Distributed Generation Importance

[David Hall]

The article below shows one more reason for distributed power generation.

 

David Lee Hall

EPA approves first new gas-fired power plant in Texas since implementation of new greenhouse gas emission rules

November 11, 2011

The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has approved the first new natural gas-fired power plant in Texas since the initial implementation of its new greenhouse gas rules.

The first permit went to the Lower Colorado River Authority, which plans to replace its 37-year-old natural gas-fired Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant with a new gas-fired combined cycle unit. The new plant design will boast roughly one-third greater capacity, better reliability, improved greenhouse gas emission monitoring systems and lower emissions of nitrogen oxide. 

In June 2010, EPA finalized national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on January 2, 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit. EPA believes states are best equipped to oversee GHG air permitting programs. In the interim, EPA is providing Texas businesses access to the permits they need to meet the GHG requirements and continue to grow.

Texas has voiced strong opposition to a new set of emissions standards that will force the shuttering of several coal-fired power plants in the state. To further voice its protest, state regulators have refused to enforce the new greenhouse gas permit rules, leading the EPA to begin issuing the first of these permits. 

The Texas Tribune reports that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality continued its stance against the permits. 

"While we are pleased that the LCRA's Ferguson power plant project can move forward, we see no need for - or any environmental benefit from - EPA's greenhouse gas permit," said Andy Saenz, an agency spokesman, told the Tribune. 

For the most up to date and in-depth information on the Natural Gas Generation market visit PennEnergy's comprehensive Research area to access industry focused Reports.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mike Beck <mike.p...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 4:42 PM
Subject: Re: Distributed Generation Advantages
To: Texas Ideas-Progress <te...@ideasprogress.com>


Hi David,

   I am with you. Methane usage on an individual application certainly makes sense. Having a large geographic service area grid is by nature a more vulnerable arrangement. By having small, local, or on site generation of energy, you immediately reduce the probability of large scale power outages for any reason, be it nature, failure, or attack. With technology advancing as it is, there seems little reason to not to go this direction. The entire mindset that the "grid" and power generation itself must be "centralized" may just be completely backwards. The same goes for mass transportation, large school systems, etc. As Americans it is against our nature. Individual creativity and ingenuity is a powerful thing if it exists in an uninhibited environment. Necessity along with market demand truly is the mother of invention.

   Government is overstepping it's authority by funneling tax dollars to one entity over another, or putting up barriers to create monopolistic institutions. It directs wealth and influence to a select few. The tax laws are manipulated and lobbied just for this purpose, to our collective detriment, whether those who engage in it realize it or not. 

Thanks,

On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 6:52 PM, Texas Ideas-Progress <te...@ideasprogress.com> wrote:

Below are a series of communications with Peter V. Poggi – Chattanooga, Tennessee concerning the email which is the latest in a series on energy delivery that was started on June 18, 2009.

 

Peter V. Poggi has left a new comment on your post "Electrical Grid Vulnerable": 
"Smart Generation" used to be called (still is) Distributed Generation. Distributed Generation does have advantages and will be pursued. BUT, the Smart Grid enables the remote generation to tie into the grid and sell back excess power. This allows a financial return on the generation investment. Without this income flow, you really just have expensive back-up generation good for very remote locations and survivalists in the woods. So Smart Grid is a catalysis for Distributed Generation...not a hindrance. 

 

Response:

Peter, I agree with you that the grid will not go away although I believe being on the grid should be an option rather than a de facto requirement because of the tax dollars flowing into Smart Grid development.  One of the things I see coming to fruition in the near future are things like what Fire Chill offers on an even smaller scale for home or small business use.  What concerns me is that more government money is going into the grid than into electric generation alternatives.  David

 

Peter V. Poggi:

David, I'm not talking about the tax dollars flowing.  I'm talking about the income stream earned by selling electricity back to the grid.  Without it, most generation assets will be under-utilized, and therefore financially underperforming.  Regards,  Peter

 

Response:

Peter, The tax dollars are flowing to "Smart Grid" projects, but I think at least half of those dollars should flow to home electric generation systems, because I am not unrealistic enough to believe that those tax dollars will not flow.  Under-utilized assets to assure access are part of the American way of life that I like a lot.  For instance, compare the USA to Russia; either now or during Soviet times and I have spent time working in Russia; and you will see most of us use autos instead of public transportation, most homes including apartments have individual hot water heaters / HVAC / communications, and very few people (especially families) live in dormitories where everyone on a floor shares bathroom and kitchen facilities; but in Russia the opposite is true.  I think that Russia is wasteful rather than us because we are much more efficient and Russia does not use its vast resources for the benefit of the majority of its people.  David

 

Dallas Morning News - February 6, 2011:

Freeze knocked out coal plants and reduced natural gas supplies leading to blackouts

 

Telephone Discussion:

Peter and I agreed that the “Smart Grid” would not overcome the problems described in the Dallas Morning News Article referenced above; however, Peter convinced me that the “Smart Grid” will facilitate distributed generation ("Smart Generation").  We both agreed that solar & wind will provide limited energy in the near term and that people wanting to save energy & money, and/or reduce their carbon footprint in their home can do it most cost-effectively via insulation, sealing, and using florescent light bulbs.

 

Future:

I believe that distributed generation ("Smart Generation") will be beneficial; it will come soon via natural gas (methane is 1 carbon atom surrounded by 4 hydrogen atoms) rather than hydrogen; and that methane will be the primary fuel for the 21^st Century replacing the heavier hydrocarbons gasoline and diesel as well as coal which will be converted to natural gas rather than burned directly.

--
Michael A. Beck
REALTOR®
Senior Property Manager
Park One Properties
3401 Custer Rd. Ste 139 Plano TX 75023
Office 972-596-6095
Fax 214-379-4234
Mobile 214-533-8393
mike.p...@gmail.com
www.ParkOneProperties.com