EDF helps workers sleuth out energy savings

Industry accounts for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions – so factories are a major opportunity to reduce both pollution and costs by operating more efficiently.

To sleuth out savings and emissions reductions, we've brought on board new allies in factories: workers in the IUE-CWA.

Our collaborative energy efficiency "treasure hunts" with union members are designed to eliminate sources of wasted energy at large manufacturing plants around the country.

Sleuthing out major savings

One recent treasure hunt at a Siemens factory in Norwood, Ohio, uncovered more than $170,000 in savings.

The plant, which builds large electric motors – up to 18,000 horsepower – has been operating since the 1890s. Much of the critical work of making these custom motors, like winding the insulated copper coils, is done by hand.

EDF and the IUE-CWA found numerous energy saving opportunities, such as:

• Many lights were left burning when the factory floor was empty during non-production hours. Total savings by installing a programmable timer: $23,000 per year.
• Leaks were found in compressed air lines, a common problem in this industry. Fixing them will save $16,000 per year.

Going forward, the union plans to take full ownership of the treasure hunts and conduct them at plants where their members work.

Improving job security

Union members, of course, hope that saving money by saving energy will make the jobs at those plants a little more secure.

"What's good for the environment is good for labor – and good for company profits," says EDF project manager Brendan FitzSimons.