Using undergraduate engineering students to develop practical methods for reducing energy costs at a grain receiving, storage and transfer facility based on an energy study in the State of Michigan

摘要

This paper is a continuation of work presented at the 2014 American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition. Here the author provides a brief summary of the work undertaken from the spring of 2012 into 2014 by Lawrence Technological University in conjunction with DTE Energy (the parent holding company of the local utility company) to have students and faculty undertake an applied research project with the Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Inc. (MAC) to undertake an energy assessment of the MAC Marlette, MI facilities. MAC is a private company in the business of buying, selling, storage and distribution of agricultural commodities such as corn, wheat and other grains, dry beans and edible soya beans. Rising utility costs and fixed commodities prices necessitated the need for a concerted effort by MAC to reduce their energy costs. The previous 2014 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition presentation focused on how the project was organized, managed and carried out with undergraduate engineering students, with a detailed discussion regarding student benefits and educational content of the effort. No data, however, were presented. This paper presents examples of representative test data from that effort and document and quantify specific energy savings opportunities learned in this project. Included in the paper are a discussion of energy reduction strategies and good energy management practices using various technology options, such as variable frequency drives (VFDs). Also included are improved operational procedures and approaches that were implemented that helped develop energy awareness for operators and that could change energy wasting practices. Lastly, a discussion is presented on how improvements could be implemented at the facility with specific lessons learned on how to develop a practical and realistic strategy to save energy at this facility. The undergraduate engineering student who were part of this project had significant opportunities for learning in virtually all areas of the effort. A summary of student benefits is also listed, with how students were able to interact with other business personnel, and technical specialists.