The commercial sector consists mainly of hotels, motels, restaurants, wholesale businesses, retail stores, laundries and other service enterprises, as well as religious and nonprofit organizations. The industrial sector is composed of manufacturing industries (the largest part of the sector), mining companies, construction companies, and agricultural, fishery and forestry operations. Taken together, these two sectors use 58 percent of the state's annual energy (45 percent from industrial and 13 percent from commercial).
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the reconsideration process for its Clean Air Act pollution standards National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters (known as Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)), in Spring 2012. This rule applies to large and small boilers in a wide range of industrial facilities and institutions. The US Department of Energy (DOE) will offer technical assistance to ensure that major sources burning coal or oil have information on cost-effective clean energy strategies for compliance, including combined heat and power. For more information visit the DOE’s Boiler MACT Technical Assistance Sheet.
Technical Assistance
The Energy Office offers technical assistance as well as workshops and other trainings for energy managers, engineers, and other design professionals working in the commercial and industrial sectors. Scheduled workshops and trainings can be found on the Energy Office calendar.
An additional technical assistance option is available through Clemson University. The University has received a Department of Energy grant to house an Industrial Assessment Center at Clemson. This Center provides FREE energy assessments to small and medium-sized industrial facilities. More information is available through the Clemson Industrial Assessment Center website and brochure.
Energy Efficient Design & Construction
Construction of new energy efficient buildings is the most cost-effective way to achieve an energy efficient infrastructure over the course of time. Activities to encourage energy efficient construction include promoting the use of effective energy building codes, LEED certification and other high energy efficiency rating systems, and supporting activities and publications.
The Energy Office maintains a list of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) that is not vendor specific but the ECMs are known to reduce energy consumption independently or as part of a system with efficiency optimized. All purchases of Appliances and Commercial Equipment must meet or exceed the minimum federal standards for energy efficiency, which can be found on the US Department of Energy website and at EnergyStar.
Be sure that all products and projects meet or exceed the provisions of 2009 IECC.
South Carolina Engineering Cluster
In South Carolina, the Engineering Cluster represents major academic institutions, hundreds of companies and thousands of engineers. South Carolina engineers have developed new technology and designed major projects around the world in almost every industry. These industries include electronics, automotive, chemical, biotech, energy, infrastructure and a lot more. From nano to mega, you can get your product or project designed, equipped and built by organizations with engineers here in the state of South Carolina.
Energy Saver Website and Tool
Consolidated in one central, online location, energy-saving programs can be accessed through the Energy Saver Tool on EnergySaver.SC.GOV. The tool offers an easy way for the public to answer a few simple questions and find energy-saving programs available to them. Users can also search by category or by program name to find specific program information. Programs and results are printable and can be shared by exporting to a PDF or Excel file. In addition, the Energy Saver website includes energy-saving tips for homes and businesses in a user-friendly and easy-to-follow format.