Railex®
Auto-DR Puts Railex® on Energy-Saving Track
The newest mega-trans load refrigerated distribution center operated by Railex® — a nationwide full-service transport, logistics, and distribution firm — sees significant savings with the use of an energy management system (EMS) to control energy consumption during peak periods and automatically participate in Demand Response (DR) programs.
Located in Delano in Central California, the three-year-old facility includes 225,000 square feet of refrigerated space and loads and ships about 80 to 90 rail cars of perishable goods a week, with the number rising as high as 160 cars a week in summer months. To build the facility, Railex® used the statewide Savings By Design (SBD) program to receive design assistance and a $150,000 energy efficiency incentive for high-performance new building construction
As the facility’s business grew in its first two years of operation, Railex® turned to us to look for opportunities to lower its rising energy costs. “We wanted to make it as economical as possible for us to do business on a grander scale,” notes Railex® Senior Systems Analyst James Johnson.
After helping Railex® identify its DR potential, Railex® decided to utilize Automated Demand Response (AutoDR), which allows customers with an automated load control system, such as an EMS, to participate in DR programs with no manual intervention, providing flexibility and ease of use. Customers pre-select their level of participation and earn incentives for peak-period energy load reductions, which help ensure adequate electricity supplies and also offer environmental benefits.
Railex® received a $72,400 DR technology incentive for the controls needed to utilize Auto-DR. Railex® Maintenance Manager Terrell Estes says the incentive, combined with the money saved through DR event participation, led to a return on investment in just four months.
Project Overview
SCE Programs Utilized:
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Technical Assistance and Technology Incentives (TA & TI) Program
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Savings By Design
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Automated Demand Response
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Critical Peak Pricing (CPP)
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Demand Response Contract
Results:
300 kWs load reduction per CPP event, yielding savings of more than $32,653
Incentives:
$222,400
" From an energy standpoint, Demand Response and the EMS enabled us to increase our business without the higher cost for energy."
James Johnson, Senior Systems Analyst
Railex®
Summer CPP Savings of Over $32,653
Railex® now participates in both the Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) program (the default rate for SCE bundled service customers with demands greater than 200 kilowatts (kWs)) and in a Demand Response Contract program with a third-party aggregator.
CPP rewards customers for reducing or shifting electricity usage during critical peak events when the demand and price for electricity climb. During summer 2011, Railex® averaged close to 300 kWs in load reduction per CPP event, with participation yielding savings of more than $32,653.
Johnson says that during a DR event, the Auto-DR system — which the company can override at any time — reduces the load to battery chargers, some air conditioning and lighting units, refrigeration coils, and ammonia compressors.
In addition, the EMS allows Railex® to manage equipment charging in a way that avoids electricity use demand spikes that increase electricity costs. Johnson explains, “That has made an overall impact on our bottom line even when there’s not a Demand Response event.
Growth with Flat Energy Costs
According to Railex®, while energy use from the peak summer months of 2010 to 2011 increased by 30% to 40% at the Delano facility, participation in DR events and use of the EMS kept energy expenditures essentially the same as in the previous year.
“From an energy standpoint, Demand Response and the EMS enabled us to increase our business without the higher cost for energy,” Johnson notes.
Beyond this, the EMS provides expanded accessibility, with the ability to manage energy use at the facility remotely using smart technology devices. This, Johnson and Estes note offer added value that’s not reflected on the electricity bill.
Estes credits SCE with helping Railex® stay on track to save energy, money, and the environment. “The communication has been extremely good,” says Gary Pena, Railex® General Manager. “Whenever we have an issue, our SCE account manager personally addresses it. We know we have a direct line to SCE.”
Looking forward, Railex® plans to consider additional energy-saving opportunities such as LED lighting and lighting controls available through SCE. “We haven’t tapped everything in that well yet,” Johnson says. “We realize that the more control we have within our building, the more it increases our opportunity to control costs and increase efficiencies.”
To learn more about SCE energy management solutions, and ways to reduce your energy usage and manage your energy costs, visit sce.com/business or call your SCE Account Manager.
This case study is provided for your general information and is not intended to be a recommendation or endorsement of any particular product or company or a representation of any actual or potential future energy or monetary savings for other customers. These programs are funded by California Utility ratepayers and administered by SCE under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Programs are effective until funding is expended or the program is discontinued. Programs may be modified or terminated without prior notice. The information contained herein does not replace pricing information contained in any CPUC-approved tariff. Please refer to the tariffs for the programs described for a complete listing of terms and conditions of service, which can be viewed online at sce.com/regulatory. © 2015 Southern California Edison. All rights reserved.