CalPortland announced that its Rillito Cement Plant received an energy efficiency rebate check for $71,212.70 from Tucson Electric Power (TEP) through TEP’s Arizona Corporation Commission-approved Commercial Energy Solutions program that provides incentive funds for energy efficiency projects. This is the company’s largest rebate in Arizona, to date.
The Rillito Cement Plant uses a rotary kiln for heating and processing raw materials to make clinker, which is heated to approximately 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. When the clinker leaves the kiln, it must be cooled rapidly and conveyed to a storage facility. The cooling process uses ambient air provided by large fans to pull the heat from the clinker and return the hot air to the kiln.
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CalPortland found a way to reduce fuel and electrical consumption by replacing/improving the clinker cooling process using new technologies. The previous cooler fans, which were constant speed fans with louver controls to adjust air flow, were replaced with seven variable-speed fans for controlling the speed of the air flow. Additional crushing and conveying technology upgrades were implemented to increase the energy efficiency of the system.
The rebate check was presented by Cathy Ries, TEP vice president customer services & human resources, David Couture, manager of key accounts, and Mike Lima senior customer relationship manager. Receiving the check were David Bittel, plant manager of the Rillito Cement Plant; Russell Hawks – plant engineer; Steve Regis – senior vice president; Bruce Shafer – senior vice president; Steve Coppinger – vice president engineering services; and William Jerald – chief energy engineer.