Questions and Answers
What is behind the name? Why do companies engage the services of Point380? What opportunities for managing energy costs and GHG emissions are commonly found in industrial plants? How can a company reduce its risk from high and volatile energy prices, carbon regulations and water scarcity? Why hire Point380?What is behind the name?
At the time of Point380's founding, in the summer of 2006, the annual average concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere was approximately 380 parts per million.
At the same time, we began to witness a paradigm shift, as political, economic, and environmental forces converged to recast the public discourse about climate change in the United States. The conversation moved from questioning the scientific evidence to accepting the nation's urgent need to take action.
Point380 was founded to provide professional services to companies navigating the technical, policy and economic challenges of a carbon emission constrained business environment.
The curved line of our logo represents the estimated, measured and forecast carbon dioxide levels over the past millennium up to the year 2100. The forecast represented in our logo is the most optimistic scenario, assuming rapid and effective reductions in man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Back to the top
Why do companies engage the services of Point380?
Companies hire Point380 to help them proactively manage their energy, climate and water resources for the following reasons:
- Energy prices have increased sharply, and become more volatile. Volatile energy prices unexpectedly impact profits, especially for industries operating with thin margins that cannot pass additional costs to customers;
- Opportunities to achieve improved process efficiency exist in many industries;
- The unknown risks associated with emerging greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions regulations are a pressing concern for some industries;
- Consumers increasingly demand good corporate citizenship;
- Governments and utilities offer valuable incentive programs that can be difficult to assess and implement;
- The effects of climate change on critical energy and water supplies are an unknown risk;
- Wholesale and retail companies (e.g., Wal-Mart) are demanding continuous improvement in energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their suppliers;
- New energy technologies have become commercially viable, yet their technological and economic benefits require careful assessment;
- New water quality regulations require more efficient wastewater treatment plants; and,
- Fostering energy independence has become a national concern.
Back to the top
What opportunities for managing energy costs and GHG emissions are commonly found in industrial plants?
- Compressed air systems are expensive utilities in industrial facilities. Their energy demand can be replaced by application of electric drives, impeller mixers and energy efficient blowers, and reduced by smart changes to distribution systems, machine controls and improved maintenance practices;
- Steam boilers and distribution systems are less efficient than direct-fired heaters for many applications. Reducing or replacing steam demand can save considerable energy costs and eliminate the need for expensive maintenance practices;
- Newer reliable variable speed drives and pressure flow controllers can drastically improve the part-load performance of ammonia chilling plants;
- Monetary incentives, for example, cash rebates and tax incentives, from governments and utilities for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects are more valuable than ever before;
- Aging rooftop HVAC equipment serving many facilities was specified and installed based only on lowest first cost. Upgrading these systems with higher-efficiency water-based systems can have attractive payback in reduced energy costs;
- Newer high efficiency absorption chillers in some cases can economically produce chilled water from waste heat available in many industrial facilities;
- Cuts in maintenance staffs have reduced frequency of good energy maintenance practices, leaving steam traps, air leaks, filters and other tasks unattended, creating potential for quick payback activities and programs;
- Lighting technology and control systems have advanced drastically in the past decade. Lighting can consume a surprisingly large percentage of energy used in industrial plants and also create significant amounts of heat that must be handled by HVAC systems; and,
- Full-service suppliers of on-site electricity generation and waste heat recovery plants have developed convenient skid-mounted systems at attractive cost for mid-sized facilities with favorable ratios of heat to electricity demand and electricity to fuel costs.
Back to the top
How can a company reduce its risk from high and volatile energy prices, carbon regulations and water scarcity?
- Reduce its demand for energy and water per unit of production and revenue by implementing innovative system design and continuous improvement programs;
- If a company is in a better position to adapt than its competitors, it can push for regulation of GHG emissions to gain competitive advantage;
- Locate its facilities in regions with improving carbon intensity in its energy supply and the lowest risk of energy cost volatility, extreme weather events and water scarcity;
- "Harden" its facilities against risk with flexible fuel energy systems, onsite generation, advanced water recycling and commodity hedging programs; and,
- Prepare its governmental affairs staff with knowledge of issues, risk exposures, and effective arguments.
Back to the top
Why hire Point380?
Experienced: We are experienced serving many Fortune 500 companies, on-the-ground at dozens of industrial facilities across the world and across a wide variety of industries.
Focused: Point380 specializes in energy, carbon and water resource management for industrial companies. We do not have academic or advocacy agendas. Point380 staff members take pride in understanding business goals and tailoring data collection and analysis programs to meet those goals.
Innovative: We use proven techniques to search out innovative solutions and integrate benefits across systems and programs.
Impartial: We do not sell or service equipment. Our job is to make sure that the services and equipment you buy is the best for your company. Likewise, we do not represent third-party information brokers. Our job is to find the best, most pertinent information on GHG regulation and legislative action and to make it relevant for your company.
Back to the top