Molex, Inc.

Year Submitted: 2006

Process: Process controls

Industry: Plating

Wastes Reduced: Electricity

Location: Lincoln NE

No. of employees: 695

Contact: Stacey Hawkey, CIH

Phone: (402) 472-2838

Description:

To address the significant amount of money spent on electricity each year, the UNL P3 Program performed a comprehensive energy assessment of the Molex building. Four different areas for potential savings were investigated during the summer, including variable frequency drive (VFD) motors on cooling tower fans, compressed air use and leaks, destratification of high-bay areas (over 20 feet), and sensor controlled lighting in non-production areas.

More information about this effort is available here.

P2 Application:

Recommendations included: placing a VFD on Cooling Tower #4 fan motor, changing plating blowoff nozzles, reducing plating blowoff pressure, and fixing air leaks throughout the facility. Also included in air leak analysis, is implementation of a tracking program. High-bay destratification and installing ultrasonic sensors to control bathroom lighting were recommended as well.

Intangible benefits from implementation of these projects, include reductions in noise levels throughout the facility from correcting compressed air problems. Also, by destratifying high-bay areas, the circulated air will create a more comfortable work area for employees. The installation of occupancy sensors will improve the company image by showing Molex is concerned about energy use and is implementing up-to-date technology. Lastly, Molex's reduction of electricity will allow periods of high demand in the community to be met more easily.

• Total Cost Savings: $103,940.00

Details of Reductions

• 43,929.0 - of   Energy
  Comments: VFD Fan Motor On Cooling Tower

• 1,652,432.0 - of   Energy
  Comments: Changing Plating Blowoff Nozzles

• 133,025.0 - KwH of   Energy
  Comments: Reducing Plating Blowoff Pressure After Changing Nozzles 3(psi)

• 648,272.0 - KwH of   Energy
  Comments: Fix Air Leaks

• 2,990.0 - KwH of   Energy
  Comments: Ultrasonic Detectors In Bathrooms

Source: UNL P3 Program