Apr 22 2015
Linde North America, Inc., signed a contract with Portland General Electric to supply sustainable, wind-generated power for a significant portion of its electric requirements to its Hillsboro, Oregon, air separation unit which makes ultra-high purity gaseous nitrogen and oxygen.
"It's a win for everybody involved," said Steven Castracane, manager, Energy & Regulatory Affairs at Linde North America. "We have a strong focus on customers. Being able to strengthen our environmental stewardship doesn't get any better. It's a perfect example of industry, the local power company, and state government coming together to create a positive outcome for our communities."
Linde Hillsboro supplies ultra-high purity nitrogen and oxygen to semiconductor manufacturers in the Pacific North West. Due to rapidly expanding customer demand, its production capacity has been expanded twice over the past four years.
Linde's request to purchase wind-generated power under a special state program was successfully approved by Oregon's Department of Energy, allowing the plant to reduce its CO2 emissions by over 7,000 tons per year – equivalent to emissions from over 700,000 gallons of gasoline, while remaining competitive from a cost standpoint.
As one of Portland General Electric's 20 largest customers, Linde's Energy Affairs team was able to identify an opportunity to displace a substantial portion of its fossil-generated electric supply with wind power by purchasing renewable energy from the local utility, to maximize the amount of renewable power supplied to the plant. As a result, Linde has been awarded Gold status under PGE's Clean Wind Program.
"We're proud to say that more Portland General Electric customers, including Linde, have chosen renewable energy than any other utility in the U.S.," said Anne Hill, Clean Wind program manager, Portland General Electric. "Linde's dedication to supplying sustainable, wind – generated power will result in real and demonstrable environmental benefits."
"This is a result of Linde's continued focus on cost management, customers, and the environment," said Castracane. "With electricity accounting for a majority of our annual operating expense we are highly committed to monitoring and measuring our energy consumption and costs in order to identify and implement the most advantageous energy strategy. It is very gratifying to see a successful outcome like this at the Hillsboro plant."