Transforming industrial energy use: BPA celebrates 15 years of program success

BPA celebrates the 15th anniversary of its Energy Smart Industrial (ESI) program, highlighting its profound impact on the industrial sector and pivotal role in advancing energy efficiency across the Pacific Northwest. This industrial focused program has been instrumental in helping businesses grow, compete and meet the region's ambitious energy conservation targets.

"The ESI l program has transformed how industries view and manage their energy consumption," said Jamae Hilliard Creecy, BPA's Vice President of Energy Efficiency. "Over the past 15 years, BPA has enabled utilities to build strong, long-term relationships with their key industrial-end users, paving the way for sustained energy savings, operational improvements with facilities receiving several other non-energy benefits. Energy Efficiency staff working closely with the program's implementation contractors, provide utilities and industries the necessary technical expertise and project support that's essential to ESI's overall success."

Key ESI achievements over the past 15 years include:

• Diverse Project Impact: The program has completed over 7,000 projects focused on industrial process, system, and device-level measures, resulting in over 240 aMW (2100 GWh) in first-year energy savings—enough to power 175,000 Northwest homes.

• Economic Benefits: Energy savings have translated into more than $850 million in cumulative avoided costs for industry in the region, demonstrating the program's substantial economic impact.

• Operational Improvements: Implementing energy-efficient practices and technologies across seven states - over 1,800 industrial sites and municipal water/wastewater treatment facilities have reduced their energy consumption while improving operational efficiency, reliability and sustainability. 

A Program Tailored to the Needs of the Region
Since its launch on October 1, 2009, 119 out of 126 of BPA's affiliate utilities have opted into the ESI program, resulting in a 94% sign-up rate, covering over 99% of the region's industrial load. Jennifer Langdon, Energy Efficiency Manager of Cowlitz County Public Utility District No. 1 described the ESI program as providing the expertise and experience required for the region's industrial customers to succeed in their energy efficiency goals. Langdon continued, “They understand what it takes to balance plant, personnel, and corporate needs with project prioritization and measurement and verification resulting in positive conservation outcomes. Our utility considers ESI an extension to our staff. Without them, we would not be able to achieve our own conservation targets."

Future of Industrial Energy Efficiency
As the Pacific Northwest prepares to retire over 2,000 aMW of coal generation while integrating a variety of energy resources, BPA's commitment to industrial energy efficiency remains unwavering. By leveraging the expertise and collaboration of utilities, industries, and regional stakeholders, the ESI program is set to lead the region in achieving greater energy savings, by helping them focus on implementing energy management practices and supporting energy-related climate and national decarbonization goals.