Compressed Air Program

Brochure | Application Form

Program components

• Comprehensive Training

• Demand-Side Assessment

• Supply-Side Assessments

• Efficient Equipment Incentives

A. Comprehensive Training

• Offered by Tacoma Power

• For both plant employees and equipment vendors.

• Conducted by certified Compressed Air Challenge™ (CAC) instructors. CAC is an independent, non-profit collaborative organization funded by the Department of Energy, with no commercial bias.

• Both a one-day basic system overview session and a more in-depth two-day curriculum are available.

B. Demand-Side Assessment

• Identifies energy and operational savings available by addressing air leaks and inappropriate compressed air use.

• Tacoma Power may fund 50% of the approved cost of a demand-side assessment.

• Before funds will be released for the study, the following conditions must be met:

1. The customer must submit a written proposal outlining the scope of work and total study cost to Tacoma Power prior to beginning work. Tacoma Power must approve the total study cost.

2. A written contract between the customer and Tacoma Power must be in place prior to beginning all work.

3. The Demand-Side assessment must meet Tacoma Power’s program requirements.

4. The customer must make all cost-effective repairs to leaks identified in the assessment and must continue to repair the identified leaks for at least one year.

C. Supply-Side Assessments

• To identify equipment efficiency strategies

• Tacoma Power publishes guidelines for conducting Supply-Side assessments for compressed air systems. These guidelines provide engineering consultants, equipment vendors and customers with detailed requirements for identifying and documenting accurate energy and operational savings opportunities in compressed air systems. The analysis results can be used by customers to apply for Efficient Equipment Incentives. Tacoma Power does not fund this study.

D. Efficient Equipment Incentives

• For efficient compressed air system technologies, such as variable speed compressors, efficient compressor controls with air storage, and distribution modifications such as piping and high-efficiency air nozzles.

• Based on $0.12 per annual kilowatt-hour saved up to 50% of the approved project cost, with a minimum of 1 year simple payback period (with incentive).

Main requirements:

1. A compressed air systems analysis meeting Tacoma Power’s Demand-Side Assessment and Supply-Side Assessment requirements must be performed, and reports submitted and approved by Tacoma Power.

2. A written contract between the customer and Tacoma Power must be in place prior to beginning all work.

3. Projects must be inspected and invoices submitted to Tacoma Power.

4. Energy savings must be verified by pre-installation and post-installation monitoring.

5. The customer must agree to maintain all major equipment and conduct periodic air leak audits and leak repairs for a minimum of three years after installation.
    

Possible Program Participation Benefits

• Reduced annual electricity expense
• Reduced maintenance costs and unplanned down-time
• Reduced sound levels in the plant environment

Steps for participating in the compressed air efficiency program

1. Fill out the Application Form and mail or fax to:

Tacoma Power
Energy Services 4th Floor
3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Fax 253-502-8276

2. A Tacoma Power representative will schedule an on-site visit to discuss program highlights and participation requirements.

All Tacoma Power funding and incentives are contingent on the availability of program funds.
 

Who can participate

• Commercial and industrial customers

• New or planned compressed air systems

• Within Tacoma Power service territory

Expiration date

Tacoma Power may modify or end the program without prior notice.

Questions

• Call (253) 502-8619
• E-mail: power@cityoftacoma.org.