Emissions Engineering
www.EmissionsEngineering.com

What is Emissions Engineering?

Emissions engineering is an engineering field that seeks to identify and reduce or eliminate environmental pollutants and emissions that are either hazardous, toxic or contribute to a wide range oh health or environmental problems.

Examples of emissions that are in the emissions engineering industry include;

• Carbon Emissions

• Carbon Dioxide Emissions

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Hazardous Air Pollutants

• Mercury Emissions

• Methane Emissions

• Volatile Organic Compounds

The Renewable Energy Institute provides emissions engineering services - some with assistance from our engineering partner companies.

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Running on "green fuel" such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Synthesis Gas or natural gas, our CHP Systems are the greenest "clean power generation" systems available.

Our clean power generation systems are a superior "micro-grid" and demand side management solution for data centers, hospitals, universities, municipal utility districts and new real estate developments/subdivisions seeking "net zero energy" solutions. 

With Natural Gas prices now running well below $3.00/mmbtu, and more recently in March 2012, below $2.40/mmbtu, our Clean Power Generation plants generate  power for a fuel cost at about $0.03/kWh.  With operations & maintenance added in - we generate power for less than a nickel or $0.05/kWh - or, anywhere from 50% to 75% less than your present electric rates.

We also provide energy independence from the "dirty" power grid with its high unreliability, black-outs and sky-rocketing electric power prices.  

Our "Integrated" CHP Systems (Cogeneration and Trigeneration) Plants 
Have Very  High Efficiencies, Low Fuel Costs & Low Emissions

The Effective Heat Rate is Approximately 
4100 btu/kW & System Efficiency is 92% Plant

The CHP System below is Rated at 900 kW and Features:
(2) Natural Gas Engines @ 450 kW each on one Skid with Optional 
Selective Catalytic Reduction system that removes Nitrogen Oxides to "non-detect."

Our CHP Systems may be the best solution for your company's economic and environmental sustainability as we "upgrade" natural gas to clean power with our clean power generation solutions.

Our Emissions Abatement solutions reduce Nitrogen Oxides to "non-detect" which means our Trigeneration energy systems can be installed and operated in most EPA non-attainment regions!

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About us:

We provide energy master planning, engineering, architectural and renewable energy project development services with expertise in:

• Anaerobic Digesters

• Architects and Engineers

• Architectural and Engineering

• Automated Demand Response - ADR

• Balance of Plant - BOP

• Balance of System - BOS

• Battery Energy Storage - BES

• Biomass Gasification

• Bulk Energy Storage

• Carbon Free Energy

• Clean Power Generation

• Cogeneration

• Compressed Air Energy Storage - CAES

• Concentrated Solar Power - CSP

• Concentrating Solar Power

• Decentralized Energy

• Demand Side Management - DSM

• Dispersed Generation

• Distributed Generation

• Distributed Energy Resources - DER

• Distributed PV

• Distributed Solar Generation

• EcoGeneration

• Economic Feasibility

• Energy Master Plan

• Energy Master Plans

• Energy Master Planning

• Engineering Feasibility

• Feasibility Studies 

• Emissions Abatement 

• Emissions Engineering

• Engineering Procurement Construction - EPC

• Evacuated Tube Collectors

• Frequency Regulation

• Front End Engineering

• Front End Engineering Design - FEED

• Front End Loading

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions consulting

• Greenhouse Gas Reporting

• High Concentration PV

• High Voltage Direct Current - HVDC

• Interconnection Studies

• Molten Salt Storage

• Natural Gas Storage

• Net Zero Energy - NZE

• Net Zero Energy Buildings - NZEB

• Onsite Power Generation

• Organic Rankine Cycle - ORC

• Parabolic Troughs

• Peak Load Management

• Plasma Gasification

• Pollution Free Power

• Power Purchase Agreement consulting & PPA fundingProject Development

• Project Development

• Project Management

• Project Finance/Funding introduction to potential investors

• Rooftop PV

• Salt Dome Storage

• Smart Grid

• Solar Cogeneration

• Solar Power Parks

• Solar Power Towers

• Solar Thermal Collectors

• Solar Trigeneration

• Solar Water Heating Systems

• Sustainable Building Solutions

• Sustainable Building Technologies

• Sustainable Urban Living

• Trigeneration

• Unified Smart Grid

• Waste Heat Recovery

• Waste to Energy

• Waste to Fuel

• Zero Emission Energy

• Zero Emission Power

What Are Hazardous Air Pollutants? 

Hazardous Air Pollutants or "HAPs" are generally defined as those pollutants that are known or suspected to cause serious health problems. Section 112(b) of the Clean Air Act currently identifies a list of 188 pollutants as HAPs. EPA's ATW Web site presents more information on HAPs, their effects, and EPA's programs to reduce HAPs.


What Sources Emit Hazardous Air Pollutants?

Hazardous Air Pollutants are emitted by a variety of source categories that include stationary major and area sources, other stationary sources, and mobile sources. Major and area source categories are defined in Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.

Major sources are large stationary sources that emit more than 10 tons per year of any listed Hazardous Air Pollutant or a combination of listed HAPs of 25 tons per year or more. The NTI includes facility data for major sources. Examples of major sources include electric utility plants, chemical plants, steel mills, oil refineries, and hazardous waste incinerators. These sources may release air toxics from equipment leaks, when materials are transferred from one location to another, or during discharge through emissions stacks or vents. 

Area sources are smaller stationary sources that emit less than 10 tons per year of a single Hazardous Air Pollutant or less than 25 tons per year of a combination of air toxics. The NTI includes facility data for some area sources and aggregated emission estimates at the county level for the remaining area sources. Area sources are regulated under toxics provisions in the Clean Air Act. Examples of area sources include neighborhood dry cleaners and gas stations. Though emissions from individual area sources are often relatively small, collectively their emissions can be of concern particularly where large numbers of sources are located in heavily populated areas. 

Other stationary sources are sources that may be more appropriately addressed by other programs rather than through regulations developed under certain air toxics provisions (sections 112 or 129) in the Clean Air Act. Examples of other stationary sources include wildfires and prescribed burning whose emissions are being addressed through the burning policy agreed to by EPA and USDA. 

Mobile source categories include on-road vehicles, non-road 2- and 4- stroke and diesel engines, off road vehicles, aircraft, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels. 


What are Volatile Organic Compounds?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. Volatile organic compounds include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many Volatile organic compounds are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  


Where do Volatile Organic Compounds Come From?

Volatile organic compounds are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions. Volatile organic compounds are found in everything from paints and coatings to cleaning fluids. 

Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to Volatile organic compounds include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

What are the Health and Environmental Implications from Volatile Organic Compounds?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is very concerned over the release of VOCs into our environment as are each of the state's air quality boards across the United States. Volatile organic compounds are significant contributing factor to the production of ozone, a major air pollutant in large metropolitan cities, which are proven to be a public health hazard.

Ozone protects the earth and the environment when it is located in the upper atmosphere by reflecting the sun's ultraviolet rays. However, when ozone is produced and found at ground-level, it then becomes a major pollutant and causes harm to all life forms.  

According the the EPA, ozone is a highly reactive gas that "negatively affects the normal function of the lung in many healthy humans." EPA's studies show that breathing air with ozone concentrations above air quality standards aggravates symptoms of people with pulmonary diseases and seems to increase rates of asthma attacks. 

Prolonged exposure to ozone causes permanent damage to lung tissue and interferes with the functioning of the immune system. Ozone has been difficult to control because it is not emitted into the air, but formed in the atmosphere through a photochemical process. Volatile organic compounds play a large role in the photochemical process and production of ozone as they react in the air with nitrogen oxides and sunlight to form ozone. Because of this, the EPA has determined that controlling VOCs is an effective method for minimizing ozone levels.


How We Assist Our Customers Turn an Environmental Problem and Expenses Into Profits

We recover Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and convert the "waste" into fuel for use by the company generating the VOCs. 

Instead of an expense cost for incinerating the "waste" in a thermal oxidizer, we create clean energy from the recovered Volatile organic compounds, and decrease the facility's energy costs  

Our VOC Control technology permits our client companies to meet even the most stringent European environmental laws and legislation. These ever- increasingly greater environmental laws to control VOCs in Europe and the U.S. has caused companies to become tougher on measuring and controlling volatile organic compounds. Our VOC Control  solutions exceed all environmental requirements and reduce your energy and environmental expenses and costs, creating profits for your company from what was an expense. 

What is a Certified Emission Reduction?

A Certified Emission Reduction (CERs) is the technical term for the output of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, as defined by the Kyoto Protocol. A unit of Greenhouse Gas reductions that has been generated and certified under the provisions of Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol,  the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). 

In contrast, Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs) are used for Joint Implementation (JI) under Article 6 of the Protocol. According to Article 12, Certified Emission Reductions must be "certified by operational entities to be designated by the Conference of the Parties (COP) serving as the Meeting of the Parties (MOP)."

What is an Emission Reduction Credit?

An Emission Reduction Credit (ERC) is a credit granted upon request by an emission source who voluntarily reduces emissions beyond required levels of control. An Emission Reduction Credit represents the legal ability to emit regulated pollutants in an amount equal to the quantity specified when the Emission Reduction Credit was granted. 

Emission Reduction Credits may be sold, leased, banked for future use, or traded in accordance with applicable regulations established by SWCAA. 

Emission Reduction Credits are intended to provide an incentive for reducing emissions below required levels, and to establish a framework to promote a market based approach to air pollution control.


What are Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Greenhouse Gas Emissions are those greenhouse gases that allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which many believe is the cause of global warming. There are natural and man-made greenhouse gas emissions.  The primary greenhouse gases thought to be major contributors to global warming are; carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), methane emissions (CH 4) and nitrogen oxides (N2O). 

The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions from manmade sources include; fossil-fueled power plants such as natural gas power plants and coal fired power plants. Other sources of greenhouse gas emissions linked to manmade causes include  internal combustion engines (fueled by gasoline and petroleum diesel) and deforestation.

Many people don't realize that as much as 25% of  per cent of the carbon dioxide emissions are naturally absorbed by the ocean and another 25% of the carbon dioxide emissions are absorbed by our biosphere, such as trees, plants, soil, etc.  This leaves about 50% of the carbon dioxide emissions that are not absorbed and remaining in our atmosphere. As previously stated, carbon dioxide emissions are linked primarily to the burning of fossil fuels (power plants, cars, trucks, etc.) and deforestation.

Greenhouse gas emissions have been on the increase ever since the dawn of the industrial revolution.

What Are Greenhouse Gases?

Many chemical compounds found in the Earth’s atmosphere act as “greenhouse gases.” These gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely. When sunlight strikes the Earth’s surface, some of it is reflected back towards space as infrared radiation (heat). Greenhouse gases absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere. Over time, the amount of energy sent from the sun to the Earth’s surface should be about the same as the amount of energy radiated back into space, leaving the temperature of the Earth’s surface roughly constant.

Many gases exhibit these “greenhouse” properties. Some of them occur in nature (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide), while others are exclusively human-made (like gases used for aerosols).

What are Carbon Dioxide Emissions?

According to the EPA, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, or "Carbon Emissions" or simply "CO2," are generated in a number of ways. Carbon Dioxide Emissions are produced naturally through the carbon cycle and through human activities like the burning of fossil fuels.

Natural sources of CO2 occur within the carbon cycle where billions of tons of atmospheric CO2 are removed from the atmosphere by oceans and growing plants, also known as ‘sinks,’ and are emitted back into the atmosphere annually through natural processes also known as ‘sources.’ When in balance, the total carbon dioxide emissions and removals from the entire carbon cycle are roughly equal.

Since the Industrial Revolution in the 1700’s, human activities, such as the burning of oil, coal and gas, and deforestation, have increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. In 2005, global atmospheric concentrations of CO2 were 35% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions are responsible for about 80% of the problems related to Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

Carbon Dioxide Emissions and carbon dioxide are one of the six chemicals

• methane and Biomethane

• nitrous oxide

• hydrofluorocarbons 

• perfluorocarbons 

• sulfur hexafluoride

and all six chemicals are planned to be significantly reduced via the global agreements under the Kyoto Protocol and new legislation in the U.S. under the pending "Cap and Trade" regulations in an effort to prevent climate change. 

How Can We Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy systems, and upgrading brown buildings to Net Zero Energy Buildings.

Why Are Atmospheric Levels of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increasing?

Levels of several important greenhouse gases have increased by about 25 percent since large-scale industrialization began around 150 years ago (Figure 1). During the past 20 years, about three-quarters of human-made carbon dioxide emissions were from burning fossil fuels.

Trends in Atmospheric Concentrations and Anthropogenic Emissions of Carbon Dioxide

Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are naturally regulated by numerous processes collectively known as the “carbon cycle” (Figure 2). The movement (“flux”) of carbon between the atmosphere and the land and oceans is dominated by natural processes, such as plant photosynthesis. While these natural processes can absorb some of the net 6.1 billion metric tons of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions produced each year (measured in carbon equivalent terms), an estimated 3.2 billion metric tons is added to the atmosphere annually. The Earth’s positive imbalance between emissions and absorption results in the continuing growth in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Global Carbon Cycle (Billion Metric Tons Carbon)

What Effect Do Greenhouse Gas Emissions Have on Climate Change?

Given the natural variability of the Earth’s climate, it is difficult to determine the extent of change that humans cause. In computer-based models, rising concentrations of greenhouse gases generally produce an increase in the average temperature of the Earth. Rising temperatures may, in turn, produce changes in weather, sea levels, and land use patterns, commonly referred to as “climate change.”

Assessments generally suggest that the Earth’s climate has warmed over the past century and that human activity affecting the atmosphere is likely an important driving factor. A National Research Council study dated May 2001 stated, “Greenhouse gases are accumulating in Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing surface air temperatures and sub-surface ocean temperatures to rise. Temperatures are, in fact, rising. The changes observed over the last several decades are likely mostly due to human activities, but we cannot rule out that some significant part of these changes is also a reflection of natural variability.”

However, there is uncertainty in how the climate system varies naturally and reacts to emissions of greenhouse gases. Making progress in reducing uncertainties in projections of future climate will require better awareness and understanding of the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the behavior of the climate system.

What Are the Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

In the U.S., our greenhouse gas emissions come mostly from energy use. These are driven largely by economic growth, fuel used for electricity generation, and weather patterns affecting heating and cooling needs. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, resulting from petroleum and natural gas, represent 82 percent of total U.S. human-made greenhouse gas emissions (Figure 3). The connection between energy use and carbon dioxide emissions is explored in the box on the reverse side (Figure 4).

U.S. Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Gas, 
2001 (Million Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalent)

U.S. Primary Energy Consumption and Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2001

Another greenhouse gas, Biomethane, comes from landfills, coal mines, oil and gas operations, and agriculture; it represents 9 percent of total emissions. Nitrogen oxides (5 percent of total emissions), meanwhile, is emitted from burning fossil fuels and through the use of certain fertilizers and industrial processes. Human-made gases (2 percent of total emissions) are released as byproducts of industrial processes and through leakage.

What Is the Prospect for Future Carbon Dioxide Emissions?

World carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase by 1.9 percent annually between 2001 and 2025 (Figure 5). Much of the increase in these emissions is expected to occur in the developing world where emerging economies, such as China and India, fuel economic development with fossil energy. Developing countries’ emissions are expected to grow above the world average at 2.7 percent annually between 2001 and 2025; and surpass emissions of industrialized countries near 2018.

World Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Region, 2001-2025
(Million Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalent)

The U.S. produces about 25 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels; primarily because our economy is the largest in the world and we meet 85 percent of our energy needs through burning fossil fuels. The U.S. is projected to lower its carbon intensity by 25 percent from 2001 to 2025, and remain below the world average (Figure 6).

Carbon Intensity by Region, 2001-2025
(Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalent per Million $1997)

Energy Production and Carbon Dioxide Emissions

For over one hundred years, energy and power production have been generated around the world through the burning of fossil fuels, including;  fuel oil, coal, diesel, and natural gas.  Over the past decade, environmental science and research has discovered and linked global warming, and global climate change to the carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels.  This has placed an increased need to reduce energy consumption and discover more environmentally friendly fuel sources.

In affiliation with an energy investment banking firm and Fortune 250 engineering company, we are forming a new Energy Service Company (ESCO) to provide ESCO solutions, including; demand side management, energy efficiency measures and clean power generation solutions for commercial, industrial and utility clients.  Our company will reduce our client's energy expenses, while increasing their power reliability and reducing or eliminating their environmental risks and liabilities. Our company's clean power generation systems and ESCO solutions will upgrade practically any company's facilities into a "net zero energy" solution providing the business with the ability to operate without connection to the electric grid.

For qualified clients, we will provide the optimum solutions and services, with little to no expense, with an Energy Services Agreement or Power Purchase Agreement that includes emissions engineering services and "greenhouse gas reporting" services, now required for many of our clients.

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What is an "Energy Service Company?"

An Energy Service Company, more commonly referred to as an "ESCO," is a company that provides/installs and manages a suite of comprehensive energy solutions for a client company which which reduces the energy expenses and greenhouse gas emissions for the client. Many times, the ESCO makes the investment(s) on behalf of the client company and owns/operates/manages the energy solution for a period of time, typically 10 years, either through a "Power Purchase Agreement" (PPA) or an "Energy Services Agreement" (ESA).

The energy service company business model originated in the 1980's as a result of energy shortages and energy price spikes, primarily centered around natural gas and natural gas being deregulated by FERC under FERC Order 436. These companies primarily focused in the demand side management market by making "energy efficient lighting" upgrades, replacing old/inefficient lighting with more efficient lighting for hospitals, schools and office buildings. 

Today's energy service company provides a much broader range of energy services that include onsite power generation systems such as a cogeneration or trigeneration energy systems. Today's ESCO's have identified a unique market opportunity wherein today's commercial businesses, including municipal/government agencies, are seeking to reduce or eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions as well as reducing their energy expenditures. Therefore, ESCO's are including energy management/energy engineering designs that integrate energy savings projects to include; energy conservation/energy efficiency, energy infrastructure outsourcing, onsite power generation, demand side management and energy supply with risk management. 

ESCO's typically perform an in-depth analysis of the client's facility/facilities starting out with a review of the client's past three years energy expenses (natural gas, propane, electricity) and many ESCO's now also include past three years water, sewer and waste expenses as well.  After the review and audit of of the past three years energy expenses, the ESCO develops an ESCO solution that installs/owns/operates the optimum energy services solution(s) maintaining the solution(s)/system(s) to ensure performance and energy savings during the payback period.

What is Backup Power and a Backup Power Supply?

If you live in an area where there has been, or could be impacted with power blackouts, brownouts, rolling blackouts or intermittent power, you need a backup power supply!

If you live or work in an area that has had, or could have; earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, forest fires, thunderstorms, snow/ice storms or floods, you probably need a backup power supply!

The electric grid provides power at a reliability factor of about 99.97% - however, if your your home, business, hospital, food/agricultural, restaurant, or other type of facility is "power critical" or power sensitive , you need a reliable backup power supply!

A backup power supply is comprised of a generator with an automatic transfer switch.

Buying a generator for standby power can be the first step to regaining control over protecting your family and possessions from harm. And, using a generator is as simple as operating any household appliance. After you have selected a generator, here are a few tips that can help you keep power through the storm.

We can help you select the right backup power supply for your business or facility. Call/email us for more information.

What is Balance of Plant?

Balance of plant or "BOP," consists of the remaining systems, components, and structures that comprise a complete power plant or energy system - not included in the prime mover and waste heat recovery (ex. gas turbines, steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), waste heat boilers, etc.) systems.  In solar power parks, BOP is referred to as BOS or balance of system.

What is "Cogeneration"?

Did you know that 10% of our nation's electricity now comes from "cogeneration" plants?

And because cogeneration is so efficient, it saves its customers up to 40% on their energy expenses, and provides even greater savings to our environment through significant reductions in fuel usage and much lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Cogeneration - also known as “combined heat and power” (CHP), cogen, district energy, total energy, and combined cycle, is the simultaneous production of heat (usually in the form of hot water and/or steam) and power, utilizing one primary fuel such as natural gas, or a renewable fuel, such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, or Synthesis Gas.

Cogeneration technology is not the latest industry buzz-word being touted as the solution to our nation's energy woes. Cogeneration is a proven technology that has been around for over 120 years!

Our nation's first commercial power plant was a cogeneration plant that was designed and built by Thomas Edison in 1882 in New York. Our nation's first commercial power plant was called the "Pearl Street Station."

What is Demand Side Management?

According to the Department of Energy, Demand Side Management or "DSM," refers to those "actions taken on the customer's side of the meter to change the amount or timing of energy consumption. Demand Side Management, is the process of managing the consumption of energy, generally to optimize available and planned generation resources. 

Demand Side Management solutions have, as one primary goal, to maximize end-use efficiency to avoid or postpone the construction of new generating plants - which is how your electric utility thinks - they are required to instantly provide the power their clients need, when they need it.  When their "reserve" capacity is low, they have to plan to build new power plants.  With environmental permitting getting more difficult to permit, and new power plants taking up to 10 years to build, more and more clients are considering an "onsite power generation" - also referred to as "dispersed generation" - energy system for their business.

While not every business is a candidate for onsite power generation, such as an onsite cogeneration or trigeneration energy system, however, your company may be a great candidate for other energy-saving solutions. One of these is Demand Side Management, or "DSM". We help commercial, industrial and utility clients by providing cost-effective DSM solutions.

What is "Dispersed Generation"?

Dispersed Generation is similar to Decentralized Energy - which is the opposite of "centralized energy." Dispersed Generation is defined as the efficient deployment of clean, efficient and renewable power, which are located near a "load center" and are in the 10 MW to 150 MW to as much as 300 MW range.

Our new company is focused in solving power problems in the 1 MW to 30 MW range as well as providing solutions for the "demand side management" market opportunities.

What are "Distributed Energy Resources"?

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are small, modular, energy generation and energy storage systems and technologies that provide electric capacity or thermal energy (i.e. hot water, chilled water, steam) where and when a commercial or industrial client requires.

Typically, Distributed Energy Resources generate less than 10 MW (megawatts).

Distributed Energy Resources are highly flexible and adaptable, and can therefore, be sized to meet any customer's specific power and energy requirements, at the customers facility or business.

As they are flexible and adaptable for nearly any customer's specific requirements, DER systems can be installed to operate with the local electric grid, or be designed and installed "grid-free" without connecting to the electric grid in island or stand-alone mode.

Distributed Energy Resources' technologies include those that end America's dependence on foreign oil, and therefore include;

• Advanced Metering System

• Advanced Meters

• Anaerobic Digesters

• Automated Demand Response

• Automatic Meter Reading

• Battery Energy Storage

• B100 Biodiesel

• Biomass Gasification

• Biomethane

• Bulk Energy Storage

• Clean Power Generation

• Cogeneration

• Decentralized Energy

• Demand Side Management

• Dispersed Generation

• Distributed PV

• E100 Ethanol

• EcoGeneration

• Geothermal Power Plants

• High Voltage Direct Current

• Hydrogen Fuel Cells

• Microturbines

• Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells

• Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells

• Plasma Gasification

• Plug In Electric Vehicles

• Rooftop PV

• Solar Cogeneration

• Solar PV

• Solar Thermal Collectors

• Solar Trigeneration

• Synthesis Gas

• Trigeneration

• Waste Heat Recovery

• Waste to Energy

• Waste to Fuel

• Wind Power Generation

How are Distributed Energy Resources systems and technologies used?

Distributed Energy Resources systems can be used in several ways including managing/reducing energy expenses and ensuring reliable power by augmenting your current energy services.

Distributed Energy Resources systems also enable a facility to operate independently of the electric power grid, whether by choice or out of necessity.

Distributed Energy Resources improve a customer's "carbon footprint" by significantly reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and increasing overall energy efficiency.

Utilities can use Distributed Energy Resources technologies to delay, reduce, or even eliminate the need to obtain additional power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment and infrastructure. At the same time, DER systems can provide voltage support and enhance local reliability.

Distributed Energy Resources are an ideal "demand side management" solution.


How do I know if Distributed Energy Resources systems and technologies are the right choice for my facility?

In today's economy and increasing pressure for businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, there are several economic and environmental factors making Distributed Energy Resources a serious option and alternative. These include the high prices of electricity from the electric grid/electric utility company as well as high natural gas costs from the natural gas utilities. Uncertainties regarding foreign oil, "peak oil" and the ever-increasing potential for disruptions in electricity service and oil from foreign oil countries are causing managers and CEO's of businesses to consider alternatives to traditional energy providers and for new ways to supplement or augment their present energy situation and present suppliers.

This is particularly crucial where a facility’s energy-producing and electric grid infrastructure are aging. The performance, cost, and availability of DER technologies have all been improving steadily over the past several years. New Distributed Energy Resources systems and technologies are significantly more efficient than even ten years ago. Replacing or upgrading your present energy problems with Distributed Energy Resources may pay for itself sooner than expected.

Energy security as well as price of energy has never been a greater concern to businesses and their managers/CEO's and CFO's. Distributed Energy Resources systems can provide the requisite power and energy needed for mission-critical loads, reduce hazardous or costly power outages, and diversify the local energy supply.

What is Distributed PV?

Distributed PV is a form of "distributed solar generation" or "dispersed generation" except that the form of power (electricity) generated comes from solar photovoltaic systems.

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Distributed PV, also referred to as Distributed Solar Generation and Rooftop PV, 

will be a $55 billion/year market by 2012 

and will nearly TRIPLE to $154 billion/year by 2015!

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What is an Energy Master Plan?

Now that greenhouse gas reporting is a vital and urgent issue for thousands of business in the U.S., and as they will now have to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA, our Energy Master Plan format has been changed to address these concerns for all of the businesses we perform energy master planning services for.

Our energy master planning services are also focused in a broader focus as well for our customers interested in sustainable energy solutions for reducing their carbon footprint, fossil fuel intensity, total energy expenses, potential for blackouts as well as their overall vulnerabilities to being "tied" to their specific electric utility.  Our energy master planning services also improve the air quality and work environment for all of our client's stakeholders through our focus on triple bottom-line results. 

Our energy master planning services are not solely focused on our client's facilities' "demand side" of the energy equation, but also how our client's energy is acquired and purchased on their supply side.  This understanding that supply and demand side planning is equally important enabled a holistic review of how CUMC uses and pays for energy and the impact of these sources on the environment. 

Our energy master plan begins with a review of our client's past three years electricity, natural gas, oil, waste and water expenditures and depending on the final requirements and project scope authorized by the client, will typically include; 

• Perform ASHRAE " Level 2" Energy Audit

• Perform a "retro" commissioning study

• Provide a "benchmark" of client's energy use and their greenhouse gas emissions

• Identify automated demand response, demand side management and demand side response opportunities

• Review client's current energy procurement methods and develop new strategies for reducing energy expenses

• Identify opportunities for onsite power generation, including cogeneration, ecogeneration or trigeneration energy systems as well as renewable energy technologies such as;  Distributed PV, Solar Cogeneration and Waste to Fuel

• Review existing Power Purchase Agreements and all other energy agreements/contracts.

• Identify external funding opportunities such as the use of Power Purchase Agreements

• Identify opportunities for "fuel switching" or energy switching such as propane to natural gas and "cutting the cord" to the client's electric utility for an onsite power generation energy system.

• Identify current energy management system and/or building automation system potential

• Identify LEED opportunities

• Identify Smart Metering, Micro-Grid and Unified Smart Grid opportunities

What is an Energy Services Agreement?

An Energy Services Agreement is similar to a Power Purchase Agreement.  While a Power Purchase Agreement is typically limited electrical power generated and sold, an Energy Services Agreement delineates and specifies the prices for all energy generated as an Energy Services Company normally installs a highly efficient trigeneration energy system, which generates 3 energies for the price of one - and all the energy a client customer will need - i.e. cooling, heating and power.

Benefits of an Energy Services Agreement: 

• No up-front capital costs 
• Ability to monetize the tax incentives
• The ability to utilize accelerated depreciation
• Typically provides a known and long-term energy and power pricing 
• No operations and maintenance responsibilities 
• Minimal risk to the commercial, industrial or utility client

What is Front End Engineering Design?

Front-end Engineering Design, also known as Front End Engineering  or "FEED," or "Front End Loading" is the preliminary engineering and conceptual design completed in advance of the start of EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction).  Front End Engineering usually concludes with the engineering firm's presentation of an Engineering Feasibility Study or Analysis.

Front-end Engineering Design includes a design team that includes and integrates all or most engineering fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, power engineering, chemical engineering, etc.  The FEED design team includes the project visualization and conceptualization stages, including "what-if" decision making analyses, integrating the client company's goals, objectives into an efficient and economic engineering solution. 

What is Intelligent Load Shedding?

"Intelligent Load Shedding" is a near instantaneous method for shedding electrical load that is synonymous with "Automated Demand Response."  Load Shedding is a very effective way of preventing electric grid blackouts. Load shedding is typically required by an electric utility company of its' commercial and industrial clients - when there is not enough electricity available to meet the demand, and to prevent the grid from going down, which is called a "blackout." "Rolling blackouts" are an extreme method of load shedding.

Most electric customers are informed of "load shedding" requirements or events, and in some cases, electric service interruption, from minutes, to several hours in advance.

Load shedding is normally a "last resort" option and a controlled method of rotating or sharing the available electricity between all of the grid's (or electric utility's) customers.

By spreading the load shedding measures to the largest available area, customers are usually not interrupted of their electrical service for more than 15 minutes at a time. customers can be informed of interruptions in advance.

What is "Load Leveling"?

Load leveling, also referred to as "peak shaving," is a demand side management solution that reduces the use peak demand and amount of electricity by commercial and utility customers. Load leveling is a strategy that may significantly reduce the peak demand as well as the energy expenses for clients that have implemented a peak-shaving solution.

What is Load Response?

Load Response and Load Response programs operate in response to requests for peak load reductions with little, if any, discretion in compliance on the part of the customer. The buyer or operator, such as a traditional utility, load serving entity, curtailment service provider, or grid operator, directs load response programs.

What is Peak Shifting?

Peak Shifting is a highly cost-effective method of reducing electric utility expenses. When electric utility commercial or industrial customers use electricity can make a big difference on their monthly electric bills. By shifting the time of day that electric power is used, a commercial or industrial customer can reduce their " demand charge" portion of their electric bill during peak times of the day. This reduces the overall cost of power each month for the customer.

Unlike most products, electricity can’t be stored after it's generated. Electricity must be generated - and consumed - at the time of demand by a utility's customer. Electricity usage continuously varies throughout the day, and varies from month-to-month and season-to-season. Each day, there are "peak" demand periods of usage during which time the electric utilities must generate additional amounts of electricity to meet these peak demands for all of their customers.

To meet this additional peak demand for electricity utilities use “peaking generators” also called "peaking plants" or simply "peakers." These peaking plants are the least efficient methods of generating power, meaning they generate less power with more fuel (and their associated greenhouse gas emissions) compared with the utility's base-load generators. These peaking plants typically burn oil or natural gas to produce the electricity and are brought on line only during "peak periods" of the day and run for short periods.

While peaking generators generally cost less to build than other types of generators, they also have relatively high fuel costs because they are typically much less efficient in the use of fuel.

Therefore, "Peak Shifting" is a method that addresses shifts the time of day when electricity is used, reducing the need for peaking plants and can reduce a commercial or industrial customer's electric bills, if correctly implemented.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement?

A Power Purchase Agreement is a legal agreement wherein our clients agree to buy either the power (electricity) or the power and energy (hot water, steam and/or chilled water for air-conditioning) - or both - directly from us, for a term of 10 to 20 years, where we have installed, own and operate our solar energy systems. 

In nearly every case, once we have installed our solar energy systems at our client's facility, we can immediately reduce our (commercial) client's electricity expenses by 10% over what they were paying for their power electricity from their electric utility.

The right Power Purchase Agreement, solar cogeneration or rooftop PV energy solution, may save your company hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions of dollars over the term of the agreement.

Simultaneously, having the wrong or poorly drafted PPA can cost your company thousands or millions of dollars.  You wouldn't consult a brain surgeon to treat your child's broken bone!  Selecting the wrong attorneys, law firm or team to promulgate or re-negotiate your Power Purchase Agreement can leave you "powerless" and penniless - and still requiring the skills and expertise of competent and qualified professionals to resolve the situation.

Because a Power Purchase Agreement is at the "heart" and underlying foundation of our projects, we can help your business with the selection and oversight of PPA's. 

We can help your city or community create a Municipal Utility District or Public Utility District that may then qualify for our very competitively priced energy and electricity rates. Now is the time for cities, municipal and governmental clients to consider having our company install one of our renewable power and energy systems that will generate "clean" power and energy, lower costs, and avoid the coming electricity shortages and grid congestion problems!  

Products and services provided by us include the following power and energy project development services: 

• Project Engineering Feasibility & Economic Analysis Studies  

• Engineering, Procurement and Construction

• Environmental Engineering & Permitting 

• Project Funding & Financing Options; including Equity Investment, Debt Financing, Lease and Municipal Lease

• Shared/Guaranteed Savings Program with No Capital Investment from Qualified Clients 

• Project Commissioning 

• 3rd Party Ownership and Project Development

• Long-term Service Agreements

• Operations & Maintenance 

• Green Tag (Renewable Energy Credit, Carbon Dioxide Credits, Emission Reduction Credits) Brokerage Services; Application and Permitting

 
What is Price Response?

Price Response and Price Response Programs operate based on voluntary actions of customers in response to economic signals. The differences between Price Response and Load Response programs are a matter of degree. The most pronounced difference is price response programs rely on wholesale clearing prices as a primary signal or method to reimburse customers for their participation, and are much more likely to be voluntary. Some load response programs have the same characteristics, but are skewed toward a command-and-control methodology.

What is a "Solar Cogeneration" (or Solar CHP) energy System?

A Solar Cogeneration (or simply "Solar CHP") energy system combines a: 

1.  Solar Electric Power System with a 

2. Solar Water Heating System (which generates hot water with either solar thermal collectors or evacuated tube collectors)

for the best of both worlds. 

Our Solar Cogeneration energy systems provides a significantly higher return on investment, along with higher overall system efficiencies.

Solar PV power generators with 40%+ efficiency which generate DC electric power in the 500Wp to 30kWp per single unit, with Solar Thermal Power Generators with 20%+ efficiency, which simultaneously generate hot water up to 165⁰ F at 1.0 to 20.0 gpm per unit. The combination PV electricity -- hot water generation converts over 65% of the sunlight falling onto the systems into useful electricity and hot water.

Our efficient solar power (PV and thermal) conversion system could replace the natural gas and/or electricity used by our customers for heating, and in their day-to-day energy demanding commercial operations.

Solar Cogeneration is a Cost-Effective Solution for Commercial Enterprises including:

Restaurants, Laundromats, Car Wash Stations, Canning and Food Processing Plants, Health Clubs, Large Office Buildings, Semiconductor Fabs, Hospitals, Hotels, Universities/dormitories, Apartments and Nursing Homes.

What is a "Solar Trigeneration" energy System?

A Solar Trigeneration energy system combines a: 

1.  Solar Electric Power System  with a 

2. Solar Water Heating System (which generates hot water with either solar thermal collectors or evacuated tube collectors)

and takes a Solar Cogeneration energy system one further step by adding and integrating either;

3.  Absorption Chillers or Adsorption Chillers, which receives some of the hot water from the Solar Water Heating System and provides the energy needed to make 38 degree chilled water for air-conditioning. 

We install our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems, for qualified commercial businesses, as well as  cities, schools and government facilities with our Zero Up-front Cost program.

For some customers - based on their present location, utility company and electric rate - we are able to reduce their electric rate by 10%. Even more for other customers.  Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy System!

What is "Trigeneration"?

Trigeneration is the simultaneous production of three forms of energy - typically, Cooling, Heating and Power - from only one fuel input. Put another way, our trigeneration power plants produce three different types of energy for the price of one.

Trigeneration energy systems can reach overall system efficiencies of 86% to 93%.  Typical "central" power plants, that do not need the heat generated from the combustion and power generation process, are only about 33% efficient.

Trigeneration Diagram & Description
Trigeneration Power Plants' Have the Highest System Efficiencies and are 
About 300 % More Efficient than Typical Central Power Plants

Trigeneration plants are installed at locations that can benefit from all three forms of energy.  These types of installations that install trigeneration energy systems are called "onsite power generation" also referred to as "decentralized energy."   

One of our company's principal's first experience with the design and development of a trigeneration power plant was the trigeneration power plant installation at Rice University in 1987 where our trigeneration development team started out by conducting a "cogeneration" feasibility study.  The EPC contractor that Rice University selected installed the trigeneration power which included a 4.0 MW Ruston gas turbine power plant, along with waste heat recovery boilers and Absorption Chillers.  A "waste heat recovery boiler" captures the heat from the exhaust of the gas turbine.  From there, the recovered energy was converted to chilled water - originally from (3) Hitachi Absorption Chillers - 2 were rated at 1,000 tons each, and the third Hitachi Absorption Chiller was rated at 1,500 tons. The Hitachi Absorption Chillers were replaced shortly after their installation by the EPC company.  The first trigeneration plant at Rice University was so successful, they added a second 5.0 MW trigeneration plant so today, Rice University is now generating about 9.0 MW of electricity, and also producing the cooling and heating the university needs from the trigeneration plant and circulating the trigeneration energy around its campus.

Trigeneration Chart
Trigeneration's "Super-Efficiency" compared 
with other competing technologies
As you can see, there is No Competition for Trigeneration!

Our trigeneration power plants are the ideal onsite power and energy solution for customers that include:  Data Centers, Hospitals, Universities, Airports, Central Plants, Colleges & Universities, Dairies, Server Farms, District Heating & Cooling Plants, Food Processing Plants, Golf/Country Clubs, Government Buildings, Grocery Stores, Hotels, Manufacturing Plants, Nursing Homes, Office Buildings / Campuses, Radio Stations, Refrigerated Warehouses, Resorts, Restaurants, Schools, Server Farms, Shopping Centers, Supermarkets, Television Stations, Theatres and Military Bases.

At about 86% to 93% net system efficiency, our trigeneration power plants are about 300% more efficient at providing energy than your current electric utility. That's because the typical electric utility's power plants are only about 33% efficient - they waste 2/3 of the fuel in generating electricity in the enormous amount of waste heat energy that they exhaust through their smokestacks.

Trigeneration is defined as the simultaneous production of three energies: Cooling, Heating and Power.  Our trigeneration energy systems use the same amount of fuel in producing three energies that would normally only produce just one type of energy. This means our customers that have our trigeneration power plants have significantly lower energy expenses, and a lower carbon footprint.

What is the "Unified Smart Grid"?

The Unified Smart Grid is the name used for the future transmission power lines that would carry green electricity from the many solar power plants and solar power parks and wind farms that generate the power, typically in remote areas, to the "load centers" or major cities that would use the green power. 

Quite simply, our country's out-dated and inefficient National Electric Grid, lacks the ability to carry all the new green electricity being planned from hundreds of new solar power parks and wind power generation facilities.

The Unified Smart Grid will be a national interconnected network relying on a high capacity backbone of electric power transmission lines linking all the nation's local electrical networks that have been upgraded to smart grids. Europe's analogous project is sometimes referred to as the SuperSmart Grid, a term that also appears in the literature describing the Unified Smart Grid. 

Cost estimates to rebuild the nation's electric grid as a Unified Smart Grid have ranged from $350 billion to $450 billion.

Support for the unified smart grid came with passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.   Title 13 of this Act invested $100 million in funding for the years 2008 – 2012 and establishes a matching program to states, utilities and consumers to build unified smart grid capabilities.  It also creates a Grid Modernization Commission to assess the benefits of demand response and automated demand response and recommended a set of system protocols and standards to be led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology which would coordinate the development of smart grid standards.  FERC would then promulgate these standards and protocols for the unified smart grid through its official rulemaking capabilities.

The Unified Smart Grid received further support with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that set aside $11 billion for the creation of a smart grid.

Building a Unified Smart Grid would help jump-start the renewable energy investments in solar power parks.  Thousands of megawatts of new solar power parks (both Concentrating Solar Power plants and Photovoltaic Power Plants) are being planned. Most are  located in the desert Southwest due to the solar energy resource. A Unified Smart Grid is needed to move the large amount of power, which is fairly concentrated, to the rest of the nation.  Without the new Unified Smart Grid, it would be impossible to distribute the green power to the nation. 

The new Unified Smart Grid is significantly more efficient than the present, nearly 100 year old technology that makes up our nation's present transmission and distribution network of how we get the power from central power plants to customers and major load centers.

Much of the new Unified Smart Grid will be comprised of "High Voltage Direct Current" transmission lines which is significantly more efficient than the present high voltage alternating current transmission lines.  

The new Unified Smart Grid will provide economic development, thousands of new jobs, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What would the new Unified Smart Grid look like?

Source: American Electric Power

What is Waste Heat Recovery?

In most cogeneration and trigeneration power and energy systems, the exhaust gas from the electric generation equipment is ducted to a heat exchanger to recover the thermal energy in the gas. These heat exchangers are air-to-water heat exchangers, where the exhaust gas flows over some form of tube and fin heat exchange surface and the heat from the exhaust gas is transferred to make hot water or steam. The hot water or steam is then used to provide hot water or steam heating and/or to operate thermally activated equipment, such as an absorption chiller for cooling or a desiccant dehumidifer for dehumidification.

Many of the waste heat recovery technologies used in building co/trigeneration systems require hot water, some at moderate pressures of 15 to 150 psig. In the cases where additional steam or pressurized hot water is needed, it may be necessary to provide supplemental heat to the exhaust gas with a duct burner.

In some applications air-to-air heat exchangers can be used. In other instances, if the emissions from the generation equipment are low enough, such as is with many of the microturbine technologies, the hot exhaust gases can be mixed with make-up air and vented directly into the heating system for building heating.

In the majority of installations, a flapper damper or "diverter" is employed to vary flow across the heat transfer surfaces of the heat exchanger to maintain a specific design temperature of the hot water or steam generation rate.

Typical Waste Heat Recovery Installation

In some co/trigeneration designs, the exhaust gases can be used to activate a thermal wheel or a desiccant dehumidifier. Thermal wheels use the exhaust gas to heat a wheel with a medium that absorbs the heat and then transfers the heat when the wheel is rotated into the incoming airflow.

A professional engineer should be involved in designing and sizing of the waste heat recovery section. For a proper and economical operation, the design of the heat recovery section involves consideration of many related factors, such as the thermal capacity of the exhaust gases, the exhaust flow rate, the sizing and type of heat exchanger, and the desired parameters over a various range of operating conditions of the co/trigeneration system — all of which need to be considered for proper and economical operation.

For more information on Waste Heat Recovery and Waste Heat Boilers, call/email us.

Engineering, Procurement and Construction 
(EPC) Contracts and Performance Guarantees

Engineering Procurement Construction, also referred to as; Engineer Procure Construct, "EPC" or Engineering Procurement and Construction, is the terminology used when an owner, for example, is seeking to build a new cogeneration power plant uses when the owner is seeking a "turnkey" project solution.  EPC contracts are not only a very common form of contracting within the construction industry,  but increasingly becoming the norm, particularly in the electric power generation (power plants) and utility sector. 

The construction company, via the EPC contract with the owner, provides for the design, engineering, procurement of all related supplies, components, materials, labor, services, etc.  The contractor, with approval/permit by EPC contract with the owner, may sub-contract part of the work. 

Engineering Procurement and Construction or "EPC" contracts with long-term performance guarantees are becoming increasingly popular for some renewable energy technologies, such as commercial-scale Distributed Solar Generation / Distributed PV systems. 

Engineering Procurement and Construction contracts give the owner unprecedented assurance that the system will provide the long-term energy benefits advertised without wasting time and money with the Architectural and Engineering ("A&E") firm or expensive change orders that take additional time and resources to process and integrate. These performance guarantees cover the entire installation and go way beyond manufacturer warranties that only cover specific parts and not the system as a whole.

EPC and performance guarantee contracts can be a wise choice for many reasons. Oftentimes, the Architectural and Engineering firms do not have the in-house expertise to understand fully how to specify renewable energy systems. Due to the newer nature of these technologies and the rapidly developing nature of many technologies, this is a specialized field of its own for each renewable technology type.  If the Architectural and Engineering company specifies particular equipment, while it may be feasible, it may not be the optimal design or the most likely to be available at construction.

EPC contracts also provide more flexibility in equipment choices that can reduce change orders and construction delays. For example, many photovoltaic modules change specifications and dimensions on almost a monthly basis. Even the oldest and most reputable manufacturers are working to keep pace with fierce competition in the field today. Given that the modules are the heart of the photovoltaic system, it reasons that specifying a particular module in the construction documents might result in a change order and result in cost over runs and delays by actual construction.

Contractor Benefits

In an EPC contract with a performance guarantee, the contractor has a strong financial incentive to use the most reliable and highest performing equipment and to ensure the highest standards are maintained throughout installation and that any details that could influence long-term performance are addressed. Practices ranging from cherry picking the highest output modules to over-sizing wiring and conduit to improved operations and maintenance (O&M) plans might not be necessary for inspection or commissioning but can contribute to meeting the contractor's long-term performance liability. These same practices in turn enhance the long-term energy performance to the greater benefit of the facility and those that operate it.

Performance guarantee contracts attract top renewable energy contractors with long-term success in their fields. Less capable or experienced contractors will not savor the extra liability involved, nor will they have the expertise or even access to the top quality equipment necessary to fulfill a performance guarantee.

Contract Provisions

Certain provisions should be included with any EPC contract to ensure coordination and consistency with the remainder of the project. All contracts and subcontracts related to the project should include provisions requiring participation in the integrated design process including coordination of design with other related aspects of the project.

The EPC contractor needs to work with the Architectural and Engineering firm to understand the building elements that are necessary to the integration of the renewable energy system. In addition, an EPC contract needs provisions to ensure coordination with the larger project construction team. While coordination is important, this type of design and construction contract allows the contractors to do what they do best and frees more of the agency's critical planning resources for other aspects of the project.

Additional provisions standard with other construction contract terms should also be included in the EPC contract. These include requiring the team to perform enhanced commissioning over the first year and developing an O&M manual and training for the system.

Through a combination of EPC contracts combined with long-term performance guarantees, the construction relationship is transformed from being sometimes adversarial to being a win/win situation for everyone involved.

Engineering Procurement Construction and 
Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and 
Project Development Services

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Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Since the year 1750

##

World CO2 since 1750 (cubic feet)

World Carbon Dioxide Emissions since 1750 (cubic feet)

The carbon clock tracks total carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons since 1750.

Since 1750, humans have emitted over 5 trillion pounds of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Roughly half of this has ended up in the oceans where it is beginning to damage the coral reefs. The other half is still in the atmosphere and causing global warming. Each pound of CO2 takes up as much space as a 500 pound person.

The formula (which should be good for a year or two) is:
C(t) = 2.58 ×1012 + 1240×t, where t is seconds since the start of 2007.

C is tonnes (metric tons) of carbon dioxide emissions.
2205 x C gives pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

That comes to over 43 billion tons/year or over 86 trillion pounds/year.

Carbon dioxide (2) = 1 carbon atom with 2 oxygen atoms.
Carbon has relative weight 12 and Oxygen 16.
So it takes only 12 pounds of carbon to make 12+16+16 = 44 pounds of CO2. 

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Photo courtesy of Alaska Image Library. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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How we make and distribute electricity is changing! 

The electric power generation, transmission and distribution system (the electric "grid") is changing and evolving from the electric grid of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was inefficient, highly-polluting, very expensive and “dumb.”  

The "old" way of generating and distributing energy resembles this slide:

According to Monty Goodell, Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our increased dependence and reliance on foreign energy supplies represents a Clear and Present Danger to our national security, our economy, and the lives and livelihood of every American. Energy - including the energy we use from imported fossil fuels, is the very "lifeblood" of the American economy as it is for every industrialized country.  An economy dies without it's lifeblood of energy. This Clear and Present Danger we face is far more serious than the problems related to greenhouse gas emissions.  And while greenhouse gas emissions are very serious issue, in the long-term, pales in comparison to America's vital national security interests and America's economic stability in the short term.  For this reason alone, America needs to transition away from its addiction to foreign energy supplies. And America's abundant renewable energy resources such as the energy we receive from the sun, and renewable energy technologies such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants - can supply 100% of America's power requirements with a concentrating solar power plant measuring 75 miles by 75 miles, located in the Southwest U.S.  By generating America's power from concentrating solar power plants, America resolves its' short-term Clear and Present Danger as it relates to importing its energy from foreign countries, and the long-term problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions."

Continuing, Mr. Goodell states that "too many Americans have forgotten what happened to us in 1973, when the Arabs and OPEC brought the United States economy to a screeching halt during the OPEC Oil Embargo.  This happened because they (mainly the country of Saudi Arabia) disagreed with our foreign policy and is the reason why they "turned off the tap" of our need for their oil supplies. When Saudi Arabia and OPEC stopped the vital flow of oil to our country in 1973, they caused an "oil shock" that severely and negatively impacted our economy. 

Mr. Goodell's question for us to ponder is, "do these countries who sell us 60% of our daily energy requirements, like us and our foreign policy, or might they leverage our addiction to their fossil fuels, and turn off the tap to make us adjust or revise our foreign policy??  Like any addict, America's foreign policy may be held hostage to its addiction, and in this case, our addiction to foreign oil, may over-ride our national interests."

Have American's forgotten the gas shortages and long lines at 
their gas stations to get gas during the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973?

"Apparently so."  Mr. Goodell states that "in 1973, America was 'addicted' and 'over the barrel' of foreign oil to the amount of 40%.  Forty percent of our energy 'needs' in 1973 came from countries - many of which didn't like us then, and I'm afraid, many of them still don't.  The difference between 1973 and today - is that today we receive 50% MORE foreign oil now than we did in 1973.  And now we know about the problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions that we didn't know then.  America needs to change course, and change course now, in terms of its' energy supplies and how we keep America's economy strong, without the threat of being held hostage to a middle-east tyrant or regime, that could once again, turn on us, and turn off our supply of foreign oil." 

Remember ????

"Sadly, most Americans have forgotten the long lines of people waiting in their cars - lined up and waiting for gasoline at their nearby gas station, with lines that were many blocks long.  And, after waiting 4-5 hours, many even waiting overnight in many places, to finally take their turn to fill up their car with gasoline, only to find that the gas station had run out of gas."

"Let me Repeat.... That was 1973 when we imported 40% of our daily energy requirements in the form of crude oil from overseas, and from foreign countries - and many of these from countries that don't like us.

Today, over 35 years later, America has yet to learn the lesson.  We cannot continue our reliance on energy from foreign countries that supply us with 60% of the crude oil that our refineries use as a feedstock for producing gasoline and diesel fuel for our cars and trucks comes from overseas. 

America is "over the barrel" and it's not our barrel, but the barrels of oil that we are addicted by and owned by other countries.  Why have we not learned the lessons we needed to learn in 1973 when we were cut-off from the vital energy supplies we need? 

Countries like China, are growing rapidly, and have an insatiable need for crude oil. China, with their booming economy, is increasingly growing in its clout and control over international supplies of crude oil - whether they do this through their ability to buy as much oil as they need on a daily basis, or whether they simply but American drilling rigs, technology, and explore and produce oil and gas from their own fields. China, is buying large amounts of oil for their country, and causing upward pricing on declining supplies. What happens if Russia, with all of their oil and natural gas, along with China and Venezuela, with or without the help of OPEC, decided to NOT sell oil to us????

To be sure, greenhouse gas emissions are a problem, and to some, greenhouse gas emissions are also a Clear and Present Danger, but not to the extent that it presents an imminent Clear and Present Danger. 

America's reliance for 60% of our energy "needs" coming from foreign suppliers is un-acceptable.

The "driver" to get America to begin reducing and eliminating fossil fuel use should be our nation's national security and the welfare and safety of its citizens. And this can all begin with developing and investing in our own renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies, let's start by putting solar on every rooftop that has a clear and unobstructed view of the Southern sky. See www.RooftopPV.com  or  www.DistributedPV.com  for more information.  Let's create incentives begin with adopting a national "Feed In Tariff" as Germany did in 1990. 

We simply do NOT have the luxury of time on our hands.  We need to end our dependence and reliance on foreign fossil fuels, especially from countries that don't like us! We need to rapidly begin expanding renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies from our vast and abundant renewable energy resources, such as; solar, solar energy systems, solar cogeneration, solar trigeneration, "solar on every roof," along with; Biomass Gasification, B100 Biodiesel, Biomethane, E100 Ethanol (from cellulosic, agricultural waste, sugar cane, etc., and NOT from corn), Geothermal Power Plants, Natural Wastewater Treatment, Synthesis Gas, Waste To Energy, Waste To Fuel and Wind Power Generation where it makes economic and environmental sense."

For more information, call/email the
Renewable Energy Institute

American Energy Plan
www.AmericanEnergyPlan.com

Wind Power Generation
www.WindPowerGeneration.com

Zero Emission Energy
www.ZeroEmissionEnergy.com

Zero Emission Power
www.ZeroEmissionPower.com

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American Energy Plan!

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We support the Renewable Energy Institute by donating a portion of our profits to the Renewable Energy Institute in their efforts to reduce fossil fuel use through renewable energy and their goals to end fossil fuel pollution by reducing/eliminating Carbon Emissions, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The Renewable Energy Institute is "Changing The Way The World Makes and Uses Energy by Providing Research & Development, Funding and Resources That Creates Sustainable Energy via 'Carbon Free Energy,' 'Clean Power Generation' and 'Pollution Free Power' Through Expanding the use of Renewable Energy Technologies."

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