Upgrading Technology Reduces Dyno Nobel’s Electric Usage

September 15, 2017 – By adopting new technology, Dyno Nobel will reduce its energy use. This will save the Deer Island plant money on its monthly power bills.

Dyno Nobel recently completed a project as part of its continuous effort to improve operations. The project will conserve 176,600 kilowatt hours annually.

That’s enough electricity to power 13 average Columbia County homes every year.

System Improvements

Dyno Nobel overhauled the plant’s control system, replacing a pneumatic system with electronic controls.

The new controls provide more accurate data more quickly. This allows Dyno to operate more efficiently.

Energy Savings

Besides being more efficient, the new control system also reduces energy use. The old system ran off of an air compressor. By switching to electronic controls, Dyno lowered its energy load.

“We modernized our control room. We are getting away from pneumatic controls,” said Process Improvement Engineer Kristina Balch. “That unloaded our instrument air compressor, which reduces our energy use.”

Cutting the air compressor’s use saves Dyno money on its monthly power bill.

Efficiency Rebate

Not only will Dyno Nobel lower its monthly bill, the company received a rebate for its project. Dyno worked with Columbia River PUD Energy Services Supervisor Tim Lammers on the rebate.

Upon completion of the project, the PUD rebate paid Dyno 25¢ per kilowatt hour saved. That came out to $44,159.77. Rebates are funded by Bonneville Power Administration and administered by the PUD.

“The plant is really working hard to continually upgrade their business processes. This project will conserve energy, which helps in that effort,” Lammers said. “This project is good for Dyno’s business, and that’s good for the community.”