____________________________________________________________________________________ What is Biomethane? Biomethane is "renewable natural gas" made from organic sources - which starts out as "biogas" but then is cleaned up in a process called "Biogas to Biomethane" which removes the impurities in biogas such as carbon dioxide, siloxanes and hydrogen sulfides (H2S). Biomethane is soon to be re-classified from the category of "Low Carbon Fuels" to "Super Low Carbon Fuel" due to it being the greenest of all biofuels! "Cleaned-up"
and ready for use in an onsite cogeneration or
trigeneration power plant, the Biomethane could also be sold to a pipeline company and completely replace the
"natural gas" that is typically transported to markets via the vast
underground pipeline system. Biomethane has an unlimited supply, whereas the methane sold by gas companies has a limited supply. Biomethane is renewable, whereas the methane sold by your gas utility company is not renewable. Biomethane recovery, use and production generates "Greentags" or a "Renewable Energy Credit" for the owners and is GOOD for our environment. As previously mentioned, Biomethane is "naturally" produced from organic materials as they decay. Sources of Biomethane include; landfills, POTW's/Wastewaster Treatment Systems, and every tree or agricultural product that is no longer living. Biomethane is also generated from animal operations where manure can be collected and the Biomethane is generated from anaerobic digesters where the manure decomposes. Biomethane, after installation of the Biomethane equipment is essentially free, as opposed to buying natural gas, presently costing around $10.00/mmbtu. Methanogenesis is the production of CH4 and CO2 by biological processes that are carried out by methanogens. Unlike the price of natural gas, which
has been very unstable, and wildly fluctuating from $5.50 to as much as $17.00/mmbtu this past year, Biomethane prices will tend to be more
stable over the years. As more and more Biomethane is produced, and produced in
reliable and sustainable methods that can fuel our energy needs now and for. _____________________________________________________________
Biomethane,
NOT Coal, is America's True "Ace in the Hole" when it comes to our
energy future, economics, the environment, sustainability and America's
“Energy Independence.” And biomethane is also receiving recognition as one
of the greenest of all biofuels. For
years now, the coal industry has been touting "coal is America's 'Ace in
the Hole'" when they discuss the abundance of our coal reserves here in the
U.S. and the role they hope coal will play in America's energy future. But
coal is far from being the “Ace in the Hole” the coal lobby would have
everyone believe. That’s due to
the proverbial “black eye” not to mention the “black lungs” and other
problems that are inherent with “dirty coal.” While
there may be a place for coal in America's energy future, coal must become
"clean" for America to value it as a possible energy resource. Plans
or building 18 new Coal fired power plants were cancelled in Texas last year due
to the fact that coal isn't clean, and utilities aren't interested in investing
the extra costs for building power plants that use "Clean Coal
Technology" or "Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle" power
plants that also now need to include "Carbon Capture and
Sequestration" technologies to remove the carbon dioxide emissions from the
stacks. Plans for many other coal fired power plants are being cancelled. And
even now, owners of coal fired power plants (pulverized coal) are switching from
coal, to biomass, and biomass gasification technologies, as the writing is on
the wall. Unless
our society relishes the thoughts of moving back to the caves, and using
candles, and foregoing our modern-day comforts, we need to move forward with
renewable energy technologies such as biomethane, as the alternative is power
shortages and blackouts. We
believe biomethane represents the best and greenest of all biofuels. There are
no supply problems with biomethane, and we have a virtually unlimited supply for
using biomethane wherever natural gas is presently used as a fuel. It
should be pointed out that biomethane is chemically no different than natural
gas from the "fossil fuel" form of natural gas or CH4. However,
one important distinction between biomethane and the fossil-fuel variety of
natural gas, is that the production and use of biomethane is “carbon
neutral” in that the greenhouse gas emissions from biomethane use do not add
any new net greenhouse gas emissions. Biomethane
starts out as “biogas” but must be cleaned and purified before it can be
used as a renewable fuel. The
process of cleaning and purifying the biogas is called “biogas to biomethane.”
The impurities that are found in biogas include hydrogen sulfides,
siloxanes, and carbon dioxide. When the impurities are removed from biogas, it
is then referred to as biomethane and available for use as a clean fuel, just as
the fossil-fuel form of natural gas is used.
Biomethane
reserves and supplies, unlike fossil-fuel natural gas, are virtually unlimited.
Biomethane is produced from many sources including anaerobic digesters,
wastewater treatment systems, landfills and most agricultural and forestry
operations. Last year, the first Biomethane NGV refueling station was opened in
Eugendorf, Austria. Like a gas
station provides gasoline for cars, the the NGV Biomethane station in Eugendorf
provides biomethane for NGVs (Natural Gas Vehicles).
Presently, the station provides a blend of biomethane and natural gas.
Eventually, they hope to provide 100% biomethane for natural gas
vehicles. Companies and researchers
in Germany and Austria have determined that “Cellulosic Biomethane” is the
greenest of all biofuels, and the least expensive biofuel to produce.
Germany and Austria are now planting vast amounts of a form of Kentucky
Bluegrass which will be harvested for use in producing “Cellulosic Biomethane,”
through anaerobic digesters and fermentation. Researchers
from around the world, starting in Austria, are finding that grasses such as
Kentucky Bluegrass are easily converted into biomethane as well as organic
fertilizer. Cellulosic Biomethane production doesn’t require the fermentation
of sugars or starches - as the first generation of liquid biofuels – requiring
grains and oilseeds from food crops. As the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane
project shows, biomethane can be produced from a cellulosic biomass feedstock
like grass. Yield estimates from the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane research
indicate that one natural gas vehicle can travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles on just
one acre of Kentucky Bluegrass that was processed into biomethane. At
a Jan. 8, 2009 public workshop held by the California Natural Gas Vehicle
Coalition, they documented the superior benefits and potential of biomethane as
a clean, renewable energy resource. The
California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition stated that Biomethane should be
classified as a "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel."
Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel is defined as providing at least an 82
percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - based on the California Air
Resource Board’s analysis of biomethane from landfill gas. Biomethane
has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with:
67.9 for natural gas Biomethane
can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of all petroleum
diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately. According
to the California Energy Commission and the Biomass Collaborative, landfills,
wastewater treatment, and dairy waste sources - which are "developable
today" and can start producing Biomethane almost immediately, with low
investment/high returns, could yield 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane. At
$8.00/mmbtu, that's a $1 billion market opportunity in California alone.
The 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane equals about 860 million gallons
of petroleum diesel. California alone uses about 3 billion gallons of diesel
annually for transportation. Emerging biomass gasification and Biomethanation
technologies could more than double Biomethane supplies. Biomethane
- like natural gas from "fossil fuels" - can be compressed or
liquefied. And using "Compressed Biomethane" is a significantly better
choice as a transportation fuel than traditional "natural gas." Biomethane
is the "natural, natural gas" and is far better for the environment
and the economy than natural gas. Biomethane, when "vented" to the
environment, is 21 times more hazardous to the climate than carbon dioxide
emissions which are the only emissions (and water vaport) from compressed
natural gas vehicles' engines when used as a fuel. Again,
we are reminded that Biomethane is the same chemical compound as natural gas:
CH4, and completely replaces and substitutes for natural gas. Engines, turbines,
boilers and every other natural gas appliance can use Biomethane without any
adjustments or modifications - just like natural gas. Biomethane
supplies, as opposed to natural gas supplies from the fossil fuel industry, are
available in an unlimited supply. Moving
forward with a “Biomethane Infrastructure” is the direction our country
needs to be moving as one of our fuel choices as we become energy-independent.
Every MCF of Biomethane that we use displaces about 8 gallons of gasoline
and creates jobs that will never be outsourced or downsized. (Some
of the above information from the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.)
www.AnaerobicDigester.com
www.BiogasPlant.com www.BiogasToBiomethane.com
www.Biomethane.com
www.CleanPowerGeneration.com
www.CompressedNaturalGas.net
www.GreenhouseGasEmissions.com
www.LandfillGasToEnergy.com
www.LiquefiedNaturalGas.net
www.Trigeneration.com
www.WastewaterTreatmentSystems.com
www.WasteToFuel.com
Please
Support H.R. 1158, The Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2009 SUMMARY:
The Biogas Production Incentive Act of 2009 if enacted, will amend the
Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for the production,
sale, or use of biogas. Defines biogas as a gas that is derived by processing
qualified energy feedstock (i.e., manure of agricultural livestock and other
organic agricultural or food industry byproduct waste material) in an anaerobic
digester and that contains at least 52% methane and carbon dioxide and trace
gases. Provides an increased credit for biogas produced from qualified
cellulosic energy feedstock. I
am writing to you in support of HR 1158, the Biogas Production Incentive Act of
2009 and recommend that Congress develops and passes this much needed
legislation that provides a $4.27 per MMBTU tax credit for the production of
Biogas – also known as "Renewable Natural Gas," "Renewable
Biogas" or "Biomethane."
H.R. 1158, the Biogas Production Incentive Act would establish this tax
credit that will help jumpstart this vital industry.
Renewable biogas and biomethane have been heralded by many as being the
greenest of all biofuels. Biomethane
has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with 67.9 for
natural gas, 95.8 for diesel and 96.7 for gasoline.
Biomethane can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of
all petroleum diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately.
The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition stated that Biomethane
should be classified as a "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel."
Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel is defined as providing at least an 82
percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - based on the California Air
Resource Board’s analysis of biomethane from landfill gas. The
U.S. Congress has wisely supported the expanded use of domestic renewable
resources through a variety of tax incentives and other programs.
Up to this point, Congress has focused primarily on measures that support
the production of renewable liquid transportation fuels or electricity.
In the U.S., however, natural gas represents 23 percent of the energy
consumed. Natural
gas is the fuel of choice to provide residential and commercial heat for space
and hot water in most applications and is used to produce steam in a variety of
commercial and industrial applications. Natural gas is also the fuel that
provides the energy to manufacture many industrial products including aluminum,
steel, glass, chemicals, fertilizer, and ethanol.
Incentivizing
the production of renewable natural gas or "Biomethane" from sources
that include animal manure, landfills, renewable biomass and agricultural wastes
will support expanding the role of renewables into this existing energy sector,
where little opportunity exists today.
It will also create another business investment prospect for renewable
project developers and the potential to expand rural economies while supporting
existing industrial jobs and dramatically reducing carbon emissions.
Please
consider the following: •
Renewable Biomethane is a versatile form of bio-energy. It can be used
directly at the site of production, or placed in the pipeline to support a
variety of residential commercial or industrial applications. •
Renewable Biomethane produced from renewable sources including animal
manure, landfills, renewable biomass and agricultural wastes can be produced at
high efficiencies ranging from 60–70 percent.
Additionally, all of the technology components to produce renewable gas
from this variety of sources exist today. •
Renewable Biomethane can be delivered to customers via the existing U.S.
pipeline infrastructure. •
Renewable Biomethane can provide a renewable option for many heavy
industries, which could save existing industrial jobs in a carbon constrained
economy - while creating new rural green jobs to produce Renewable Biomethane. •
Renewable Biomethane production in digesters provides the agricultural
sector additional environmental benefits by improving waste management and
nutrient control.
•
Jump-start new biomethane gas production •
Begin the creation of the biomethane infrastructure and biomethane
industry •
Increase biomethane “reserves” •
Creation of green jobs •
Expand the rural economy and increase revenues for farming and
agricultural operations •
Increase energy independence •
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thank
you for your support and consideration of this legislation. Sincerely, _______________________
Thank
you! For more information on Biomethane, see www.Biomethane.com
Biomethane
Renewable Energy Ventures, LLC. provides "vendor-neutral" Biomass Gasification engineering and renewable energy project development services - including turnkey Biomass Gasification plants, cogeneration plants and trigeneration plants - all of which can be fueled with the Synthesis Gas produced from our Biomass Gasification plants. Our Biomass Gasification engineering and renewable energy project development services include: Carbon Credits and Carbon Emissions Consulting, Design, Engineering, Environmental, Feasibility Studies, Feedstock, Legal, Onsite Power Generation (cogeneration or trigeneration) & Greenhouse Gas Emissions consulting for projects located in the U.S. and Canada. We also provide renewable energy engineering services for clients with projects located in Central America and the Caribbean. Our lead engineer and company's partner has almost 30 years experience in biomass engineering. We are interested in helping clients convert liabilities into assets and green energy. One of our many specialties is in the areas of "waste to energy" and "waste to fuel" project development services. We offer the following products, services and consulting services:
Biomethane
Production Solutions and About
Us begin most and assist our commercial and industrial clients by providing recommendations and strategies for helping them reduce their carbon emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and keep informed of current laws and pending legislation relating to climate change, global warming and how they can prepare for Cap and Trade. See our website at: www.CapAndTrade.net for more information on Cap and Trade issues, pending legislation and preparing for federal laws and compliance. Our clients benefit from our extensive experience and knowledge of issues relating to renewable energy, environmental and sustainability issues as well as implementing real world solutions that accomplish our client's goals and objectives. We provide products, consulting services, information, education and solutions for reducing: Carbon Emissions (www.CarbonEmissions.com) Carbon Dioxide Emissions (www.CarbonDioxideEmissions.com) and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (www.GreenhouseGasEmissions.com) since 2003. No company is better
prepared to help their clients in meeting these legal and environmental
challenges with proven solutions that help save money through significantly
lower energy expenses while simultaneously reducing or eliminating their
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, or eliminating them entirely, than us! We are
the pioneers of "Carbon Free Energy," "Pollution Free Power"
and "Clean Power Generation" strategies and solutions that can
completely eliminate your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Our
solutions and strategies provide our customers with an integrated approach to
today's climate challenges with real world solutions that solve these problems,
while reducing energy expenses. We turn your waste into green power and energy! Stop "Wasting Waste!" Biomass
Gasification Engineering and Feedstock Feasibility Studies What are the benefits
of verifying your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions? 2. Prepare for present and future regulatory compliance - Cap and Trade is coming! 3. Establishes a present-day baseline for receiving future Greenhouse Gas Emissions Credits when your company begins taking action to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 4. Provides a blueprint and strategy for knowing how, where and when to begin reducing your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
__________________________________________________________________
Our renewable energy
project development expertise has made us a leading authority of helping our
clients with Section 45 Tax Credits. Our company and our attorneys are
skilled in the areas of renewable energy project finance and tax issues relating
to renewable energy projects. We are able to assist our clients in connection
with Section 45 tax credit project finance. See one of our following sites at: www.Section45TaxCredits.com or www.RenewableEnergyTaxCredits.com for more information or call: (832) 758 - 0027 for more information _____________________________________________________
Renewable Energy Ventures provides Renewable Energy Technologies solutions for our energy and environmental problems. Our goal is building more Pollution Free Power and Carbon free Energy plants so that we can displace fossil fuels, especially fossil fuels from the Middle East, Russia and Venezuela. We are leaders in the production of Biogenic Gas or "Biogas" from multiple waste streams utilizing optimum renewable energy technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters. In a process we call
"Biogas-to-Biomethane" we then clean, treat and condition the Biogas,
removing the typical impurities found in Biogas, such as carbon dioxide,
hydrogen sulfide and siloxanes, so that the
Biomethane
can then be used as a
fuel we call "Renewable Natural
Gas," in any way that natural gas from
fossil fuels might be used.
There
are Multiple
Environmental and Economic Benefits for Anaerobic digesters generate numerous economic and environmental dividends:
We
Now Manufacture Our Own Line of Anaerobic Digesters that are Our Anaerobic Digesters are the result of over 28 years experience - including research and development - by our lead engineer in Anaerobic Digester design, engineering, construction and Biogas Plant operations. The
Anaerobic Digesters we build are custom-engineered for our client's specific
waste stream(s) which assure optimum performance and the least maintenance. In
other words, the anaerobic Digester we design and build for Grocery Stores and
Supermarkets is NOT the same that we would design and build for a
neighborhood. And, likewise, the
Anaerobic Digester that we design and
build for a dairy, is NOT the same
Anaerobic Digester that we would build for a
city's wastewater treatment plant.
Your
Company (or City) Should Consider us if Renewable Energy Ventures, LLC:
Anaerobic Digester Initial Design, Engineering & Feasibility Study We provide Anaerobic Digester Initial Design, Engineering and Feasibility Study for new clients interested in Anaerobic Digesters. Our fee for this service is based on the final Scope of Services, however, in general, the price for a thorough Anaerobic Digester Design and Feasibility Study will be under $200,000.00. This "vendor neutral" review and initial evaluation provides a basic foundation in our client's decision-making process and whether your facility is a viable candidate for one or more Anaerobic Digesters. We can also include the option for making this a Biogas Plant Engineering and Feasibility Study that provides the answers for generating Biogas and also for biogas "clean-up" into useable "Biomethane" or "Renewable Natural Gas" whether the Biomethane is used in on an onsite cogeneration or trigeneration power plant or sold to a natural gas pipeline. In
the event you decide to move forward with our
Anaerobic Digester Initial Design and Engineering Study, we require a 50% deposit to begin
work.
Biomethane Renewable Energy Ventures, LLC. is a privately-held company that was founded by two of the board members at the Renewable Energy Institute. Renewable Energy Ventures maximizes Biomethane production from multiple waste streams and renewable energy technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters, Biogas Plants and Landfill Gas to Energy projects. Your company (city or county) should consider hiring us if you are considering: Anaerobic Digesters, Biogas Plants, Landfill Gas to Energy, or other Biomethane resource opportunity as we are:
Confused by all of the companies involved in Anaerobic Digesters, Biomethane and Biogas Plants and all of the different types of Biogas and Biomethane plants?!? We can help! Our Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study will help determine whether you should consider Biomethane production at your facility. It is important to remember that we are "vendor-neutral" in terms of products or technologies as we seek the optimum economic and environmental solutions for every project. Call (832) 758 - 0027 for more information about our Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study or to schedule a start date for your Phase I Biomethane Feasibility Study.
Equal to 2.0 cents per KWH (approximately $5.66 per MMBtu) for electricity produced on-site from
Biomethane.
Sewage Sludge Renewable Energy Ventures provides solutions for your Sewage Sludge problems and other organic waste streams with one or more of the following: Anaerobic Digester, Anaerobic Lagoon, Biogas Recovery, BioMethane, Biomass Gasification, Biosolids to Energy, Landfill Gas To Energy and Sewage Sludge "problems into profits" project development services. Renewable Energy Ventures provides the following power and energy project development services:
According to the United Nations: "It is estimated that Greenhouse Gas Emissions trading markets could be worth $2 Trillion by 2012." http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=433&ArticleID=4792&l=en
Biomethane:
the Perfect Renewable Fuel! As Biomethane
is a near perfect fuel, and since Biomethane
represents the best of all biofuels in terms of Recycling Carbon, and has the
highest Net Energy Balance, and as
Biomethane technologies such as Anaerobic
Digesters and Biomass
Gasification development increases and becomes even more commonplace, one of
the fundamental questions is: what is the size of the potential biomass resource
supply in the U.S.? This study doesn't address the opportunities for Biomethane production from biomass feedstock or Biomass Gasification technologies. Some recent estimates indicate that Biomethane could replace up to 50% of present natural gas consumption in the U.S. and in some countries, such as Iceland, Biomethane already provides 100% of the natural gas requirements. There
are many assumptions in the Billion Ton Study report that impact these
estimates, but we believe the estimates reasonably reflect the potential
availability and impact of biomass resources. Biomass to Biofuels By "converting" biomass wastes – such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, crop residues, energy crops, and manure – into biofuels, this will resolve the energy, environmental and political problems in an economical and environmentally sound manner - that will produce over one million new jobs. According
to Jeff Seisler, Director of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association,
"Biomethane
has
an outstanding potential as a multifaceted solution to multifaceted social
problems: urban and agricultural waste management, water purification, and clean
air. Urban and agricultural waste can be processed into usable methane, as can
the sewage during the water purification process. Cleaning and compressing the
gas for use in vehicles then provides cleaner air than petroleum-consuming
vehicles." According
to Peter Boisen Chairman, of ENGVA, "various well respected European
research institutes now estimate more than three times better fuel output per
hectare of land used than if going for ethanol or biodiesel. Sweden currently
has a 51% Biomethane
share,
and Switzerland 37%. France, Norway, Germany and Austria use smaller amounts for
vehicles. Iceland, completely without natural gas, uses 100% biomethane in its
NGVs," Boisen says. Continuing, Boisen adds, "China, India,
Korea, the Ukraine, Spain and Italy are other examples of countries now starting
up projects where Biomethane
will be used as a vehicle fuel."
Biomethane
is the Best of All BioFuels, 1.
Biomethane
is One of the Most Common and Harmful of All Greenhouse
Gas Emissions. California and Sweden Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop Thursday, 29
June 2006
With
Over 27 Years Experience in Anaerobic Digester Design, Engineering and
Operations, We are now Building the World's best Anaerobic
Digesters. Biomethane, which we also refer to as "Renewable Natural Gas" is used as a renewable fuel for our cogeneration and trigeneration power plants. Alternatively, we may sell the Biomethane to a customer and transport it to them from our Anaerobic Digesters via natural gas pipelines. We believe Anaerobic Digesters and Biomethane represent exciting opportunities for generating renewable natural gas and profits - for multiple reasons: 1. Anaerobic Digesters take an existing liability and waste (Biomethane) and convert it into an asset and " profit generator." 2. Anaerobic Digesters mitigate and reverse climate change and global warming by preventing Biomethane to escape into the atmosphere, which is one of the major causes of climate change and global warming. Of all Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Biomethane is 21 times more harmful to the environment than Carbon Dioxide Emissions. 3. Anaerobic Digesters are vital for renewable energy production and helping our country's drive for energy independence. 4. EVERY wastewater treatment plant as well as ALL Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO's) - IN EVERY COUNTRY - will soon be installing Anaerobic Digesters to prevent Biomethane from entering the atmosphere and help reverse climate change as well as for use as a renewable fuel. Or, they will be replacing their existing inefficient and inferior mechanical wastewater treatment plants, with our "Natural Wastewater Treatment" plants! 5. The country of Sweden is the global leader in Biomethane production. Sweden has identified the Biomethane opportunities and is converting biowaste derived from agricultural material and residues into usable Biomethane. The Biomethane is used to generate clean, renewable electricity, residential heating, and also as a transportation fuel. Biomass sources make up 45% of Sweden’s Biomethane. Sweden's Biomethane industry has been growing at an annual rate of around 20% over the last five years. Biomethane powers more than 8,000 transit buses, garbage trucks, and 10 different models of passenger cars in Sweden. Sweden now has more than 25 Biomethane production facilities and 65 filling stations. The country believes that since Biomethane is developed from natural, organic sources that would have been released into the atmosphere, that Biomethane is considered one of the most climate-friendly fuels. Biomethane is 98% methane and easily meets the Swedish and California pipeline standards.
Moving forward with us - next steps Typically, we are engaged by new clients after they have identified renewable energy or renewable fuel opportunity. We require an initial retainer from new clients. The amount of the retainer is based upon the number of hours and resources for the specific project. Our Phase I feasibility studies are led by a licensed professional engineer that holds a Ph.D. in engineering along with significant experience in biomass, renewable energy and waste to energy technologies. After completing the engineering feasibility and economic study, we are then able to move forward with the EPC (Engineering-Procurement-Construction) project development and would provide several of the key project management team members.
We
Package, Sell and Install Highly-efficient
Our specialty is both both cogeneration and trigeneration energy systems. There is probably not a better, more cost-effective "demand side management" method for reducing the energy expenses for commercial businesses. We manufacture/package, sell and install cogeneration and trigeneration energy systems that approach 100% net system efficiency. This means our energy systems utilize nearly 100% of the fuel in the form of power (electricity) and hot water and/or steam with our cogeneration energy systems and cooling, heating and power (electricity) with our trigeneration energy systems - that our customers use "onsite" in their buildings, restaurants, health clubs, hotels, casinos, office buildings, hospitals and many other types of commercial buildings, facilities and plants. For qualified clients, we will build-design-finance-own-operate and maintain our cogeneration or trigeneration energy systems.
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. Our company's trigeneration energy systems 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 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. We installed a 4.0 MW Ruston gas turbine for the power plant. Rice University selected an EPC company that installed the trigeneration 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. |