Cannon-Muskegon Corporation in Muskegon, Michigan, develops and produces premium grade superalloys for commercial, medical, and aerospace applications. Specifically, Cannon-Muskegon’s patented single crystal CMSX^® and directionally solidified superalloys are found in advanced aerospace and industrial gas turbine engines, and their medical alloys are used in the production of medical prosthetic implants. In operation for over 50 years, Cannon-Muskegon supplies the investment casting industry with engineered products as well as the foundry industry by producing certified ingots for remelt. Cannon-Muskegon is owned by Precision Castparts Corp., a worldwide, diversified manufacturer of complex metal components and products headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

Cannon-Muskegon’s existing demand control system was installed in the early 1970s. An updated system was needed to keep control of escalating costs vital in keeping a competitive edge. Business was booming. They had just added new furnaces to the facility and needed a system to seamlessly integrate with new power supplies. Their outdated system was allowing the load level to skyrocket to 6,800 kW resulting in painful peak demand charges, a very significant part of their electric bill.

Powerit was contacted to address this issue and conducted a free onsite energy assessment, taking careful consideration of equipment loads and necessary production schedules. They found by integrating a Powerit Solutions system, the facility’s load level could be cut to reduce costly peak demand charges. It would seamlessly integrate with new equipment and reduce average monthly demand without risk to production. Powerit helped the facility analyze peak loads and understand their rate structure. They developed a load shedding strategy to lower consumption during periods of peak demand.