Product category:
Casting and Forging Subcontracting Services
News Release from: Doncasters Group | Subject: Energy efficiency
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 November 2006
Energy efficiency project reduces usage
by 14%
The Doncasters Group has implemented a major energy efficiency project at Doncasters Blaenavon, which is set to reduce energy usage by 14%.
The Doncasters Group has implemented a major energy efficiency project at Doncasters Blaenavon, which is set to reduce energy usage by 14% Explaining the rationale for the project, Eric J
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 5 May 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Lewis, CEO, of the Doncasters Group said: "Against the backdrop of global warming, adopting 'green' working practices is essential for a business like Doncasters Blaenavon, which has high energy usage.
As a result we take environmental management very seriously and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint at the same time as improving our business efficiency." Doncasters Blaenavon, which manufactures forged rings, blades and discs for the aerospace, industrial gas turbine and specialised engineering industries, has already made significant strides in improving its energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
As a result it has received significant rebates on the Government's Climate Change Levy (CLL).
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As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, the new energy efficiency project - the introduction of an Energy Monitoring and Targeting System (EMaT) - will build on this solid base and further reduce Doncasters Blaenavon's carbon footprint.
Graham Cartwright, Group Energy Manager for the Doncasters Group, said: "The new EMaT means we will be able to improve the efficiency of the business further.
It will provide quantitative data that will allow us to examine each business process and piece of plant, thereby giving us the information we need for making the decisions that will ensure we continue to make improvements." The EMaT is a combined hardware and software solution that uses advanced wireless technology.
The solution at Doncasters Blaenavon consists of a number of transmitter modules spread around the site that use the WiSNet (Wireless Sensor Network) hardware to send data wirelessly to the server.
The EMaT software provides an easy to use energy reporting tool that allows daily, weekly and monthly energy costs and consumption to be analysed quickly.
Graham Cartwright continued: "Individually configured, the system automatically generates exception reports highlighting waste and has the ability to produce statistical data for greater control.
"It allows engineers to instantly identify energy wasteful practices whilst simultaneously providing a mechanism to gauge the benefits of implementing a series of energy related control actions.
In this way, the performance of the plant down to individual machines can be benchmarked on a week by week basis.
"As well as supporting the management of our current energy usage the EMaT enables scenario planning.
The system is capable of targeting individual pieces of plant facilitating 'what if' simulations prior to the implementation of a change.
This means we can continually search for and explore efficiencies and so continue to reduce further our carbon footprint." Doncasters Blaenavon is a part of Doncasters' aerospace division, a world leader in the manufacture of components for the civil and military aero engine markets.
The company's clients include all the leading aero engine manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce, Pratt and Whitney, GE, Snecma and MTU.
At the Blaenavon site, forged rings, casings, blades and discs for the aerospace, industrial gas turbine and specialised engineering industries are manufactured using materials such as nickel, cobalt, titanium, aluminium alloys and stainless steel.
Processes include: ring rolling; near net profiling; flash butt welding; and machining and project management of engine ready parts.
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