THE STORY

Michigan’s manufacturing sector is the backbone of the U.S. auto industry—but achieving meaningful energy savings has long been a challenge. Facilities often face tight production schedules and limited budgets, making traditional energy effi ciency upgrades difficult to adopt. Consumers Energy sought a way to support its large commercial and industrial customers with solutions that delivered tangible results without disrupting operations.

THE GOAL

Consumers Energy aimed to reduce energy use across industrial sites while improving customer satisfaction. Success required a low-cost, low-disruption solution that could be installed quickly, deliver measurable results, and encourage long-term engagement with energy-saving practices.

THE SOLUTION AND RESULTS

Franklin Energy introduced compressed air nozzle upgrades as a targeted solution. These small but powerful devices improved effi ciency across equipment lines with minimal installation time.

Our team launched a targeted outreach campaign to auto manufacturing facilities across Michigan. Facilities fi rst received product samples, enabling them to evaluate performance without interrupting production. Once enrolled, customers quickly realized:

• Immediate savings in energy use and costs.
• Enhanced workplace conditions, including lower noise, reduced dust and debris, and improved indoor and outdoor air quality. 
• Ongoing support, with utility incentives and Franklin Energy’s field expertise helping facilities maximize long-term benefits.

The program exceeded expectations, delivering more than double the original energy savings goal. Over three years, energy savings grew by 8,144%, reaching 50 GWh annually. Each nozzle produced average savings of $360 and 4,500 kWh per year—a win for both customers and the grid.