With five-day delivery, some energy savings will result from an additional 12 hours of down time at processing plants by turning off equipment and major building systems — lights and HVAC — to the greatest extent possible.
Automation and fixed mechanical equipment, air compressors, and lights will be turned off. HVAC thermostats will be set back 10 degrees (cooler/warmer) and computers will be placed in low-power states.
This change will reduce electricity use at 245 plants by 2-3 percent, for a total potential annual savings of about $3 million. This is based on FY 2009 average energy spending for the facilities, and assumes that facilities will be re-energized on Sunday in a controlled manner to avoid a new peak load event.
