TECHNOLOGIES

We are working with industry and government to assess the viability of various technologies for improving the energy productivity across Australian manufacturing.

Analysis by A2EP reveals that compressed air systems account for around 16% of electricity use at typical manufacturing sites, and that 80-90% of the energy used by compressed air systems is wasted. We have recently published two reports and presented an industry briefing about these issues and the scope for improvement.

Inefficiency of compressed air systems is common, with contributing factors including a leaks, lack of monitoring, organisational issues preventing action and a lack of awareness of alternatives.

COMPRESSED AIR EFFICIENCY & ALTERNATIVES

A2EP was engaged by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (NSW DPIE) to investigate the extent, causes and potential solutions for compressed air inefficiency in manufacturing. Our work also included investigating alternatives to using compressed air which offer other business benefits in addition to energy savings.

A2EP Compressed Air Report - Cover Image

Compressed air waste in manufacturing

A2EP recently completed an analysis of the compressed air offer delivered to NSW manufacturers by NSW DPIE. The analysis revealed that compressed air inefficiency is widespread and results in significant energy waste. The energy costs for compressed air systems were shown to be ten times that of maintenance over the lifetime of systems.

The report details common obstacles to tackling compressed air efficiency, potential pathways for improving compressed air efficiency at the business and industry levels, as well as emerging alternatives to using compressed air.

Read the full report (PDF, 3MB)

Alternatives to compressed air

NSW DPIE engaged A2EP to research and review efficiency opportunities for compressed air system use, including emerging technologies and current alternatives.

Prepared by Alan Pears and Liz Hutton, the report was published in August 2020 and noted the significant potential for energy savings and productivity improvements from implementing alternatives. It also highlighted a number of non-energy related additional benefits that may come from implementing more efficient and alternative technologies.

The report presented findings from other research as well as from international and Australian case studies across a variety of compressed air applications, including robot grippers, wastewater treatment, air knives, sugar processing, car manufacturing and blower-driven air.

With technologies and industrial process requirements changing quickly, draws attention to the opportunities for developing new business models that support proper consideration and implementation of alternatives to traditional CAS.

Read the full report (PDF, 3MB)

Compressed Air Cover website transparent

Air compressor heat recovery projects - webinar

As part of a webinar on energy recovery, Murray Nottle from the Carnot Group outlined a number of opportunities to recover heat from compressed air systems for significant savings.

Watch the webinar recording.

Compressed air efficiency with Ai Group - webinar

On 29 April 2021, together with Australian Industry Group, A2EP hosted a webinar on compressed air efficiency improvement opportunities and efficiency, productive alternatives to compressed air. It included presentations from: