INTERAGENCY, INTERCONNECTIVE, INNOVATIVE
Interagency Network of Enterprise Assistance Providers (INEAP)
July 23, 2008, Meeting Summary
THEME: DOE Energy Efficiency Programs and Assessment Centers and How People Can Get More Involved
Purpose:
Monthly forum where business and technical assistance program partnership catalysts meet in support of small businesses to initiate relationships and exchange information across organizational boundaries for the purpose of leveraging public-private resources and promoting innovative activities that accelerate domestic economic development.
Meeting
Attendees:
Center for Industrial Research and Service
Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Chicago Manufacturing Center
Small Business Administration, Office of Veterans Business Development
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development
Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Technology Services
Department of Energy, Industrial Technology Program, Industrial Assessment Centers
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Pollution Prevention Division
Environmental Protection Agency, Green Suppliers Network
Department of Energy, Industrial Technology Program, Industrial Assessment Centers
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Department of Labor, Office of Regional Innovation and Transformation
American Association of Community Colleges, Economic Development
Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Veterans Affairs, Center for Veterans Enterprise
Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Innovation
Date: 23 July 2008
Introductions:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), thanked the Department of Energy (DOE) for hosting the meeting and reminded participants that there will not be a meeting in August. The meeting attendees were also informed that due to the unavailability of appropriate space in the Ronald Reagan Building in September and the opportunity to conduct an offsite event with Detroit Renaissance in September, the INEAP Forum will be moved to the third week of October.
In comments about the agenda for the July meeting, it was highlighted that this meeting presents an opportunity for attendees to hear about some of the available programs that support small businesses and also gives them the opportunity to provide feedback and input as to how the substance of these programs can be incorporated into INEAP's September and October events. The meeting attendees will be brought up to date on the INEAP Forum's proposed agenda (see Appendix) and will be able to make suggestions regarding speakers and how to get members more engaged.
A site visit to Detroit Renaissance is an opportunity for INEAP to collaborate with Federal, regional, and community representatives who are convening in Detroit with Detroit Renaissance and will be discussing a range of issues from sustainable manufacturing to small-business loans.
Presentation:
A representative of DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Industrial Technology Program (ITP), reported that industry is responsible for nearly one-third of the nation's energy consumption, making it the largest single energy-consuming sector.
EERE focuses on 10 programs that promote the research and development of energy-efficient and renewable-energy technologies for buildings and industry. These technologies include advanced transmission and distribution systems; hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies; battery development; alternative vehicles; and ocean, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass technologies.
ITP has been around since 1976. In line with ITP's focus on promoting energy-saving practices and renewable-energy technologies is the Save Energy Now Voluntary Agreement for Utilities. The goal of this initiative is to help manufacturers and energy-service companies reduce industrial-energy intensity by 25 percent in 10 years.
Energy assessments for large and small plants help manufacturing facilities identify immediate opportunities to save energy and money and can be used to develop an overall energy-management strategy that can yield multiple benefits for years to come.
When performing a systems assessment for a large plant, an ITP-energy expert only looks for energy-saving opportunities in one system and is in and out in 3 days. When working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), DOE's Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) staff conducts 1-day assessments. MEP may also work with SMEs to help them become more efficient by disseminating ITP's information and conducting a green and Lean assessment.
There are tools on EERE's web site for process-heating components, pump systems, steam systems, fan systems, and motor systems that are very popular and helpful in conducting an assessment.
The nearly 550 systems assessments that have been conducted for large plants over the past 2-1/2 years have a good implementation rate. Recommendations for energy-savings opportunities, such as a system upgrade, are part of a report given to the manufacturer, who makes the decision on how to proceed. Cost information and the names of contractors are not provided, but estimated reductions in energy use and CO2 emissions are included in the report and can be used to perform a cost-benefit analysis. Follow up with the manufacturer occurs 6, 12, and 18 months after the assessment.
ITP's goal is to get an even greater number of plants to implement energy-saving recommendations by showing them their return on investment. Today's high cost of fuel serves as an incentive for plants to adopt technologies and tools that promote energy efficiency because reduced fuel consumption reduces overhead. Small facilities often have more difficulty financing upgrades; therefore, information that shows how to find financing and the estimated payback period and future savings will encourage SMEs to implement technologies and tools that reduce energy consumption.
EERE has a clearinghouse where manufacturers can get referrals for sources to help with upgrades and financial assistance. Because selling these recommendations to upper management is a challenge, EERE and ITP are developing more materials that relate to financial assistance.
A map of the U.S. is displayed on the ITP State Activities page (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/about/state_activities/main_map.asp). Visitors can click a State on the map and see a list of all the available ITP activities and utility programs available in that State. Each list of State programs is updated regularly.
Although sources for financial assistance can be found on the ITP web page as well as in MEP's Quick Reference Guide to Growth Financing, more work needs to be done to provide information in this area.
ITP has performed energy assessments for SMEs without charge using local teams of engineering faculty and students from 26 participating universities across the country. Although energy assessments have helped to generate nearly $2 billion in savings, the program has been pared back over the past few years. MEP Centers and IACs often work together to reach a greater number of manufacturers that could benefit from the assessments as well as other available products and services that can help reduce energy consumption.
ITP's integrated tool suite enables a plant to establish a baseline for energy usage and to profile how energy is used, acting like a set of eyes on the plant floor. For example, water savings are a big issue for many facilities. A steam system uses 80 percent of a plant's energy. ITP's steam-assessment tool can be downloaded from the web site and used to identify where a plant could find ways to reduce their energy consumption; however, this information cannot be integrated with the data from other assessment tools. Consequently, there is no way to determine how all the variables and complexities interact and what the combined effect has on the plant's systems and sub-systems.
One of MEP's core competencies is value-stream mapping. It would be beneficial for ITP to build a dynamic model where the value-stream-mapping processes are cross-pollinated with those used in the energy-assessment tools. This, however, is a very difficult task.
A representative from the American Association of Community Colleges reported that a recently held DOE meeting on whole-house energy efficiency addressed the need to bring up the level of competence of people who perform energy-efficiency assessment of homes. It is important to find a bridge between programs for houses and those for large buildings, multiuse buildings, and plants. For example, the Federal Energy Management Program may be able to use ITP's pump tool.
A representative from the Chicago Manufacturing Center emphasized that there is a need for integrated tools that connect all the issues plants contend with, such as cooking-intensity requirements, data warehousing, and energy and water conservation. She also touched on efforts in her region to tie partners in the collaborative space to the emerging industrial sector and to scale down large climate action plans (CAPs) to local level CAPs in the form of mini CAPs.
It was noted that Chicago in not part of the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) and a mechanism is needed to pull together services for the region. The outcome of the Detroit site can show how a focus on sustainability and a partnership between government, civic, and economic groups can embrace a region to become a model for addressing problems and overcoming challenges.
Sustainability in Context of Detroit Renaissance:
Detroit and Flint, MI, both offer the most active outreach programs for small businesses. This collaboration between INEAP and Detroit Renaissance can serve as a pilot to gauge how well this approach can bridge the many programs offered by Federal, State, and local organizations works.
Detroit offers many touch points for the different programs and levels of government to come together. INEAP, along with WIRED, the Small Business Administration (SBA), civic leadership organizations, and others, can combine resources to help areas hit hard by the downward trend in the automobile industry. One option is to look at bringing in new industries such as industries involved with biodegradables.
A suggested format for this meeting is for a delegation of Federal agency representatives to spend a day meeting with groups of representatives from Detroit Renaissance, universities, economic organizations, the automobile industry, and others that recognize the need to form strategic partnerships. Through discussions that address top challenges and needs and the sharing of information and resources, State and regional organization representatives can learn about programs and combine tools, services, and products into optimal forms of assistance that benefit their constituents. Two or three breakout sessions with specific themes, such as sustainable manufacturing or workforce development, can help participants identify programs that can be quickly implemented and allow opportunities for long-term collaborations.
A suggestion that GM or Ford be asked to sponsor an event such as this may be discussed in future meetings.
One area of concern is that not all the co-learning objectives of this meeting can be accomplished in one day. INEAP member participants may stay longer, but that would depend on each program's available budget and ability to fund the trip. One method to increase participation to individuals who may not be able to travel is to use teleconferencing.
INEAP meeting attendees were asked to send an e-mail to http://thepublicmanager.org/phardgra/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/U7O75JRK/Linda.Fowler@nist.gov indicating their interest in being a representative and to recommend anyone in the local network who should attend.
The joint meeting with INEAP members and Detroit Renaissance will occur the third week of September with the date to be finalized.
INEAP Forum Update:
A representative from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental
Innovation, who is helping coordinate the INEAP Forum, provided a proposed agenda (see the Appendix) and highlighted the benefits that can be gained from this networking and knowledge-sharing event.
The INEAP Forum can educate a wider audience about INEAP's value and can show through success stories how businesses and communities can leverage the network of partners to receive additional resources, insights, and opportunities. The Forum also can promote how collaboration between partners helps extend the reach of agency programs.
By providing a venue where messages, programs, and successes can be consolidated, the INEAP Forum can become the paradigm for effective government.
Suggestions and Comments on the INEAP Forum:
World Café Format
Roundtable discussions between groups of 8-10 people will catalyze various groups to address burning issues, jointly develop new ideas, and work together to resolve a specific problem. Each table would be assigned a specific issue, which will be identified in advance, and the issue owner will be present at the table. This venue gives discussion-group members the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and collaborate with people they have never had the opportunity to work with.
Each table can use flip charts to document recommendations for solutions that evolved from roundtable discussions. This will give people something to look at during the networking session and reinforce the value of the collaborations. The results can be posted on the INEAP web site as well.
Depending on timing, people can stay at one table or they can move to other tables to work on different problems and issues to gain a different perspective.
Due to INEAP's history of successful collaborations, it may be beneficial to have a Forum every 6 to 8 months.
Case Studies
Each case study should explore multi-agency projects and have at least two presenters to emphasize and reinforce the theme of collaboration.
Discussion Topics
The expansion of green workforce development and green certification into a model that is similar to Lean certification.
Efforts by agencies such as the Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Labor to craft a consistent, consolidated message and distribute it through existing State, regional, and local channels, much like what is being done with http://www.manufacturing.gov/.
Methods that enable government to capture the sweat equity put into the development of products and in bringing these products to market.
The difficulty to thoroughly address all the topics on the proposed agenda may make it worthwhile to consider focusing on one issue at a time such as sustainability, export, or energy conservation. It is important to find the right balance between promoting a wide range of issues to reenergize INEAP members and pique the interest of many different agencies to attract more participants and ensuring that each topic is explored in detail.
Methods can be used to expand the number of participants such as asking INEAP members to invite colleagues and reaching out to non-government groups and associations. The target goal for participation is 100 people. About 50 people regularly attend INEAP meetings, although there are many more people on the roster. Points to consider include the invitation process and if there is a limit to the number or affiliation of attendees. For example, new constituents such as the International Economic Development Council and experts in workforce, education, and economic development are of interest. Their participation in the Forum could build their knowledge of resources and expand the use of INEAP-member programs for local economic development.
Program Updates:
A representative from EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Pollution Prevention Division, indicated that the area source rule for boilers has been delayed until next year. EPA is looking for pollution prevention; however, the courts ruled that because of Clean Air Act regulations, EPA needs to reevaluate brick maximum achievable control technology (MACT).
The National Pollution Prevention Week will be September 15-21, 2008.
A representative from Veterans Affairs, Center for Veterans Enterprise, reported that the program's strategic initiatives will be rolled out the first of October.
A representative from the American Association of Community Colleges indicated that the Workforce Development Institute will be in Newport Beach in 2009. The organization is trying to bring in State representatives to discuss setting standards for green jobs.
A representative from the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), noted that the Workforce Innovation Conference was held on July 15-17 and was very successful. A new web site http://www.innovatingnetworks.net/ is available and a link to it may be added to INEAP's web site.
DOL, ETA, has ten million dollars in aid available through grants to take at-risk developments in fossil-fuel and renewable energy and move them into a growth industry. A one-page description is available on the ETA web site.
A representative from the Chicago Manufacturing Center indicated that the Illinois Institute of Technology Mechanical, Material, Aerospace, and Engineering Symposium on Sustainability and Product Development will be held August 7-8 in Chicago. Featured speakers include Congresswoman Melissa Bean along with university professors, government officials, and business leaders from all over the country. The objective of the symposium is to give SMEs practical guidance on how to employ sustainable manufacturing processes. With an audience composed of both public and private organizations, this might be a place to highlight MEP and the diversity of programs that are available.
It was noted that a DOE, EERE, ITP solicitation for fuel-flexibility processes was recently released.
********************************************************************************************
Appendix
Harnessing Energy in Federal Cooperation: Making Government Work for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Forum of the Interagency Network for Enterprise Assistance Providers (INEAP)
October 16, 2008 (Wednesday), 1pm-4:30pm
Washington, D.C.
Goal of Forum: By showcasing an innovative working network of representatives from across the Federal family, the INEAP Forum will provide a hands-on learning opportunity for current and prospective members (and observers) to experience the power of networks in making government work smarter for small and medium-sized enterprises.
1pm: Welcome and Introduction to the Power of INEAP
Introduction to Goals and Format of the Forum
Cooperative Inter-Agency Networks: A Key to Workforce and Economic Development
1:20pm-2:30: Interagency Cooperation on Sustainable Manufacturing and Green Jobs
The Green Suppliers' Network: Supporting Sustainable Manufacturing through Leveraged Networking
Supporting Energy Efficiency Practices for U.S. Manufacturers through Interagency Cooperation
Building Interagency Cooperation to Support Green Workforce Development
Q&A
Introduction to Goals and Format of World Café
2:30pm: Break
2:45pm Support Programs and Tools for Business: Small Business and Export Assistance
U.S. Export-Import Bank
Small Business Administration
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service
3:30pm: World Café
Explanation of Logistics and Outcomes for World Café Meeting Methodology
Breakout groups of potential collaborators will focus on a specific critical need that has been identified in advance. Using the World Café methodology, discussion leaders will facilitate conversations that link and build on each other as people move between groups, cross-pollinate ideas, and discover new insights into the questions or issues. The World Café principles and processes are designed to evoke collective intelligence and link it to effective action in pursuit of common aims.
4:25pm: Concluding Comments and Lessons Learned