Johnson to Speak on Economics of Electric Dredge Plant at AGG1 Show
Charles Johnson director of sales for DSC Dredge LLC will present a talk entitled “Plug into the Grid and Save – Electrification of Diesel Dredges & Boosters” at the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo and World of Asphalt Show & Conference to be held March 19 through 21 in San Antonio Texas at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Johnson’s talk is “a step by step all inclusive analytical presentation on the cost of repowering diesel dredges and boosters the return on investment and the resulting benefits such as reduced monthly energy costs increased profits increased uptime lower cost per ton better LEED scores for their product and higher production rates” he told IDR.
His purpose is to educate sand and gravel producers to allow them to take advantage of the profit-making opportunity of electric power for those that operate diesel powered equipment.
Repowering to electric could bring a savings of 50 to 60 percent in monthly energy costs. Diesel prices jumped to $4 per gallon in 2008 up from $1.3 per gallon the previous year and aggregate producers began looking at repowering to electric at that time with the help of dredge manufacturers. The diesel price still hovers around $4 per gallon in 2013. (See “Producers Are Converting to Electric Power In the Face of High Diesel Prices” IDR July/August 2008).
Johnson’s talk constitutes the Dredging track of the AGG1 Academy the educational portion of the conference which will offer aggregates-related sessions for aggregates producers their suppliers and customers in four schools: Operations and Production; Automation Technology and Software; Business Management; and Environment Safety and Health. The topics were designed by members of NSSGA (National Stone Sand and Gravel Association) to meet industry needs. The academy covers every aspect of the aggregates industry ranging from 101-level classes to higher-level seminars on advanced concepts and technologies.
On Monday March 18 the AGG1 show will include a tour of the CEMEX Balcones Quarry and Cement Plant. In addition to being one of the nation’s top-producing quarries CEMEX Balcones’ commitment to sustainability biodiversity and energy efficiency has earned its facility designation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat in 2012 and the 2011 ENERGY STAR certification. This tour will highlight Balcones’ efforts to improve energy efficiency and responsibly manage the lands within and around the operation. The tour will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. and will cost $55 until Feb. 22 and $60 thereafter. It will be limited to the first 150 registrants.
New for 2013 is co-location of a first-ever conference tailored exclusively to issues of environment health and safety (EH&S) at the asphalt plant and paving site. “Beyond Compliance: Achieving EH&S Excellence” is set for March 18-19 just prior to show opening. Organized by NAPA (National Asphalt Pavement Association) the conference will provide practical timely and relevant information on managing current hazards and risks in the asphalt pavement industry.
The People Plants and Paving Training Program targets paving contractors of all sizes. Sponsored by NAPA it covers asphalt-related industry innovations over six tracks: Sustainability (how asphalt fits in) Safety (latest innovations and strategies for crew and plant operator safety) Pavement Preservation (techniques to extend pavement life) Paving (techniques for safe and smooth quality pavements at optimum efficiency and enhanced profitability) Plants (evaluating and improving plant performance for peak operating levels) and Management & Leadership (skills to help personnel reach maximum performance).
A Safety in the Work Zone seminar will be presented by ARTBA (American Road and Transportation Builders Association). Sessions will focus on reducing work zone liabilities and preventing run-overs and back-overs as well as instruction on using the Roadway Safety+ training program a comprehensive safety curriculum with materials available at no charge to the transportation construction community from ARTBA.
A Values-Based Leadership seminar is open to all show attendees. This is an AGG1 Academy Special Event with Charles “Charlie” Luck IV of Luck Companies. The seminar which includes an interactive breakout session is designed to unlock the potential of employees to deliver breakthrough business performance while positively impacting lives around the world.
There are 312 exhibitors including manufacturers professional associations services and other aggregates and asphalt-related topics. The show website includes a “My Show” feature in which attendees can earmark the exhibits they plan to visit and print out a map to refer to when on the exhibit floor. Dredging is listed as a sub-category under Earthmoving.
World of Asphalt is owned by National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) with Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and National Stone Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA). AGG1 is owned by NSSGA. AEM produces both shows. The show website is
www.agg1.org.
