Peak shaving - a method to reduce utility costs

By thinking out of the box, Baldor Electric Company has been able to save about $1 million a year in energy savings corporate-wide for each of the last three years. Over $100,000 a year of this savings comes from our Westville, OK plant. This paper will discuss Baldor´s success reducing utility costs at a motor plant in Westville, Oklahoma by working with the local electricity supplier (Ozarks Electric Cooperative Corp) and practicing peak shaving during summer months. After the plant had adopted all current energy saving methods such as use of NEMA Premium™ electric motors, adjustable speed drives and high-efficiency lighting systems, additional savings were desired. Ozarks Electric Cooperative was also interested in a reduction in the plant´s electrical demand during the peak season to unload their system. The co-author is Keith Kaderly from the utility to give a win-win perspective on the project from the utility´s viewpoint.