the local Ingersoll Rand team to install the equipment.
Ecos Air is primarily concerned with delivering energy savings through compressed-air systems, and Ecos was paid on performance through PG&E. Because Calistoga was only paying for the cost of the improvements and Ecos Air was offering to pay up to 70 percent of the cost with a generous $0.10 per kilowatt hour (kWh) incentive, Calistoga saw the quick ROI and the nearly $100,000 in incentive as half of the value.
The other half came through training their employees how to maintain the savings and look for new energy-efficiency opportunities, not to mention the $176,000 in energy-bill savings that went straight to their bottom line — that’s 1,320,088 kWh in energy savings that PG&E could now sell to other customers in an energy-hungry state. Ecos won by implementing a smooth process that delivered great results. But most of all, Calistoga Beverage Company won on many levels, and they get to keep the energy savings year after year.
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