Upcoming
Partner
Event
Step-by-step Decarbonization with Hybrid Power Plants
Siemens Energy
December 8, 2021, 112:00 am ET
In the 12th ERA Forum Webinar, Siemens Energy experts will discuss how to couple technologies into a Hybrid Power Plant, and how this can pave the way for additional decarbonization efforts. Join us to connect with these experts and ask: "How can I talk the first steps towards decarbonizing?"
Upcoming
Event
Scaling Up U.S. Hydrogen: A 360° View
Low Carbon Resources Initiative
December 13, 2021, 11 am – 12 pm. ET
Confirmed Panelists:
• Moderator: Neva Espinoza, Vice President, Energy Supply and Low-Carbon Resources, EPRI
• Jay Bartlett, Sr. Research Associate, Resources for the Future
• Traci Kraus, Director, Government Relations, Cummins Inc.
• Lisa Carter, Director, Innovation and Sustainability Technology, Dominion Energy
• Adria Wilson, Manager, US Policy and Advocacy, Breakthrough Energy
News
2022 Combined Heat & Power Magazine
Energy Solutions Center
Dec 2, 2021
Partner
News
Capstone partners with hydrogen supply, fueling company
DIESEL & GAS TURBINE WORLDWIDE
Dec 2, 2021
Aiming at becoming an industry leader in on-site hydrogen production and fueling, PowerTap has developed and patented a compact Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) technology to create on-site hydrogen production versus traditional methods. As a result of the new strategic agreement, Capstone Green Energy will manufacture the small footprint product for use in fueling stations and as part of its distributed energy, low emission microgrid solutions.
The PowerTap product turns natural gas, including renewable natural gas (RNG), into on-site hydrogen and intends to leverage an innovative carbon capture system.
“In August 2020, PowerTap acquired the intellectual property portfolio of Hydrogen Fuel Technology”, said PowerTap Senior Advisor David Bray. “More recently, PowerTap has partnered with the Andretti Group, a family of automotive product and service companies, in order to leverage the group’s vast network and dedication to excellent on-site operations. PowerTap will work hand-in-hand with the Andretti Group at the site level to drive an exciting customer experience with hydrogen fueling. The new partnership with Capstone will further those ambitions.”
The Capstone Green Energy strategic licensing and manufacturing agreement will enhance PowerTap’s product development efforts and facilitate the manufacturing of their commercial hydrogen production and fueling products, the companies said.
“The PowerTap third generation, on-site blue hydrogen production, and dispensing system is a unique solution that will drive the deployment of needed hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad,” said Raghu Kilambi, CEO of PowerTap Hydrogen Capital Corp. “We selected Capstone Green Energy for their proven product development, certification, and manufacturing expertise. The strategic licensing and manufacturing agreement with Capstone Green Energy will facilitate the manufacturing and commercialization of our hydrogen production and fueling products.”
The agreement is a part of the broader strategic plan for Capstone Green Energy as it supports the company’s ongoing product development goals for energy efficiency and microgrid applications using hydrogen and hydrogen blends. This initiative started many years ago with the patent of a hydrogen fuel injector, which has resulted in Capstone’s recent successful lab testing of 100% hydrogen microturbine energy systems. Capstone Green Energy’s development of hydrogen solutions is accelerating, driven by momentum in the hydrogen economy that is advancing a broad range of technologies as well as longer-term infrastructure planning.
“We continue to expand our presence within the ever-changing energy landscape through our complementary network partners and technologies that enable Capstone Green Energy’s customers to achieve their carbon reduction goals at a realistic cost,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Darren Jamison. “Capstone Green Energy looked at several hydrogen products and hydrogen conversion technologies. We selected PowerTap because their innovative product is designed to eliminate the significant cost and complication of delivered hydrogen and secure a dedicated on-site hydrogen supply for our hydrogen-fueled microturbine systems.”
As a distributed energy and energy as a service (EaaS) solution provider, the Capstone Green Energy products can be located adjacent to a hydrogen generation source, such as PowerTap’s innovative offering, reducing the efficiency losses and costs that come with converting and transporting hydrogen, said Capstone Green Energy Chief Revenue Officer Jim Crouse.
“Combined with proposed hydrogen production and efficiency investment tax credits, the Capstone on-site solution becomes a cost-competitive, quick-to-market, best-value option enabling customers to reduce or even eliminate their carbon emissions greatly.” Crouse said. “Today, hydrogen is believed by many to be the holy grail of carbon-free baseload power and distributed generation. As we improve our ability to produce hydrogen economically on site, hydrogen-fueled combined heat and power (H-CHP) and highly resilient microgrids have the ability to revolutionize the energy industry.”
Partner
News
LIMA Company Partners with 2G Energy Inc.
2G
Dec 1, 2021
With over a 45-year history as one of the region’s top blended trade services companies, LIMA Company has the skills required to not only integrate a CHP system into a wide range of client sites but to service these systems throughout their useful life. Their value proposition offered to clients includes Engineering and Design, Sales and Marketing, ROI Analysis, Project Financing, Component Procurement, Installation and Service (including minor and major overhauls), Local Parts Inventory, Monitoring and Controls, and continuing Client Care.
... 2G Energy Inc. and LIMA Company of Philadelphia, PA, are proud to announce a strategic partnership for the development, construction, and long-term service of net-zero-ready CHP projects. Under the agreement, LIMA will utilize 2G’s best-in-class CHP products to deliver commercial and industrial energy user savings, business resilience, and carbon savings.
With over a 45-year history as one of the region’s top blended trade services companies, LIMA Company has the skills required to not only integrate a CHP system into a wide range of client sites but to service these systems throughout their useful life. Their value proposition offered to clients includes Engineering and Design, Sales and Marketing, ROI Analysis, Project Financing, Component Procurement, Installation and Service (including minor and major overhauls), Local Parts Inventory, Monitoring and Controls, and continuing Client Care.
News
Power from waste project in Australia using Capstone’s microturbine technology
DIESEL & GAS TURBINE WORLDWIDE
Dec 1, 2021
The first commercial-scale system will be built at the Pyramid Hill landfill in Victoria, Australia, and operational in 2022. Energy from this new source will provide a new revenue stream for landfill owners, and enhanced repurposing will extend the operational lives of the landfills and allow landfill sites to adapt to a more sustainable operating model. The near-term addressable market is more than 1300 municipal landfills in Australia alone.
US-based 247Solar Inc. and Australia’s Advanced Energy Tech Pty Ltd (AET) announced an agreement to integrate their technologies to eliminate methane leaks from landfills by repurposing solid waste into carbon-free electricity and useful products.
AET’s waste to resource systems expand the types of materials that can be repurposed by reforming waste that otherwise would result in landfill into valuable products like engineered rock for the construction industry, biochar for agri-business, and more. Their systems operate alongside existing waste and recycling services and add value to current recycling streams by repurposing what has previously been considered problematic waste into usable products and energy.
In the combined solution, clean hot exhaust from AET’s thermal process is converted directly into zero-carbon electricity by 247Solar’s Heat2Power turbine — what the company calls the first-ever commercial turbine able to produce power directly from ambient-pressure hot air without combustion or emissions. Electricity generated in this way can be used to power industrial applications or be sold to the local grid. The turbine is manufactured under license by Capstone Green Energy of the US.
Capstone’s microturbine technology is at the heart of the pre-engineered Heat2Power solution. Two C200 microturbines are part of a renewable energy solution with no carbon or criteria pollutant emissions. The turbine’s technology is extremely low maintenance, requiring only 4 to 6 hours of maintenance a year, the company said.
247Solar, with origins at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and with funding support from the US Department of Energy, is commercializing multiple breakthrough inventions that aid in the world’s race towards climate change solutions. Together, the 247Solar products and solutions, and technology break the ceiling with a new Ultra-High-Temperature Solar Technology Platform. These technologies can be combined in a variety of ways with diverse applications. These applications include:
Overnight battery storage for grids with 24/7 dispatchability
24/7 dispatchable, zero-carbon electricity and heat
Converting waste heat from industrial processes, such as AET’s gasification system, to electricity without emissions
News
Going Big on Renewable Natural Gas for Microgrids
Microgrid Knowledge
Nov 30, 2021
In a recent interview, Enchanted Rock offered us a look inside its strategy for renewable natural gas, a fuel made from capturing methane produced by decomposing waste from livestock, water treatment, food and other sources.
To start, it’s important to understand Enchanted Rock’s approach to microgrids. The company is best known for its fossil fuel-fired microgrids installed at retail stores in Texas, such as Buc-ee’s, H.E.B. and Walmart — stores that make the national news during disasters because their microgrids allow them to stay open and supply the local population.
During such outages, the generators provide power to the stores. But Enchanted Rock’s microgrids are about a lot more than warding off the darkness. When the electrical system is operating as it should, Enchanted Rock’s fleet is cued to the grid. It leverages that relationship to provide services to the grid and earn revenue. One way to think about it — the grid buys the microgrid’s electricity during blue sky days and the customer buys it during power outages, said Allan Schurr, chief commercial officer at Enchanted Rock.
Enchanted Rock’s renewable natural gas product is voluntary — customers can forego it and continue to use fossil fuels. Those who opt to switch can choose from two products. One is for “resiliency only,” Schurr said, meaning renewable gas is used only when the microgrid is islanded, such as during a power outage. The second option provides renewable gas for a lengthier period. The customer also uses it when the microgrid is operating in conjunction with the grid.
Given that renewable natural gas is generally more expensive than natural gas, the customer who opts for its extended use could see a rise in energy costs, while the resiliency only customer may see no change. As Enchanted Rock sees it, customers intent on meeting sustainability goals are likely to be more tolerant of paying extra. Exactly how much extra the fuel will cost depends on a range of factors, including the source of the renewable natural gas.
Enchanted Rock created its renewable natural gas product with the future in mind. The company wants to help make renewable natural gas more available. To that end, Enchanted Rock requires that the customer sign at least a 10-year agreement “so that it results in net new project development, where possible,” Schurr said. “A short-term commitment — all we’re doing is buying what’s already being produced. If we can make a long-term commitment, we’ll be able to impact new methane capture, new project development.”
Schurr believes Enchanted Rock will send a strong demand signal to renewable natural gas developers.
“We think that we’re going to be a very strong market participant, and I think we’re going to find costs are more affordable over time because of that,” he said
He explained that RNG is used today mostly for transportation. But the sector is wary of signing long-term off take agreements for renewable natural gas because cars and trucks are moving away from combustion engines and toward electrification.
“They don’t want to commit to a long-term contract, only to find out that they’ve now converted all of their delivery vehicles to electric. We’re not that way. We are a long-term off taker,” he said.
Combined Heat & Power eCatalog of Recognized Package CHP Systems
Packaged CHP Systems:
Rigorous Recognition Process
The Packaged Combined Heat and Power Catalog (eCatalog) is a voluntary public/private partnership designed to increase deployment of CHP in commercial, institutional and multi-family buildings and manufacturing plants. The core of the eCatalog are CHP Packagers who commit to provide pre-engineered and tested Packaged CHP systems that meet or exceed DOE performance requirements and CHP Solution Providers who commit to provide responsible installation, commissioning, maintenance and service of recognized Packaged CHP systems and also provide a single point of project responsibility.
Customer Engagement Partners: Incentivizing CHP in Your Area
Maximize Your CHP Investment When You Install Recognized Systems
An essential element in market success of energy efficient technologies, such as CHP, is a robust customer engagement partner to educate end-users and provide assistance through the project development process. States, localities and utilities that are implementing programs and policies to increase the use of CHP in support of key economic, security, efficiency and environmental goals can integrate the eCatalog into their efforts by linking recognized CHP packages offered by Solution Providers or Packagers in their region to their programs. The eCatalog provides a unique platform for convening recognized CHP equipment and suppliers with state, local and utility market outreach, customer acquisition and incentive programs.
eCATALOG PACKAGED CHP SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Packaged CHP System standardized1 electrical and thermal performance data presented for comparison in the eCatalog have been reviewed and recognized as accurate based on engineering data and available performance test data submitted by the Packagers. Emissions data presented in the eCatalog are based on either third-party emissions test results when available, or prime mover manufacture’s emissions certification data, both using standard EPA test methodologies or equivalent. When evaluating CHP performance for a particular project, it is important to use final performance data from the Packager or Solution Provider that reflects specific site conditions such as actual fuel characteristics, ambient temperatures and altitude, and thermal load temperatures or pressures. As an example, hot water thermal capacity ratings in the eCatalog are based on a standard hot water supply temperature of 180 F, with packager specified return temperatures for each system. Actual hot water available from a packaged CHP system for a project will depend on the specific temperature requirements of the hot water supply and return at the site, and may vary from data presented in the eCatalog.
“Even a small blip on the power grid can disrupt our production equipment and cause six to eight hours of lost production time. With the CHP systems, if there is a power blip we go into island mode and don't experience any disruption.”
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What are the benefits of CHP?
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems can provide reliable, flexible, low-cost, energy efficiency to a variety of industrial, commercial, and institutional energy consumers.
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CHP IN ACTION
Is there any potential, and are there real opportunities in my market? Where has CHP been installed? Is CHP a good fit for my facility?
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Interested in what others in your field of use are doing with CHP Systems? Case studies provide even more information about CHP solutions in neighborhood or in your business world.
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