How can the Carbon Trust help me?
Carbon Trust Energy Efficiency Loan
The Carbon Trust is offering interest free loans of between £3,000 and £500,000
repayable over a period of one to four years, when a company purchases energy
efficient
equipment including air compressors.
Energy-Efficiency Loans from the Carbon Trust are a cost effective way to replace
or upgrade your existing equipment with a more energy efficient version.
Being more energy efficient makes sound economic sense because using less energy
lowers operating costs. From an environmental perspective, it's an effective
way for business to cut carbon emissions and, in turn, combat climate change.
To be eligilble for a
Carbon Trust Loan you company should be a private sector organisation
that falls within the definition of SMEs in England or Scotland and
all businesses in Wales or Northern Ireland, that have been trading
for at least 12 months and have an acceptable credit rating.
The EU State aid definition of an SME is a company with:
1) Less than 250 employees
2a) Less than €50m Turnover (approximately £35m) or
2b) Less than €43m assets (approximately £30m)
3) No controlling interest more than 25% by a non-SME (i.e. it
is part of a larger organisation)
Current EU exemptions are:
Agricultural sector – any enterprise active in the primary production of
agricultural products is generally excluded. However enterprises involved in
the processing and marketing of agricultural produce are generally acceptable
unless their business is preparing animal or plant produce for the first sale.
Such enterprises would also be excluded if the benefit of the loan is passed
on to primary producers.
Export Related sector - if the loan will support export related activities and
is directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation
of a distribution network, or to other current expenditure linked to the export
activity.
Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors - we are generally unable to make loans to
enterprises in these sectors.
Coal sector - enterprises active in this sector are not eligible.
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In return for every interest free loan, the Carbon Trust require end-user
projects to result in a reduction in carbon emissions associated with the applicant’s
site. Each proposed loan has a minimum carbon saving determined by the actual
loan’s value; this minimum is known as the carbon-saving threshold and
it may change from time to time. Call the Sales Team
to discuss this further………….
How
to reduce your Compressed Air Energy costs and carbon footprint
Compressed air is an essential utility. However, it can be costly in
both environmental and financial . Almost all industrial SMEs use compressed
air within their production processes. Good housekeeping can help you
manage your compressed air use more efficiently.
1) Make sure everyone is aware of the high cost of producing compressed
air, and what it should and should not be used for.
2) Determine the minimum pressure for the system and adjust the air compressor
accordingly. Equipment and tool manufacturers can inform you of the minimum
air pressure needed by their equipment.
3) Avoid using blow-guns and ensure air-knives are operated at the minimum
pressure required, using alternatives wherever possible.
4) Installing an automatic pressure regulator can ensure that you always
have the most efficient air pressure setting.
5)Check whether all the areas served by your compressed air system need
air all the time – some could be zoned off. Areas that are not
in use all the time can be separated from the main system by installing
valves. Consider controlling them automatically using a time-switch.
Having better control over your compressed air system can help save you
energy and money.
Switch off your air compressor when not in use. - An idling air compressor can still
use a lot of electricity.
Consider downsizing your system. - Determine the minimum system pressure and
adjust the compressor accordingly.
Ask equipment and tool manufacturers to
specify the minimum air pressure their equipment needs.
Minimise pressure drops. -Take a reading of the pressure at the air compressor
with a pressure gauge and then, using the same gauge, take a measurement at
the farthest point on the site. Large pressure drops could, for example, indicate
that the air pipe is too small, stifling the airflow.
Change filter elements regularly and have any condensation collection system
checked regularly to ensure it’s working effectively
Carry out regular leak inspections -at least once every six months.
Prevent Leaks -Check pipework for distortion and corrosion, and replace rusty
pipe to prevent leaks
Other Energy Saving Measures Related to Pipework
Consider reducing the distance that air has to travel by shortening pipe lengths.
Remove any redundant piping, or isolate it using a valve. Pipework which is
used infrequently, or is temporarily redundant, can also be fitted with an
isolating valve.
Consider using long radius bends instead of elbows. This can stop waste heat
being generated by easing the airflow and reducing friction.
Find out more about our Air Energy Audits
Uprgarde compressed air system
