March 1999
The Official Newsletter of International District Energy Association Volume 14 Number 8
IDEA Survey Shows Over a Billion Invested in Industry
IDEA sent a survey to all of the Principal Managers of member utilities
last summer asking for aggregate capital investment in the district energy
industry from 1989-1998. We wanted to assess the volume of capital investment
in the industry over the past ten years so that we can more effectively
communicate the vitality and growth of district energy to the real estate
community, to government leaders, to the investment community and to the
general public. The results were astounding. At the Board of Directors meeting
in February, IDEA Chairman Rob Thornton was able to announce that over $1.7
billion has been invested in the district energy industry in the past 10
years! We would like to thank all IDEA utility members who participated
in the survey and look forward to continued growth.
Cogeneration Industry Gets Global Mouthpiece
The combined heat and power (or cogeneration) industry has formed a new
trade association to promote the sector's growth around the world. Five
countries, from Europe, India and the USA have come together to make up
the membership of the International Cogeneration Alliance (ICA), which has
just published its program of aims and objectives. At the top of the ICA's
agenda is to get political action to promote localized power generation,
claiming that local gas-fired cogeneration is "in most cases the cheapest
option for new electricity production." It also supports the use of
wind and solar power for localized production. In its brochure, the ICA
sets out five main areas in which it plans to campaign for change. These
include fighting for fair competition between power companies in liberalized
markets, implementing the Kyoto protocol on climate change, and securing
Development Bank funding for cogeneration and localized power production
in developing countries. The sector's European trade body, Cogen Europe,
is one of three trade associations which are already members of the ICA,
along with the UK and Australian bodies. IDEA is helping ICA organize its
first conference in the United States in early 2000. We'll have more to
report on that in future editions of District Energy Now. Contact ICA at
+32 2 772 2611 or at <http://www.localpower.org>.
GSA and Veterans' Affairs Merge Energy Supply and Management Functions
On March 1, the Department of Veterans' Affairs transferred control of the National Utilities Management Program (NUMP) to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). This transfer allows GSA to continue to serve as the federal government's leader in energy management and positions the agency to further decrease federal agencies' energy costs.
After the Department of Veterans' Affairs determined that NUMP was not part of the agency's core mission, GSA's Energy Center of Expertise reviewed the program and determined it would provide a unique opportunity to concentrate all GSA utility procurement requirements in a single well-run organization. Former NUMP staff will report to the Energy Center of Expertise. Staff and functions will be combined with the Public Utilities Section, now renamed The National Center for Utilities Management, which will procure all energy and water utilities.
GSA's Energy Center of Expertise works continually to reduce utility costs by promoting optimal energy use while protecting the environment and ensuring a quality workspace for its federal clients.
Bringing NUMP to GSA will allow the agency to better compete in the deregulated
industry environment. GSA's services will be broadened to provide natural
gas and management services to NUMP's customers, including the Bureau of
the Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. GSA will continue to provide high quality, low cost
electricity and energy management to its federal customers, as well as continue
to provide competitive electricity to agencies in states where the electric
industry is deregulated.
EIA Releases Report
According to the "Short-Term Energy Outlook," recently released
by the Energy Information Administration, notwithstanding assumptions of
slower economic growth, U.S. petroleum demand is expected to increase in
1999 by over 500,000 barrels per day, or 2.9%, from 1998 levels. Much of
this growth is expected as a result of increases in demand for heating oil
and other and other weather-sensitive products (e.g., propane and heavy
fuel oil), based on as assumed return to normal weather patterns, as well
as continued growth in transportation demand. U.S. petroleum demand is expected
to rise by an additional 300,000 barrels per day in 2000. U.S. net imports
of petroleum in 2000 are forecast to account for 52% of total U.S. petroleum
demand, up from an estimated 50% in 1998. The report also notes that electricity
demand is expected to increase 1.6% over 1998 levels while it is projected
to increase by 2.2% in 2000. The document can be found at <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/
steo/pub>.
BOMA International Amends its Position on Utility Deregulation
In an effort to jump-start an issue that has stalled in Congress of late, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has amended its longtime stance supporting federal utility deregulation legislation to include a request for an established "date certain" -- a concrete deadline by which all consumers may realize the benefits of a competitive electricity marketplace. Additionally, BOMA is calling upon Congress for legislation to allow consumers the ability to aggregate with others -- to enable them to group together energy loads and take advantage of bulk pricing, and to allow sellers of electric services to be permitted to aggregate customers.
Utility deregulation has topped BOMA's legislative agenda for several
years, and the organization continues
to press for legislation that would create competition between electric
providers. Competition would provide substantial savings -- a mere 10 percent
decrease in costs could mean a savings of $2 billion per year to the commercial
real estate industry alone -- and enhanced services for property professionals
who cannot currently shop for retail power in all 50 states.
In the absence of comprehensive federal legislation, BOMA International
will continue to support states' efforts to deregulate, but seek to avoid
the "crazy quilt" effect of 50 states with differing regulations.
BOMA International is rallying its membership of building owners and managers
to get involved at the state and local government levels, and provides model
legislation and sample amendments to assist electricity consumers in their
pro-competition petitions to local lawmakers. The association has also published
two guidebooks on preparing for a deregulated electricity marketplace, Power
Shopping and the soon-to-be released Power Shopping II, both of which are
available by calling 1-800-426-6292 or at the BOMA International Web site
at <http://www.boma.org/toc.htm>.
IDEA Survey Shows District Cooling Highly Reliable
IDEA conducted a survey on the reliability of district cooling systems,
confirming that district cooling
service is highly reliable. The mean reliability was 99.94% and the median
was 99.98%. This result is based on analysis of data provided by 20 respondents
for the years 1993-1997 on the following:
- Total System Service Hours (TSSH): hours per year that district cooling
service is generally provided to one
or more customers. - Annual Buildings Served (ABS): for a given year, the number of buildings using district cooling service.
- Annual Customer Non-delivery Hours (ACNH): for a given year for a given
customer, the number of hours district cooling service meeting contract
specifications was unavailable to a
customer requiring service, excluding scheduled maintenance. - Total Annual Customer Non-delivery Hours (TACNH): for a given year, the sum of all ACNH.
The following reliability calculations were then made:
- Total Annual Customer Service Hours (TACSH): for a given year, equal to ABS X TSSH.
- Annual Reliability: for a given year, equal to (TACSH - TACNH) / TACSH.
IDEA Advises EPA on NOxTrading Issues
IDEA has been actively involved in reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency's call for State Implementation Plans for NOx reduction, and the associated proposal for allocating and trading allowances for NOx emissions. EPA has requested input from IDEA and other stakeholders on how to allocate and trade allowances based on useful energy output rather than fuel input.
IDEA Legislative Director Mark Spurr provided written comments on key
allowance allocation issues, met with EPA staff, and participated in an
EPA/stakeholder meeting on how to structure the NOx allowance allocation
process. In response to an EPA request, Spurr made a presentation at the
meeting on output-based allocation of allowances to combined heat and power
(CHP) facilities. Spurr recommended that the allocation formula be structured
so that CHP facilities receive the same allocations as separate conventional
facilities providing the same electricity and thermal service.
IDEA, Government and Environmental Groups Meet on CHP
IDEA Legislative Director Mark Spurr recently made a presentation on
district energy systems at a meeting called by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen support among environmental
groups for CHP and
district energy systems. Most of these groups tend to focus on demand-side
efficiency measures, with little if any emphasis on promoting highly efficient
energy systems such as district energy and CHP. The Washington meeting,
which was considered a very successful start to what will be an ongoing
dialog, included: high-level officials of EPA and Department of Energy (DOE);
private sector representatives including Trigen Energy Corp.; and representatives
of key environmental groups (including the Natural Resources Defense Council,
Union of Concerned Scientists, Worldwatch Institute, Environmental Defense
Fund, World Resources Institute, US Public Interest Research Group, American
Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Environmental and Energy Study
Institute, Resources for the Future and the Alliance to Save Energy).
Symposium to be Held in Sweden
The 7th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling is being
held from May 18-20, 1999 in Lund,
Sweden. IDEA's President, John Fiegel, serves on the Advisory Board for
the Symposium. For more information,
please visit their web site at <http://www.nordisk.energiforskning.org>,
where you should select 'Energifleksible varmesystem' and 'Seminarier og kurs'.
Calendar of Events
CDEA Conference & Trade Show
April 14-16, 1999
Casino Windsor, Windsor Ontario, Canada
Contact: Chuck Stoffle,
888-366-0357
90th Annual IDEA
Conference & Trade Show
June 12-15, 1999
Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Castle Boston, Massachusetts
Contact: IDEA, (202) 429-5111
29th Biennial Congress of Euroheat and Power, Unichal
June 14-16, 1999
Sheffield, England
Contact: CHPA Services,
+44 1403 785409
14th Annual IDEA Cooling Conference
October 6-8, 1999
Sheraton Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Contact: IDEA, 202-429-5111
European District Heating & Cooling Week
November 9-12, 1999
Finlandia House, Helsinski
Contact: EuroHeat & Power, unichal, +32 2 779 9279
13th Annual IDEA College/University
Conference
February 2000
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Contact: IDEA, 202-429-5111
We hope you will join us in welcoming the following new
members of IDEA!
Peter Feeney
General Manager
Northwind Las Vegas
6655 W. Sahara
Las Vegas, NV 89146
702-247-4103 phone 702-247-4325 fax
E-mail: pfeeney@northwindnv.com
URL: www.northwindnv.com
Referred by Jeanne Maloney, Unicom
Thermal Technologies
Tibor Jozsa
Director of Engineering
Northwind Las Vegas
6655 W. Sahara
Las Vegas, NV 89146
702-247-4103 phone 702-247-4325 fax
E-mail: tjozsa@northwindnv.com
URL: www.northwindnv.com
Referred by Jeanne Maloney, Unicom
Thermal Technologies
Dany Safi
Managing Director
National Central Cooling Company
PO Box 29478
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
971 2 262727 phone 971 2 261770 fax
E-mail: tabreed@emirates.net.ae
Karl E. Marietta
Director of Finance
National Central Cooling Company
PO Box 29478
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
971 2 262727 phone 971 2 261770 fax
E-mail: marietta@emirates.net.ae
Garbis Garboushian
Director of Operations
National Central Cooling Company
PO Box 29478
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
971 2 262727 phone 971 2 261770 fax
Michael C. Lints
Director, Engineering & Technology
Levitan & Associates, Inc.
100 Summer Street, Suite 3200
Boston, MA 02110
617-531-2818 x19 phone
617-531-2826 fax
E-mail: mcl@levitan.com
Referred by Morris Pierce, University of Rochester
Richard L. Levitan
Principal
Levitan & Associates
100 Summer Street, Suite 3200
Boston, MA 02110
617-531-2818 phone 617-531-2826 fax
E-mail: rll@levitan.com
Referred by Morris Pierce, University of Rochester
Robert Brozey
Senior Vice President, Business Development
ABB Energy Capital
2 Oliver Street
Boston, MA 02109
617-574-1134 phone 617-292-0630 fax
E-mail: robert.brozey@energycapital.com
Bob Brink
President
Tower Tech, Inc.
PO Box 891810
11935 S. I-44 Service Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73189-1810
405-290-7788 phone 405-979-2131 fax
E-mail: bbrink@towertechinc.com
Micah Curtis
Vice-President
Tower Tech, Inc.
PO Box 891810
11935 S. I-44 Service Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73189-1810
405-290-7788 phone 405-979-2131 fax
E-mail: mcurtis@towertechinc.com
Frank Ehlers
Marketing
Newmans
9 Joanna Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-257-0300 phone 732-238-0132 fax
Charlie Meder
Branch Manager
Newmans
9 Joanna Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-257-0300 phone 732-238-0132 fax
Elizabeth Goll
Senior Engineer
FPL Energy Services
9250 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33174
305-552-3514 phone 305-229-5855 fax
E-mail: elizabeth_goll@fpl.com
Peter Sabat
General Manager
Kessler-Ellis Products
10 Industrial Way East
Eatontown, NJ 07724
732-935-1320 phone 732-935-0184 fax
E-mail: peter@rep.com
Corson Ellis III
President
Kessler-Ellis Products
10 Industrial Way East
Eatontown, NJ 07724
207-846-5881 phone 207-846-5144 fax
E-mail: corky7@repware.com
Don Poitras
HVAC Sales Manager
Psychrometric Systems, Inc.
1767 Denver West Blvd.
Golden, CO 80401
303-215-5145 phone 303-215-5298 fax
E-mail: dpoitras@psicoolingtowers.com
Referred by Kattner/FVB District Energy, Inc.
Steve Adams
V.P. Engineering
Psychrometric Systems, Inc.
1767 Denver West Blvd.
Golden, CO 80401
303-215-1100 phone 303-215-5298 fax
E-mail: sadams@psicoolingtowers.com
Referred by Kattner/FVB District Energy, Inc.
Bill Berryman
Manager - Marketing & Sales
Northwind Houston
PO Box 1066
Houston, TX 77251
713-207-2672 phone 713-207-9729 fax
E-mail: william-berryman@houind.com
Referred by Jerry Pittman, Kattner/FVB
District Energy, Inc.
Mark M. MacCracken
CEO
Calmac Manufacturing Corporation
101 W. Sheffield Ave.
Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-0420 phone 201-569-7593 fax
E-mail: mmaccracken@calmac.com
URL: www.calmac.com
Paul Valenta
National Sales Manager
Calmac Manufacturing Corporation
101 W. Sheffield Ave.
Englewood, NJ 07631
724-625-1220 phone 724-625-1220 fax
E-mail: pvalenta@calmac.com
URL: www.calmac.com
EPRI Report:
Near-Optimal Cool Storage
Controller Development
For years, manufacturers, engineers, and users indicated that controllers
for ice storage systems have either been difficult to use or have not performed
near optimal levels. As a result, EPRI was encouraged to conduct research
and development aimed at developing a controller that would enable near-optimal
performance of ice storage systems.
Once these controllers are commercially available, customers and utilities
can more easily and more fully take advantage of energy cost savings associated
with load shifting and demand limiting. EPRI, Johnson Controls, Inc., and
TSARC, have developed and tested an easy-to-use, near-optimal controller
(NOC) that makes these monetary and energy savings more accessible to utilities
and their customers.
The research team developed an intelligent controller in four steps:
(1) It developed an intelligent control architecture for an existing NOC algorithm with real-time control, data processing, and forecasting modules.
(2) The functionality of the control architecture was tested in the laboratory and at a field test site.
(3) Programmers transferred the control architecture to a software prototype that included commissioning, data logging, and display and communication tools.
(4) Project analysts verified proper operation of the software prototype and its communication and operator interface in the laboratory.
The final report of this project was published in December 1997 as EPRI
report TR-109756. It is recommended
that parties interested in the NOC acquire a copy of the full report from
the EPRI Distribution Center, 207 Coggins Drive, PO Box 23205, Pleasant
Hill, CA 94523; phone (925) 934-4212; fax (925) 944-0510.
Ice Slurry Centre Formed
Ice Slurries greatly enhance cost-effectiveness of thermal cool storage systems. By distributing a mixture of small ice particles (0.01 to 0.1mm) with antifreeze fluid, such as glycol, salt, etc., investment in the cooling distribution network of piping and pumps, as well as pumping energy, is reduced. In existing district cooling systems, for example, where the piping network can not be easily upgraded, ice slurries have the potential to greatly increase capacity of the distribution network. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) sponsored studies and other studies have successfully demonstrated equipment for production of ice in the past. However, it is the lack of knowledge regarding the remaining system components and their operation (such as physical pumping of slurry, ice particle accumulation near valves and fittings, coalescence of ice particles etc.) that has slowed widespread use.
The International Ice Slurry Centre, a government, university and industry
cooperative, has been established in
Denmark to further develop components and study the thermodynamic properties
of various ice slurry mixtures, according to the January 1999 issue of the
ASHRAE Journal. The Danish Technological Institute will initially study
ice slurry generators, heat exchangers, centrifugal pumps and corrosion
inhibitors.
People in theNews
- Jose Menendez has joined Kattner/FVB District Energy's Toronto office as a senior mechanical engineer. Previously, Jose was vice president, engineering & development for the Toronto District Heating Corporation (TDHC). While at TDHC, Jose was responsible for all aspects of engineering and development for one of North America's largest district heating systems and the first commercial district cooling system in downtown Toronto.
- Sebesta Blomberg is pleased to announce the following promotions and additions to their staff:
- Susan Schwartz-Spiers has been promoted to Associate Vice President/Business Development. Susan has been with Sebesta Blomberg for over three years. Daniel Dettlaff, PE, who will be joining the Utility Infrastructure Division as Lead Project Engineer. Dan is an electrical engineer with over 15 years of experience.
- David Matuseski, a project engineer who will be joining the Utilites Division, working primarily in design switchgear and power generation systems.
- Robert Gelle, PE, a mechanical engineer who will be joining our Business Systems Division. Robb brings over 8 years of experience.
- Harold Ketola who will also be joining the Building Systems Division.
Conference Update...
Are You Prepared?
We're only four months away from the International District Energy Association's 90th Annual Conference and Trade Show
District Energy and the Environment: Preparing to Enter a New Millennium
Boston Park Plaza Hotel * June 12-15, 1999
We would like to thank the following companies for their commitment to exhibit at the Annual Conference:
ABB-Fischer & Porter
Adams Valves, Inc.
Alfa Laval
Altran Corporation
Ashland Chemical Co./Drew
Industrial Div.
Baltimore Aircoil Co.
BetzDearborn
Black & Veatch
Carter & Burgess, Inc.
CES/WAY International, Inc.
Chemworks Filtration
Coffin Turbo Pumps
Controlotron Corp.
DriTherm, Inc.
The Energy Network
Erdman, Anthony & Associates
EVAPCO, Inc.
FES (Division of Thermo Power Corp.)
Flow Control Industries, Inc.
Green Contracting Company, Inc.
Jordan Valve-Bestobell Steam
Kattner/FVB District Energy, Inc.
Kerotest Manufacturing Corp.
Kessler-Ellis Products
Matrix/Colt Construction
Nalco Chemical Co.
NEPCO
Newmans/Newco Valves
Nova District Energy Services, Inc.
Paul Mueller Company
Perma-Pipe, Inc.
Psychrometric Systems, Inc.
R.G. Vanderweil Engineers
RMF Engineering, Inc.
Rovanco Piping Systems
Sebesta, Blomberg & Associates
Spence Engineering Co.
Syska & Hennessy
Thermacor Process, Inc.
Thermal Science Technologies
The Trane Co.
Tower Tech, Inc.
Tuthill Energy Systems
Urecon, Ltd.
Vanessa/Tyco Valves & Controls
Yokogawa Corporation of America
York International Corp.
There are still exhibit and sponsorship opportunities available for this conference. To secure a sponsorship, please contact Marie Williams at (202) 429-5111. For information on exhibiting at IDEA's conference, contact Tammie Jackson at (301) 464-0059.
District Energy Now is a monthly
publication of the International
District Energy Association.
Marie Williams, Editor
Barbara Erickson, Graphic Designer
All copy and correspondence should be sent to:
1200 19th Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036-2422
(202) 429-5111 phone
(202) 429-5113 fax
e-mail: idea@dc.sba.com