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Anaerobic Digesters * Biogas to Biomethane * Biogas Plants * CHP Systems
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Biomethane
www.Biomethane.com
What is Biomethane?
Biomethane is the "renewable natural gas" made from organic sources - which starts out as "biogas" but then is cleaned up in a process called "Biogas to Biomethane" which removes the impurities in biogas such as carbon dioxide, siloxanes and hydrogen sulfides (H2S).
Biomethane is soon to be re-classified from the category of "Low Carbon Fuels" to "Super Low Carbon Fuel" due to it being the greenest of all biofuels!
"Cleaned-up"
and ready for use in an onsite cogeneration or
trigeneration power plant, the Biomethane
could also be sold to a pipeline company and completely replace the
"natural gas" that is typically transported to markets via the vast
underground pipeline system.
Biomethane
will some day replace the "methane" that is sold by natural
gas utility companies.
Biomethane has an unlimited supply, whereas the methane sold by gas companies has a limited supply. Biomethane is renewable, whereas the methane sold by your gas utility company is not renewable. Biomethane and biogas recovery, use and production generates "Greentags" or a "Renewable Energy Credit" for the owners and is GOOD for our environment.
As previously mentioned, Biomethane is "naturally" produced from organic materials as they decay. Sources of Biomethane include; landfills, POTW's/Wastewaster Treatment Systems, and every tree or agricultural product that is no longer living. Biomethane is also generated from animal operations where manure can be collected and the Biomethane is generated from anaerobic digesters where the manure decomposes.
Biomethane, after installation of the Biomethane equipment is essentially free, as opposed to buying natural gas, presently costing around $10.00/mmbtu.
Methanogenesis is the production of CH4 and CO2 by biological processes that are carried out by methanogens.
Unlike the price of natural gas, which has been very unstable, and wildly fluctuating from $5.50 to as much as $17.00/mmbtu this past year, Biomethane prices will tend to be more stable over the years. As more and more Biomethane is produced, and produced in reliable and sustainable methods that can fuel our energy needs now and for.
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Running on "green fuel" such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Synthesis Gas or natural gas, our CHP Systems are the greenest "clean power generation" systems available.
Our clean power generation systems are a superior "micro-grid" and demand side management solution for data centers, hospitals, universities, municipal utility districts and new real estate developments/subdivisions seeking "net zero energy" solutions.
With Natural Gas prices now running well below $3.00/mmbtu, and more recently in March 2012, below $2.40/mmbtu, our Clean Power Generation plants generate power for a fuel cost at about $0.03/kWh. With operations & maintenance added in - we generate power for less than a nickel or $0.05/kWh - or, anywhere from 50% to 75% less than your present electric rates.
We also provide energy independence from the "dirty" power grid with its high unreliability, black-outs and sky-rocketing electric power prices.
Our "Integrated" CHP
Systems (Cogeneration
and Trigeneration)
Plants
Have Very High Efficiencies, Low Fuel Costs & Low Emissions
The Effective Heat Rate is Approximately
4100 btu/kW & System Efficiency is 92% Plant
The CHP System
below is Rated at 900 kW and Features:
(2) Natural Gas Engines @ 450 kW each on one Skid with Optional
Selective Catalytic Reduction system that removes Nitrogen
Oxides to "non-detect."



Our CHP Systems
may be the best solution for your company's economic and environmental
sustainability as we "upgrade" natural gas to clean power with our clean
power generation solutions.
Our Emissions
Abatement solutions reduce Nitrogen
Oxides to "non-detect" and can be installed and
operated in most EPA non-attainment regions!
Our CHP Systems may be the best solution for your business if you are seeking increased power reliability, decreased energy expenses and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A few of the types of buildings and businesses that would benefit from our CHP Systems include:
Airports
Casinos
Central Plants
Colleges & Universities
Dairies
Data Centers
District Heating & Cooling plants
Food Processing Plants
Golf/Country Clubs
Government Buildings and Facilities
Grocery Stores
Hospitals
Hotels
Manufacturing Plants
Military Bases
Nursing Homes
Office Buildings / Campuses
Radio Stations
Refrigerated Warehouses
Resorts
Restaurants
Schools
Server Farms
Shopping centers
Supermarkets
Television Stations
Theatres
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About us:
We provide energy master planning, engineering, architectural and renewable energy project development services with expertise in:
Balance of Plant - BOP
Balance of System - BOS
Battery Energy Storage - BES
Carbon Emissions Consulting
Concentrated Solar Power - CSP
Demand Side Management - DSM
Economic Feasibility
Front End Engineering Design - FEED
Greenhouse Gas Emissions consulting
High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC
Interconnection Studies
Net Zero Energy - NZE
Net Zero Energy Buildings - NZEB
Organic Rankine Cycle - ORC
Power Purchase Agreement consulting & PPA fundingProject Development
Project Development
Project Management
Project Finance/Funding introduction to potential investors
Smart Grid
Our
work is performed on a strict adherence to "vendor-neutrality." We are
client and project focused and seek to maximize our client's return on their
investment while simultaneously minimizing their operational expenses and
environmental exposure.
For qualified clients we will design, build, finance, own, operate and maintain a new:
energy
system, through a Power
Purchase Agreement that guarantees
a minimum 10% reduction in our client's energy expenses.
(NOTE: Engineering and related interim project development
expenses may be at client's expense but will be
refunded at the close of Power
Purchase Agreement or other project financing. Some of our
engineering
and EPC services may be provided by one of our Top-ranked ENR Engineering/EPC
partner companies.)
To receive a preliminary no-obligation review of your energy, engineering or
project plans,
send an introductory email to us at the following email address:
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About us:
We provide energy master planning, engineering, architectural and renewable energy project development services with expertise in:
Balance of Plant - BOP
Balance of System - BOS
Battery Energy Storage - BES
Carbon Emissions Consulting
Concentrated Solar Power - CSP
Demand Side Management - DSM
Economic Feasibility
Front End Engineering Design - FEED
Greenhouse Gas Emissions consulting
High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC
Interconnection Studies
Net Zero Energy - NZE
Net Zero Energy Buildings - NZEB
Organic Rankine Cycle - ORC
Power Purchase Agreement consulting & PPA fundingProject Development
Project Development
Project Management
Project Finance/Funding introduction to potential investors
Smart Grid
Our
work is performed on a strict adherence to "vendor-neutrality." We are
client and project focused and seek to maximize our client's return on their
investment while simultaneously minimizing their operational expenses and
environmental exposure.
For qualified clients we will design, build, finance, own, operate and maintain a new:
energy
system, through a Power
Purchase Agreement that guarantees
a minimum 10% reduction in our client's energy expenses.
(NOTE: Engineering and related interim project development
expenses may be at client's expense but will be
refunded at the close of Power
Purchase Agreement or other project financing. Some of our
engineering
and EPC services may be provided by one of our Top-ranked ENR Engineering/EPC
partner companies.)
To receive a preliminary no-obligation review of your energy, engineering or
project plans,
send an introductory email to us at the following email address:
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What is an Energy Master Plan?
Now that greenhouse gas reporting is a vital and urgent issue for thousands of business in the U.S., and as they will now have to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA. Our Energy Master Plan format has been updated to include "emissions abatement" strategies.
Our energy master planning services are also focused in a broader focus as well for our customers interested in sustainable energy solutions for reducing their carbon footprint, fossil fuel intensity, total energy expenses, potential for blackouts as well as their overall vulnerabilities to being "tied" to their specific electric utility. Our energy master planning services also improve the air quality and work environment for all of our client's stakeholders through our focus on triple bottom-line results.
Our energy master planning services are not solely focused on our client's facilities' "demand side" of the energy equation, but also how our client's energy is acquired and purchased on their supply side. This understanding that supply and demand side planning is equally important enabled a holistic review of how CUMC uses and pays for energy and the impact of these sources on the environment.
Our energy master plan begins with a review of our client's past three years electricity, natural gas, oil, waste and water expenditures and depending on the final requirements and project scope authorized by the client, will typically include;
Perform ASHRAE " Level 2" Energy Audit
Perform a "retro" commissioning study
Provide a "benchmark" of client's energy use and their greenhouse gas emissions
Identify automated demand response, demand side management and demand side response opportunities
Review client's current energy procurement methods and develop new strategies for reducing energy expenses
Identify opportunities for onsite power generation, including cogeneration, ecogeneration or trigeneration energy systems as well as renewable energy technologies such as; Distributed PV, Solar Cogeneration and Waste to Fuel
Review existing Power Purchase Agreements and all other energy agreements/contracts.
Identify external funding opportunities such as the use of Power Purchase Agreements
Identify opportunities for "fuel switching" or energy switching such as propane to natural gas and "cutting the cord" to the client's electric utility for an onsite power generation energy system.
Identify current energy management system and/or building automation system potential
Identify LEED opportunities
Identify Smart Metering, Micro-Grid and Unified Smart Grid opportunities
Why Switch to Compressed Natural Gas?
90% cleaner emissions than the average gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicle. Yes, diesel truck engines can be replaced with "clean combustion" natural gas engines!
Tailpipe emissions from Natural Gas Vehicles often cleaner than the ambient air!
25% less Greenhouse Gas Emissions compare to Gasoline, even more compared with diesel!
50% less Nitrogen Oxides compared to Gasoline - even more when compared to diesel!
Compressed Natural Gas vehicles Cost FAR LESS than Gasoline or Diesel-fueled vehicles! Natural Gas Vehicles save about 40% over the Cost of Gasoline-fueled vehicles and as much as 50% over the Cost of Diesel-fueled vehicles!
Compressed
Natural Gas Prices (per/gallon equivalent)
Utah: $0.63 cents/gallon
Under $1.00/gallon to
fill up your (natural) gas tank!
California: $1.75 - $2.50/gallon
Texas: $1.45/gallon
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When
It Comes to Energy Independence,
Biomethane, Not Coal, is America's "Ace in the Hole"
and One of the Greenest of All Biofuels
It's
Time to Start Building Our Country's Biomethane Infrastructure &
Producing Biomethane, the Cleanest/Greenest Biofuel!
By: Monty Goodell, MBA
Biomethane Technologies
www.Biomethane.com
Biomethane,
NOT Coal, is America's True "Ace in the Hole" when it comes to our
energy future, economics, the environment, sustainability and America's
“Energy Independence.” And biomethane is also receiving recognition as one
of the greenest of all biofuels.
For
years now, the coal industry has been touting "coal is America's 'Ace in
the Hole'" when they discuss the abundance of our coal reserves here in the
U.S. and the role they hope coal will play in America's energy future.
But
coal is far from being the “Ace in the Hole” the coal lobby would have
everyone believe. That’s due to
the proverbial “black eye” not to mention the “black lungs” and other
problems that are inherent with “dirty coal.”
While
there may be a place for coal in America's energy future, coal must become
"clean" for America to value it as a possible energy resource. Plans
or building 18 new Coal fired power plants were cancelled in Texas last year due
to the fact that coal isn't clean, and utilities aren't interested in investing
the extra costs for building power plants that use "Clean Coal
Technology" or "Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle" power
plants that also now need to include "Carbon Capture and
Sequestration" technologies to remove the carbon dioxide emissions from the
stacks. Plans for many other coal fired power plants are being cancelled. And
even now, owners of coal fired power plants (pulverized coal) are switching from
coal, to biomass, and biomass gasification technologies, as the writing is on
the wall.
Unless
our society relishes the thoughts of moving back to the caves, and using
candles, and foregoing our modern-day comforts, we need to move forward with
renewable energy technologies such as biomethane, as the alternative is power
shortages and blackouts.
We
believe biomethane represents the best and greenest of all biofuels. There are
no supply problems with biomethane, and we have a virtually unlimited supply for
using biomethane wherever natural gas is presently used as a fuel.
It
should be pointed out that biomethane is chemically no different than natural
gas from the "fossil fuel" form of natural gas or CH4.
However,
one important distinction between biomethane and the fossil-fuel variety of
natural gas, is that the production and use of biomethane is “carbon
neutral” in that the greenhouse gas emissions from biomethane use do not add
any new net greenhouse gas emissions.
Biomethane
starts out as “biogas” but must be cleaned and purified before it can be
used as a renewable fuel. The
process of cleaning and purifying the biogas is called “biogas to biomethane.”
The impurities that are found in biogas include hydrogen sulfides,
siloxanes, and carbon dioxide. When the impurities are removed from biogas, it
is then referred to as biomethane and available for use as a clean fuel, just as
the fossil-fuel form of natural gas is used.
Biomethane reserves and supplies, unlike fossil-fuel natural gas, are virtually unlimited. Biomethane is produced from many sources including anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment systems, landfills and most agricultural and forestry operations. Last year, the first Biomethane NGV refueling station was opened in Eugendorf, Austria. Like a gas station provides gasoline for cars, the the NGV Biomethane station in Eugendorf provides biomethane for NGVs (Natural Gas Vehicles). Presently, the station provides a blend of biomethane and natural gas. Eventually, they hope to provide 100% biomethane for natural gas vehicles. Companies and researchers in Germany and Austria have determined that “Cellulosic Biomethane” is the greenest of all biofuels, and the least expensive biofuel to produce. Germany and Austria are now planting vast amounts of a form of Kentucky Bluegrass which will be harvested for use in producing “Cellulosic Biomethane,” through anaerobic digesters and fermentation.
Researchers
from around the world, starting in Austria, are finding that grasses such as
Kentucky Bluegrass are easily converted into biomethane as well as organic
fertilizer. Cellulosic Biomethane production doesn’t require the fermentation
of sugars or starches - as the first generation of liquid biofuels – requiring
grains and oilseeds from food crops. As the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane
project shows, biomethane can be produced from a cellulosic biomass feedstock
like grass. Yield estimates from the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane research
indicate that one natural gas vehicle can travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles on just
one acre of Kentucky Bluegrass that was processed into biomethane.
At
a Jan. 8, 2009 public workshop held by the California Natural Gas Vehicle
Coalition, they documented the superior benefits and potential of biomethane as
a clean, renewable energy resource. The
California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition stated that Biomethane should be
classified as a "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel."
Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel is defined as providing at least an 82
percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - based on the California Air
Resource Board’s analysis of biomethane from landfill gas.
Biomethane
has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with:
67.9 for natural gas
95.8 for diesel
96.7 for gasoline
Biomethane
can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of all petroleum
diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately.
According
to the California Energy Commission and the Biomass Collaborative, landfills,
wastewater treatment, and dairy waste sources - which are "developable
today" and can start producing Biomethane almost immediately, with low
investment/high returns, could yield 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane. At
$8.00/mmbtu, that's a $1 billion market opportunity in California alone.
The 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane equals about 860 million gallons
of petroleum diesel. California alone uses about 3 billion gallons of diesel
annually for transportation. Emerging biomass gasification and Biomethanation
technologies could more than double Biomethane supplies.
Biomethane
- like natural gas from "fossil fuels" - can be compressed or
liquefied. And using "Compressed Biomethane" is a significantly better
choice as a transportation fuel than traditional "natural gas."
Biomethane
is the "natural, natural gas" and is far better for the environment
and the economy than natural gas. Biomethane, when "vented" to the
environment, is 21 times more hazardous to the climate than carbon dioxide
emissions which are the only emissions (and water vaport) from compressed
natural gas vehicles' engines when used as a fuel.
Again,
we are reminded that Biomethane is the same chemical compound as natural gas:
CH4, and completely replaces and substitutes for natural gas. Engines, turbines,
boilers and every other natural gas appliance can use Biomethane without any
adjustments or modifications - just like natural gas.
Biomethane
supplies, as opposed to natural gas supplies from the fossil fuel industry, are
available in an unlimited supply.
Moving
forward with a “Biomethane Infrastructure” is the direction our country
needs to be moving as one of our fuel choices as we become energy-independent.
Every MCF of Biomethane that we use displaces about 8 gallons of gasoline
and creates jobs that will never be outsourced or downsized.
(Some
of the above information from the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.)
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Biomethane
www.Biomethane.com
Biomethane
is the "Renewable Natural
Gas"
The Unlimited Potential for Biomethane
and Renewable Natural Gas
Sweden is now leading Europe and the rest of the world in the pursuit of cellulosic biomethane.
According to
recent studies by researchers, professors and universities in Sweden, cellulosic biomethane
is significantly more economic and less energy intensive to produce today than
any biofuel (i.e. E100
Ethanol, B100 Biodiesel, Dimethyl
Ether, etc.).
If the U.S. were to similarly emphasize the production of cellulosic biomethane as Sweden is now doing, the U.S. could significantly increase the supply of Biomethane - a renewable, clean fuel with an unlimited supply.
Biomethane
can be produced from landfill gas, sewage and animal and crop waste. Besides supplementing
our existing natural gas supplies, Biomethane
would provide huge greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Based on an analysis conducted for the Department of Energy in the 1990's, it appears that at least 1¼ quadrillion BTUs of methane could reasonably be produced using exiting landfill gas to energy sites, wastewater treatment systems and animal waste sources (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) alone.
If the Biomethane produces in the U.S. were used for natural gas vehicles, it would displace approximately 10 billion gallons of gasoline, per year! This is 10 times the amount (1 billion gallons of gasoline) per year projected for natural gas (the fossil fuel) in the Annual DOE outlook.
Regarding Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and
Biomethane/Renewable Natural
Gas vs. Gasoline
Gasoline produces about 110% more Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Biomethane which would have otherwise been flared or vented to the atmosphere.
In the U.S., it is now feasible to capture and use about 1.25 quadrillion Btu's of Biomethane from landfills, animal waste and POTWs (wastewater treatment systems) alone. This is equivalent to about 6% of all of the natural gas presently used in the U.S.
If
this Biomethane were used as a
transportation fuel in natural
gas vehicles, the Biomethane would displace 10 billion gallons of gasoline per
year!
Other
Benefits and Incentives of Biomethane:
The Federal Biogas/Biomethane Tax Credit:
Equal to 2.0 cents per KWH (approximately $5.66 per MMBtu) for electricity produced on-site from
Biomethane.
All other uses of biogas and Biomethane in vehicles and producing electricity off-site) do not
presently qualify for the Federal Biogas/Biomethane Tax Credit.
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What is "Pipeline Quality" or "Pipeline Quality Gas"?
The "raw" biogas that is produced from Anaerobic Digesters and Landfill Gas To Energy projects cannot be sold to natural gas pipelines or used in internal combustion engines due to the high number of contaminants, impurities and other chemicals in the biogas.
Raw biogas, in order to become "Biomethane" or Pipeline Quality Gas, must for from "Biogas to Biomethane" wherein the impurities and contaminants of the biogas are removed. This process of biogas purification to biomethane is also called "Gas Sweetening." The impurities and contaminants of biogas that need to be removed to then have Biomethane or Pipeline Quality Gas include; carbon dioxide (CO2), water, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and Siloxane. Some of the Biogas to Biomethane technologies include; iron sponge, water scrubbing, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption (PSA), and mixing with higher quality gases.
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Sewage Sludge
www.SewageSludge.com
We Turn Your City or County's Sewage
Sludge
Problems into Profits and Green Energy
Sewage Sludge problems are a thing of the past! and other organic waste streams with one or more of the following: Anaerobic Digester, Anaerobic Lagoon, Biogas Recovery, BioMethane, Biomass Gasification, Biosolids to Energy, Landfill Gas To Energy and Sewage Sludge "problems into profits" project development services. We provide the following power and energy project development services:
Project Engineering Feasibility & Economic Analysis Studies
Engineering, Procurement and Construction
Environmental Engineering & Permitting
Project Funding & Financing Options; including Equity Investment, Debt Financing, Lease and Municipal Lease
Shared/Guaranteed Savings Program with No Capital Investment from Qualified Clients
Project Commissioning
3rd Party Ownership and Project Development
Long-term Service Agreements
Operations & Maintenance
Green Tag (Renewable Energy Credit, Carbon Dioxide Credits, Emission Reduction Credits) Brokerage Services; Application and Permitting.
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Biomethane & Synthesis
Gas - the Perfect Renewable Fuels!
As Biomethane
is a near perfect fuel, and since Biomethane
represents the best of all biofuels in terms of Recycling Carbon, and has the
highest Net Energy Balance, and as
Biomethane technologies such as Anaerobic
Digesters and Biomass
Gasification development increases and becomes even more commonplace, one of
the fundamental questions is: what is the size of the potential biomass resource
supply in the U.S.?
In April 2005, the DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
co-published a report assessing the potential of the land resources in the U.S.
for producing sustainable biomass: Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and
Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply.
Looking at forestland and agricultural land, the two largest potential biomass
sources, this study estimates that the U.S. can sustainably produce up to 1.3
billion tons of biomass feedstock by mid-century. This would be enough feedstock
to produce 60 billion gallons of B100 Biodiesel and
E100 Ethanol with today's
technologies.
This study doesn't address the opportunities for Biomethane production from biomass feedstock or Biomass Gasification technologies. Some recent estimates indicate that Biomethane could replace up to 50% of present natural gas consumption in the U.S. and in some countries, such as Iceland, Biomethane already provides 100% of the natural gas requirements.
There
are many assumptions in the Billion Ton Study report that impact these
estimates, but we believe the estimates reasonably reflect the potential
availability and impact of biomass resources.
Of the total estimated resource, the study suggests that forestlands in the
contiguous United States can produce approximately 368 million dry tons
annually. This projection includes 52 million dry tons of fuelwood harvested
from forests and woodlands, 145 million dry tons of residues from wood
processing mills and pulp and paper mills, 47 million dry tons of urban wood
residues including construction and demolition debris, 64 million dry tons of
residues from logging and site clearing operations, and 60 million dry tons of
biomass from fuel treatment operations.
Biomass to Biofuels
By "converting" biomass wastes – such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, crop residues, energy crops, and manure – into biofuels, this will resolve the energy, environmental and political problems in an economical and environmentally sound manner - that will produce over one million new jobs.
According
to Jeff Seisler, Director of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association,
"Biomethane
has
an outstanding potential as a multifaceted solution to multifaceted social
problems: urban and agricultural waste management, water purification, and clean
air. Urban and agricultural waste can be processed into usable methane, as can
the sewage during the water purification process. Cleaning and compressing the
gas for use in vehicles then provides cleaner air than petroleum-consuming
vehicles."
Continuing, Mr. Seisler states about Biomethane;
"this environmental 'closed loop waste-to-energy-to-fuel used in vehicles
that again truck the next load of waste to the energy processing
plants-substitutes fossil fuels with a renewable resource and reduces greenhouse
gases 100% as compared to over gasoline vehicles (on a well-to-wheel basis).
According
to Peter Boisen Chairman, of ENGVA, "various well respected European
research institutes now estimate more than three times better fuel output per
hectare of land used than if going for ethanol or biodiesel. Sweden currently
has a 51% Biomethane
share,
and Switzerland 37%. France, Norway, Germany and Austria use smaller amounts for
vehicles. Iceland, completely without natural gas, uses 100% biomethane in its
NGVs," Boisen says. Continuing, Boisen adds, "China, India,
Korea, the Ukraine, Spain and Italy are other examples of countries now starting
up projects where Biomethane
will be used as a vehicle fuel."
"With the energy efficiency of the gas production process at 50% to 70%
it's hard to think of a more socially acceptable and economic energy value for
the transportation sector," Boisen says.
"Governments need to get out of their liquid fuel paradigm to refocus and
balance their policies and communications to support the development of a Biomethane
infrastructure. In Europe Biomethane
has the potential to replace 20% of the
petroleum consumed in the transport sector by 2030."
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BIOMETHANE FACTS
1.
Biomethane
is One of the Most Common and Harmful of All Greenhouse
Gas Emissions.
2. Biomethane
is 21 Times More Harmful to the Climate than Carbon
Dioxide Emissions. Stated another way, Biomethane
Causes Global Warming and Climate Change to Increase 21 Times Faster than Carbon
Dioxide Emissions.
3. Biomethane
Is A "Renewable Natural Gas."
4. Biomethane
is One of the Easiest and Most Profitable of all Greenhouse
Gas Emissions to Recover and Control and is the perfect fuel for
heating your home, drying your clothes, cooking your dinner, water heating, and even
fueling your car! Biomethane is also the cleanest of all fuels or biofuels for
generating electricity in power plants.
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California and Sweden Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop
Biomethane
and Other Renewable Fuels
Thursday, 29
June 2006
Sacramento, California USA and Sweden
In a ceremony held at the Ministry of the Environment in Stockholm,
representatives of the Kingdom of Sweden and the State of California signed an
agreement pledging the two governments and their related industries to work
together to develop bioenergy, with a particular emphasis on Biomethane.
“Through a strong working relationship between its industry and government,
Sweden is showing how bioenergy can be developed in a cost-effective manner that
benefits its economy and environment. We are extremely pleased to have signed
this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will provide a basis for intensified
collaboration between Swedish and California officials to develop a thriving
bioenergy industry in California,” said Joe Desmond, Undersecretary for the
California Resources Agency.
In particular, Sweden has been a global leader in terms of converting biowaste,
largely agricultural material and residues, into usable Biomethane.
This gas is then used to either generate electricity, residential heating, or as
a transportation fuel.
More than 8,000 vehicles in Sweden are powered by a combination of natural gas
and Biomethane.
The vehicles include transit buses, refuse trucks, and more than 10 different
models of passenger cars. There are more than 25 Biomethane
production facilities in Sweden and 65 filling stations. The Swedish Biomethane
industry has been growing at an annual rate of about 20 percent over the last
five years.
According to the Swedish Gas Association, more than 50 percent of the methane
used to power Sweden’s natural gas vehicles now comes from biological sources,
up from 45% last year. Natural gas vehicle sales in Sweden are increasing at the
rate of 25% per annum.
Sweden was motivated to develop its Biomethane
industry because it has no natural gas reserves, to more efficiently manage its
waste, and to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Accord. Since Biomethane
is developed from methane sources that would normally release into the
atmosphere, it’s considered one of the most climate friendly fuels. Methane
(and Biomethane)
is 21 times more reactive as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). Sweden
is currently meetings its objectives and schedule as outlined in the Kyoto
accord.
Biomethane
is developed by heating up and breaking down biomaterials in an (Anaerobic
Digesters) digester. Among other raw materials, Swedish operators feed their
Anaerobic Digesters with
slaughterhouse waste, swine manure, and even grassy crops. After the materials
breakdown over a 20 day period, technology is then used to remove the impurities
and produce Biomethane.
Once cleaned-up, Biomethane
is 98 percent methane and easily meets the Swedish and California pipeline
standards.
The Memorandum of Understanding can be accessed on the California Resources
Agency Web site: http://resources.ca.gov/press_documents/CaliforniaSwedenBiofuelsMOU.pdf
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Biogas Plant Development with Anaerobic Digesters
Anaerobic
Digesters recover valuable and toxic Biomethane
from organic materials and prevents the Biomethane
- which has a Global Warming
Potential that is 21 times more harmful to our climate than Carbon
Dioxide Emissions - from entering the atmosphere.
Biomethane, which we also refer to as "Renewable Natural Gas" is used as a renewable fuel for our cogeneration and trigeneration power plants. Alternatively, we may sell the Biomethane to a customer and transport it to them from our Anaerobic Digesters via natural gas pipelines.
We believe Anaerobic Digesters and Biomethane represent exciting opportunities for generating renewable natural gas and profits - for multiple reasons:
1. Anaerobic Digesters take an existing liability and waste (Biomethane) and convert it into an asset and " profit generator."
2. Anaerobic Digesters mitigate and reverse climate change and global warming by preventing Biomethane to escape into the atmosphere, which is one of the major causes of climate change and global warming.
Of all Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Biomethane is 21 times more harmful to the environment than Carbon Dioxide Emissions.
3. Anaerobic Digesters are vital for renewable energy production and helping our country's drive for energy independence.
4. EVERY wastewater treatment plant as well as ALL Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO's) - IN EVERY COUNTRY - will soon be installing Anaerobic Digesters to prevent Biomethane from entering the atmosphere and help reverse climate change as well as for use as a renewable fuel. Or, they will be replacing their existing inefficient and inferior mechanical wastewater treatment plants, with our "Natural Wastewater Treatment" plants!
5. The country of Sweden is the global leader in Biomethane production. Sweden has identified the Biomethane opportunities and is converting biowaste derived from agricultural material and residues into usable Biomethane. The Biomethane is used to generate clean, renewable electricity, residential heating, and also as a transportation fuel. Biomass sources make up 45% of Sweden’s Biomethane. Sweden's Biomethane industry has been growing at an annual rate of around 20% over the last five years. Biomethane powers more than 8,000 transit buses, garbage trucks, and 10 different models of passenger cars in Sweden. Sweden now has more than 25 Biomethane production facilities and 65 filling stations. The country believes that since Biomethane is developed from natural, organic sources that would have been released into the atmosphere, that Biomethane is considered one of the most climate-friendly fuels. Biomethane is 98% methane and easily meets the Swedish and California pipeline standards.
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What is "Cogeneration"?
Did you know that 10% of our nation's electricity now comes from "cogeneration" plants?
And
because cogeneration
is so efficient, it saves its customers up to 40% on their energy expenses, and
provides even greater savings to our environment through significant reductions
in fuel usage and much lower greenhouse
gas emissions.
Cogeneration
- also known as “combined
heat and power” (CHP), cogen, district energy, total energy, and
combined cycle, is the simultaneous production of heat (usually in the form of
hot water and/or steam) and power, utilizing one primary fuel such as natural
gas, or a renewable fuel, such as Biomethane,
B100 Biodiesel,
or Synthesis Gas.
Cogeneration technology is not the latest industry buzz-word being touted as the solution to our nation's energy woes. Cogeneration is a proven technology that has been around for over 120 years!
Our nation's first commercial power plant was a cogeneration plant that was designed and built by Thomas Edison in 1882 in New York. Our nation's first commercial power plant was called the "Pearl Street Station."
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What is "Trigeneration"?
Trigeneration is the simultaneous production of three forms of energy - typically, Cooling, Heating and Power - from only one fuel input. Put another way, our trigeneration power plants produce three different types of energy for the price of one.
Trigeneration energy systems can reach overall system efficiencies of 86% to 93%. Typical "central" power plants, that do not need the heat generated from the combustion and power generation process, are only about 33% efficient.

Trigeneration
Diagram & Description
Trigeneration Power Plants' Have the Highest System Efficiencies and are
About 300 % More Efficient than Typical Central Power Plants
Trigeneration
plants are installed at locations that can benefit from all three forms of
energy. These types of installations that install trigeneration
energy systems are called "onsite power generation" also referred to as
"decentralized energy."
One of our company's principal's first experience with the design and development of a trigeneration power plant was the trigeneration power plant installation at Rice University in 1987 where our trigeneration development team started out by conducting a "cogeneration" feasibility study. The EPC contractor that Rice University selected installed the trigeneration power which included a 4.0 MW Ruston gas turbine power plant, along with waste heat recovery boilers and Absorption Chillers. A "waste heat recovery boiler" captures the heat from the exhaust of the gas turbine. From there, the recovered energy was converted to chilled water - originally from (3) Hitachi Absorption Chillers - 2 were rated at 1,000 tons each, and the third Hitachi Absorption Chiller was rated at 1,500 tons. The Hitachi Absorption Chillers were replaced shortly after their installation by the EPC company. The first trigeneration plant at Rice University was so successful, they added a second 5.0 MW trigeneration plant so today, Rice University is now generating about 9.0 MW of electricity, and also producing the cooling and heating the university needs from the trigeneration plant and circulating the trigeneration energy around its campus.

Trigeneration Chart
Trigeneration's
"Super-Efficiency" compared
with other competing technologies
As you can see, there is No Competition for Trigeneration!
Our trigeneration power plants are the ideal onsite power
and energy solution for customers that include: Data
Centers, Hospitals, Universities, Airports, Central Plants, Colleges
& Universities, Dairies, Server Farms, District Heating & Cooling
Plants,
Food Processing Plants, Golf/Country
Clubs, Government Buildings, Grocery Stores, Hotels, Manufacturing
Plants,
Nursing Homes, Office
Buildings / Campuses,
Radio Stations, Refrigerated
Warehouses,
Resorts,
Restaurants,
Schools, Server Farms, Shopping Centers, Supermarkets, Television
Stations, Theatres and Military Bases.
At about 86% to 93% net system efficiency, our trigeneration power plants are about 300% more efficient at providing energy than your current electric utility. That's because the typical electric utility's power plants are only about 33% efficient - they waste 2/3 of the fuel in generating electricity in the enormous amount of waste heat energy that they exhaust through their smokestacks.
Trigeneration is defined as the simultaneous production of three energies: Cooling, Heating and Power. Our trigeneration energy systems use the same amount of fuel in producing three energies that would normally only produce just one type of energy. This means our customers that have our trigeneration power plants have significantly lower energy expenses, and a lower carbon footprint.
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What is Automated Demand Response?
Automated
Demand Response is a Demand Side Management solution that is
specifically designed for a customer's specific location, energy/power
requirements, and also for the specific electric rates for that customer's
location. Automated Demand Response does not involve human intervention, but is initiated at a facility through receipt of an external communications signal.
Automated Demand Response is a rather new area of DSM technologies and may
provide a lucrative revenue stream for customers who can curtail electric load in response to demand incentives, ICAP payments, and/or commodity prices.
Automated demand response technology seeks to automatically, through
software and hardware applications, to respond to variations in the
electricity/power market prices.
Demand Response or Demand Side Management can be achieved through demand reduction, by shifting load to a less expensive time period, or by substituting another resource for delivered electricity (such as
natural gas or onsite power generation, also known as "distributed
generation."
Demand Response (DR) is a set of activities to reduce or shift electricity use to improve electric grid reliability, manage electricity costs, and ensure that customers receive signals that encourage load reduction during times when the electric grid is near its capacity. The two main drivers for widespread demand responsiveness are the prevention of future electricity crises and the reduction of electricity prices. Additional goals for price responsiveness include equity through cost of service pricing, and customer control of electricity usage and bills. The technology developed and evaluated in this report could be used to support numerous forms of DR programs and tariffs.
A recent pilot test to enable an Automatic Demand Response system in California has revealed several lessons that are important to consider for a wider application of a regional or statewide Demand Response Program.
The six facilities involved in the site testing were from diverse areas of our economy. The test subjects included a major retail food marketer and one of their retail grocery stores, financial services buildings for a major bank, a postal services facility, a federal government office building, a state university site, and ancillary buildings to a pharmaceutical research company. Although these organizations are all serving diverse purposes and customers, they share some underlying common characteristics that make their simultaneous study worthwhile from a market transformation perspective. These are large organizations. Energy efficiency is neither their core business nor are the
decision-makers who will enable this technology powerful players in their organizations. The management of buildings is perceived to be a small issue for top management and unless something goes wrong, little attention is paid to the building manager's problems.
All of these organizations contract out a major part of their technical building operating systems. Control systems and energy management systems are proprietary. Their systems do not easily interact with one another. Management is, with the exception of one site, not electronically or computer literate enough to understand the full dimensions of the technology they have purchased. Despite the research teams development of a simple, straightforward method of informing them about the features of the demand response program, they had significant difficulty enabling their systems to meet the needs of the research. The research team had to step in and work directly with their vendors and contractors at all but one location. All of the participants have volunteered to participate in the study for altruistic reasons, that is, to help find solutions to California's energy problems. They have provided support in workmen, access to sites and vendors, and money to participate. Their efforts have revealed organizational and technical system barriers to the implementation of a wide scale
program.
What is Demand Response and How is it Different from "Demand Side Management"?
"Demand Response" is a subset of Demand Side Management (DSM) or a potential Demand Side Management program solution which helps make the electric grid much more efficient and balanced by assisting the electric grid's commercial and industrial customers reduce their electric demand, and/or shifts the time period when they use their electricity, and/or prioritizes the way they use electricity, and in so doing, reduces their overall energy costs. A Demand Side Management Program will include measures that promotes the following:
Reduced customer peak and overall energy demand
Improves the electric grid's reliability
Balances the electric grid through increased efficiency
Energy efficiency
Manages electricity costs
Conservation through both behavioral and operational changes
Load management
Fuel switching
Distributed energy
And provide systems that encourage load shifting or load shedding during times when the electric grid is near its capacity or electric power prices are high
Demand Response has also been defined as a "Demand Side Management" subset that is a set of time dependent activities that reduces or shifts electricity use of selected customers.
Electric power generation and distribution systems are strongly affected by supply-side policies (how, when, and where to generate electricity, how to couple generation into the grid, how to transmit and distribute generated electricity) and demand-side policies (pricing schemes, conservation efforts, customer premises automation, and, in extreme circumstances, rolling blackouts). Demand-side programs focus on reducing the peak-to-average demand profiles through automation in the customer premises.
What is Battery
Energy Storage?
Battery
Energy Storage, and Battery
Energy Storage systems, use stored electrical power in batteries, and
feed this energy to the electric grid (building, or facility) at times when it
makes economic sense. For a "Net
Zero Energy" building or facility, a Solar
Cogeneration, or Solar
Trigeneration
energy system is used that stores excess
solar power in the Battery
Energy Storage system
during the daytime, for use when the sun goes down, and during inclement
weather.
What is Bulk
Energy Storage?
Bulk energy storage refers to various methods to "store" electricity within an electrical power grid.
Electrical energy can be stored during times that electrical generation from power plants exceeds the consumption by customers and the stored energy can then be utilized at times when consumption of electricity exceeds generation of electricity. Bulk energy storage permits power generation to be maintained at a more constant level, avoiding the sharp spikes in power generation so that the power plants can be more efficiently operated - reducing fuel consumption thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the Energy Storage Council (www.EnergyStorageCouncil.org), "Bulk energy storage is truly one of the most promising new areas of the electricity industry. The Energy Storage Council believes that bulk energy storage will become the "sixth dimension" of the electricity value chain following fuels/energy sources, generation, transmission, delivery, and customer energy services."
What
are Demand Response
Programs?
Demand Response Programs are programs usually designed and offered by electric utilities that offers those clients that sign-up for specific DR programs with financial incentives and other benefits that help those participating customers to curtail energy use. These actions by the electric utilities and participating clients provide a reliable, predictable amount of power (megawatts) that the ISO's and RTO's can count on during an emergency when energy supplies are low, and there is an inadequate amount of available power generation. The electric utilities typically require that those customers that enroll in their DR program(s) install certain software and hardware, that communicates with these client's online energy management systems, and can control these client's electric power requirements as needed.
What
is
Demand Side Management?
According
to the Department of Energy, Demand Side Management or "DSM," refers to
those "actions
taken on the customer's side of the meter to change the amount or timing of
energy consumption. Utility DSM programs offer a variety of measures that can
reduce energy consumption and consumer energy expenses. Electricity DSM
strategies have the goal of maximizing end-use efficiency to avoid or postpone
the construction of new generating plants." Therefore, Demand
Side Management, is the process of managing the consumption
of energy, generally to optimize available and planned generation resources.
While not every business is a candidate for onsite
power generation, such as an onsite cogeneration or
trigeneration
energy system, however,
your company may be a great candidate for other energy-saving solutions. One
of these is Demand Side Management, or "DSM". We help commercial,
industrial and utility clients by providing
cost-effective DSM solutions.
Background on Demand Side Management
Demand-side management (DSM) programs consist of the planning, implementing,
and monitoring activities of electric utilities that are designed to encourage
consumers to modify their level and pattern of electricity usage.
In the past, the primary objective of most DSM programs was to provide
cost-effective energy and capacity resources to help defer the need for new
sources of power, including generating facilities, power purchases, and
transmission and distribution capacity additions. However, due to changes
occurring within the industry, electric utilities are also using DSM to
enhance customer service. DSM refers only to energy and load-shape modifying
activities undertaken in response to utility-administered programs. It does
not refer to energy and load-shape changes arising from the normal operation
of the marketplace or from government-mandated energy-efficiency standards.
Historical Information of DSM (1999)
In 1999, 848 electric utilities report having demand-side management (DSM)
programs. Of these, 459 are classified as large, and 389 are classified as
small utilities. This is a decrease of 124 utilities from 1998.(1) DSM costs
were almost unchanged at 1.4 billion dollars in both 1998 and 1999.
Energy Savings for the 459 large electric utilities increased to 50.6 billion
kilowatt hours, 1.4 billion kilowatt hours more than in 1998. These energy
savings represent 1.5 percent of annual electric sales of 3,312 billion
kilowatthours(2) to ultimate consumers in 1999.
Actual peak load reductions for large utilities decreased in 1999 to 26,455
megawatts. Potential peak load reductions of 43,570 megawatts were an increase
of 2,140 over 1998.
In 1999, incremental energy savings for large utilities were 3.1 billion
kilowatt hours, incremental actual peak load reductions were 2,263 megawatts.
Technologies Used in Demand Side Management:
These energy conservation technologies are implemented to reduce total energy
use. Specific technologies include energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and
building equipment, all of which can be found on the EREN Buildings Energy
Efficiency page. For energy efficiency at industrial sites, see the EREN
Industrial Energy Efficiency page.
Load Leveling:
These technologies are used to smooth out the peaks and dips in energy demand
— by reducing consumption at peak times ("peak shaving"),
increasing it during off-peak times ("valley filling"), or shifting
the load from peak to off-peak periods — to maximize use of efficient
baseload generation and reduce the need for spinning reserves.
Load control:
Energy management control systems (EMCSs) can be used to switch electrical
equipment on or off for load leveling purposes. Some EMCSs enable direct
off-site control (by the utility) of user equipment. Typically applied to
heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting loads, EMCSs can also be used to
invoke on-site generators, thereby reducing peak demand for grid electricity.
Energy storage devices located on the customer's side of the meter can be used
to shift the timing of energy consumption.
Issues Involving the Implementation Demand Side Management Solutions
Include: Public Benefits Programs, Rate Schedules, Time-of-Use Rates,
Power Factor Charges, and Real-Time-Pricing
Public Benefits Programs
Prior to electricity industry restructuring, utilities were responsible for a
variety of programs (including DSM) that meet social objectives. Under
restructuring, funding for these programs is typically through a small
surcharge ("wires charge" or "system benefits charge") on
utility bills.
Rate Schedules
Utilities can structure their rates to encourage customers to modify their
pattern of energy use.
Time-of-Use Rates
Time-of-use
rates involve charging higher prices for peak electricity as a way to shift
demand to off-peak periods. Interruptible rates offer discounts in exchange
for a user commitment to reduce demand when requested by the utility.
Power Factor Charges
Power
factor charges can be implemented to discourage commercial and industrial
utility customers from partially loading their electrical equipment, as this
requires the utility to generate extra current to cover the resulting system
losses.
Real-Time Pricing
Real-time pricing is where the electricity price varies continuously (or hour by hour) based on the utility's load and the different types of power plants that have to be operated to satisfy that demand.
What are
"Energy
Efficiency Measures?"
According
to the EIA, there is no clear-cut definition of "energy
efficiency measures." The EIA gathered energy experts and asked
them to define the term "energy efficiency." The participants
responded by providing two different viewpoints for defining energy efficiency: (1)
from a service perspective and (2) from a mechanistic, strict
"intensity" perspective.
Some of the participants believed that energy efficiency "indicators" could measure some kind of economic
result or well-being, and therefore suggested that a wide range of indicators would offer insight into the "ordinary business of life" and the relationships, causes, and opportunities in observed trends.
Another group of participants suggested the concept of energy efficiency being a strict technological,
i.e. equipment-based concept. However, this concept cannot be measured by broad
"intensities" because intensities tend to carry structural and behavioral components. Alternatively,
other group participants believe that differentiating between energy intensity and
energy efficiency was not possible. Finally, another group of participants
uses complex methodologies to separate out the activity and structural effects with the remaining unexplained portion considered to be an approximate to the energy efficiency effects.
Most of what was defined as energy efficiency is actually, "energy intensity."
Energy intensity is defined as the ratio of energy consumption to some measure of demand for energy
services or a "demand indicator." However, at best, energy
intensity measures are a rough surrogate for energy efficiency. This is because energy intensity may mask structural and behavioral changes that do not represent "true"
energy efficiency improvements such a shift away from energy-intensive industries.
To provide guidance, we have relied on several studies that indicate a
commercial business or office building has the largest "energy
intensities" in the following areas:
Building lights/lighting
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning or HVAC
Computers/data center(s) and other office equipment
which consume the most energy. Therefore, the greatest opportunities for providing energy and economic savings from energy efficiency measures would come from implementing upgrades, retrofits or updates around the above energy intensities, providing the highest return in investment.
Building Automation System and other building controls
Building commissioning or re-commissioning
Building Envelope Improvements
CHP System opportunities
Demand Side Management opportunities
Energy Efficient Lighting Upgrades
HVAC Mechanical System Maintenance and Upgrades
What is Frequency Regulation?
The electric grid, because supply and demand of electricity is always changing requires continuous and instantaneous balancing of supply and demand of electricity – this continuous and instantaneous balancing of supply and demand of electricity is known as "frequency regulation."
What is Intelligent Load
Shedding?
"Intelligent Load
Shedding" is a near instantaneous method for shedding electrical load that is synonymous with
"Automated Demand
Response."
What is "Load
Leveling"?
Load leveling, also referred to as "peak shaving," is a demand side management solution that reduces the use peak demand and amount of electricity by commercial and utility customers. Load leveling is a strategy that may significantly reduce the peak demand as well as the energy expenses for clients that have implemented a peak-shaving solution.
What is
Load Response?
Load
Response and Load
Response programs operate in response to requests for peak load reductions with little, if any, discretion in compliance on the part of the customer. The buyer or operator, such as a traditional utility, load serving entity, curtailment service provider, or grid operator, directs load response programs.
What is Load Shedding?
"Load Shedding" is a very effective way of preventing electric grid blackouts. Load shedding is typically required by an electric utility company of its' commercial and industrial clients - when there is not enough electricity available to meet the demand, and to prevent the grid from going down, which is called a "blackout." "Rolling blackouts" are an extreme method of load shedding.
Most electric customers are informed of "load shedding" requirements or events, and in some cases, electric service interruption, from minutes, to several hours in advance.
Load shedding is normally a "last resort" option and a controlled method of rotating or sharing the available electricity between all of the grid's (or electric utility's) customers.
By spreading the load shedding measures to the largest available area, customers are usually not interrupted of their electrical service for more than 15 minutes at a time. customers can be informed of interruptions in advance.
What is Price Response?
Price Response and
Price Response Programs operate based on voluntary actions of customers in response to economic signals. The differences between
Price Response and Load
Response programs are a matter of degree. The most pronounced difference is price response programs rely on wholesale clearing prices as a primary signal or method to reimburse customers for their participation, and are much more likely to be voluntary. Some load response programs have the same characteristics, but are skewed toward a command-and-control methodology.
What is
Peak Shifting?
Peak Shifting is a highly cost-effective method of reducing electric utility expenses. When electric utility commercial or industrial customers use electricity can make a big difference on their monthly electric bills. By shifting the time of day that electric power is used, a commercial or industrial customer can reduce their " demand charge" portion of their electric bill during peak times of the day. This reduces the overall cost of power each month for the customer.
Unlike most products, electricity can’t be stored after
it's generated. Electricity must be generated - and consumed - at the time of
demand by a utility's customer. Electricity usage continuously varies
throughout the day, and varies from month-to-month and season-to-season.
Each day, there are "peak" demand periods of usage during which time
the electric utilities must generate additional amounts of electricity to meet these
peak demands for all of their customers.
To meet this additional peak demand for electricity utilities use “peaking
generators” also called "peaking plants" or simply "peakers." These peaking
plants are the least efficient methods of generating power, meaning they
generate less power with more fuel (and their associated greenhouse gas
emissions) compared with the utility's base-load generators. These
peaking plants typically burn oil or natural gas to produce the electricity
and are brought on line only during "peak periods" of the day and run for short periods.
While peaking generators generally cost less to build than other types of generators, they also have relatively high fuel costs because they are typically much less efficient in the use of fuel.
Therefore, "Peak
Shifting" is a method that addresses shifts the
time of day when electricity is used, reducing the need for peaking plants and
can reduce a commercial or industrial customer's electric bills, if correctly
implemented.
What is Thermal Energy Storage?
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is a "load leveling" or demand side management solution which seeks to reduce energy costs by producing and storing energy when the cost of producing the energy provides the least cost, and then releasing that energy from storage, when the cost of using the energy is the highest.
What
are Uninterruptible Power
Supplies?
Uninterruptible
Power Supplies, also
known simply as "UPS"
as well as a battery backup system, maintains a continuous supply of electric
power to a building, or certain electrical devices within a building by
supplying power from the UPS system whenever power is not available from the
grid or utility company.
Typically, Uninterruptible
Power Supplies are located
between the source of the normal power supply - such as the electric utility
company - and the electric load the UPS system is protecting. When electric
power from the grid fails - whether through a lightning strike, failed
transformer, or a black-out occurs, the UPS will instantly recognize the loss or
interruption of power from the grid, and switch from the grid power to UPS
power.
Uninterruptible power supply systems can be designed to protect small or large
loads, including systems small enough to protect one or more computers, to
critical life support systems that may be found in a home or hospital, to
telecommunications equipment where an unexpected power disruption could threaten
life or health or serious business disruption or computer data loss.
Small Uninterruptible Power Supplies systems can protect loads as small as just one computer to large UPS systems that will power and protect a company's entire data center or a building such as an office building or hospital. These systems can be as large as 3-20 megawatts and typically work in conjunction with a genset or a cogeneration plant.
More
About
Price Response
and
Load Response
Programs
Load
response
is a type of demand side management solution that commercial and
industrial customers may choose to employ in response to wholesale electricity
prices or other market incentives which can serve several important
system-wide functions.
For example, retail customers can ease tight capacity situations and mitigate reliability concerns by reducing their electric power usage or consumption. By reducing consumption in response to price signals or other financial incentives, retail customers also can reduce peak wholesale electricity prices, mitigate price volatility, and reduce opportunities for market manipulation.
It is not necessary for all customers to participate in these emergency or economic load response programs; even the response of a small percentage of customers can produce significant benefits for the electric grid and its customers.
In order to participate in load response programs, customers need load response “tools” or solutions that can assist them in reducing their electric power usage at the appropriate times.
The two main categories of load response tools are communications devices and mechanisms for modifying a customer’s usage of electricity supplied by the grid during peak hours and conditions. Customers have two basic mechanisms for reducing their demand on the local electricity grid. They can simply reduce their electricity at key times through load response management, energy efficiency or energy conservation measures and improvements, or the customer can shift their source of electricity from the grid to on-site cogeneration or trigeneration power and energy systems thereby reducing their use of grid electricity but not their overall use of electricity.
Emergency load response can be implemented with readily available technology. For example, load response software can be installed in a building (e.g., an industrial facility, an office building, or commercial establishment, or even a home) that would connect to the outside world (signals sent by the Independent System Operator) with building control systems (e.g., thermostats, light dimmers). The building owner or operator could choose to respond to the signal or not. With currently available software, building operators could be notified through e-mail, cellular phone, and alpha-numeric paging of an expected reliability threat and could respond as simply as pressing a “yes” or “no” button included with the system. An affirmative answer would trigger predetermined changes to building systems (e.g., the lights could dim twenty percent, the AC thermostat could rise two degrees) for a set time.
Emergency load response to serve a reliability function is not new technology. For years, electric utilities and system operators have offered special rates to customers who were willing to curtail their load upon request from the utility or system operator to avert short-term reliability problems. On hot days when demand threatens to overwhelm the available capacity on the system, customers willing and able to lower the amount of electricity they draw from the grid offer a resource that can be tapped to delay or avoid the need for more drastic measures, including rolling brown-outs or rolling black-outs. Customers participating in load response programs don’t just avoid costs associated with consuming at high prices at peak periods; they can receive payments from “selling” the power they don’t use at market prices.
Simply put, the electricity that the customer decides not to use at peak times can be sold back into the energy market at peak prices.
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What is "Decentralized Energy"?
Decentralized Energy is the opposite of "centralized energy." Decentralized Energy energy generates the power and energy that a residential, commercial or industrial customer needs, onsite. Examples of decentralized energy production are solar energy systems and solar trigeneration energy systems.
Today's electric utility industry was "born" in the 1930's, when fossil fuel prices were cheap, and the cost of wheeling the electricity via transmission power lines, was also cheap. "Central" power plants could be located hundreds of miles from the load centers, or cities, where the electricity was needed. These extreme inefficiencies and cheap fossil fuel prices have added a considerable economic and environmental burden to the consumers and the planet.
Centralized energy is found in the form of electric utility companies that generate power from "central" power plants. Central power plants are highly inefficient, averaging only 33% net system efficiency. This means that the power coming to your home or business - including the line losses and transmission inefficiencies of moving the power - has lost 75% to as much as 80% energy it started with at the "central" power plant. These losses and inefficiencies translate into significantly increased energy expenses by the residential and commercial consumers.
Decentralized Energy is the Best Way to Generate Clean and Green Energy!
How we make and distribute electricity is changing!
The electric power generation, transmission and distribution system (the electric "grid") is changing and evolving from the electric grid of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was inefficient, highly-polluting, very expensive and “dumb.”
The "old" way of generating and distributing
energy resembles this slide:

Some customers will choose to dis-connect from the grid entirely. (Electric grid represented by the small light blue circles in the slide below.)
The transmission grid will be upgraded to a "Unified Smart Grid" with green electrons now being wheeled via "High Voltage Direct Current."
Typical "central" power plants and the electric utility companies that own them will either be shut-down, closed or go out of business due to one or more of the following: failed business model, inordinate expenses related to central power plants that are inefficient, excessive pollution/emissions, high costs, continued reliance on the use of fossil fuels to generate energy, and the failure to provide efficient, carbon free energy and pollution free power.
Carbon free energy and pollution free power reduces our dependence on foreign oil and makes us Energy Independent while reducing and eliminating Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
* Some of the above information from the Department of Energy website with permission.
___________________________________________________
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Linked to the Loss of Polar Bears

Photo courtesy of Alaska Image Library. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
___________________________________________________
Hubbert's
Peak Oil Predictions Now Proving True?
Marion King Hubbert was a
geologist and scientist who worked at Shell Oil company's research lab in Houston, Texas.
Hubbert made several important contributions to geology, geophysics and petroleum
geology. Hubbert is most recognized for the "Hubbert Curve" and
" Hubbert Peak Theory" which is now referred to as " Peak
Oil. Hubbert's
life work determined that the world has a finite amount of petroleum that can be
produced. (Similarly, there is a finite amount of coal.) Many scientists and engineers believe
we have reached Hubbert's "peak oil" limit. Hubbert's espouses that when
50% of domestic crude oil production has been reached, that there will be such
significant upward demand on prices of the limited supplies of oil production,
that the U.S. economy will experience severe economic, social, and political turmoil. Hubbert's
Peak Oil predictions have proven to be true and this is validated as the U.S.
in the early 1970's produced about 60% of its' oil demand and imported
40%. That equation has flipped since then, because our domestic oil
production has been on the decline since 1970, so now, due to our declining
domestic oil production, we have to import 60% of our oil supplies, to meet our
country's oil/energy demands.
The
Next Oil Shock Could be the "mother" of All Oil Shocks
How
severe our economic calamity and next "oil shock" will depend upon a
number of factors, including when this occurs, as well as the following: 1.
the dependence of the individual country upon its own crude oil production to meet its energy needs and to subsidize consumer imports; 2.
the rate of relative decline in crude oil production; 3.
the degree of difficulty encountered in replacing missing energy inputs; 4.
the degree to which our country had prepared in advance for this inevitable geological
and economic calamity. Iran:
Their peak crude oil production occurred in 1974; They had their islamic revolution
1979 that overturned government and replaced it with radical islam. Soviet
Union: Their peak crude oil production
was in 1989; what happened next? Iraq:
Iraq's crude oil production was in 1989; they then invaded Kuwait (for their
oil) in 1991.
Using Mr. Hubbert's predictions, that beginning around 2000 we would see
peak (global) oil production, then, if the country's not weaning themselves off
of their oil addiction, and had not begun making the switch to renewable energy,
that the negative economic and political calamities would soon follow, including
ever-increasing prices of energy that is from fossil fuels. Now
is the time to begin weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels and making the
transition to and increasing the use of renewable energy. If
you don't believe in climate change, or global warming, GREAT! Join us in the
switch to renewable energy and a fossil-free economy!
Examples of past "oil shocks" and the economic and political
calamities that followed:
United States: Our peak crude oil production of domestic oil occurred in
1970; the first "oil shock" and oil crisis followed in 1973 with the
Arab/OPEC Oil Embargo.
Their country disintegrated and the collapse of the Soviet Union followed in 1991.
Indonesia: Their peak crude oil production was in 1991; their financial
and government crisis followed in 1997.
___________________________________________________
America's
"Clear and Present Danger"
America
Has INCREASED its' Dependence on Foreign
Sources of Energy by 50% Since 1973.
America
is even more "addicted" to foreign oil today, than we were in 1973 -
1974 when OPEC, Saudi Arabia and other suppliers from the Middle-East
stopped selling us their fossil fuels, and created a significant blow to our
economy.
According to the CIA Fact Book, Every Day, the U.S.:
PRODUCES: 7,460,000 bbls of oil
CONSUMES:
20,800,000 bbls of oil
This Means that 65% of America's Energy Supplies are Now Imported from Suppliers from Foreign Countries.
Simply put, about 65% of the gasoline in your car's gas tank, comes from a foreign country.
EVERY day, the U.S. must IMPORT over 13 million bbls of oil from foreign countries and foreign suppliers to meet demand.
At
$80/barrel of oil, this also means that $1,040,000,000.00 American Dollars leave
our country, EVERY DAY, to foreign countries/suppliers of our fossil fuels, to
pay for the energy we need.
That's
$1 Billion EVERY day leaving our economy, and going to support a foreign
country's economy.
Talk
about our foreign trade deficit..... nearly $400 Billion each year, leaves our
country to pay for our oil addiction and the energy we need. To be exact,
that's $379,600,000,000.00 American Dollars.
This is NOT acceptable.
America needs to quickly transition to Energy Independence.
Renewable Energy is the Only Way America Can Achieve Energy Independence.
Millions of new and sustainable American jobs would be created here at home, if we would end our addiction to foreign fossil fuels, and quickly transition to an economy based on renewable energy and renewable fuels, produced here in the U.S.A.
The good news is that today, America already has all of the Renewable Energy Resources and Renewable Energy Technologies needed to make American Energy Independence a reality.
According to Monty Goodell, Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our increased dependence and reliance on foreign energy supplies represents a Clear and Present Danger to our national security, our economy, and the lives and livelihood of every American. Energy - including the energy we use from imported fossil fuels, is the very "lifeblood" of the American economy as it is for every industrialized country. An economy dies without it's lifeblood of energy. This Clear and Present Danger we face is far more serious than the problems related to greenhouse gas emissions. And while greenhouse gas emissions are very serious issue, in the long-term, pales in comparison to America's vital national security interests and America's economic stability in the short term. For this reason alone, America needs to transition away from its addiction to foreign energy supplies. And America's abundant renewable energy resources such as the energy we receive from the sun, and renewable energy technologies such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants - can supply 100% of America's power requirements with a concentrating solar power plant measuring 75 miles by 75 miles, located in the Southwest U.S. By generating America's power from concentrating solar power plants, America resolves its' short-term Clear and Present Danger as it relates to importing its energy from foreign countries, and the long-term problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions."
Continuing, Mr. Goodell states that "too many Americans have forgotten what happened to us in 1973, when the Arabs and OPEC brought the United States economy to a screeching halt during the OPEC Oil Embargo. This happened because they (mainly the country of Saudi Arabia) disagreed with our foreign policy and is the reason why they "turned off the tap" of our need for their oil supplies. When Saudi Arabia and OPEC stopped the vital flow of oil to our country in 1973, they caused an "oil shock" that severely and negatively impacted our economy.
Mr. Goodell's question for us to ponder is, "do these countries who sell us 60% of our daily energy requirements, like us and our foreign policy, or might they leverage our addiction to their fossil fuels, and turn off the tap to make us adjust or revise our foreign policy?? Like any addict, America's foreign policy may be held hostage to its addiction, and in this case, our addiction to foreign oil, may over-ride our national interests."
Have
American's forgotten the gas shortages and long lines at
their gas stations to get
gas during the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973?
"Apparently so." Mr. Goodell states that "in 1973, America was 'addicted' and 'over the barrel' of foreign oil to the amount of 40%. Forty percent of our energy 'needs' in 1973 came from countries - many of which didn't like us then, and I'm afraid, many of them still don't. The difference between 1973 and today - is that today we receive 50% MORE foreign oil now than we did in 1973. And now we know about the problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions that we didn't know then. America needs to change course, and change course now, in terms of its' energy supplies and how we keep America's economy strong, without the threat of being held hostage to a middle-east tyrant or regime, that could once again, turn on us, and turn off our supply of foreign oil."
Remember ????
"Sadly," Monty Goodell continues, "most Americans have forgotten the long lines of people waiting in their cars - lined up and waiting for gasoline at their nearby gas station, with lines that were many blocks long. And, after waiting 4-5 hours, many even waiting overnight in many places, to finally take their turn to fill up their car with gasoline, only to find that the gas station had run out of gas."
"Let me Repeat.... That was 1973 when we imported 40% of our daily energy requirements in the form of crude oil from overseas, and from foreign countries - and many of these from countries that don't like us.
Today,
over 35 years later, America has yet to learn the lesson. We cannot
continue our reliance on energy from foreign countries that supply us with
60% of the crude oil that our refineries use as a feedstock for producing
gasoline and diesel fuel for our cars and trucks comes from overseas.
America
is "over the barrel" and it's not our barrel, but the barrels of oil
that we are addicted by and owned by other countries. Why have we not
learned the lessons we needed to learn in 1973 when we were cut-off from the
vital energy supplies we need? Countries
like China, are growing rapidly, and have an insatiable need for crude oil.
China, with their booming economy, is increasingly growing in its clout and
control over international supplies of crude oil - whether they do this through
their ability to buy as much oil as they need on a daily basis, or whether they
simply but American drilling rigs, technology, and explore and produce oil and gas from their own fields. China, is buying large amounts of oil for their country, and causing
upward pricing on declining supplies. What happens if Russia, with all of their
oil and natural gas, along with China and Venezuela, with or without the help of
OPEC, decided to NOT sell oil to us???? To
be sure, greenhouse
gas emissions are a problem, and to some, greenhouse
gas emissions are also a Clear
and Present Danger, but not to the extent that it presents an imminent Clear
and Present Danger. America's
reliance for 60% of our energy "needs" coming from foreign suppliers
is un-acceptable. The
"driver" to get America to begin reducing and eliminating fossil fuel
use should be our nation's national security and the welfare and safety of its
citizens. And this can all begin with developing and investing in our own renewable energy
resources and renewable
energy technologies, let's start by putting solar on every rooftop that has
a clear and unobstructed view of the Southern sky. See www.RooftopPV.com
or www.DistributedPV.com
for more information. Let's create incentives begin with adopting a
national "Feed In Tariff" as
Germany did in 1990. America,
we simply do NOT have the luxury of time on our hands. We need to end our
dependence and reliance on foreign fossil fuels, especially from countries that
don't like us! We need to rapidly begin expanding renewable energy
resources and renewable
energy technologies from our vast and abundant renewable energy resources,
such as; solar, solar energy systems, solar cogeneration, solar trigeneration,
"solar on every roof," waste to energy, waste to fuel, biomass
gasification, B100 Biodiesel, Biomethane, Synthesis Gas, geothermal, E100
Ethanol (from sugar cane and NOT from corn), and wind, where it makes economic
sense."
For more
information, call or email:

________________________________________________________
Are you doing your part to prevent Climate Change and End America's Reliance on Foreign Energy?
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______________________________________________________
We support the Renewable Energy Institute by donating a portion of our profits to the Renewable Energy Institute in their efforts to reduce fossil fuel use through renewable energy and their goals to end fossil fuel pollution by reducing/eliminating Carbon Emissions, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
The Renewable Energy Institute is "Changing The Way The World Makes and Uses Energy by Providing Research & Development, Funding and Resources That Creates Sustainable Energy via 'Carbon Free Energy,' 'Clean Power Generation' and 'Pollution Free Power' Through Expanding the use of Renewable Energy Technologies."
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