USG – Karun Abraham Jacob – 2014

Goals

Karun Jacob spent the summer of 2014 at the corporate headquarters of the USG Corporation, with the goal of assessing the energy consumption of its 50 manufacturing plants across North America.

Solutions

A comprehensive lighting project was embarked upon with an organization wide approach for energy efficient lighting across the USG network of manufacturing plants. Each of these 50 manufacturing plants is unique, and they are at various stages of moving towards an energy efficient lighting system. Jacob surveyed and analyzed the current state of lighting at all of the facilities and identified substantial cost savings potential. Jacob also worked on included feasibility studies for distributed generation and economic demand response programs at selected facilities. He visited a USG Interiors ceiling manufacturing plant at Cloquet, MN, one of the largest ceiling tile factories in the world, and this opportunity provided Jacob with better insight into understanding the challenges faced in implementing energy efficiency projects on the ground level. Jacob developed an energy metrics tool, which could enable better reporting of energy data. Jacob also evaluated strategies focusing on behavioral changes for better employee engagement in reducing energy consumption.

Potential Impact

 Jacob was able to identify significant cost savings in his work on the light systems of the 50 manufacturing plants. In addition, he produced an energy metrics tool to aid in future energy data collection.