In response to the challenges of California’s energy market, Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA) installed and commissioned what it says is the state’s largest commercial Solar + Energy Storage System. By combining on-site generation, an advanced energy storage system and an AI-powered analytics platform, SCA can optimize energy use by automatically switching between on-site generation, battery power or grid power. The digitally connected energy storage network includes a 772-kW PV solar system and a 1,561-kW/3,122-kWh Tesla battery storage system.

Electric furnaces are designed to produce accurate and repeatable temperature, atmosphere, pressure or other conditions within a controlled process.

Every manufacturing (or heat treat) plant has raw materials that come into the receiving dock and finished products that are sent out from the shipping dock. Between the receiving and shipping docks, transformation occurs. Transformation adds value to the materials in a step-by-step process, and energy is required. Evaluating the process transformation steps and energy inputs provides clues about where to look for energy savings.

High-temperature, energy-efficient ceramic coatings for refractories—no longer “theoretical” technology—are being used successfully in kiln and furnace applications to reduce energy consumption, improve temperature uniformity, reduce maintenance, and increase production while improving product quality.

Studies say things like: “57% of 1960 workers’ jobs no longer exist;” “47% of all U.S. jobs are at high risk of falling to computerization within two decades;” and “By 2055 over 50% of all work tasks will be automated.” This is all probably true. So, as part of this change, readers of this journal must adjust to the arrival of electric vehicles (EVs).

The goal of this article is to improve your awareness of resources that exist to help you make better sense of combustion-related issues and answer your combustion-related questions.