Vacuworx's Historic $710,000 Department of Energy Grant

Customer

Vacuworx

Location

Tulsa, OK

Services Provided

Energy Solutions

ES2’s Energy Solutions team, through our partnership with Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC), recently helped secure a historic $710,000 Department of Energy (DOE) grant to help transform the Vacuworx facility in Tulsa. OK.

This collaboration has led to the largest Department of Energy (DOE) ITAC implementation grant award in the OSU ITAC’s 30-year history. Vacuworx is a Tulsa-based manufacturer renowned for its innovative material handling solutions. Will have a suite of energy efficiency upgrades to their facility that will yield significant savings and sustainability benefits. D.J. Gall, whose leadership and dedication at Vacuworx were instrumental in securing the grant. His relentless pursuit of efficiency and innovation set the tone for the project’s success. D.J. strives for operational excellence as the Director of Manufacturing at Vacuworx, and that is precisely what this project will deliver for his facility.

The $710,000 grant will fund multiple projects aimed at transforming Vacuworx’s 60,000-square-foot facility into a model of energy efficiency. These upgrades include the installation of a solar power system, new high-efficiency HVAC units, roof insulation, and high-speed roll-up doors. Collectively, these measures will reduce the company’s annual energy consumption by 690,828 kWh—equivalent to more than a year’s worth of electricity for 64 average homes—and cut CO2 emissions by over 1.18 million pounds annually.

Key Project Highlights:

• HVAC System Upgrade: Replacing outdated rooftop units will save 102,000 kWh and 52 MMBtu annually, with projected annual utility savings of $14,600.

• Roof Insulation and TPO Membrane: Insulating the roof will reduce heating and cooling losses, saving 101,000 kWh and 549 MMBtu annually, with projected annual utility savings of $18,000.

• Solar Power System: A new solar array will generate over 440,000 kWh annually, contributing $65,000 in annual utility savings.

• High-Speed Roll-Up Doors: Replacing slower roll-up doors will save 21,000 kWh annually, valued at $3,400 annually.

The total estimated project cost is $1.77 million, with DOE grant funding covering 50% of eligible expenses and there were additional savings achieved through tax credits and utility rebates. The success of this monumental grant underscores the power of collaboration between industry and academia. ES2's third-party DOE accreditation, granted under 42 USC 17116(i), enables them to conduct ITAC-equivalent assessments and support companies like Vacuworx in driving energy efficiency improvements that align with the DOE’s sustainability initiatives. ES2 is the only accredited firm headquartered in the state of Oklahoma.

How to Qualify for the DOE ITAC Implementation Grant:

Organizations must be U.S.-based manufacturers or water treatment facilities with annual energy bills between $100,000 and $3.5 million and fewer than 500 employees at the site. The site cannot exceed $100,000,000 in annual revenue, and the site must receive a qualifying energy audit such as those delivered by ES2. The grant covers 50% of eligible project costs, up to $300,000 per unique project implemented. By meeting these criteria, applicants can leverage federal funding to implement impactful energy efficiency projects that drive sustainability and operational savings.

Ready to make your facility more energy efficient?

Contact Will Gibson at wgibson@es2built.com or 918-927-0825 for guidance on qualifying and applying, while funding is still available!

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