Efficient Cogeneration Helps Spur Dow Energy-Reduction

Freeport, Texas - May 29, 2008

Energy efficiency is one of the Dow priority supported by the company’s efforts to reduce energy in material production and the effects of such efforts.

Since 1965, Freeport has operated the world’s largest gas turbine heat recovery steam generation unit. When compared to steam boilers and steam turbines alone, this combined cycle cogeneration technology is more efficient.

Jeff Jarrell, Senior Production manager for energy at Dow’s Texas Operations, provided information about the benefits of efficient cogeneration at a legislative committee hearing chaired by local state representative Dennis Bonnen on May 22 in Lake Jackson.

Jarrell focused on Dow’s latest steps in reducing energy costs at the Freeport site, such as the investment of new energy assets, including 11 gas turbine cogeneration units, 4 boilers and 4 steam turbines.

“For our cogeneration facilities, the primary energy purpose is to deliver safe, low-cost and reliable steam at various pressure and temperature levels for our chemical processing facilities,” said Jarrell. “Although power is important to operations, steam is our primary product from energy units while power is a by-product. Simply put, steam is king.”

The cogeneration technology through the integration of energy efficient plants in Texas also helps meet air quality standards. These plants allow the site to use production by products, which helps to avoid nitrogen oxide emissions and improve the air quality.

Recently, Dow has established a goal of reducing the amount of energy required to reduce a pound of product by 25% in the next 10 years. With over 40 years of gas turbine cogeneration experience in Freeport, the company is focused and possesses the ability to achieve this goal of reducing energy costs.

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For Editorial Information:

Tracie Copeland
The Dow Chemical Company
1-979-238-3792