Utility complexes at refinery sites are a critical part of the operation – they supply the necessary steam and electricity that make the salable products. However, within the dynamic nature of the refining environment continually meeting site power and steam demands, balancing available fuels and staying within emission limits is a challenging task.

Energy Management Systems (based on optimization technology) continually monitor the dynamics of the operation and determine the set of “optimum” operating setpoints that will allow the utility operation to continually run at its economic optimum. Additionally, these systems are helping refiners cope with their increasing operating costs driven by rising energy prices (Natural Gas and Oil).

This paper will review a number of recent projects that highlight how Energy Management Systems are being deployed by refining companies to enable them to achieve substantial benefits through improved automation. Benefits in the order of 2 to 5% reduction in annual fuel bill expenditures per year are not uncommon for these types of applications.

The paper will also address a number of key elements that refiners should consider in the development of a successful Energy Management Project.