The eCatalog News and Events information posted here and on the Home Page of the eCatalog have been carefully selected from online newsletters, websites and blogs to present current information on all things related to Combined Heat and Power systems, technologies, applications, and markets. These items are publicly available and beneficial to CHP stakeholders. If your have a news article or event you would like to have listed, you can find the application and submission instructions on the News & Events - Feature page. If you see a post of yours that you do not want to appear in the eCatalog, simply let us know and it will be removed (Contact Us). The eCatalog follows the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of 19981.
Combined Heat & Power
Focused New
News
UK: "Now into its 16th season, this site is still extremely efficient"
Horti-Daily
Aug 10, 2022
The grower utilizes LED lighting which provides many benefits. "LED lighting uses up to 40% less electricity than conventional lighting that is powered by on-site CHP plants, so we do not depend on the National Grid supply," they point out. "Solar panels provide the power to run pumps that irrigate the crops, and climate control helps to ensure we are not wasting energy. Lastly, we pack our crops in re-usable crates." ... Over the last two decades at R&L Holt, they have worked closely with Evesham Vale Growers, and they have four locations where they grow their tomatoes in the Evesham area. At R&L Holt, the sustainability of how they grow their tomatoes is extremely important to them."We use recycled woodchip in boilers to provide hot water to heat the glasshouse, which is stored in buffer tanks," they explain. "Thermal screens work both in warm and cold temperatures as they shade crops during bright weather and keep heat in the glasshouse during the winter months."
The grower utilizes LED lighting which provides many benefits. "LED lighting uses up to 40% less electricity than conventional lighting that is powered by on-site CHP plants, so we do not depend on the National Grid supply," they point out. "Solar panels provide the power to run pumps that irrigate the crops, and climate control helps to ensure we are not wasting energy. Lastly, we pack our crops in re-usable crates."
2019 – La Serra
La Serra was established in the Winter of 2018 and was first planted in 2019. This site has two blocks designed for production all year round.
With hybrid lighting with both Top LED and Inter-lighting, the site is powered by CHP via a Biogas Anaerobic Digestor and a Solar Farm.
2009 – Springhill Nurseries
Springhill Nurseries is situated between Pershore and Evesham. Built in 2009, this 5Ha glasshouse site has seen multiple changes.
In 2013 Vale Green Energy built an Anaerobic digester, and in 2017 a steam biomass boiler plant was installed to produce heat and power.
Now into its 11th season, this sustainable site continues to produce tomatoes from March to December.
2004 – Hornsfield Nurseries
Manufactured in the Winter of 2004/5, this site is located just outside the village of Badsey.
This was their first site where the 'NFT Hanging Gutter' was installed and used for their crops, allowing them to grow vertically.
"Now into its 16th season, this site is still extremely efficient with a biomass boiler for heating and has roof-mounted solar. We use pure CO2 from our partners' Anaerobic digestor plant."
1979 – Head Office, Sandylands Nurseries
They began back in 1979 with a typical market gardening site with indoor and outdoor crops. It was developed over the years and had four glasshouses up until 2013 called Tom, Dick, Harry, and Fred.
News
Global food-miles account for nearly 20% of total food-systems emissions
Nature
Aug 9, 2022
News
Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority’s Infrastructure ESIP (CHP based) Earns Top Project of the Year
Schneider Electric
Aug 8, 2022
Using New Jersey’s first MUA Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP), the project updates facilities and community operations through the addition of 13,000 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters, improved Pollution Control Plant (PCP) processes, including a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, and traditional energy efficiency infrastructure improvements that will enhance the quality of life for residents.
The ESIP will enhance PCP processes through the inclusion of a CHP plant that will utilize cleaned and filtered methane gas currently produced at the PCP, combined with the existing solar energy and new battery storage to supply the MUA’s microgrid. The microgrid will reduce energy costs and emissions, provide energy resilience to keep the plant operational during grid outages, and diversify the energy supply. The project will garner over $7 million of savings over twenty years.
One judge said of the ESIP: “This project will become even more important in the future as the electric grid greens and the electricity produced by a natural gas fired CHP system causes GHG emissions to increase. Every MUA should consider a similar project.”
Another added, “This multi-faceted project allows the upgrades to work together in a holistic fashion to result in a significantly more energy efficient system than would be ordinarily possible. In this project, the wastewater plant creates methane which is then used to operate the Combined Heat and Power plan and enhance reliability offered through the new microgrid."
The Environment + Energy Leader Awards is a program recognizing excellence in products and services that provide companies with energy and environmental benefits, and in projects implemented by companies that improved environmental or energy management and increased the bottom line.
“We’re honored to be recognized as a Top Project by expert judges in sustainability and energy efficiency for our project to make our infrastructure more consistent, accurate, efficient and automated,” said Carl Turner, Board Chairman, WMUA. “It illustrates the transformative power of modernization in municipal infrastructure. The proactive planning of the WMUA Board of Commissioners has laid the groundwork for fiscally-responsible energy management and system resilience, which translates into reliable critical service continuity for citizens.”
“Water and wastewater facilities often fall to the bottom of the improvement priority list due to funding challenges, as funds typically come from rate increases,” said Tammy Fulop, Vice President, Sustainability Business at Schneider Electric. “The use of a program like an ESIP, also known as an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), helps municipal leaders bring critical facilities to the forefront of their priority list. With federal funding on the horizon for water infrastructure, it’s more important than ever to consider how municipal operations, energy efficiency and environmental impact can be improved for the betterment of the community.”
News
Why Deep Energy Efficiency Now Matters More Than Ever: Actual Case Study, Not a Theory
U.S. DOE
Aug 6, 2022
News
U.S. Department of Energy to Invest Up to $165 Million to Advance Domestic Geothermal Energy Deployment
U.S. DOE
Jul 28, 2022
“The U.S. has incredible, untapped geothermal potential beneath our very feet, which can be harnessed to meet our energy demands with a round-the-clock, clean renewable resource,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Leveraging the extensive knowledge, technology, skill, and experience of the oil and gas sector is the perfect way to tackle barriers to geothermal deployment while also giving fossil-fuel-based communities and workers a role in the transition to clean energy.”
Although the U.S. geothermal resource is vast, only a small portion of it has been developed due to unique challenges associated with subsurface environments, along with process issues of geothermal projects, such as long permitting timelines.
The oil and gas and geothermal industries have numerous similarities that provide new opportunities for geothermal expansion—from advances in drilling and well construction to co-production possibilities in existing oil and gas basins. Accessing the expertise, technologies, and experience of the larger domestic oil and gas industry can help overcome barriers and encourage private investment.
These advances and access to capital can help the country realize the exponential growth potential of geothermal energy. Through industry collaboration, geothermal deployment can expand at least 60 gigawatts of clean, reliable electricity-generating capacity—enough to power more than 40 million American homes.
An award of up to $10 million will be used to select the entity to run the GEODE effort and create a roadmap for subsequent years’ research and outreach initiatives. Any awards beyond the first year are dependent on future Congressional appropriations.
Applications for GEODE are due by October 28, 2022.
News
DOE Issues Notice of Intent to Provide Funding for Clean Hydrogen and Grid Resilience Projects to Support Climate Goals
U.S. DOE
Jul 27, 2022
“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone to advance critical technologies for clean hydrogen and to make our grid more resilient,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
“These efforts will help lower the costs of clean hydrogen, increase grid resilience, catalyze industry investment for market uplift, and result in a cleaner environment for all Americans, especially historically disadvantaged communities.”
This potential funding will advance the Hydrogen Shot goal of reducing the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade (“1 1 1”), while supporting DOE’s H2@Scale® initiative to develop clean and affordable hydrogen across multiple sectors in the economy and improve energy resilience. These goals will be advanced through RD&D efforts in several areas, including advanced pathways for solar-based hydrogen fuel production; technologies for high-resolution hydrogen sensing; demonstrations of materials-based hydrogen storage and transport systems; and development of high-performance, durable, low-cost fuel cell components for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The potential funding will also seek to establish a grid resilience university consortium with agreements between universities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to foster information sharing on best practices and cross-border
dependencies. This consortium will work collaboratively with tribes, states, regions, industry, utilities, and other stakeholders to support grid resilience planning and pilot projects that can serve as a model for others.
DOE envisions awarding multiple financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements, with the period of performance being approximately two to four years. DOE encourages applicant teams that include stakeholders within academia, industry, and national laboratories across multiple technical disciplines. Teams are also encouraged to include representation from diverse entities such as minority-serving institutions or through linkages with Opportunity Zones.
News
Winners of 2022 Greater Good Awards offer insight into their microgrid projects
Microgrid Knowledge
Jul 27, 2022
Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, and awards were granted for Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good; Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid and Greater Good Award for a Remote Microgrid.... The fourth annual Microgrid Greater Good Awards were handed out during the Microgrid 2022 conference in June. The winners each presented their projects during a special session at the conference.
Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, and awards were granted for Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good; Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid and Greater Good Award for a Remote Microgrid.
There was a fourth category added this year for the Greater Good Award for a Local Microgrid in the conference’s host state, which for 2022 was Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania microgrid accentuates energy efficiency
The Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Microgrid was recognized with the Local Microgrid Greater Good Award. In the video, Katherine Hammack, director of special projects for Green Business Certification (GBCI) and Kevin Kanoff, campus energy engineer for the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, present the details of the project to conference attendees. They explain how the microgrid, which includes combined heat and power and energy storage, has significantly improved the medical center’s fuel use efficiency.
During the presentation, Kanoff notes that “efficiency is really important. It’s the building block to the next level.” He says that in 2011 when they first launched phase 1, their total energy spend was $14 million. In 2022, their energy spend is projected to be just $6.1 million. According to Kanoff, “When you do energy efficiency, you can have a tremendous carbon reduction, but you’re doing it at a financial benefit.”
News
Maryland Energy Administration Awards Frostburg State University $750,000 to Develop Microgrid Including CHP
Maryland Energy Administration
Jul 25, 2022
FSU began exploring the possibility of a microgrid in 2020 when it received a MEA Resilient Maryland Planning grant to help pay for the costs of conducting a comprehensive feasibility study and completing crucial preconstruction planning activities to identify a viable model. The analysis revealed that not only was a campus microgrid possible, but that it would allow FSU and the wider Frostburg community to leverage the benefits of clean energy to increase resiliency to power outages and disaster situations.
FSU will designate one of its buildings as an official emergency shelter, and it will be powered by a microgrid. Once the project is complete, FSU students, faculty, staff, and Frostburg community members will be able to rely on an easily accessible location during emergency situations.
“We are excited for Maryland institutions like Frostburg that see the benefits of expanding sustained electrical power through this program,” said Dr. Mary Tung, Director of MEA. “In times of much needed emergency operation, it’s vital to ensure our communities protect our most at risk with the necessary energy resources.”
The project will be made possible by the integration of several key technologies: solar energy, a fuel cell, thermal storage, and advanced heat exchange systems. Solar arrays will be installed across campus, which includes rooftop and ground-mounted systems, and a solar canopy over a parking lot with integrated electric vehicle charging stations. A fuel cell will also be installed to produce electricity and generate useful heat energy that can be used to heat water for campus purposes and create chilled water through the use of an absorption chiller. An advanced microgrid control system will ensure that all of these technologies efficiently and effectively operate with each other to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to FSU in both normal conditions and during outages.
FSU’s microgrid project is fostering a new clean energy workforce and economic development opportunities for Western Maryland and the state as a whole. The preconstruction analysis project funded by the Resilient Maryland Planning program resulted in internship opportunities for students as well as clean energy certification and degree programs that will now be offered by the university. These ideas have also been explored and adopted by other higher learning institutions, such as the Allegany College of Maryland, Garrett College, Howard Community College, and the University of Maryland.
“Providing career training and opportunities for Western Maryland is a crucial component of keeping well-paying, local jobs in these communities,” said Governor Hogan. “It has revealed that they are ripe for innovation and leadership in Maryland’s clean energy transition.”
News
Connecticut calls on utilities to evaluate non-wires alternatives
Microgrid Knowledge
Jul 25, 2022
Non-wires alternatives — which include microgrids and other distributed energy resources — can help save money by avoiding construction of expensive new distribution systems or upgrades. Because non-wires alternatives are generally local, clean energy, they can also be more environmentally friendly. They can either reduce electrical loads or boost energy production at a specific location.
Also known as NWAs, they are now employed by utilities in several states, among them Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. California in 2021 began looking at using distributed energy as non-wires alternatives.
In Connecticut, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has issued the proposal as part of an ongoing investigation into utility distribution system planning (17-12-03RE07)
PURA plans to issue a decision in the coming months, said Taren O’Connor, director of legislation, regulations and communication, PURA.
As proposed, Connecticut’s program would require that utilities compare distribution investments they plan to undertake against competitively bid non-wires alternatives. The goal is to recommend the option that maximizes net benefits while meeting grid needs. A program administrator would oversee the process, working as a consultant independent of the utilities and other stakeholders.
PURA also suggests incentives to encourage the use of non-wires alternatives; specifically a shared savings incentive that would give 25% of savings to the utilities and 75% to customers.
“Based on the information gathered in this docket to-date and the examples of NWAs from other jurisdictions, the authority finds that the potential for cost savings, improved service and greater environmental protection as a result of a successful NWA program is significant,” said the proposal.
Each utility would be required to submit an annual filing on January 15. The goal is to provide the information necessary for the program administrator to evaluate distribution system upgrades against non-wires alternatives.
As part of the evaluation process, PURA wants the utilities to maintain system information such as feeder and substation’s hourly and sub hourly demand, plus circuit voltage measurements at different points on the circuit, if available. The utilities may seek a protective order to exempt them from disclosing certain information.
“The authority has a preference for a public, open process when possible given the increasing level of public interest in Connecticut’s electricity grid and the dual objectives of increasing transparency and inclusivity,” the proposal said.
The utilities would also be required to make annual distribution investment filings and categorize distribution system proposals as presumptive, potential or unlikely non-wires alternatives opportunities. The filings would also include details about why each investment does or does not warrant a solicitation for non-wires alternatives. Distribution system investments above $250,000 would be disclosed in the annual filings.
The program administrator would provide public comments about the annual utility filing, possibly including alternative recommendations for the investments that should undergo a competitive solicitation, said the proposal.
The utilities would issue the final request for proposals for the non-wires alternatives and receive the bids. The program administrator would receive the bids at the same time.
Under the proposal, any contracts finalized would be between the utility and bidder, and the utility would be responsible for execution and implementation of each contract.
Meanwhile, Connecticut continues to be fertile ground for microgrids with a number of projects either moving forward or already in operation.
One of the latest microgrid projects in the state is at a recreation center in Middletown that includes a heating and cooling center for low-income residents and homeless people, said Vishnu Barran, sales and business development manager for Clarke Energy USA, which is providing the microgrid.
The recreation center is a former school that was refurbished. Under a third-party financing agreement with X-Caliber Rural Funding, the center will pay about the same as it did for energy before — but will also benefit from the resilience and cleaner energy provided by the microgrid. The base energy source is a combined heat & power (CHP) unit that provides 35 kW of electricity along with hot water. The microgrid also includes a solar PV array and energy storage that will be used for peak shaving. A gas generator will provide backup. The microgrid is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 192 tons per year, the company said.
Middletown also is home to a microgrid at Wesleyan University that was the first project to receive funds from the state of Connecticut’s microgrid grant program. Wesleyan, whose microgrid is capable of generating 3.1 MW, wants to avoid power outages like the one it experienced in 2012 for 77 hours.
And the town of Bridgeport’s microgrid that serves three key municipal facilities was purchased last year by Scale Microgrid Solutions.
Ryan Goodman, Scale CEO and co-founder, said the system has gone into island mode several times over the last year, providing resilience for the city’s critical infrastructure facilities.
“Given the increasing number of extreme storms, that continues to be very important for places like Bridgeport,” said Goodman.
It’s also important across Connecticut, which was one of the first state’s in the nation to offer a significant amount of grant money to build microgrids. The state wants to keep the power flowing when storms or devastation hit, and cope with emergencies like the 77-hour outage that hit Wesleyan.
News
Ricardo to design, install and operate a CHP demonstrator plant with a carbon negative footprint
Ricardo
Jul 21, 2022
Ricardo is leading the consortium delivering the demonstrator plant. The consortium combines an innovative carbon capture system developed by Ricardo with the hot air turbine technology from Bluebox Energy and pyrolysis technology from Woodtek Engineering. The quarter-sized demonstrator plant, which will be located at Holmsted Farm in West Sussex in the UK, will be commissioned and operational in 2023. It will demonstrate not only a highly innovative greenhouse gas removal technology, that in the full-size system can generate renewable heat and electricity for up to 300 local homes and businesses, but also a realistic carbon negative technogy that can significantly contribute to net zero targets.
Tim Curtis, Managing Director, Ricardo Energy and Environment said: “Ricardo is a trusted advisor to governments around the world on climate change policy and the transition to clean energy, and is also well known for its mission to decarbonise the global transport and energy sectors. In partnership with Bluebox Energy and Woodtek Engineering, this project will demonstrate that our innovative and integrated carbon capture system can be used to benefit local communities, bolster the UK’s reputation as a pioneer in negative emission technologies, and provide a sustainable and commercially viable pathway to net-zero while also delivering national energy security.”
Ricardo’s project is one of several across the UK which will benefit from a share of over 54 million GBP to develop technologies that remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Announcing this investment, UK Government’s Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: “This 54 million GBP government investment will help establish a greenhouse gas removal industry in the UK, which could be worth billions to our economy, bringing in private investment and supporting the creation of new green jobs.”
The technology works by taking sustainably sourced waste wood from domestic timber production and then processing it in three ways: producing biochar (a product similar to charcoal); generating heat and power; and capturing carbon dioxide from the exhaust. The technology, therefore, captures around 95% of the carbon content in the wood. It also produces commercially marketable carbon products: the biochar can be used by farmers to enrich soil and add to animal feed to reduce ruminant emissions. The industrial-grade carbon dioxide can either be used for making low-carbon concrete or in the food and drinks industry to replace carbon dioxide derived from industrial processes which rely on imported natural gas. A full-size system will remove 16,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere.
Ricardo has been collaborating with Bluebox Energy since June 2020 to deliver innovative technologies that support the transition to a low carbon future. This project is a further boost to Ricardo’s credentials in tackling climate change and meeting national net zero targets. Ricardo is currently actively supporting clients in Europe in innovative carbon capture technologies and has advised the UK Government on the potential of bioenergy with carbon capture in the UK. Ricardo supports clients across a wide range of industries develop their industrial decarbonisation plans on the route to net zero.
Combined Heat & Power
Upcoming Events
Upcoming
Event
Wastewater Infrastructure: ESCO Opportunities
NAESCO
Monday, August 22, 2022, 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET
While some data automation applications like water AMI (Automated Meter Infrastructure) are fairly well known, we will explore some of the less known data monitoring applications for a range of assets (i.e. manholes, lift stations, tanks, etc).
Failing assets are also a fact of life in the wastewater infrastructure. The energy costs of these assets can support pipeline repair and structural coating projects to reduce inflow and infiltration. This seminar will familiarize attendees with a range of measures for developing more comprehensive infrastructure projects.
Upcoming
Event
World Cogeneration Day
worldcogenerationday.org
September 4, 2022
Upcoming
Event
Gastech Milan 2022
Gastech
September 5-8, 2022
Governments and CEOs will take stock of the evolving energy landscape; assess the state of the industry post-pandemic and navigate a route to a ‘just’ energy transition whilst managing the current gas supply crisis.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in Milan, an international centre of business with a thriving gas industry, Gastech will gather Ministers, CEOs, policy makers, business leaders, engineers, innovators and disruptors.
Ideally timed 2-months ahead of COP-27, the four-day exhibition and conference will provide a forum for exhibitors, sponsors and speakers, to showcase to a global audience, their solutions to the challenges faced on the journey to net-zero.
Upcoming
Event
Managing Temperature And Humidity In Indoor Farms
Agritecture
September 13, 2022, 12:00 to 1:00 pm ET
Surna Cultivation Technologies Co-Founder Brandy Keen and Application Engineer Ian Atkins, P.E. join Agritecture Systems Engineer Alberto Lopez in a discourse on managing controlled environment agriculture climates. Topics include:
Humidity, VPD, and Dehumidification
Cooling and Heating
Airflow
Upcoming
Event
Facilities and Campus Energy North America Summit
RSC
September 14 – 15, 2022
... This senior level educational and networking Summit is designed to provide an interchange of knowledge and serve as a catalyst for collaboration across federal, public and private sector institutional, and commercial facility and campus energy stakeholders. The Summit will focus on strategic and technical capabilities to support decarbonization and electrification, improve overall energy efficiencies, reliability, and resiliency for the public and private sector built environment.
Upcoming
Event
2022 MCA Fall Conference: Exploring Energy Decarbonization and Resiliency Solutions for Your Business and Organization
Midwest Cogeneration Association
September 19, 2022 1:00 pm ET to 21, 2022 1:00 pm ET
Network and learn from industry representatives, operators, government agencies, and presenters about challenges, lessons learned, and trending opportunities for CHP market adoption. Timely topics will include decarbonization, incentive programs, federal funding, grid modernization, microgrids, low and zero-carbon fuels (including RNG and hydrogen), new technologies, and valuing CHP’s energy efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and emissions-reducing benefits.
Upcoming
Event
RNG WORKS - the North American RNG industry’s annual two-day Technical Workshop & Trade Expo
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
September 20-22, 2022
The Technical Workshop program and Trade Expo (90,000 sq feet) combine to educate, demonstrate and promote RNG industry best practices, for purposes of helping realize sustainable development, deployment and utilization of renewable natural gas - and for purposes of helping achieve greater energy independence and access to domestic, renewable, clean fuel and energy supply.
Upcoming
Event
AEE World
AEE
Sept. 21-23, 2022
The conference opens and closes with leaders speaking on important energy topics. They provide insight into their company's operations, what it takes to lead, or how they innovate. AEE selects speakers, often personalities that are known globally, to challenge, entertain and motivate conference attendees. These are truly "got-to-attend" sessions that often provides the audience motivation to go out and make changes or connect with the attendees around them. After all, we are all here for one purpose…. to find improvements in energy usage, become more efficient, and save energy.
A broad selection of qualified speakers present case studies, application success stories, innovations in technology, energy service improvements and much, much, more. You can select from 11 tracks with over 140 individual technical presentations. Each one is designed to give you objective, valid information you can apply to your business projects as soon as you leave AEE World.
In 2022 the conference contains a general panel session dedicated to a particular topic of interest to energy efficiency and energy management professionals. Join the panel session and join the conversation.
Upcoming
Event
National Clean Energy Week
National Clean Energy Week
September 26-30, 2022
Join our annual week-long celebration of clean energy innovation and help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage, and waste-to-energy technologies.... National Clean Energy Week brings together elected officials, business leaders, advocates, policymakers, investors, and trade associations from all perspectives who are dedicated to advancing clean energy.
Join our annual week-long celebration of clean energy innovation and help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage, and waste-to-energy technologies.
Upcoming
Event
COGEN Europe Annual Conference
COGEN Europe
October 11 -12, 2022
This will be an excellent opportunity for participants to network and share knowledge about the latest and upcoming developments in the world of cogeneration. We look forward to bringing the European cogeneration community together again and we hope you'll be able to join us!
DAY 1: October 11, 2022
CEO PANEL SESSION: Cogeneration’s Role Building a More Efficient, Resilient and Sustainable Energy System in the Context of REpowerEU
In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Commission has developed the REPowerEU Plan, which aims to end Europe’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels and reinforce the implementation of the European Green Deal. The plan includes measures to diversify Europe’s energy supplies, deliver energy savings and accelerate the uptake of renewables. In this session, top executives from leading European companies will highlight how cogeneration technologies can contribute to achieving the objectives of the REPowerEU Plan in terms of enhancing efficiency, boosting system resilience and supporting the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
PANEL SESSION 2: Innovations and Technologies to Future-proof Cogeneration
The dramatic escalation of the situation in Ukraine has confirmed the need for the EU to develop a more resilient and diversified energy system. At the same time, Europe’s energy industry is being expected to achieve ambitious targets for decarbonisation and renewables uptake in the framework of 'Fit for 55' and REPowerEU. This session will focus on the most innovative, sustainable and future-proof cogeneration technologies and applications, ranging from hydrogen to biogases and waste heat.
COGEN EUROPE AWARDS CEREMONY AND GALA DINNER
DAY 2 October 12, 2022
PANEL SESSION 3: Fit For 55 - Unlocking Local Energy System Integration For Higher Ambition
With its 'Fit for 55' legislation, the EU seeks to accelerate the uptake of clean energy solutions with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Taking an integrated approach to energy systems including electricity, heat and gas infrastructures will be crucial for delivering on ambitious objectives at the lowest cost to European citizens, businesses and industry. Local energy planning will further contribute towards an inclusive, resilient and secure energy transition that respects the diversity of energy consumers and local circumstances, as well as different starting points across EU Member States. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of energy systems integration, showcasing success stories and identifying barriers to be addressed.
PANEL SESSION 4: Finance for Clean Energy: CHP Investment Financing Solutions
To deliver on its ambitious targets for reducing emissions by 2030 and becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the European Union must mobilise massive investments in the development and deployment of clean technologies, using public funds and incentives to attract private capital. Given its pivotal role in the energy transition, the cogeneration sector can help to channel investments towards efficient technologies. This session will look at funding opportunities across Europe, best practices in EU Member States, and how to unlock existing sources of finance to support the uptake of cogeneration solutions.
CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS
Combined Heat & Power
Partner News
Partner
News
Kroger's K.B. Specialty Foods Commissions Food Waste Digester and 600 kW CHP Plant
2G
Aug 9, 2022
Partner
News
Flexible CHP power for a perfect finish
DIESEL & GAS TURBINE WORLDWIDE
Jul 28, 2022
A market leader in forged aluminum wheels, Otto Fuchs is based in Meinerzhagen in the west of the Sauerland region of Germany. The company has invested about €80 million in a new surface center located in the Grünewald industrial zone. At Otto Fuchs Surface Technology GmbH & Co. KG, the Fuchs wheels get their special finish and the advanced coating plant is connected to a high-bay warehouse and a shipping and logistics center.
The building application for the new plant included the request for permission to set up a cogeneration power plant to generate electricity onsite. The company decided on a cogen system from Caterpillar Energy Solutions based on an MWM TCG 2020 gas engine generator set. The set combines MWM’s TCG 2020 engine, a 12-cylinder, vee configured engine with bore and stroke dimensions of 170 x 195 mm and an overall displacement of 53.1 L, with a Marelli MJB 450 LB4 three-phase, four-pole alternator. The gen-set, incorporating a TEM controller, delivers 999 kW at 50 Hz, which is about 50% of the power required at the facility.
The system also provides 1101 kW of thermal energy at a total system efficiency of 88.3%, MWM said.
“Since 2015, we already have a cogeneration power plant with an MWM TCG 2032 V16 genset in the main Otto Fuchs factory,” said Paul J. Plikat, head of the Grünewald energy industry project who was involved in the planning of the new power plant. “All our experiences with this model have been positive, both with regard to the performance and reliability of the engine and in terms of the good collaboration with the manufacturer and the MWM Service.
“For us, these were good reasons to opt for another MWM gas engine for the new cogeneration power plant.”
Adapting power to factory shifts
The power-controlled MWM gas gen-set runs in flex operation, adapted to the factory’s shifts. “In this way, we can effectively control the power generation in accordance with the demand in the factory,” said Vladimir Giebert, project engineer Supply, Factory Planning and Maintenance at Otto Fuchs. Giebert added that especially during the cold season, the exhaust heat from the engine is used in its entirety. Apart from heating the factory, many surface coating processes also depend on heat, such as the pre-treatment or special washing systems.
For the cogeneration power plant in the Grünewald factory, the planning and rollout of the energy supply was handled by the company itself and the system was fully installed and commissioned in the spring.
“During the planning and rollout stages, the challenge was to seamlessly involve a dozen suppliers in the face of a relatively tight time schedule.” said Giebert. “As expected, the collaboration was very pleasant and professional. Minor initial difficulties were quickly resolved in a competent manner by the MWM Service (team) in collaboration with our maintenance personnel.
“Apart from the good collaboration with Caterpillar Energy Solutions, our team members also played their part in ensuring that the project was successfully completed within a short period of time.”
Interestingly, the cogeneration power plant is not the only heat generator at Otto Fuchs Surface Technology in Grünewald. A natural gas boiler and the heat recovery system of the compressed-air supply are hydraulically connected to the cogeneration power plant. Each individual heat generator is controlled by a central control that is also connected to the gen-set’s TEM control. One of the challenges encountered during the installation, was to ensure the efficient networking of these various components. After some minor initial glitches, everything is now on track, and the annual usage amounts to more than 70%, the company said.
Partner
News
2G Exhibiting at Cultivate 2022
2G
July 16-22, 2022
Partner
News
ROLLS-ROYCE COMMISSIONS TEST BENCH FOR mtu HYDROGEN ENGINES FOR CLIMATE-NEUTRAL POWER SUPPLY
mtu a Rolls Royce solution
Jul 14, 2022
Rolls-Royce had announced in 2021, as part of its ‘Net Zero at Power Systems’ sustainability program, that it would realign its product portfolio so that by 2030, sustainable fuels and new mtu technologies can achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 35 percent compared to 2019. The company is now already successfully operating an mtu fuel cell system, has released its power generation gensets for sustainable fuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils), and is developing electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen. The mtu gas engine portfolio is being prepared for hydrogen as a fuel, thus enabling a climate-neutral energy supply.
“To reduce CO2 emissions in electricity supply, renewable, often decentralized, energy sources are needed to generate electrical energy on a much larger scale than today. In conjunction with these renewable sources, we see hydrogen as an essential energy carrier of the future. That is why we are doing everything we can to gradually bring our mtu gensets and CHP units based on the Series 500 and 4000 gas engines to market for operation with a hydrogen blending of 25 percent by volume (H2) and more and for operation with up to 100 percent by volume,” said Dr. Otto Preiss, Rolls-Royce Power Systems Chief Technology Officer and COO.
The Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce has set itself strict targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations as part of its climate protection program: With ambitious interim targets for 2030, the company aims to be climate neutral worldwide by 2050, and in Germany as early as 2045. “The environmental protection measures now implemented at Rolls-Royce Solutions in Augsburg will benefit both the company and the city of Augsburg,” explained Tobias Schnell, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Solutions Augsburg GmbH. These included, for example, feeding residual industrial electricity into the public grid or using waste heat from the test stands to air-condition buildings. At the Augsburg site, (bio-)gas engines and, in the future, hydrogen engines are developed and tested, and gas engine-based systems are built and maintained, which are used, for example, in combined heat and power plants to generate electricity and heat.
Partner
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Chevron, Cummins announce hydrogen MOU
Cummins
Jul 14, 2022
“Chevron is committed to developing and delivering affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy, and collaborating with Cummins is a positive step toward our goal of building a large-scale business in a lower-carbon area that is complementary to our current offerings,” said Andy Walz, president of Chevron’s Americas Fuels & Lubricants.
The MOU provides the framework for Chevron and Cummins to initially collaborate on four main objectives:
- Advancing public policy that promotes hydrogen as a decarbonizing solution for transportation and industry.
- Building market demand for commercial vehicles and industrial applications powered by hydrogen.
- Developing infrastructure to support the use of hydrogen for industry and fuel cell vehicles.
- Exploring opportunities to leverage Cummins electrolyzer and fuel cell technologies at one or more of Chevron’s domestic refineries.
“Working with Chevron to advance hydrogen technology and accelerate ecosystem development helps us continue our goal in enabling a carbon-neutral world,” said Amy Davis, vice president and president of New Power at Cummins. “The energy transition is happening, and we recognize the critical role hydrogen will play in our energy mix.
“We’ve deployed more than 2000 fuel cells and 600 electrolyzers around the world and are exploring other hydrogen alternatives including a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine as we continue to accelerate and harness hydrogen’s powerful potential.”
Partner
News
MAN partnering on liquid-air energy storage facility
mtu a Rolls Royce solution
Jul 14, 2022
“Carrington is a unique project and a litmus test for the future of zero-carbon storage technology, not just in the United Kingdom but globally,” said Wayne Jones OBE, chief sales officer and member of the Executive Board of MAN Energy Solutions. “Indeed, many interested parties will be watching developments closely. Simply put, the technology’s potential is limitless – we already see multiple opportunities for its further application beyond this project’s successful conclusion. For the first project to happen in my hometown is even better!”
The liquid-air energy-storage plant uses cryogenically liquefied air as a medium for storing energy. Off-peak or excess electrical energy is used to compress ambient air and liquefy it in the charging cycle. The liquefied air is stored at low temperatures in insulated tanks. When power is required, liquid air is drawn from the tanks and evaporated again in the discharging cycle to generate electricity. The system efficiency is increased by using the stored cold and the compression heat. LAES is especially suitable for special applications that require large amounts of energy over a discharge time of several hours, and enables fluctuating, renewable sources to bear base-loads. The MAN turbomachinery train will form the core of the CRYOBattery facility that, upon completion, will form one of Europe’s largest battery storage systems. This will ultimately supply clean, reliable, and cost-efficient long-duration energy storage – primarily from renewable sources.
Construction of the CRYOBattery began in late 2020 with commercial operation set to commence during 2022. Highview Power will operate the facility in partnership with Carlton Power, a UK independent power station developer.
Partner
News
A medical device manufacturer in Puerto Rico is striving for energy efficiency and sustainability!
2G
Jul 8, 2022
The power system is designed as the primary energy source, with the utility running in parallel and additional backup diesel generators. The unit is a fully containerized module, all-in-one & connection-ready (Plug & Play) system that is certified for high-wind tropical depressions (180+ mph) and sound attenuated for (<65dBA).
With fully integrated controls, proprietary electronic management, and the ability to operate autonomously or as a component within a more complex microgrid, 2G CHPs provide best-in-class operational reliability and resiliency.
Partner
News
New rental deal for Capstone
Capstone Green Energy
Jul 8, 2022
This contract was secured by Capstone’s local distribution partner, Cal Microturbine, Capstone’s exclusive distributor for California, Hawaii, and Nevada and nonexclusive for Oregon and Washington.
“Expanding Capstone’s Energy as a Service business, which includes the long-term rental program, is an important element for the company achieving its profitability goals. Capstone is a proud green energy company, having focused for a long time on transforming the way businesses think about on-site energy production,” said Darren Jamison, president and CEO of Capstone Green Energy. “Today, we are excited to be able to offer our customers Energy as a Service and strengthen our commitment to creating smarter energy for a cleaner future, as carbon reduction has increasing value to our customers.”
Partner
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Capstone secures 1.6 MW CHP microturbine order in Mexico
Capstone Green Energy
Jun 30, 2022
Once the natural gas-fueled microturbines are installed at the facility, they will provide 24/7 reliable and continuous electrical power and thermal energy for the plant. The clean exhaust will be used to feed a hot water exchanger with preheated boilers, Capstone noted, a heating process that helps the plant reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and reduce on-site emissions.
According to DTC Solutions’ internal calculations, the CHP system is expected to reduce energy consumption of approximately 62% and is estimated to have a return on investment (ROI) of approximately three years. “These efficiency improvements directly translate to significantly lower energy costs and higher profit margins for our customers in Mexico,” said Alejandro Muñoz, president of DTC Solutions. “As utility rates continue to rise, manufacturers are opting to take matters into their own hands by adopting energy-efficient solutions like Capstone microturbine systems to increase resiliency and lower their carbon footprint.”
The order includes a 10-year Factory Protection Plan (FPP), a comprehensive maintenance program that includes providing product life-cycle costs at a fixed rate for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for the life of the microturbine system.
Partner
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How Energy Upgrade Will Reduce Wastewater Treatment Plant Emissions by 93%
2G
Jun 27, 2022
The new comprehensive infrastructure project will help WCW achieve its vision. Led by ENGIE North America, the initiative will include significant upgrades to WCW’s Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant. Two new digesters, an addition of 1.1 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation, a thermal sludge drying system, and solids dewatering, among other improvements, will greatly improve WCW’s control over its handling of biosolids.
Historically, biosolids produced by WCW have been sent to landfill due to the fact they did not meet the high-quality standards required for beneficial reuse. By generating Class A biosolids—suitable for agricultural and other reclamation uses—these upgrades will eliminate organic material being sent to landfill. This will prepare the organization for the 2022 implementation of SB 1383, the “Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Reductions” regulations and reduce ongoing disposal costs. The project will also result in a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the decomposition of sludge in the landfills.
ENGIE will implement the plant improvements and maintain the installed equipment over the next 20 years under an energy savings performance contract. ENGIE is targeting a 4.2 million kWh reduction in WCW’s annual energy use.
The scope of the project comprises a 1.1 MW solar power system, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging stations and wastewater treatment plant upgrades including a new grit separation system, rotary drum thickeners, a high efficiency aeration blower, new digesters, a 450 kW 2G cogeneration system powered by biogas from the digester, a sludge dewatering system, a sludge thermal dryer system and equalization basins. Together, these systems’ onsite generation will meet close to 100% of the district’s facilities and wastewater treatment electricity needs.
Combined Heat & Power
Focused News
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UK: "Now into its 16th season, this site is still extremely efficient"
Horti-Daily
Aug 10, 2022
The grower utilizes LED lighting which provides many benefits. "LED lighting uses up to 40% less electricity than conventional lighting that is powered by on-site CHP plants, so we do not depend on the National Grid supply," they point out. "Solar panels provide the power to run pumps that irrigate the crops, and climate control helps to ensure we are not wasting energy. Lastly, we pack our crops in re-usable crates." ... Over the last two decades at R&L Holt, they have worked closely with Evesham Vale Growers, and they have four locations where they grow their tomatoes in the Evesham area. At R&L Holt, the sustainability of how they grow their tomatoes is extremely important to them."We use recycled woodchip in boilers to provide hot water to heat the glasshouse, which is stored in buffer tanks," they explain. "Thermal screens work both in warm and cold temperatures as they shade crops during bright weather and keep heat in the glasshouse during the winter months."
The grower utilizes LED lighting which provides many benefits. "LED lighting uses up to 40% less electricity than conventional lighting that is powered by on-site CHP plants, so we do not depend on the National Grid supply," they point out. "Solar panels provide the power to run pumps that irrigate the crops, and climate control helps to ensure we are not wasting energy. Lastly, we pack our crops in re-usable crates."
2019 – La Serra
La Serra was established in the Winter of 2018 and was first planted in 2019. This site has two blocks designed for production all year round.
With hybrid lighting with both Top LED and Inter-lighting, the site is powered by CHP via a Biogas Anaerobic Digestor and a Solar Farm.
2009 – Springhill Nurseries
Springhill Nurseries is situated between Pershore and Evesham. Built in 2009, this 5Ha glasshouse site has seen multiple changes.
In 2013 Vale Green Energy built an Anaerobic digester, and in 2017 a steam biomass boiler plant was installed to produce heat and power.
Now into its 11th season, this sustainable site continues to produce tomatoes from March to December.
2004 – Hornsfield Nurseries
Manufactured in the Winter of 2004/5, this site is located just outside the village of Badsey.
This was their first site where the 'NFT Hanging Gutter' was installed and used for their crops, allowing them to grow vertically.
"Now into its 16th season, this site is still extremely efficient with a biomass boiler for heating and has roof-mounted solar. We use pure CO2 from our partners' Anaerobic digestor plant."
1979 – Head Office, Sandylands Nurseries
They began back in 1979 with a typical market gardening site with indoor and outdoor crops. It was developed over the years and had four glasshouses up until 2013 called Tom, Dick, Harry, and Fred.
News
Global food-miles account for nearly 20% of total food-systems emissions
Nature
Aug 9, 2022
News
Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority’s Infrastructure ESIP (CHP based) Earns Top Project of the Year
Schneider Electric
Aug 8, 2022
Using New Jersey’s first MUA Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP), the project updates facilities and community operations through the addition of 13,000 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters, improved Pollution Control Plant (PCP) processes, including a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, and traditional energy efficiency infrastructure improvements that will enhance the quality of life for residents.
The ESIP will enhance PCP processes through the inclusion of a CHP plant that will utilize cleaned and filtered methane gas currently produced at the PCP, combined with the existing solar energy and new battery storage to supply the MUA’s microgrid. The microgrid will reduce energy costs and emissions, provide energy resilience to keep the plant operational during grid outages, and diversify the energy supply. The project will garner over $7 million of savings over twenty years.
One judge said of the ESIP: “This project will become even more important in the future as the electric grid greens and the electricity produced by a natural gas fired CHP system causes GHG emissions to increase. Every MUA should consider a similar project.”
Another added, “This multi-faceted project allows the upgrades to work together in a holistic fashion to result in a significantly more energy efficient system than would be ordinarily possible. In this project, the wastewater plant creates methane which is then used to operate the Combined Heat and Power plan and enhance reliability offered through the new microgrid."
The Environment + Energy Leader Awards is a program recognizing excellence in products and services that provide companies with energy and environmental benefits, and in projects implemented by companies that improved environmental or energy management and increased the bottom line.
“We’re honored to be recognized as a Top Project by expert judges in sustainability and energy efficiency for our project to make our infrastructure more consistent, accurate, efficient and automated,” said Carl Turner, Board Chairman, WMUA. “It illustrates the transformative power of modernization in municipal infrastructure. The proactive planning of the WMUA Board of Commissioners has laid the groundwork for fiscally-responsible energy management and system resilience, which translates into reliable critical service continuity for citizens.”
“Water and wastewater facilities often fall to the bottom of the improvement priority list due to funding challenges, as funds typically come from rate increases,” said Tammy Fulop, Vice President, Sustainability Business at Schneider Electric. “The use of a program like an ESIP, also known as an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), helps municipal leaders bring critical facilities to the forefront of their priority list. With federal funding on the horizon for water infrastructure, it’s more important than ever to consider how municipal operations, energy efficiency and environmental impact can be improved for the betterment of the community.”
News
Why Deep Energy Efficiency Now Matters More Than Ever: Actual Case Study, Not a Theory
U.S. DOE
Aug 6, 2022
News
U.S. Department of Energy to Invest Up to $165 Million to Advance Domestic Geothermal Energy Deployment
U.S. DOE
Jul 28, 2022
“The U.S. has incredible, untapped geothermal potential beneath our very feet, which can be harnessed to meet our energy demands with a round-the-clock, clean renewable resource,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Leveraging the extensive knowledge, technology, skill, and experience of the oil and gas sector is the perfect way to tackle barriers to geothermal deployment while also giving fossil-fuel-based communities and workers a role in the transition to clean energy.”
Although the U.S. geothermal resource is vast, only a small portion of it has been developed due to unique challenges associated with subsurface environments, along with process issues of geothermal projects, such as long permitting timelines.
The oil and gas and geothermal industries have numerous similarities that provide new opportunities for geothermal expansion—from advances in drilling and well construction to co-production possibilities in existing oil and gas basins. Accessing the expertise, technologies, and experience of the larger domestic oil and gas industry can help overcome barriers and encourage private investment.
These advances and access to capital can help the country realize the exponential growth potential of geothermal energy. Through industry collaboration, geothermal deployment can expand at least 60 gigawatts of clean, reliable electricity-generating capacity—enough to power more than 40 million American homes.
An award of up to $10 million will be used to select the entity to run the GEODE effort and create a roadmap for subsequent years’ research and outreach initiatives. Any awards beyond the first year are dependent on future Congressional appropriations.
Applications for GEODE are due by October 28, 2022.
News
DOE Issues Notice of Intent to Provide Funding for Clean Hydrogen and Grid Resilience Projects to Support Climate Goals
U.S. DOE
Jul 27, 2022
“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone to advance critical technologies for clean hydrogen and to make our grid more resilient,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
“These efforts will help lower the costs of clean hydrogen, increase grid resilience, catalyze industry investment for market uplift, and result in a cleaner environment for all Americans, especially historically disadvantaged communities.”
This potential funding will advance the Hydrogen Shot goal of reducing the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade (“1 1 1”), while supporting DOE’s H2@Scale® initiative to develop clean and affordable hydrogen across multiple sectors in the economy and improve energy resilience. These goals will be advanced through RD&D efforts in several areas, including advanced pathways for solar-based hydrogen fuel production; technologies for high-resolution hydrogen sensing; demonstrations of materials-based hydrogen storage and transport systems; and development of high-performance, durable, low-cost fuel cell components for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The potential funding will also seek to establish a grid resilience university consortium with agreements between universities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to foster information sharing on best practices and cross-border
dependencies. This consortium will work collaboratively with tribes, states, regions, industry, utilities, and other stakeholders to support grid resilience planning and pilot projects that can serve as a model for others.
DOE envisions awarding multiple financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements, with the period of performance being approximately two to four years. DOE encourages applicant teams that include stakeholders within academia, industry, and national laboratories across multiple technical disciplines. Teams are also encouraged to include representation from diverse entities such as minority-serving institutions or through linkages with Opportunity Zones.
News
Winners of 2022 Greater Good Awards offer insight into their microgrid projects
Microgrid Knowledge
Jul 27, 2022
Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, and awards were granted for Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good; Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid and Greater Good Award for a Remote Microgrid.... The fourth annual Microgrid Greater Good Awards were handed out during the Microgrid 2022 conference in June. The winners each presented their projects during a special session at the conference.
Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, and awards were granted for Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good; Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid and Greater Good Award for a Remote Microgrid.
There was a fourth category added this year for the Greater Good Award for a Local Microgrid in the conference’s host state, which for 2022 was Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania microgrid accentuates energy efficiency
The Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Microgrid was recognized with the Local Microgrid Greater Good Award. In the video, Katherine Hammack, director of special projects for Green Business Certification (GBCI) and Kevin Kanoff, campus energy engineer for the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, present the details of the project to conference attendees. They explain how the microgrid, which includes combined heat and power and energy storage, has significantly improved the medical center’s fuel use efficiency.
During the presentation, Kanoff notes that “efficiency is really important. It’s the building block to the next level.” He says that in 2011 when they first launched phase 1, their total energy spend was $14 million. In 2022, their energy spend is projected to be just $6.1 million. According to Kanoff, “When you do energy efficiency, you can have a tremendous carbon reduction, but you’re doing it at a financial benefit.”
News
Maryland Energy Administration Awards Frostburg State University $750,000 to Develop Microgrid Including CHP
Maryland Energy Administration
Jul 25, 2022
FSU began exploring the possibility of a microgrid in 2020 when it received a MEA Resilient Maryland Planning grant to help pay for the costs of conducting a comprehensive feasibility study and completing crucial preconstruction planning activities to identify a viable model. The analysis revealed that not only was a campus microgrid possible, but that it would allow FSU and the wider Frostburg community to leverage the benefits of clean energy to increase resiliency to power outages and disaster situations.
FSU will designate one of its buildings as an official emergency shelter, and it will be powered by a microgrid. Once the project is complete, FSU students, faculty, staff, and Frostburg community members will be able to rely on an easily accessible location during emergency situations.
“We are excited for Maryland institutions like Frostburg that see the benefits of expanding sustained electrical power through this program,” said Dr. Mary Tung, Director of MEA. “In times of much needed emergency operation, it’s vital to ensure our communities protect our most at risk with the necessary energy resources.”
The project will be made possible by the integration of several key technologies: solar energy, a fuel cell, thermal storage, and advanced heat exchange systems. Solar arrays will be installed across campus, which includes rooftop and ground-mounted systems, and a solar canopy over a parking lot with integrated electric vehicle charging stations. A fuel cell will also be installed to produce electricity and generate useful heat energy that can be used to heat water for campus purposes and create chilled water through the use of an absorption chiller. An advanced microgrid control system will ensure that all of these technologies efficiently and effectively operate with each other to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to FSU in both normal conditions and during outages.
FSU’s microgrid project is fostering a new clean energy workforce and economic development opportunities for Western Maryland and the state as a whole. The preconstruction analysis project funded by the Resilient Maryland Planning program resulted in internship opportunities for students as well as clean energy certification and degree programs that will now be offered by the university. These ideas have also been explored and adopted by other higher learning institutions, such as the Allegany College of Maryland, Garrett College, Howard Community College, and the University of Maryland.
“Providing career training and opportunities for Western Maryland is a crucial component of keeping well-paying, local jobs in these communities,” said Governor Hogan. “It has revealed that they are ripe for innovation and leadership in Maryland’s clean energy transition.”
News
Connecticut calls on utilities to evaluate non-wires alternatives
Microgrid Knowledge
Jul 25, 2022
Non-wires alternatives — which include microgrids and other distributed energy resources — can help save money by avoiding construction of expensive new distribution systems or upgrades. Because non-wires alternatives are generally local, clean energy, they can also be more environmentally friendly. They can either reduce electrical loads or boost energy production at a specific location.
Also known as NWAs, they are now employed by utilities in several states, among them Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. California in 2021 began looking at using distributed energy as non-wires alternatives.
In Connecticut, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has issued the proposal as part of an ongoing investigation into utility distribution system planning (17-12-03RE07)
PURA plans to issue a decision in the coming months, said Taren O’Connor, director of legislation, regulations and communication, PURA.
As proposed, Connecticut’s program would require that utilities compare distribution investments they plan to undertake against competitively bid non-wires alternatives. The goal is to recommend the option that maximizes net benefits while meeting grid needs. A program administrator would oversee the process, working as a consultant independent of the utilities and other stakeholders.
PURA also suggests incentives to encourage the use of non-wires alternatives; specifically a shared savings incentive that would give 25% of savings to the utilities and 75% to customers.
“Based on the information gathered in this docket to-date and the examples of NWAs from other jurisdictions, the authority finds that the potential for cost savings, improved service and greater environmental protection as a result of a successful NWA program is significant,” said the proposal.
Each utility would be required to submit an annual filing on January 15. The goal is to provide the information necessary for the program administrator to evaluate distribution system upgrades against non-wires alternatives.
As part of the evaluation process, PURA wants the utilities to maintain system information such as feeder and substation’s hourly and sub hourly demand, plus circuit voltage measurements at different points on the circuit, if available. The utilities may seek a protective order to exempt them from disclosing certain information.
“The authority has a preference for a public, open process when possible given the increasing level of public interest in Connecticut’s electricity grid and the dual objectives of increasing transparency and inclusivity,” the proposal said.
The utilities would also be required to make annual distribution investment filings and categorize distribution system proposals as presumptive, potential or unlikely non-wires alternatives opportunities. The filings would also include details about why each investment does or does not warrant a solicitation for non-wires alternatives. Distribution system investments above $250,000 would be disclosed in the annual filings.
The program administrator would provide public comments about the annual utility filing, possibly including alternative recommendations for the investments that should undergo a competitive solicitation, said the proposal.
The utilities would issue the final request for proposals for the non-wires alternatives and receive the bids. The program administrator would receive the bids at the same time.
Under the proposal, any contracts finalized would be between the utility and bidder, and the utility would be responsible for execution and implementation of each contract.
Meanwhile, Connecticut continues to be fertile ground for microgrids with a number of projects either moving forward or already in operation.
One of the latest microgrid projects in the state is at a recreation center in Middletown that includes a heating and cooling center for low-income residents and homeless people, said Vishnu Barran, sales and business development manager for Clarke Energy USA, which is providing the microgrid.
The recreation center is a former school that was refurbished. Under a third-party financing agreement with X-Caliber Rural Funding, the center will pay about the same as it did for energy before — but will also benefit from the resilience and cleaner energy provided by the microgrid. The base energy source is a combined heat & power (CHP) unit that provides 35 kW of electricity along with hot water. The microgrid also includes a solar PV array and energy storage that will be used for peak shaving. A gas generator will provide backup. The microgrid is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 192 tons per year, the company said.
Middletown also is home to a microgrid at Wesleyan University that was the first project to receive funds from the state of Connecticut’s microgrid grant program. Wesleyan, whose microgrid is capable of generating 3.1 MW, wants to avoid power outages like the one it experienced in 2012 for 77 hours.
And the town of Bridgeport’s microgrid that serves three key municipal facilities was purchased last year by Scale Microgrid Solutions.
Ryan Goodman, Scale CEO and co-founder, said the system has gone into island mode several times over the last year, providing resilience for the city’s critical infrastructure facilities.
“Given the increasing number of extreme storms, that continues to be very important for places like Bridgeport,” said Goodman.
It’s also important across Connecticut, which was one of the first state’s in the nation to offer a significant amount of grant money to build microgrids. The state wants to keep the power flowing when storms or devastation hit, and cope with emergencies like the 77-hour outage that hit Wesleyan.
News
Ricardo to design, install and operate a CHP demonstrator plant with a carbon negative footprint
Ricardo
Jul 21, 2022
Ricardo is leading the consortium delivering the demonstrator plant. The consortium combines an innovative carbon capture system developed by Ricardo with the hot air turbine technology from Bluebox Energy and pyrolysis technology from Woodtek Engineering. The quarter-sized demonstrator plant, which will be located at Holmsted Farm in West Sussex in the UK, will be commissioned and operational in 2023. It will demonstrate not only a highly innovative greenhouse gas removal technology, that in the full-size system can generate renewable heat and electricity for up to 300 local homes and businesses, but also a realistic carbon negative technogy that can significantly contribute to net zero targets.
Tim Curtis, Managing Director, Ricardo Energy and Environment said: “Ricardo is a trusted advisor to governments around the world on climate change policy and the transition to clean energy, and is also well known for its mission to decarbonise the global transport and energy sectors. In partnership with Bluebox Energy and Woodtek Engineering, this project will demonstrate that our innovative and integrated carbon capture system can be used to benefit local communities, bolster the UK’s reputation as a pioneer in negative emission technologies, and provide a sustainable and commercially viable pathway to net-zero while also delivering national energy security.”
Ricardo’s project is one of several across the UK which will benefit from a share of over 54 million GBP to develop technologies that remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Announcing this investment, UK Government’s Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: “This 54 million GBP government investment will help establish a greenhouse gas removal industry in the UK, which could be worth billions to our economy, bringing in private investment and supporting the creation of new green jobs.”
The technology works by taking sustainably sourced waste wood from domestic timber production and then processing it in three ways: producing biochar (a product similar to charcoal); generating heat and power; and capturing carbon dioxide from the exhaust. The technology, therefore, captures around 95% of the carbon content in the wood. It also produces commercially marketable carbon products: the biochar can be used by farmers to enrich soil and add to animal feed to reduce ruminant emissions. The industrial-grade carbon dioxide can either be used for making low-carbon concrete or in the food and drinks industry to replace carbon dioxide derived from industrial processes which rely on imported natural gas. A full-size system will remove 16,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere.
Ricardo has been collaborating with Bluebox Energy since June 2020 to deliver innovative technologies that support the transition to a low carbon future. This project is a further boost to Ricardo’s credentials in tackling climate change and meeting national net zero targets. Ricardo is currently actively supporting clients in Europe in innovative carbon capture technologies and has advised the UK Government on the potential of bioenergy with carbon capture in the UK. Ricardo supports clients across a wide range of industries develop their industrial decarbonisation plans on the route to net zero.
Combined Heat & Power
Upcoming Events
Upcoming
Event
Wastewater Infrastructure: ESCO Opportunities
NAESCO
Monday, August 22, 2022, 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET
While some data automation applications like water AMI (Automated Meter Infrastructure) are fairly well known, we will explore some of the less known data monitoring applications for a range of assets (i.e. manholes, lift stations, tanks, etc).
Failing assets are also a fact of life in the wastewater infrastructure. The energy costs of these assets can support pipeline repair and structural coating projects to reduce inflow and infiltration. This seminar will familiarize attendees with a range of measures for developing more comprehensive infrastructure projects.
Upcoming
Event
World Cogeneration Day
worldcogenerationday.org
September 4, 2022
Upcoming
Event
Gastech Milan 2022
Gastech
September 5-8, 2022
Governments and CEOs will take stock of the evolving energy landscape; assess the state of the industry post-pandemic and navigate a route to a ‘just’ energy transition whilst managing the current gas supply crisis.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in Milan, an international centre of business with a thriving gas industry, Gastech will gather Ministers, CEOs, policy makers, business leaders, engineers, innovators and disruptors.
Ideally timed 2-months ahead of COP-27, the four-day exhibition and conference will provide a forum for exhibitors, sponsors and speakers, to showcase to a global audience, their solutions to the challenges faced on the journey to net-zero.
Upcoming
Event
Managing Temperature And Humidity In Indoor Farms
Agritecture
September 13, 2022, 12:00 to 1:00 pm ET
Surna Cultivation Technologies Co-Founder Brandy Keen and Application Engineer Ian Atkins, P.E. join Agritecture Systems Engineer Alberto Lopez in a discourse on managing controlled environment agriculture climates. Topics include:
Humidity, VPD, and Dehumidification
Cooling and Heating
Airflow
Upcoming
Event
Facilities and Campus Energy North America Summit
RSC
September 14 – 15, 2022
... This senior level educational and networking Summit is designed to provide an interchange of knowledge and serve as a catalyst for collaboration across federal, public and private sector institutional, and commercial facility and campus energy stakeholders. The Summit will focus on strategic and technical capabilities to support decarbonization and electrification, improve overall energy efficiencies, reliability, and resiliency for the public and private sector built environment.
Upcoming
Event
2022 MCA Fall Conference: Exploring Energy Decarbonization and Resiliency Solutions for Your Business and Organization
Midwest Cogeneration Association
September 19, 2022 1:00 pm ET to 21, 2022 1:00 pm ET
Network and learn from industry representatives, operators, government agencies, and presenters about challenges, lessons learned, and trending opportunities for CHP market adoption. Timely topics will include decarbonization, incentive programs, federal funding, grid modernization, microgrids, low and zero-carbon fuels (including RNG and hydrogen), new technologies, and valuing CHP’s energy efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and emissions-reducing benefits.
Upcoming
Event
RNG WORKS - the North American RNG industry’s annual two-day Technical Workshop & Trade Expo
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
September 20-22, 2022
The Technical Workshop program and Trade Expo (90,000 sq feet) combine to educate, demonstrate and promote RNG industry best practices, for purposes of helping realize sustainable development, deployment and utilization of renewable natural gas - and for purposes of helping achieve greater energy independence and access to domestic, renewable, clean fuel and energy supply.
Upcoming
Event
AEE World
AEE
Sept. 21-23, 2022
The conference opens and closes with leaders speaking on important energy topics. They provide insight into their company's operations, what it takes to lead, or how they innovate. AEE selects speakers, often personalities that are known globally, to challenge, entertain and motivate conference attendees. These are truly "got-to-attend" sessions that often provides the audience motivation to go out and make changes or connect with the attendees around them. After all, we are all here for one purpose…. to find improvements in energy usage, become more efficient, and save energy.
A broad selection of qualified speakers present case studies, application success stories, innovations in technology, energy service improvements and much, much, more. You can select from 11 tracks with over 140 individual technical presentations. Each one is designed to give you objective, valid information you can apply to your business projects as soon as you leave AEE World.
In 2022 the conference contains a general panel session dedicated to a particular topic of interest to energy efficiency and energy management professionals. Join the panel session and join the conversation.
Upcoming
Event
National Clean Energy Week
National Clean Energy Week
September 26-30, 2022
Join our annual week-long celebration of clean energy innovation and help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage, and waste-to-energy technologies.... National Clean Energy Week brings together elected officials, business leaders, advocates, policymakers, investors, and trade associations from all perspectives who are dedicated to advancing clean energy.
Join our annual week-long celebration of clean energy innovation and help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage, and waste-to-energy technologies.
Upcoming
Event
COGEN Europe Annual Conference
COGEN Europe
October 11 -12, 2022
This will be an excellent opportunity for participants to network and share knowledge about the latest and upcoming developments in the world of cogeneration. We look forward to bringing the European cogeneration community together again and we hope you'll be able to join us!
DAY 1: October 11, 2022
CEO PANEL SESSION: Cogeneration’s Role Building a More Efficient, Resilient and Sustainable Energy System in the Context of REpowerEU
In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Commission has developed the REPowerEU Plan, which aims to end Europe’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels and reinforce the implementation of the European Green Deal. The plan includes measures to diversify Europe’s energy supplies, deliver energy savings and accelerate the uptake of renewables. In this session, top executives from leading European companies will highlight how cogeneration technologies can contribute to achieving the objectives of the REPowerEU Plan in terms of enhancing efficiency, boosting system resilience and supporting the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
PANEL SESSION 2: Innovations and Technologies to Future-proof Cogeneration
The dramatic escalation of the situation in Ukraine has confirmed the need for the EU to develop a more resilient and diversified energy system. At the same time, Europe’s energy industry is being expected to achieve ambitious targets for decarbonisation and renewables uptake in the framework of 'Fit for 55' and REPowerEU. This session will focus on the most innovative, sustainable and future-proof cogeneration technologies and applications, ranging from hydrogen to biogases and waste heat.
COGEN EUROPE AWARDS CEREMONY AND GALA DINNER
DAY 2 October 12, 2022
PANEL SESSION 3: Fit For 55 - Unlocking Local Energy System Integration For Higher Ambition
With its 'Fit for 55' legislation, the EU seeks to accelerate the uptake of clean energy solutions with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Taking an integrated approach to energy systems including electricity, heat and gas infrastructures will be crucial for delivering on ambitious objectives at the lowest cost to European citizens, businesses and industry. Local energy planning will further contribute towards an inclusive, resilient and secure energy transition that respects the diversity of energy consumers and local circumstances, as well as different starting points across EU Member States. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of energy systems integration, showcasing success stories and identifying barriers to be addressed.
PANEL SESSION 4: Finance for Clean Energy: CHP Investment Financing Solutions
To deliver on its ambitious targets for reducing emissions by 2030 and becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the European Union must mobilise massive investments in the development and deployment of clean technologies, using public funds and incentives to attract private capital. Given its pivotal role in the energy transition, the cogeneration sector can help to channel investments towards efficient technologies. This session will look at funding opportunities across Europe, best practices in EU Member States, and how to unlock existing sources of finance to support the uptake of cogeneration solutions.
CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS
Combined Heat & Power
Partner News
Partner
News
Kroger's K.B. Specialty Foods Commissions Food Waste Digester and 600 kW CHP Plant
2G
Aug 9, 2022
Partner
News
Flexible CHP power for a perfect finish
DIESEL & GAS TURBINE WORLDWIDE
Jul 28, 2022
A market leader in forged aluminum wheels, Otto Fuchs is based in Meinerzhagen in the west of the Sauerland region of Germany. The company has invested about €80 million in a new surface center located in the Grünewald industrial zone. At Otto Fuchs Surface Technology GmbH & Co. KG, the Fuchs wheels get their special finish and the advanced coating plant is connected to a high-bay warehouse and a shipping and logistics center.
The building application for the new plant included the request for permission to set up a cogeneration power plant to generate electricity onsite. The company decided on a cogen system from Caterpillar Energy Solutions based on an MWM TCG 2020 gas engine generator set. The set combines MWM’s TCG 2020 engine, a 12-cylinder, vee configured engine with bore and stroke dimensions of 170 x 195 mm and an overall displacement of 53.1 L, with a Marelli MJB 450 LB4 three-phase, four-pole alternator. The gen-set, incorporating a TEM controller, delivers 999 kW at 50 Hz, which is about 50% of the power required at the facility.
The system also provides 1101 kW of thermal energy at a total system efficiency of 88.3%, MWM said.
“Since 2015, we already have a cogeneration power plant with an MWM TCG 2032 V16 genset in the main Otto Fuchs factory,” said Paul J. Plikat, head of the Grünewald energy industry project who was involved in the planning of the new power plant. “All our experiences with this model have been positive, both with regard to the performance and reliability of the engine and in terms of the good collaboration with the manufacturer and the MWM Service.
“For us, these were good reasons to opt for another MWM gas engine for the new cogeneration power plant.”
Adapting power to factory shifts
The power-controlled MWM gas gen-set runs in flex operation, adapted to the factory’s shifts. “In this way, we can effectively control the power generation in accordance with the demand in the factory,” said Vladimir Giebert, project engineer Supply, Factory Planning and Maintenance at Otto Fuchs. Giebert added that especially during the cold season, the exhaust heat from the engine is used in its entirety. Apart from heating the factory, many surface coating processes also depend on heat, such as the pre-treatment or special washing systems.
For the cogeneration power plant in the Grünewald factory, the planning and rollout of the energy supply was handled by the company itself and the system was fully installed and commissioned in the spring.
“During the planning and rollout stages, the challenge was to seamlessly involve a dozen suppliers in the face of a relatively tight time schedule.” said Giebert. “As expected, the collaboration was very pleasant and professional. Minor initial difficulties were quickly resolved in a competent manner by the MWM Service (team) in collaboration with our maintenance personnel.
“Apart from the good collaboration with Caterpillar Energy Solutions, our team members also played their part in ensuring that the project was successfully completed within a short period of time.”
Interestingly, the cogeneration power plant is not the only heat generator at Otto Fuchs Surface Technology in Grünewald. A natural gas boiler and the heat recovery system of the compressed-air supply are hydraulically connected to the cogeneration power plant. Each individual heat generator is controlled by a central control that is also connected to the gen-set’s TEM control. One of the challenges encountered during the installation, was to ensure the efficient networking of these various components. After some minor initial glitches, everything is now on track, and the annual usage amounts to more than 70%, the company said.
Partner
News
2G Exhibiting at Cultivate 2022
2G
July 16-22, 2022
Partner
News
ROLLS-ROYCE COMMISSIONS TEST BENCH FOR mtu HYDROGEN ENGINES FOR CLIMATE-NEUTRAL POWER SUPPLY
mtu a Rolls Royce solution
Jul 14, 2022
Rolls-Royce had announced in 2021, as part of its ‘Net Zero at Power Systems’ sustainability program, that it would realign its product portfolio so that by 2030, sustainable fuels and new mtu technologies can achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 35 percent compared to 2019. The company is now already successfully operating an mtu fuel cell system, has released its power generation gensets for sustainable fuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils), and is developing electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen. The mtu gas engine portfolio is being prepared for hydrogen as a fuel, thus enabling a climate-neutral energy supply.
“To reduce CO2 emissions in electricity supply, renewable, often decentralized, energy sources are needed to generate electrical energy on a much larger scale than today. In conjunction with these renewable sources, we see hydrogen as an essential energy carrier of the future. That is why we are doing everything we can to gradually bring our mtu gensets and CHP units based on the Series 500 and 4000 gas engines to market for operation with a hydrogen blending of 25 percent by volume (H2) and more and for operation with up to 100 percent by volume,” said Dr. Otto Preiss, Rolls-Royce Power Systems Chief Technology Officer and COO.
The Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce has set itself strict targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations as part of its climate protection program: With ambitious interim targets for 2030, the company aims to be climate neutral worldwide by 2050, and in Germany as early as 2045. “The environmental protection measures now implemented at Rolls-Royce Solutions in Augsburg will benefit both the company and the city of Augsburg,” explained Tobias Schnell, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Solutions Augsburg GmbH. These included, for example, feeding residual industrial electricity into the public grid or using waste heat from the test stands to air-condition buildings. At the Augsburg site, (bio-)gas engines and, in the future, hydrogen engines are developed and tested, and gas engine-based systems are built and maintained, which are used, for example, in combined heat and power plants to generate electricity and heat.
Partner
News
Chevron, Cummins announce hydrogen MOU
Cummins
Jul 14, 2022
“Chevron is committed to developing and delivering affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy, and collaborating with Cummins is a positive step toward our goal of building a large-scale business in a lower-carbon area that is complementary to our current offerings,” said Andy Walz, president of Chevron’s Americas Fuels & Lubricants.
The MOU provides the framework for Chevron and Cummins to initially collaborate on four main objectives:
- Advancing public policy that promotes hydrogen as a decarbonizing solution for transportation and industry.
- Building market demand for commercial vehicles and industrial applications powered by hydrogen.
- Developing infrastructure to support the use of hydrogen for industry and fuel cell vehicles.
- Exploring opportunities to leverage Cummins electrolyzer and fuel cell technologies at one or more of Chevron’s domestic refineries.
“Working with Chevron to advance hydrogen technology and accelerate ecosystem development helps us continue our goal in enabling a carbon-neutral world,” said Amy Davis, vice president and president of New Power at Cummins. “The energy transition is happening, and we recognize the critical role hydrogen will play in our energy mix.
“We’ve deployed more than 2000 fuel cells and 600 electrolyzers around the world and are exploring other hydrogen alternatives including a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine as we continue to accelerate and harness hydrogen’s powerful potential.”
Partner
News
MAN partnering on liquid-air energy storage facility
mtu a Rolls Royce solution
Jul 14, 2022
“Carrington is a unique project and a litmus test for the future of zero-carbon storage technology, not just in the United Kingdom but globally,” said Wayne Jones OBE, chief sales officer and member of the Executive Board of MAN Energy Solutions. “Indeed, many interested parties will be watching developments closely. Simply put, the technology’s potential is limitless – we already see multiple opportunities for its further application beyond this project’s successful conclusion. For the first project to happen in my hometown is even better!”
The liquid-air energy-storage plant uses cryogenically liquefied air as a medium for storing energy. Off-peak or excess electrical energy is used to compress ambient air and liquefy it in the charging cycle. The liquefied air is stored at low temperatures in insulated tanks. When power is required, liquid air is drawn from the tanks and evaporated again in the discharging cycle to generate electricity. The system efficiency is increased by using the stored cold and the compression heat. LAES is especially suitable for special applications that require large amounts of energy over a discharge time of several hours, and enables fluctuating, renewable sources to bear base-loads. The MAN turbomachinery train will form the core of the CRYOBattery facility that, upon completion, will form one of Europe’s largest battery storage systems. This will ultimately supply clean, reliable, and cost-efficient long-duration energy storage – primarily from renewable sources.
Construction of the CRYOBattery began in late 2020 with commercial operation set to commence during 2022. Highview Power will operate the facility in partnership with Carlton Power, a UK independent power station developer.
Partner
News
A medical device manufacturer in Puerto Rico is striving for energy efficiency and sustainability!
2G
Jul 8, 2022
The power system is designed as the primary energy source, with the utility running in parallel and additional backup diesel generators. The unit is a fully containerized module, all-in-one & connection-ready (Plug & Play) system that is certified for high-wind tropical depressions (180+ mph) and sound attenuated for (<65dBA).
With fully integrated controls, proprietary electronic management, and the ability to operate autonomously or as a component within a more complex microgrid, 2G CHPs provide best-in-class operational reliability and resiliency.
Partner
News
New rental deal for Capstone
Capstone Green Energy
Jul 8, 2022
This contract was secured by Capstone’s local distribution partner, Cal Microturbine, Capstone’s exclusive distributor for California, Hawaii, and Nevada and nonexclusive for Oregon and Washington.
“Expanding Capstone’s Energy as a Service business, which includes the long-term rental program, is an important element for the company achieving its profitability goals. Capstone is a proud green energy company, having focused for a long time on transforming the way businesses think about on-site energy production,” said Darren Jamison, president and CEO of Capstone Green Energy. “Today, we are excited to be able to offer our customers Energy as a Service and strengthen our commitment to creating smarter energy for a cleaner future, as carbon reduction has increasing value to our customers.”
Partner
News
Capstone secures 1.6 MW CHP microturbine order in Mexico
Capstone Green Energy
Jun 30, 2022
Once the natural gas-fueled microturbines are installed at the facility, they will provide 24/7 reliable and continuous electrical power and thermal energy for the plant. The clean exhaust will be used to feed a hot water exchanger with preheated boilers, Capstone noted, a heating process that helps the plant reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and reduce on-site emissions.
According to DTC Solutions’ internal calculations, the CHP system is expected to reduce energy consumption of approximately 62% and is estimated to have a return on investment (ROI) of approximately three years. “These efficiency improvements directly translate to significantly lower energy costs and higher profit margins for our customers in Mexico,” said Alejandro Muñoz, president of DTC Solutions. “As utility rates continue to rise, manufacturers are opting to take matters into their own hands by adopting energy-efficient solutions like Capstone microturbine systems to increase resiliency and lower their carbon footprint.”
The order includes a 10-year Factory Protection Plan (FPP), a comprehensive maintenance program that includes providing product life-cycle costs at a fixed rate for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for the life of the microturbine system.
Partner
News
How Energy Upgrade Will Reduce Wastewater Treatment Plant Emissions by 93%
2G
Jun 27, 2022
The new comprehensive infrastructure project will help WCW achieve its vision. Led by ENGIE North America, the initiative will include significant upgrades to WCW’s Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant. Two new digesters, an addition of 1.1 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation, a thermal sludge drying system, and solids dewatering, among other improvements, will greatly improve WCW’s control over its handling of biosolids.
Historically, biosolids produced by WCW have been sent to landfill due to the fact they did not meet the high-quality standards required for beneficial reuse. By generating Class A biosolids—suitable for agricultural and other reclamation uses—these upgrades will eliminate organic material being sent to landfill. This will prepare the organization for the 2022 implementation of SB 1383, the “Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Reductions” regulations and reduce ongoing disposal costs. The project will also result in a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the decomposition of sludge in the landfills.
ENGIE will implement the plant improvements and maintain the installed equipment over the next 20 years under an energy savings performance contract. ENGIE is targeting a 4.2 million kWh reduction in WCW’s annual energy use.
The scope of the project comprises a 1.1 MW solar power system, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging stations and wastewater treatment plant upgrades including a new grit separation system, rotary drum thickeners, a high efficiency aeration blower, new digesters, a 450 kW 2G cogeneration system powered by biogas from the digester, a sludge dewatering system, a sludge thermal dryer system and equalization basins. Together, these systems’ onsite generation will meet close to 100% of the district’s facilities and wastewater treatment electricity needs.
1The Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act, passed into law in 1998 as part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act provides safe harbour protection to "online service providers" for "online storage" in section 512(c). Section 512(c) applies to online service providers that store copyright infringing material. In addition to the two general requirements that online service providers comply with standard technical measures and remove repeat infringers, section 512(c) also requires that the online service providers: 1) do not receive a financial benefit directly attributable to the infringing activity, 2) are not aware of the presence of infringing material or know any facts or circumstances that would make infringing material apparent, and 3) upon receiving notice from copyright owners or their agents, act expeditiously to remove the allegedly copyright infringing material. These news items and event posting do not represent any guidance by the U.S. DOE, nor are they intended to influence any party. The news and events are only for the general interest information provided to CHP stakeholders.