Overview

Entech was contracted to assist Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon) in developing a long-term energy strategy as they seek to achieve their energy reduction goals at both their West and East Plants. Located in the Borough of Sinking Spring and Spring Township, respectively, the West and East plants are collectively occupied by 950 staff associates in a 24 period. With over 240,000 square feet of space being utilized for three shifts, seven days per week, Alcon recognizes the great financial and environmental impacts that can be made by being strategic about their use of energy within these facilities.

The first step in developing Alcon’s long term energy plan was to outline the opportunities that exist for energy conservation at each facility. Alcon looked to Entech to provide an assessment that would include all energy-using systems of the facilities, from office lighting and power to industrial process and HVAC loads. In order to approach the evaluation in the most cost-effective manner, Entech recommended a slightly modified ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Assessment to provide a high-level review of energy consumption for the facilities, narrowing the scope to focus exclusively on identifying low hanging fruit and viable energy conservation measures (ECMs) for further analysis.

To complete our Level I Energy Assessment, Entech first gathered and organized Alcon’s utility billing history, facility and system usage information, and a complete asset list of all energy-consuming equipment for each site. We then provided a preliminary Energy-Use Analysis summarizing Alcon’s energy sources and their annual usage and cost. Next our analysts performed walk-through surveys of both the Alcon West and East facilities. A thorough review of all systems, major equipment, and spaces enabled our team to understand spatial and process related impacts and airflow relationships, document unknown equipment information, and review other potential ECMs in addition to those recognized by Alcon. Our analysts spent two full days on site, and our senior engineer provided a more focused on-site analysis of some of the more complex systems.

In our final report deliverable, Entech:

 After completion of the Level 1 Energy Assessment, Entech worked with Alcon to develop next steps which included a range of action items such as:

• Create in-house work-orders for work not requiring permits (such as relamping lights).
• Provide design and permit documents for contractor quotes for Alcon-funded energy improvements.
• Scope Level 2 or Level 3 Energy Assessments for energy conservation measures (ECMs) that require a funding request or outside funding.

 With Entech’s help, Alcon now has an actionable plan for achieving measurable energy savings at their facilities. With this plan in hand, they can establish energy reduction goals that are both attainable and sustainable.