Varian Medical Systems Case Study
Rocky Mountain Power's Lori Hansen (left) with Doug Carlisle, manager, facilities and services, Varian Medical Systems
With the help of our energy efficiency programs, Varian Medical Systems, the world’s leading independent supplier of X-ray tubes and digital image detectors for filmless X-rays, has been able to take a look inside its 350,000 square foot facility in Salt Lake City and find ways to trim energy use and costs.
Energy efficiency also is part of Varian’s comprehensive environmental efforts, which include water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, greening its supply chain and Visionary-level renewable energy purchases through our Blue Sky program.
“Rocky Mountain Power not only helped us identify efficiency measures and lighting upgrades, but our energy savings allow us to participate in Blue Sky,” said Doug Carlisle, Varian Medical Systems manager, facilities and services.
Varian Medical Systems has received a total of more than $228,000 in Rocky Mountain Power incentives for lighting, heating/cooling and other upgrades. Their efficiency projects are also saving nearly 3.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and more than $183,000 in energy costs annually.
15 projects in nine years
Since 2001, Varian has implemented 15 energy efficiency projects using our Energy FinAnswer®, FinAnswer® Express, Recommissioning and Self Direction Credit programs.
Two recent projects involved cooling water loops used for an industrial process. In 2006, Varian received technical assistance and cash incentives through Energy FinAnswer to install variable frequency drives on the fan motors of two new cooling towers. The fans operate more efficiently if their speed is changed to match process needs, rather than turning them on and off.
The following year, the x-ray products manufacturer replaced two more cooling towers and took advantage of the Rocky Mountain Power program again to install VFDs on those towers’ fan motors. They also upgraded old T12 fluorescent lighting in their cafeteria with energy-saving hardwired compact fluorescent technology at that time.
Read the full case study (PDF) with information on Varian's projects
