Energy Efficiency

About Our Energy Efficiency Solutions

As part of our comprehensive energy solutions for clients, CalCom Energy helps with energy efficiency applications to reduce energy consumption (kWh) and energy demand (kW), both of which count as utility charges. Energy efficiency is simply the reduction of energy going into, or peak demand of, an existing asset without changing the output of the asset.

Energy Efficiency in Action with CalCom

How We Can Help

Energy audits and assessments are intended to support energy efficiency and conservation. We can review an entire facility, a singular energy stream (electric, natural gas, water, the “3rd energy utility,” or compressed air, the “4th energy utility”), or specifically selected equipment.

Areas for evaluation could include:

Infrastructure upgrades
Lighting
HVAC systems
Water Heaters

Heat Recovery Units
Control applications (motor control, demand control, and many others)
Variable Frequency Drives (Pumping Systems)

Investment Pathway to Emissions Reduction

Energy efficiency cost savings is a key financial enabler for the implementation of decarbonization, electrification, and renewable emissions reduction strategies.

Energy Efficiency Programs

There are many incentive programs for various energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades. CalCom Energy can assist with an energy efficiency audit, which, in combination with other energy solutions such as onsite generation, battery storage, thermal recycling, thermal solar, and electrification strategies, can significantly decrease operational costs while driving operational efficiency and asset renewal all directed to assisting with GHG emissions reductions goals.

For any market segment in the food systems value chain, areas for evaluation for all utilities could include:

Infrastructure upgrades
Lighting
Heating
Ventilation

Air conditioning
Motor control
Demand control

Typical* Payback Food Systems Market

w/o any incentives, rebates, etc.

5.0 years

Lighting – 4 years
HVAC – 5 years

Motor VFDs – 5 years
Heat Recovery – 3 years

with incentives and/or continuous improvements

2.5 years

*Typical: Utility rates will vary the payback +/-

Thermal Energy Solutions

CalCom Energy has extensive industry experience utilizing solar thermal applications to reduce natural gas or electricity consumption.

Solar thermal state-of-the-art technology uses a low-profile Non-Imaging Concentrating Collector (NICC) that pairs a custom evacuated tube solar collector with an external non-imaging reflector in a non-tracking, roof, or ground mountable system. This combination enables an east/west placement to cost-effectively achieve temperatures above 200°C (392°F) at more than 50% efficiency.

The concentration ratio is 1.4, meaning the absorber receives an additional 40% of the sun’s energy, allowing the collector to achieve high temperatures. Most previously deployed technologies used trough or flat plate Fresnel collectors with a high profile, needing large land areas to be effective.

The current technology is typically deployed to work effectively in both direct and indirect sunlight to displace natural gas and electricity.

Typical uses are:

Process Heat & Hot Water

Pasteurization/Sterilization
Space Heating
Desalination & Evaporation
Dehumidification/Drying
Thermochemical Processes
Oil & Gas: Steam Injection for Extraction
Cooking

Electric Generation

On-Site Electricity Generation (using ORC Generators or Steam Engines)

Cooling and Refrigeration

Absorption Chillers using Single or Double-Effect Absorption Chillers

Typical Payback Food Systems Market