Quaker finds post-flood energy savings

Quaker Oats turned its 2008 flood restoration here into an opportunity to sharply improve the plant's energy efficiency.

It replaced older electric motors in its oatmeal processing area with fewer, but newer, more efficient electric motors as part of a larger “system flow” improvement project. The company also updated its heating and air conditioning systems with newer, more efficient units.

In total, the improvements will reduce electric consumption by more than 1 million kilowatt hours per year, resulting in annual savings of $64,100 on the plant's electric bills.

Alliant Energy presented Quaker with a $100,180 energy efficiency rebate Tuesday. Much of that will be reinvested in a energy management system that identifies further areas for energy efficiency improvements, Senior Manager of Milling Operations Kay Driscoll said after a check presentation ceremony at the plant.

The massive food products factory received about 12 feet of water on its ground floor as the result of record flooding from the nearby Cedar River in June 2008.

Company officials say the improvements helped the plant avoid more than 769 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of removing 147 passenger vehicles from the roadways.

Alliant's Tom Aller praised Quaker Oats' foresight in making the investments. “Saving energy is the cheapest way to reduce your energy bill over the long haul,” said Aller, president of the company's Interstate Power & Light utility.

Quaker Oats is the nation's largest cereal mill. In addition to its namesake Quaker Oats, it makes Captain Crunch, Life, and other ready-to-eat cereals, Quaker Oats grits, Aunt Jemima syrup, and other products.

Jay Hardeman, senior manager of hot cereals, said employee resource conservation teams seek opportunities to reduce consumption of steam, water, natural gas and electricity.

The plant is completing a conversion to its own natural-gas fired steam boiler system. That conversion will replace Alliant's Sixth Street Generating Station, which the flood destroyed, and will be completed in April.