Case History - Energy Reduction at the Abilene Texas Instruments Plant

In 1977, TI purchased a 158,000 SF, single story building which was designed and built prior to the 1973 energy crises and, hence, has no built in energy conservation. This paper addresses the principal retrofit measures taken at this calculator & home computer assembly plant. They are: 1. A roof spray system; 2. Reduction of illumination levels and the use of more efficient luminaries; 3. Chilled water temperatures in the 52 F to 55 F range with condenser water temperatures near the cooling tower designed approach; 4. Installation of a programmed controller with signals sent over existing power lines to control times on and off of exhaust fans, lighting, DX A/C units, etc.; 5. Substitution of energy efficient electrical motors for the original motors where cost justified; 6. Reduction of the volume of air circulated and minimization of fresh air intake; 7. 'Free' cooling from the latent heat of evaporation of spray nozzles used to keep a high plant humidity; and S. Heating incoming water for PCB washers with the 150 F washer effluent. The implementation of these energy conservation measures resulted in a continuing lower KW demand and KW-hr usage during a four-year period when manufacturing levels were steadily increasing