District Energy Now
Volume 13 Number 4 November 1997
Welcome New Members!
We hope you will join us in welcoming the following new members of IDEA!
Welcome New Members!We hope you will join us in welcoming the following new members of IDEA!
Joe Barra
First Point Energy Services, An Enron Company
121 SW Salmon St.
Portland, OR 97204
503-464-8552
503-464-7162 fax
Erik Wescott
First Point Energy Services, An Enron Company
121 SW Salmon St.
Portland, OR 97204
503-464-8349
503-464-7162 fax
Reggie Ingram
First Point Energy Services, An Enron Company
121 SW Salmon St.
Portland, OR 97204
503-464-7273
503-464-7162 fax
Monte B. Hager
Business Manager, Utilities
University of Cincinnati
2900 Reading Road
University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210080
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0080
513-556-0605
513-556-4322 fax
E-mail:hagermb@uc.edu
Calendar of Events
"District Heat Technology '98"
February 17-19, 1998
Essen Trade Fair Grounds, Germany
Contact: AGFW, 0049-201-7244-532IDEA Marketing Workshop
February 25-26, 1998
Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel, Redondo Beach, CA
Contact: IDEA, (202) 429-5111
11th Annual College/University Conference
February 25-27, 1998
Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel, Redondo Beach, CA
Contact: IDEA, (202) 429-5111
89th Annual IDEA Conference & Trade Show
June 13-16, 1998
San Antonio Convention Center & Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel, San Antonio, TX
Contact: IDEA, (202) 4295111
Employment Classifieds
Equipment Supervisor
Technically oriented individual needed to manager, maintain and operate a sophisticated mobile polyurethane pumping unit. Knowledge of polyurethane or similar processing equipment, as well as chemical product handling is desirable but not required, special training will be provided on-site. Mechanical or electrical equipment systems experience helpful.
Project Managers - Field Operations
Engineering oriented individuals needed for project management of field construction services related to steam distribution systems. Projects involve the installation of an innovative INSITU insulation process requiring construction/vacuum excavation activities on the streets of major U.S. cities. Mechanical and/or Civil Engineering qualifications helpful.
Candidates must be willing to travel. Positions offer excellent wages, benefits and growth within the company.
TRIGENºPCS is a joint venture between Trigen Energy of White Plains, New York and Power Component Systems of Hanover, Maryland, providing in-place (INSITU) foam insulation for steam pipes.
Send resume to:
Trigen | PCS
7526 Connelley Drive
Suite R
Hanover, MD 21076
(410) 760-0022 phone
(410) 760-0028 fax
E-mail: environpcs@aol.com
Trigen to Install Back Pressure Turbine Generator at U.S. Mint
Trigen Energy Corporation announced today its plans to install a 200 kW back pressure steam turbine generator for the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The back pressure turbine is part of a comprehensive long-term energy purchase agreement executed by Trigen and the United States Mint.
This 15-year agreement is part of an overall, facility-wide, energy conservation program with the U.S. Mint. It is expected that the back pressure turbine will generate 600,000 kWh of electricity annually, saving the Mint approximately $500,000 over the life of the contract.
COGEN Europe Welcomes Commission Recognition of Cogeneration
COGEN Europe has welcomed the clear recognition given to cogeneration in the Commission communication on 'Climate Change - the EU approach for Kyoto.' The paper states that 'increasing cogeneration's share of EU electricity production from the present level of 9% to 18% in 2010 could save up to 150 Mt of CO2. Cogeneration would therefore make the single biggest technology contribution to the EU climate objective.
This contribution could be greater. The cogeneration share in EU electricity production is already about 10% and 30% is achievable, mostly through zero cost implementation (Finland, Denmark and Netherlands have already reached 30% and the share is still growing).
EPA Proposes Multi-State Plan for Reducing Smog
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rules which would require 22 states and the District of Columbia to submit state implementation plans that address the regional transport of ground-level ozone, the main component of smog. The goal of the plan is to decrease the transport of ozone across state boundaries in the eastern half of the US by cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a precursor to ozone formation, by 35 percent. The affected states are: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
The proposed rule does not mandate which sources must reduce pollution. States will have the ability to meet the requirements of this rule by reducing emissions from the sources they choose. However, utilities and large non-utility point sources would be one of the most likely sources of Nox emissions reductions. EPA will encourage the development of a "cap and trade" program which would allow facilities that reduce emissions early or in greater amounts than required to sell their right to emit to other facilities that cannot reduce emissions as quickly or cost-effectively. States will be required to implement the controls they choose by September 2002.
IDEA will participate in review and comment on the proposed rules prior to finalization in September 1998. For further information, contact IDEA Legislative Director, Mark Spurr at phone 612-227-8452 or e-mail markspur@ix.netcom.com.
IDEA Comments on EPA's New Source Performance Standard
In October IDEA provided comments on the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) proposed in July by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from new utility boilers and new industrial boilers. IDEA applauded the EPA for proposing an output-based emission limit for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from utility boilers, noting that output-based emission limits can provide a flexible, market-based strategy which encourages pollution prevention approaches such as cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP).
IDEA's comments, prepared by Legislative Director Mark Spurr, focused on EPA's proposal to determine the output from CHP facilities by adjusting the thermal output by a "determination of the useful heat energy portion of the process steam that is interchangeable with electrical output" or by an arbitrary percentage. IDEA strongly urged that all of the extracted heat, which is easily measured through instrumentation, be counted.
IDEA argued that adjustment of the metered heat introduces a complexity which is unnecessary and strongly counter to the stated intention of encouraging thermal energy recovery. In addition, it inconsistently brings the NSPS into aspects of energy use which are inappropriate and unworkable to address in air quality regulation. Electricity is converted by end users to light, heat, torque, etc. If EPA requires a determination of the "useful work achieved by the energy (i.e., steam) delivered to an industrial process," why doesn't it also require the determination of the useful work achieved by electricity delivered to the busbar?
IDEA recommended that the net energy output of the facility should be measured at the busbar and its thermal equivalent, the steam header supplying the industrial process loads or district energy system.
Administration Recognizes CHP as Climate Change Strategy
For years, IDEA has stressed the environmental benefits of recovering power generation waste heat through cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) integrated with district energy systems. Now, President Clinton is noting this opportunity in his speeches on climate change, and Trigen Energy Corp. CEO Tom Casten recently shared the podium with Clinton at a White House conference on climate change.
IDEA Legislative Director Mark Spurr and President John Fiegel have shifted the focus of their discussions with the administration from boosting awareness of the CHP/District Energy opportunity to working on implementing favorable policies. Spurr is working closely with administration officials and a coalition of non-governmental organizations to develop measures to overcome three major barriers:
1. Environmental permitting is complex, costly, time consuming and uncertain. Difficulties arise for CHP because current regulations do not recognize the overall energy efficiency of a facility, and particularly the emissions avoided in facilities otherwise operated to generate electricity and thermal energy.
2. Excessive backup rates, interconnection requirements, and exit fees can discourage development of CHP district energy systems.
3. Depreciation schedules vary depending upon system ownership and may not correctly reflect the risk and economic life of the investment. Investments in district energy systems are often perceived by facility owners as risky due to changes in technology and the marketplace and an uncertain regulatory climate.
These barriers are seen as amenable to near-term action by the President and his administration. Actions to address other barriers will be considered later in the longer term context of policies and appropriations requiring legislation.
For further information, contact IDEA Legislative Director Mark Spurr at phone 612-227-8452 or e-mail markspur@ix.netcom.com.
IDEA Completes Member Profile Study
IDEA has completed the 1997 Member Profile Study. The price of the study is $150 for members and $350 for nonmembers. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this document, please contact IDEA at 202-429-5111.
Give the Gift of Knowledge this Holiday Season
IDEA has begun a program where members can give the gift of Personal Membership in IDEA to their valued customers for the bargain price of $50.00 per year. This will entitle your customers to all IDEA publications, including "District Energy Now" and District Energy magazine, all mailings and meeting notices, and the membership directory. It will not allow them to receive "member" benefits, such as reduced conference admission. For more information on this program, contact IDEA at 202-429-5111.
Trigen Energy Unveils Efficient, State-of-the Art, Combined Heat and Power Plant
The Grays Ferry Cogeneration Partnership dedicated its state-of-the-art energy facility on October 28 on the banks of the Schuylkill River on the south side of downtown Philadelphia. Serving electric and steam customers in Philadelphia, the $170 million project represents the largest private investment in the City in the last several years. (Please see the cover story of District Energy, Second Quarter, 1997).
In keeping with the 90-year history of the site, the 150 MW combined cycle gas turbine facility will update and improve electric and steam generating capacity originally installed by energy pioneers such as Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse. Replacing boilers and steam turbines, the new equipment will produce electricity and steam at twice the national average efficiency level. It will supply 150 MW of electricity to PECO Energy and up to 1.5 million pounds of steam per hour to Trigen for use in the downtown Philadelphia steam system. Fuel efficiency and pollution controls also make this plant one of the most environmentally advanced facilities in the nation: the plant will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 50% and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 94% when compared to conventional generation.
The partnership between Trigen Energy, PECO Energy, and NRG Generating invested $170 million to construct this project, creating 400 local construction jobs. Both Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Moler and Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony along with principals from the partnership. Mayor Rendell noted that the Grays Ferry Project is "of enormous benefit to the ambient air quality of Philadelphia at a time when we're all worried about the quality of our air, when the President is making global warming, and the problems that we are confronting on air quality, one of the major international issues." The highly efficient nature of the project will ensure that Philadelphians will enjoy competitively priced electricity and steam well into the next century. This fact makes Philadelphia an attractive location for new businesses and industries.