Energy Efficiency
Part of Smarter Manufacturing
Irish Cement has long focused on energy management due to the nature of the energy intensive manufacturing process. Reduced carbon emissions, reduced costs and strengthened security of energy supplies are all benefits of good energy management.
Over the years, significant investment has been made in Best Available Technology (BAT) for energy efficiency. BAT investments include dry process kilns, waste heat recovery for raw materials drying, vertical milling systems and high efficiency separators. The €200m Kiln 3 project at Platin, completed in 2008, delivered an ultra- modern energy efficient pre-calciner kiln, making Platin one of the most modern and efficient cement plants in Europe.
Today, Irish Cement participates in Performance Taskforces comprising of champions from both Platin and Limerick Works and is chaired by a leader from CRH Group Technical Services. The remit of this Taskforce is to identify and share opportunities at both locations to reduce energy usage and improve operational efficiency by drawing on the best practice throughout the CRH Group.
Examples of Efficiency Initiatives
- Reduction in clinker contents in cement through the introduction of low-carbon CEM II products and Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).
- Metering and automated monitoring of utilities and fixed electricity usage
- Replacement of fixed speed motors with variable speed control
- Lighting surveys
- Automated equipment shutdowns
- Energy audits and surveys
- Automated expert control systems
- Optimization and efficiency trials
Energy Management & Accreditation
To demonstrate our commitment to delivering improvements, Irish Cement has voluntarily joined the Energy Agreements Program (EAP) coordinated by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Our involvement in this program along with our membership of the Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) allows us to draw ideas from energy efficiency experts across multiple manufacturing sectors within Ireland and overseas.
With the improved policies and procedures for energy management arising from our involvement in the EAP, Irish Cement has gained accreditation to the new international energy efficiency standard ISO50001, adding to our existing accredited ISO14001 Environmental and ISO9001 Quality management systems.
Part of a bigger story
