In an article published yesterday in Plant Engineering, Genscape's VP of Commercial Markets, Hudson Gilmer, discusses how a large industrial paper mill in Maine utilizes Genscape's power forecasts and proprietary power data to reduce energy costs, increase profits, and minimize demand charges.
The Rumford Paper Mill, owned by NewPage, has a highly energy intensive operation and actually operates its own 100 mW generator to meet the electric needs of the mill. With the cost of coal, Rumford Paper Mill’s main source of energy, on the rise since 2000, it was essential that the mill find new ways to reduce energy costs. The mill sought an aggressive energy management strategy to stay competitive.
The mill began using alternative fuel sources but needed a way of determining when, and at what level, to run its generator to optimize "conversion". The Rumford Paper Mill partnered with Genscape in the early 2000s and has since taken advantage of Genscape’s daily and monthly forecasts of local power prices and regional power demand.
Using the data from Genscape’s team of analysts and meteorologists, the mill found that the highly accurate forecasts helped to anticipate when, and what level, the generator should be run. The Rumford Paper Mill was ultimately able to control its energy costs, optimize its profits, and reduce demand charges.
Read the Full Article Here: Innovative energy management strategies help a Maine paper mill stay competitive
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