Energy — Programs and Actions
Our smelting operations are the largest users of electric power within the company. As new technology replaces the existing smelting technology, the power requirements will decrease. Our newest smelters are up to 20% more efficient than our oldest smelters. Accordingly, the modernization of the Baie-Comeau Smelter announced in March 2008 will result in significant gains.
We will continue to develop and deploy improved energy monitoring and management systems and utilize more efficient equipment and processes when capital equipment changes are needed.
In Québec, an Energy Efficiency Committee has been set up at each smelter, and a regional committee gathers representatives from each plant to promote the exchange of best practices. The committees’ work focuses on both electric energy and fuel consumption. Alcoa Canada Primary Metals has also adopted a policy on energy efficiency.
In 2005, the Aluminum Association of Canada, of which Alcoa is a member, signed a five-year agreement with Hydro-Québec to collaborate on energy efficiency issues. The goal of this agreement is to establish mechanisms to foster the efficient management of electricity.
Lastly, the Deschambault Smelter was recently admitted to Hydro-Québec’s Écolectrique network, a select group of leaders in energy efficiency among Québec companies. This distinction is in recognition of its reduction in energy consumption per ton of aluminum produced, attributable to the optimization of process control and the design of the electrolysis cells.
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Energy
Read Alcoa Canada Primary Metal’s policy on energy efficiency
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Learn more about Alcoa's energy programs around the world.
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