Success Story

In the bustling city of Santa Ana, nestled amidst the hum of technology and innovation, a remarkable tale of energy-conscious transformation has unfolded at PARPRO Technologies Inc. Renowned as an electronics manufacturer specializing in crafting intricate PCB assemblies and an array of electronic systems, PARPRO already has a reputation for precision and technical expertise. However, the quest for excellence didn't end with their services – it extended into their commitment to energy efficiency. Earlier this year, the SMART IAC team, joined by UCI faculty and staff, visited the facility to conduct an energy assessment that would redefine their approach to energy conservation, waste reduction and productivity enhancements.

"Progress is not always about reinventing the wheel. Sometimes, it's about fine-tuning it for optimal performance."
Eric Van Poppelen, President, PARPRO Technologies, Inc.

"While they had already established commendable energy-saving techniques, our goal was to find even greater potential savings," said Chelsea Choudhary, SMART IAC program manager. "Our objective was to uncover the concealed areas that could lead to a transformative shift in their energy footprint."

PARPRO welcomed the team's expertise to push the boundaries further with a comprehensive evaluation of their operations. "We embraced this opportunity to identify new ways to reduce our power consumption and reduce our waste," says Eric Van Poppelen, President, PARPRO Technologies, Inc.

"Our assessment revealed several avenues for optimization that would not only reduce energy consumption but also lead to substantial cost savings," Choudhary commented.

Energy Assessments IACs Webinar with featured speaker Chelsea Choudhary

Among the standout discoveries was the proposal to power down equipment during idle periods. This simple yet impactful measure resonated with PARPRO's commitment to efficiency. Inspection of the facility's compressed air system unearthed concealed leaks, offering both energy savings and a chance to maximize air pressure.

The recommendations didn't stop there. The SMART IAC team delved deeper, scrutinizing aspects that might often be overlooked. The revelation that upgrading windows and lighting could contribute significantly to their energy efficiency. Additionally, by strategically shifting their forklift charging schedule to off-peak hours not only eased their energy demand during critical times, but also highlighted the importance of flexibility in energy consumption.

The culmination of these efforts translated into impressive results. Annual savings recommendations amounted to a staggering $75,000, a substantial 33% of their energy bills. "The impact of our collaboration illustrates how even the most advanced facilities hold untapped potential for energy savings," Choudhary said.

“It was a pleasure for PARPRO to collaborate with SMART IAC team members to successfully identify energy-saving measures that translate into both efficiency and cost-savings,” says Van Poppelen.

"Progress is not always about reinventing the wheel," he adds. "Sometimes, it's about fine-tuning it for optimal performance."

In a world where precision and innovation reign supreme, PARPRO Technologies represents the extraordinary heights that can be reached when technology meets sustainability, and purpose converges with progress.

SMART IAC OVERVIEW
In 2021, UC Irvine received nearly $2.25 million of a $60 million investment by the U.S. Department of Energy to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy costs, while training the next generation of energy-efficiency workers.
The Sustainable Manufacturing Alliance for Research and Training Industrial Assessment Center (SMART IAC), housed at UCI’s California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CALIT2), operates the center with two satellite centers at CSUN and Cypress College. IACs provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with assessments and recommendations on energy efficiency, productivity improvement, sustainability and competitiveness as well as measure the impacts of these recommendations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“While large, sophisticated companies like SpaceX dominate the public’s perception of manufacturing in Southern California, it is the manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees that produce most of the innovation, output and employment,” said G.P. Li, project PI and UCI CALIT2 director. “I am proud that UCI has been selected to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers across America lower their energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while remaining globally competitive. This is further acknowledgment of UCI’s commitment to clean energy. By harnessing the talent of our brightest minds, we can take on the energy, environmental and economic challenges of tomorrow.”

ABOUT US
Our SMART IAC provides no-cost energy consulting services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers within 150 miles of UC Irvine (Orange, Ventura, Imperial and Riverside counties.) We have expanded our program to provide commercial building assessments, too.
Our assessments typically require one day on site in your facility and we typically identify 10-20% energy and productivity savings.
As part of our services, we will deliver a detailed, professional report outlining several ways that your facility can save energy and money. Our analysis includes detailed engineering and economic calculation of potential energy saving ideas. We typically only target recommendations that result in a 2-year financial payback for our clients.

UC IRVINE CALIT2

featuring the SMART IAC

Credits

Writer: Sharon Henry

Video: Natalie Tso

Editor: Shelly Nazarenus