#United States #Energy Management #Ardmore #OGE Energy #Noble Research

Noble Research Institute Celebrates 10 Years of Energy Efficiency

The Noble Research Institute, a well-respected educational organization for farmers and ranchers since its inception in 1945, recently commemorated a significant achievement: a decade of participating in OGE's Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program. This partnership, which began in 2017, has yielded remarkable outcomes in energy savings, amounting to over 23 million kilowatt-hours and $2.1 million in combined incentives and cost avoidance.

The SEM program has transformed how Noble approaches energy management, steering efforts towards operational excellence without necessitating hefty investments. The collaboration among Noble Research Institute, OGE, and CLEAResult—who administers the program—has enabled a programmatic approach that focuses on enhancing energy performance while reducing waste.

Key Accomplishments in Energy Savings

Over the past ten years, the Noble Research Institute has implemented several key initiatives to optimize energy use across its campus:

• - Optimized HVAC Scheduling: By adjusting the operations of air handling units and chiller plants, Noble has effectively eliminated unnecessary round-the-clock operation, significantly decreasing the baseline energy consumption on campus.
• - Central Plant Optimization: Modifying the Building Automation System (BAS) controls, including sequence setpoints and lead/lag staging, has aligned chilling, cooling tower, pump, and boiler operations with real-time campus demands rather than outdated fixed schedules.
• - Operational Load Reduction: Through diligent monitoring of plug loads, temperature setbacks, and equipment run-times, the team has systematically minimized unnecessary energy use.

According to Richard Brown, director of facilities at the Noble Research Institute, participation in the SEM program has profoundly influenced how the facilities team approaches energy consumption. The framework provided by OGE and CLEAResult has facilitated an ongoing pursuit of innovative and smarter operational strategies. As Brown expresses, ten years into the program, there's still a continuous discovery of new methods for energy savings.

The Value of Long-term Partnerships

For OGE, the results of this decade-long partnership underscore the essential nature of fostering long-term relationships centered around energy efficiency and sustainable practices. OGE’s approach not only focuses on immediate gains but aims to build a collaborative infrastructure to improve performance over time.

The SEM program has demonstrated how engaging with organizations like Noble Research Institute can lead to substantial environmental and financial benefits. It highlights the crucial role of sustained improvement in energy practices, which is beneficial not only for the organizations involved but also for the broader community and the environment.

If you're interested in learning more about OGE's Strategic Energy Management program, visit their website. For more information on the Noble Research Institute, their ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture and education, and the programs they offer, check out their online platform as well.

This milestone is not merely a celebration of energy savings but rather a testament to the collaborative efforts and strategic thinking that have defined the partnership over the past decade. The Noble Research Institute continues to serve as an influential voice in the sustainable agricultural landscape, providing ongoing education and practical guidance for farmers and ranchers across the nation.