It is always cheaper and cleaner to improve efficiency than to produce more energy. That is why the majority of TI’s energy conservation efforts and investments are directed toward getting more useful work out of every unit of energy. Approximately 88 percent of our energy is used in manufacturing, which is the first area we work in to improve efficiency. This includes:
Manufacturing equipment. Wafer fabrication is the most energy-intensive process at TI. Manufacturing tools alone consume more than 50 percent of total facility use. As energy-intensive point-of-use chillers and vacuum pumps are used at nearly every site, we phase in new, more efficient models where feasible. We also look for methods to reduce the standby energy used by manufacturing equipment.
Central utilities plant equipment. Central plant equipment operations are the second most energy-intensive manufacturing activity at TI. Our facilities’ conservation teams routinely evaluate the efficiency of chillers, boilers, pumps and cooling towers. They recommend equipment retrofits and replace or change an operation where cost-effective.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. TI saves energy by replacing or upgrading air handling units, fans, coils and valves, as well as control equipment. In many cases, we reduce energy use with existing equipment simply by changing control programming. We have also found ways to reduce the volume of exhaust required, which reduces the amount of fresh air drawn in and its associated energy consumption.
Building envelopes. Using a reflective roof to reduce heat gain is an effective reduction strategy. As existing roofs age, TI plans to replace them with reflective roofs. In our new projects, we install well-insulated windows and walls. We also carefully place and shade the windows to reduce unwanted heat gain but preserve ample day lighting. This helps maintain a comfortable working environment while reducing our energy bills.
Lighting. Lighting controls and sensors – many made possible through TI technology – are among the more cost-effective approaches to saving energy. TI continues upgrading to more efficient fixtures to reduce consumption.
Office and computer equipment. Consuming only about 3 percent of our global energy footprint, TI consolidates our data centers and upgrades our servers to lower their energy use. In offices, the continued migration to laptop and LCD monitors has helped reduce energy use, along with updating energy-saving settings on computers. Central printers and scanners have replaced most desktop printers.
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