EPA has the fugitive emissions rule under reconsideration. The CAA does not really detail how to deal with fugitive emissions. The court case in 1979 did not really resolve the issue. That was followed by some unfortunate rule making and guidance under New Source Review that further confused the issue. New Source Review includes Non-Attainment New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD). EPA is proposing to eliminate the mid-2008 “Fugitive Emissions Rule” and eliminate a source of confusion. The rule was stayed in 2009 and remains stayed. There was also another exclusion that was part of the original … Continue reading EPA Fugitive Emissions Rule (12/7 CIBO Committee Presentation)

The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) looks to drive innovation in the nuclear energy field. Developers can propose a work scope and the National Labs can execute that work scope to minimize the additional costs of building and troubleshooting new facilities. There is nuclear technology information from a variety of prior government agencies that is often “lost” to the present. GAIN is looking to relocate that information and make it available. GAIN has a website. There is a coal to nuclear program. There is an industrial outreach program. Process heat applications as well as power are being considered. … Continue reading DOE – “GAIN” Initiative (Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear)  (12/8 CIBO Committee Presentation)

The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is charged with delivering clean energy demonstration projects in conjunction with industry. Some $25+ billion has been designated by Congress for the purposes of getting these demonstration projects built and ready for commercialization. While this is a lot of money, it is probably not enough to generate a substantial number of demonstration plants. One feature is to establish Centers of Excellence for project management of these programs. There is an engagement and outreach group that is looking to improve communications with industry. OCED is firmly in the demonstration stage of RDD&D. They are … Continue reading New DOE – Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (12/8 CIBO Committee Presentation)

The economic backdrop is currently an inflationary environment. Regulatory policy is often driven by economic environment. Wages are growing but not keeping pace with inflation. As a result, savings are down considerably as people are dipping into their savings to maintain living standards. Gasoline prices have come down, but are still higher than they were before the pandemic. Regulatory burdens just add to these burdens. Since Jan. 2021, this administration has issued 500 new regulations. That translates to over $200 million in additional paperwork burdens. The top 10 air rules drive about $400 billion/yr in regulatory costs. That is greater … Continue reading Update on Social Cost of Carbon (12/8 CIBO Committee Presentation)

Green energy can be thought of as renewable power, energy storage, synthetic fuels (particularly sustainable aircraft fuels), and industrial steam/heat. The energy transition involves a number of technologies, but particularly carbon capture. The first question is whether sequestration is available. If not, renewable fuels and energy will be the primary path. If sequestration is available, carbon capture will likely be deployed. Renewable fuels include green hydrogen, biomass, biowaste, and renewable natural gas. The EU does not allow growing a crop to convert to fuel. In the EU, there is a waste hierarchy which leads to energy recovery after reduce, reuse, … Continue reading Decarbonizing Industrial Steam & Power with Chemical Looping and Oxygen Combustion Technologies

The Republican policy task force on climate in the US House prepares for a potential Republican majority following the November elections. The goal is to have a plan ready. Major themes include energy and environment, energy independence, lower costs, faster permitting, cleaner, and American produced. The US is the most efficient producer in the world. A product produced in China generates three times the emissions as the same product produced in the US. The US has reduced more GHG emissions since 2005 than the next five reducers in the world. A similar analysis applies to natural gas that comes from … Continue reading Congressional GOP Perspective and Plans for 2023

Off-peak power from renewables in SPP causes the wholesale price of electricity to go to zero or less (with incentives). In that area, the incentives drive the generation of power when it is not necessarily needed. However, this generation is intermittent. Effective and reliable storage of such energy in the form of heat can provide reliable heat for industrial use. The Antora process uses resistance heating of carbon blocks to drive up the temperature of the blocks. The blocks then radiate heat to the desired process. Carbon blocks are used because they can be heated to high temperatures in a … Continue reading High Temperature Heat – New Technology Overview

There are a number changes going on with the Advanced Manufacturing Office. The AMO will split into two offices for assistance in October 2022: Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization and Advanced Materials and Technologies. The Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap focuses on the 5 sectors that account for the majority of industrial GHG emissions (chemicals, iron and steel, refining, food & beverage, and cement). There is no silver bullet. Multiple solutions are needed, as well as process integration. A current funding opportunity announcement is out under a $104 million funding effort. Proposals are due in December. The AMO has a number of institutes … Continue reading DOE – Renewable Energy Guidance Report

The University of Cincinnati campus covers nearly 8 million ft2. The campus is landlocked and in the middle of a built up urban area. It is subject to EJ considerations. The Central Utility plant was constructed in 1993 to house the combined cycle plants, which allowed the shutdown of coal units. There are two gas turbines that feed HRSGs, which feed a steam turbine for power generation. There are 4 gas/oil fired boilers to provide steam, as well as backup diesel generators for summer use. The university has committed to 50% carbon reduction by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2075. … Continue reading University of Cincinnati Campus Energy Update

The Cornell campus is pushing 15 million ft2 in upstate New York. The power plant supplies steam for heat, plus electric power and water services. Peak load is 35 Mw. Energy conservation activities improved overall efficiency which reduced carbon emissions. Two gas turbines with HRSGs provide cogeneration and allowed for the shutdown of the two coal boilers. Pressure from the student community, the state, the faculty, and eNGOs drove the elimination of the coal units. The university adopted the Paris Accords. There are state regulations that will impact the university. Building codes may require renewable energy credits. The state is … Continue reading Cornell Campus Energy Update