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www.cementamericas.com • Winter 2015 • CEMENT AMERICAS 15 FEATURE PCA/CA AWARDS performed a Department of Energy in Plant Training Assessment event for compressed air in 2012, and in 2013 the facility followed up on the energy savings opportunities. The study iden- tified that a plant pressure reduction opportunity existed; the plant suc- cessfully implemented two separate air pressure reductions amounting to over a one percent reduction of com- pressed air costs. The plant also im- proved its overall energy efficiency by 5.78 percent in 2013 resulting in a savings of over $1 million. Additionally in 2013, the plant also improved kiln fuel efficiency by 6 per- cent though more extensive utiliza- tion and optimization of its Capstone expert control system, and through an aggressive quality control im- provement program. The Rillito plant improved its electrical efficiency by 3.9 percent compared to 2012. The Rillito plant made efforts to "go green" by using locally provided pecan shells for kiln process bio fuel, creating a green team that has been incorporated into the energy man- agement team that works on recy- cling programs, and an aggressive renewable energy program that in- cludes the operation of eight wind turbines. ENERGY EFFICIENCY Finalist: Cemex USA, Clinchfield, Ga. The Clinchfield plant continues to be a leader in energy management, alterna- tive fuels substitution and the commu- nication of Energy Star messages. As part of an energy management pro- gram, the plant has formulated a multi- disciplinary site energy team to carryout site energy management ac- tivities. The team consists of members from all departments who have a role in the energy consumption plant. They have a range of responsibilities, such as finalizing energy performance goals for the plant and defining strategies for achieving the goals. In 2013, Cemex Clinchfield continued to explore innovative solutions to manage energy consumption and costs more ef- ficiently. One of the methods considered was participation in demand side man- agement or power demand response offered by local utilities. Through their participation in these programs, it has effectively contributed to power distri- bution grid reliability, helping to avert chances of rolling power outages, or blackouts, in local communities. F Innovation winner: Lafarge North America, Inc. Energy Efficiency winner: CalPortland Co. Lehigh Hanson's Union Bridge plant (see pg. 12) and Cemex USA's Vic- torville, Calif., plant were runner ups in the Energy Efficiency category. La- farge North America's Alpena plant (see pg. 11) was also a finalist.