INITIATIVE | 104 Many facilities within Shaw use compressed air to power manufacturing equipment and pneumatic tools. Recognizing that reducing the amount of air used would increase overall efficiency and lessen the amount of fuel needed to run the compressor, all aspects of the system were researched for possible improvements.
As a result, energy efficient nozzles with squeeze handles (automatically turning them off when released) were purchased to replace existing ones. Air tools which use less air are being utilized; only using the air where you need it and not in open tubes or crimped tubes. Solenoid valves and timer controls provide just the right amount of air needed with no waste.
The energy efficient nozzles help to maintain constant pressure by minimizing air leaks. A leak the size of 1/32" will waste over 553,000 cubic feet of air each year, resulting in over 1,500 kWh/year of wasted energy. Only using the air where needed, and when needed, increases the overall efficiency of the system, thus reducing the overall fuel usage to power the compressor. Most of Shaw's facilities use high efficient nozzles, each realizing approximately 220 MMbtu reduction each year.
These processes have considerably improved the resource and energy efficiency of Shaw's operations helping to preserve the world for future generations. That's the Shaw Green Edge.
