Power Plant Generates Energy Savings: The U.S. Department of Energy Recognizes Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for 50001 Ready Achievements

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for attaining 50001 Ready at its Magnolia plant in Benton County, Mississippi. The plant was able to save approximately 18 gigawatt hours of energy and nearly $1.2 million cumulatively since May 2018—with no capital investment.

 “Energy efficiency deserves a seat at the table with reliability, safety, and the environment,” said Clay Hoover, program manager, TVA EnergyRight. “While it cannot compromise those other objectives, energy needs to be part of the business discussion.”

TVA provides electricity for 154 local power companies and 54 direct-served customers reaching 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. Working with DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office and Federal Energy Management Program, TVA’s EnergyRight® guided the TVA Magnolia plant though the implementation steps outlined by 50001 Ready.

The plant kicked off the effort in May 2018. In August of that year, the DOE Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at Tennessee Technological University conducted a grant-funded audit of the plant. A team of engineering students and professors spent two days studying the plant’s processes and data. The follow-up IAC report estimated potential savings for each measure, which the plant considered as part of its 50001 Ready process. All solutions implemented through 50001 Ready carefully protected the plant’s mission to safely deliver reliable power to its customers. Read more about the IAC’s experience at the TVA Magnolia Plant in the IAC newsletter.

TVA staff report that 50001 Ready helped its Magnolia plant consider the importance of energy efficiency without compromising energy reliability or safety. The program provided a formalized process for elevating the Magnolia plant’s staff’s energy awareness and engagement. TVA is now working to develop a plan to launch 50001 Ready in a cohort of TVA power plants.

DOE’s 50001 Ready program, managed by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office, provides a self-paced, no-cost way for organizations to build a culture of structured energy improvement that leads to deeper energy savings.

Learn more about how TVA’s Magnolia plant earned 50001 Ready status.