Decreasing Energy Intensity in Manufacturing Assessing the Strategies and Future Directions of the Industrial Technologies Program (2005) / Chapter Skim
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4 Evaluation of Crosscutting Subprograms
4 Evaluation of Crosscutting Subprograms
Pages 44-57
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From page 44... ...
technology delivery subprogram and ITP activities at the regional offices of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
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From page 45... ...
For example, key aspects of the chemistry of ultralow NOx burners and fundamental weaknesses in the development of techniques for modeling the interactions between chemistry and turbulent fluid mechanics make it difficult to employ sound science in the development of burners. Although there may be other avenues for funding fundamental research and development (R&D)
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From page 46... ...
Although heat recovery equipment is related to combustion, the committee suggests that this area be pared from the combustion subprogram in order to apply subprogram resources more effectively. Conclusions and Recommendations for the Combustion Subprogram In general, the committee finds that the combustion subprogram is operating in a cost-effective manner and is well organized in terms of its overall strategy, individual project selection, and development and application of metrics.
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From page 47... ...
· The waste heat recovery project is a candidate for removal from the combustion subprogram in order to focus resources more effectively. Many of the committee's recommendations provided above were raised during the preparation of the 2002 industrial combustion roadmap.
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From page 48... ...
Portfolio Management Five projects involving the implementation of wireless networking of sensors are listed in the existing project portfolio for the ITP sensors and automation subprogram (see http://www.eere.energy.gov/ industry/sensors_automation/active_rd.html)
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From page 49... ...
The committee recommends that: · Funding for the implementation of wireless networking of sensors be redirected toward more fundamental, high-risk development of new sensor technology; · Research be undertaken to improve sensing of the composition and properties of multicomponent and multiphase industrial streams, especially surface and interfacial properties; · A vehicle for joint participation in sensor and automation development be created -- for example, the development of a family of sensors for which the same technology could be adapted to handle a wide range of applications across several industries; · Better metrics be developed for determining the benefit to all ITP subprograms from investment in sensor and automation development; · Vendors be included early in the development process and communication be improved among the IOFs on existing sensor and automation needs and activities; and · A sensor development project be identified that can be included in a grand challenge. INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS OF THE FUTURE The mission of the crosscutting subprogram focused on industrial materials of the future is to lead a national effort to research, design, develop, engineer, and test materials needed for improvements in energy efficiency in the IOFs.
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From page 50... ...
. The supporting industries subprogram consists of six specific industries: heat treating, forging, welding, powder metallurgy and particulate materials (PM2)
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From page 51... ...
In addition to the vision documents and roadmaps, information used in determining barriers and pathways included an energy and environmental profile for the supporting industries, a profile of total energy use for U.S. industry, a RAND study on research priorities for the supporting industries, a draft study on furnace demographics, and a draft study on energy savings for industrial energy systems.
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From page 52... ...
The committee recommends that: · Bandwidth analyses be performed for the industrial heating equipment and fabricated metals areas; · The different areas of the supporting industries subprogram be packaged differently, particularly in industrial heating equipment, to avoid overlap with other subprograms; · More breakthrough projects be included in the portfolio, perhaps jointly with other subprograms; and · More transparency for GPRA analytical data be provided. SOFTWARE TOOL DEVELOPMENT Of the energy consumed by the U.S.
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From page 53... ...
ITP personnel managing the software tool development subprogram recognized that there had been inadequate metrics for measuring the success of software tools. Energy savings had been used as the overall metric; however, software development also requires the use of metrics that address specific user issues.
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The use of plantwide assessment tools will enable the identification of specific generation, distribution, conversion, or process systems for improvement. This information will help the ITP identify needs for software tool development in areas such as value-stream mapping, in which plantwide assessment tools can be integrated to identify energy savings in all stages from the initial production steps until a final product reaches the end user.
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From page 55... ...
There may be an opportunity to create or modify existing software programs aimed at designing for energy efficiency. Conclusions and Recommendations for the Technology Delivery Subprogram The committee views the technology delivery subprogram as being very successful; its major challenge going forward will be to find additional ways to increase effectiveness through improved communications to industry.
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From page 56... ...
Previously, regional offices were primarily responsible for implementing the Industries of the Future program at the state level, for conducting outreach to develop state vision documents and roadmaps, and for developing regional partnerships for coalition building. Since the reorganization, the regional offices have been tasked with ITP technology delivery, outreach to target the top energy-use plants, and the development of regional partnerships for the deployment and replication of technologies.10 The EERE reorganization involved a reduction in ITP headquarters staff; part of the rationale for that change was a greater reliance on the regional offices, field offices, and industrial/academic research partners for technology delivery.
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From page 57... ...
To increase effectiveness, the committee recommends that: · Regional offices be fully integrated into the project management loop; · Unless issues of intellectual property exist, industry communications and outreach to other industrial partners and the public be made a condition of contract; · The restrictions on travel by ITP headquarters staff be eased; and · The restrictions on travel by regional office personnel be eased.
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