The South could generate 20-30 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources within the next 20 years – up from less than 4 percent today -- if strong federal policies are enacted, according to a report released July 27 by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Duke University. The analysis, “Renewable Energy in the South,” finds that conventional wisdom has underestimated the available renewable resources in the region and that a federal renewable electricity standard (RES) would enable the South to capitalize on this untapped renewable energy potential.
Read the Full Report Here: http://www.spp.gatech.edu/aboutus/workingpapers/renewable-energy-in-the-south
The South lags behind all other regions in renewable electricity, obtaining 3.7 percent of its power from renewable sources, compared to 9.5 percent for the country as a whole. Only four states (Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Texas) have a state-level renewable portfolio standard, while three others have voluntary renewable energy goals. The fate of renewables in the South is not only important for the region, but for the nation as a whole since, in 2008, the region accounted for 44 percent of the country’s energy consumption.
Opponents of renewable energy production claim that the South lacks the renewable energy resources to capitalize on the growing demand for clean energy. However, the report finds that there are abundant renewable energy resources available that can be tapped if supportive policies are put in place. The report shows that if a 25 percent (by 2025) federal RES is enacted, the amount of electricity supplied by power companies from renewable sources could increase more than 250 percent above the level expected in 2030 if no new federal renewables policies were enacted.
A number of other studies have shown a large potential for renewable energy in the South,” said Etan Gumerman of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute and co-lead researcher of the study. “Our study shows that significant increases can actually be achieved, particularly through supportive local or federal policies.”
The report, using a customized version of the economic modeling system used by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, finds that a federal renewable electricity standard and carbon pricing system would increase the proportion of electricity derived from renewable sources by power companies in every state, particularly in wind and biomass. By 2030, the report shows, federal carbon pricing policy would increase renewable electricity production in the South by 390 percent.
“Countries around the world are already tapping into the potential of renewable energy, and are capturing export markets and generating jobs in the process,” said Dr. Marilyn Brown of the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-lead researcher of the study. “The report demonstrates that although many states in the South are off to a slow start, renewable initiatives are now underway across the region, and the potential for expansion is promising.”
In addition, the report finds that electricity produced by end-users, such as households and businesses using small-scale solar electric and heating facilities, would also benefit from federal policies and could supply a substantial portion of the region’s renewable electricity. Under a 25 percent RES, for example, renewable electricity supplied by utilities and end-users could increase by 154 percent. Carbon pricing policy could lead to a 266 percent increase above the total level of renewable electricity expected in the absence of federal policy changes.
“In the future, households and businesses have the potential to become major suppliers of clean, renewable electricity,” added Dr. Brown. “This changes the way we need to think about the South’s renewable energy potential.”
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Showing posts with label clean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clean. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, December 12, 2009
NGO Says Natural Gas Provides New Option for Immediate U.S. Carbon Cuts
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Clean Skies Foundation (ACSF), together with the UN Foundation and the Worldwatch Institute, today hosted a major side event in Copenhagen focusing on the ways natural gas -- and, in particular, the discovery of vast reserves of unconventional, or shale gas -- can accelerate the transition to a global low-carbon economy. Natural gas can generate electricity with 50-70 percent less CO(2) than coal per BTU. As is the case in the U.S., many other countries have also recently discovered very large new unconventional reserves of natural gas, primarily in deeply buried shale rock formations.
At the side event, ACSF released a comprehensive new working paper entitled "North America's New Natural Gas Resources and their Potential Impact on Energy and Climate Security." The paper shows why natural gas offers an immediate opportunity for climate action and describes the necessary U.S. legislative policies for pursuing this option. It is authored jointly by ACSF's CEO, Gregory C. Staple, a respected climate policy expert, and Dr. Joel L. Swerdlow, author of the noted National Geographic Society Book titled Nature's Medicine. Copies can be obtained from the Foundation at http://www.cleanskies.org/new-energy/. Event details can be found at www.cleanskies.org/pdf/acsf-agenda-121209.pdf
The Chairman and CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., Aubrey K. McClendon, who also serves as Chairman of ACSF, and Mr. Staple offered the following statements:
"We are in the midst of a natural gas renaissance in the United States -- a renaissance that gives the U.S. an unprecedented means to demonstrate global economic and environmental leadership because gas is a much lower carbon fuel than coal or oil. The U.S. boom in shale gas production also provides a historic opportunity to unite the business and environmental communities, since it may create hundreds of thousands of new jobs while producing large environmental benefits.
There is no longer any debate about natural gas supply in America: we have an abundance of natural gas. Big shale plays have become a key part of America's effort to gain a much greater degree of energy security, and we hope that in the next decade shale gas will also help Europe and Asia do likewise. What we need now is the political will to make sure that natural gas-based fuel switching is a leading part of our country's CO(2) reduction strategy. The more successful we are at producing shale gas in North America, the more likely it is that the U.S. and the world will have a new roadmap for energy and climate security."
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At the side event, ACSF released a comprehensive new working paper entitled "North America's New Natural Gas Resources and their Potential Impact on Energy and Climate Security." The paper shows why natural gas offers an immediate opportunity for climate action and describes the necessary U.S. legislative policies for pursuing this option. It is authored jointly by ACSF's CEO, Gregory C. Staple, a respected climate policy expert, and Dr. Joel L. Swerdlow, author of the noted National Geographic Society Book titled Nature's Medicine. Copies can be obtained from the Foundation at http://www.cleanskies.org/new-energy/. Event details can be found at www.cleanskies.org/pdf/acsf-agenda-121209.pdf
The Chairman and CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., Aubrey K. McClendon, who also serves as Chairman of ACSF, and Mr. Staple offered the following statements:
"We are in the midst of a natural gas renaissance in the United States -- a renaissance that gives the U.S. an unprecedented means to demonstrate global economic and environmental leadership because gas is a much lower carbon fuel than coal or oil. The U.S. boom in shale gas production also provides a historic opportunity to unite the business and environmental communities, since it may create hundreds of thousands of new jobs while producing large environmental benefits.
There is no longer any debate about natural gas supply in America: we have an abundance of natural gas. Big shale plays have become a key part of America's effort to gain a much greater degree of energy security, and we hope that in the next decade shale gas will also help Europe and Asia do likewise. What we need now is the political will to make sure that natural gas-based fuel switching is a leading part of our country's CO(2) reduction strategy. The more successful we are at producing shale gas in North America, the more likely it is that the U.S. and the world will have a new roadmap for energy and climate security."
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Georgia Employers Take Action to Reduce Unnecessary Diesel Idling
No-idle zones improve air quality and reduce operational expense
Since the 2008 launch of The Clean Air Campaign’s Diesel Idling Reduction Program, more than 60 employers and property managers in Georgia have taken the initiative to reduce unnecessary diesel engine idling among their fleets and at their work sites. Made possible by a grant from the UPS Foundation, the program has also educated more than 15,000 drivers about the harmful effects of vehicle idling.
“There is a strong business case to be made for establishing a no-idle policy,” said Executive Director Kevin Green. “It not only keeps pollution out of the air, but it improves operational efficiency. Less gas, less fleet maintenance and less wear on engine components are significant bottom-line budget considerations for this policy.”
Loading docks and delivery areas are the hot spots where you can usually find idling diesel engines. This exhaust is not only dangerous to drivers. Exhaust can also enter office buildings through air intakes, doors and windows, and studies show that diesel exhaust contains 15 carcinogenic pollutants. In Georgia, more business leaders are starting to take action to prevent harmful idling.
“We saw an opportunity to make an immediate difference in the air quality in and around our parking garages,” said Sean Cabrey of LAZ Parking. “After joining The Clean Air Campaign’s Diesel Idling Reduction Program, we enlisted the help of our Atlanta clients, and printed more than 50 “no-idle zone” signs for all of our delivery areas.”
“No-idle programs are the types of forward-thinking initiatives that should go in the pages of a company’s corporate sustainability report,” continued Green. “As more employers set out to cultivate a greener internal culture, this is another step toward that goal.”
The Clean Air Campaign continues to help Georgia employers develop best practices and policies for reducing unnecessary diesel engine idling, providing free “no-idle zone” signage, distributing educational and marketing materials, and providing the tools necessary to measure the impact and success of the Diesel Idling Reduction Program.
For more information about the program or to learn how your company can become a no-idle program participant, visit CleanAirCampaign.org or call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624).
About The Clean Air Campaign
The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia’s employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality. To accomplish this goal, The Clean Air Campaign, along with its associate organizations, partners with more than 1,600 employers to create custom commute options programs; and annually helps thousands of commuters find commute alternatives that work for them, providing financial incentives to get them started. The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by distributing Smog Alerts and empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and cleaning the air through a multi-faceted education program reaching elementary, middle and high schools.
Each day, these programs reduce 1.6 million miles of vehicle travel and keep 800 tons of pollution out of the air we breathe. For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.org.
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Since the 2008 launch of The Clean Air Campaign’s Diesel Idling Reduction Program, more than 60 employers and property managers in Georgia have taken the initiative to reduce unnecessary diesel engine idling among their fleets and at their work sites. Made possible by a grant from the UPS Foundation, the program has also educated more than 15,000 drivers about the harmful effects of vehicle idling.
“There is a strong business case to be made for establishing a no-idle policy,” said Executive Director Kevin Green. “It not only keeps pollution out of the air, but it improves operational efficiency. Less gas, less fleet maintenance and less wear on engine components are significant bottom-line budget considerations for this policy.”
Loading docks and delivery areas are the hot spots where you can usually find idling diesel engines. This exhaust is not only dangerous to drivers. Exhaust can also enter office buildings through air intakes, doors and windows, and studies show that diesel exhaust contains 15 carcinogenic pollutants. In Georgia, more business leaders are starting to take action to prevent harmful idling.
“We saw an opportunity to make an immediate difference in the air quality in and around our parking garages,” said Sean Cabrey of LAZ Parking. “After joining The Clean Air Campaign’s Diesel Idling Reduction Program, we enlisted the help of our Atlanta clients, and printed more than 50 “no-idle zone” signs for all of our delivery areas.”
“No-idle programs are the types of forward-thinking initiatives that should go in the pages of a company’s corporate sustainability report,” continued Green. “As more employers set out to cultivate a greener internal culture, this is another step toward that goal.”
The Clean Air Campaign continues to help Georgia employers develop best practices and policies for reducing unnecessary diesel engine idling, providing free “no-idle zone” signage, distributing educational and marketing materials, and providing the tools necessary to measure the impact and success of the Diesel Idling Reduction Program.
For more information about the program or to learn how your company can become a no-idle program participant, visit CleanAirCampaign.org or call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624).
About The Clean Air Campaign
The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia’s employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality. To accomplish this goal, The Clean Air Campaign, along with its associate organizations, partners with more than 1,600 employers to create custom commute options programs; and annually helps thousands of commuters find commute alternatives that work for them, providing financial incentives to get them started. The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by distributing Smog Alerts and empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and cleaning the air through a multi-faceted education program reaching elementary, middle and high schools.
Each day, these programs reduce 1.6 million miles of vehicle travel and keep 800 tons of pollution out of the air we breathe. For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.org.
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
American Clean Skies Foundation Issues Statement On Today's Introduction of the Natural Gas Act of 2009 in the Senate
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Clean Skies Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. whose mission is clean energy and environmental education, issued the statement below in conjunction with the introduction of the historic NAT GAS Act of 2009 in the Senate by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). A companion House bill was introduced in April 2009 by Congressmen John Larson (D-Conn.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.) and John Sullivan (R-Okla.).
This bi-partisan bill provides incentives that will lead to the greater use of domestically produced natural gas as a transportation fuel. It will replace higher-cost and higher emitting gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles with newer, cleaner, and lower cost natural-gas powered vehicles. This bill, which would increase the manufacturing of natural gas vehicles, will also create American jobs, strengthening the U.S. automotive industry and the overall economy.
Included in the bill are key elements that would: extend the tax credit for natural gas used as a transportation fuel; expand a tax credit for 80 percent of the additional incremental cost when purchasing any dedicated natural gas vehicle and increase the refueling property tax credit from $50,000 to $100,000 per station; create incentives for manufacturers to sell natural gas vehicles in the United States; and require that a percentage of the vehicles the federal government buys over the next five years run on natural gas.
"We applaud U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Orrin Hatch for introducing the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act (NAT GAS Act) today. We appreciate their leadership, along with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, for recognizing the critically important role American-produced, clean-burning natural gas can play in helping reduce carbon emissions. This bill addresses our country's economic and security priorities in a way that benefits all Americans.
The introduction of the NAT GAS Act today in the Senate represents one more major step toward putting one of our most valued natural resources in our country to greater use. The Act proposes that vehicles, especially heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks and buses, run on natural gas.
Natural gas is clean, American and affordable and multiple recent ground-breaking studies have confirmed we have abundant reserves in the United States to power our economy for decades to come. This legislation lays the groundwork to begin reducing our troublesome dependence on foreign oil and puts America on track towards a more promising energy future. No energy source can do more for America's environment and economy in the immediate future than natural gas."
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This bi-partisan bill provides incentives that will lead to the greater use of domestically produced natural gas as a transportation fuel. It will replace higher-cost and higher emitting gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles with newer, cleaner, and lower cost natural-gas powered vehicles. This bill, which would increase the manufacturing of natural gas vehicles, will also create American jobs, strengthening the U.S. automotive industry and the overall economy.
Included in the bill are key elements that would: extend the tax credit for natural gas used as a transportation fuel; expand a tax credit for 80 percent of the additional incremental cost when purchasing any dedicated natural gas vehicle and increase the refueling property tax credit from $50,000 to $100,000 per station; create incentives for manufacturers to sell natural gas vehicles in the United States; and require that a percentage of the vehicles the federal government buys over the next five years run on natural gas.
"We applaud U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Orrin Hatch for introducing the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act (NAT GAS Act) today. We appreciate their leadership, along with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, for recognizing the critically important role American-produced, clean-burning natural gas can play in helping reduce carbon emissions. This bill addresses our country's economic and security priorities in a way that benefits all Americans.
The introduction of the NAT GAS Act today in the Senate represents one more major step toward putting one of our most valued natural resources in our country to greater use. The Act proposes that vehicles, especially heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks and buses, run on natural gas.
Natural gas is clean, American and affordable and multiple recent ground-breaking studies have confirmed we have abundant reserves in the United States to power our economy for decades to come. This legislation lays the groundwork to begin reducing our troublesome dependence on foreign oil and puts America on track towards a more promising energy future. No energy source can do more for America's environment and economy in the immediate future than natural gas."
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Monday, June 29, 2009
America's Natural Gas Alliance: Natural Gas Leads to Domestically Produced Independence
/PRNewswire/ -- As our nation celebrates Independence Day, it is time for America to truly focus on reducing our dependence on energy sources from outside our borders, which is achievable thanks to new discoveries of clean, abundant natural gas here in America.
New and plentiful natural gas resources in North America should dramatically change the energy and climate debate in Washington. The Potential Gas Committee, a non-profit academic organization, recently released the latest in a string of authoritative reports confirming the abundance of natural gas in North America. Thanks to new gas field discoveries, the U.S. has a 100-year supply of natural gas that is growing with new technology.
Over the years, the United States has become more and more dependent on energy sources from volatile regions, raising national security concerns about our reliance on energy sources from outside our borders. The Center for a New American Security, a non-profit, non-partisan national security research organization, writes in a new report that "two-thirds of all oil reserves are in the Middle East, where instability and hostility to the United States run rife and can threaten economic and national security."
Natural gas can lead to domestically produced independence and because it is more than 50 percent cleaner than coal, it is better for the environment and can serve as the foundation for power generation and the expansion of renewable energy sources. The New York Times recently said that "natural gas could emerge as a critical transition fuel that could help to battle global warming." And because 98 percent of natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in North America, increased use would result in more jobs and economic growth.
"Securing our nation's independence did not come easy and neither will significantly reducing our dependence on energy from outside our borders but with innovation and new natural gas discoveries, America's clean energy future can be made right here in America," said Rod Lowman, president of America's Natural Gas Alliance. "Natural gas is clean, abundant and ready now to power our homes and automobiles today and for future generations."
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New and plentiful natural gas resources in North America should dramatically change the energy and climate debate in Washington. The Potential Gas Committee, a non-profit academic organization, recently released the latest in a string of authoritative reports confirming the abundance of natural gas in North America. Thanks to new gas field discoveries, the U.S. has a 100-year supply of natural gas that is growing with new technology.
Over the years, the United States has become more and more dependent on energy sources from volatile regions, raising national security concerns about our reliance on energy sources from outside our borders. The Center for a New American Security, a non-profit, non-partisan national security research organization, writes in a new report that "two-thirds of all oil reserves are in the Middle East, where instability and hostility to the United States run rife and can threaten economic and national security."
Natural gas can lead to domestically produced independence and because it is more than 50 percent cleaner than coal, it is better for the environment and can serve as the foundation for power generation and the expansion of renewable energy sources. The New York Times recently said that "natural gas could emerge as a critical transition fuel that could help to battle global warming." And because 98 percent of natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in North America, increased use would result in more jobs and economic growth.
"Securing our nation's independence did not come easy and neither will significantly reducing our dependence on energy from outside our borders but with innovation and new natural gas discoveries, America's clean energy future can be made right here in America," said Rod Lowman, president of America's Natural Gas Alliance. "Natural gas is clean, abundant and ready now to power our homes and automobiles today and for future generations."
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Friday, March 6, 2009
Shell Rolls Out All-New Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines With Free Fill-Ups
/PRNewswire/ -- This morning at Shell stations across the U.S., consumers received a free fill-up with Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, a new fuel containing a unique, patented cleaning system designed to seek and destroy engine "gunk" (carbon deposits) in all three grades of gasoline. To celebrate the debut of the new fuel, Shell held seven simultaneous events - Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline Spring Clean-up Giveaways - where free fuel was available from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. to drivers.
Consumers lined up in their vehicles for an opportunity to try the new fuel (at no cost) in top commuter markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Washington (District of Columbia), Seattle, Houston, Jacksonville, and Cincinnati. Throughout the week of March 2, local radio stations hinted to participating Shell gasoline stations in their respective regions. This morning, on-air personalities finally directed listeners to a selected Shell gasoline station in their area, and throngs of consumers followed.
"With Spring approaching, people sometimes forget that their vehicle engines need a 'spring clean-up' too," said Karen Wildman, Shell U.S. brand and communications manager. "These gasoline giveaways are a great way to introduce the new Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines to drivers and to showcase how the gasolines clean and protect critical engine parts."
NITROGEN ENRICHED FUEL SPARKS SPRING CLEAN-UP
With spring on its way, there's no better time to get a head start on cleaning vehicle engines with Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines. Nitrogen is a key ingredient of the gasoline's active cleaning molecule, which is significantly more stable at higher temperatures common in modern engines, such as direct fuel-injection engines. The increased stability ensures that the molecule can work under much tougher engine conditions by resisting thermal breakdown better than conventional cleaning additives.
Shell developed the new fuel with the consumer in mind, knowing that in today's challenging economy consumers are looking to preserve one of their largest investments - their vehicles. They also are looking to get the most out of every drop of gasoline. Shell worked very closely with automotive manufacturers to gain insight into current and future engine technologies. These insights along with fuels technology leadership and a strong research and development program help Shell continually improve its products.
Additionally, the new formula is proven to prevent build-up of gunk more effectively than gasolines containing only the minimum amount of cleaning agents as required by the EPA. The new formula is certified to meet and exceed TOP TIER Gasoline Detergent standards - voluntary standards designated by some of the world's top automakers (Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen) to try to raise the bar on fuel quality beyond minimum government criteria.
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Consumers lined up in their vehicles for an opportunity to try the new fuel (at no cost) in top commuter markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Washington (District of Columbia), Seattle, Houston, Jacksonville, and Cincinnati. Throughout the week of March 2, local radio stations hinted to participating Shell gasoline stations in their respective regions. This morning, on-air personalities finally directed listeners to a selected Shell gasoline station in their area, and throngs of consumers followed.
"With Spring approaching, people sometimes forget that their vehicle engines need a 'spring clean-up' too," said Karen Wildman, Shell U.S. brand and communications manager. "These gasoline giveaways are a great way to introduce the new Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines to drivers and to showcase how the gasolines clean and protect critical engine parts."
NITROGEN ENRICHED FUEL SPARKS SPRING CLEAN-UP
With spring on its way, there's no better time to get a head start on cleaning vehicle engines with Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines. Nitrogen is a key ingredient of the gasoline's active cleaning molecule, which is significantly more stable at higher temperatures common in modern engines, such as direct fuel-injection engines. The increased stability ensures that the molecule can work under much tougher engine conditions by resisting thermal breakdown better than conventional cleaning additives.
Shell developed the new fuel with the consumer in mind, knowing that in today's challenging economy consumers are looking to preserve one of their largest investments - their vehicles. They also are looking to get the most out of every drop of gasoline. Shell worked very closely with automotive manufacturers to gain insight into current and future engine technologies. These insights along with fuels technology leadership and a strong research and development program help Shell continually improve its products.
Additionally, the new formula is proven to prevent build-up of gunk more effectively than gasolines containing only the minimum amount of cleaning agents as required by the EPA. The new formula is certified to meet and exceed TOP TIER Gasoline Detergent standards - voluntary standards designated by some of the world's top automakers (Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen) to try to raise the bar on fuel quality beyond minimum government criteria.
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Cleaner Coal Technology Key to the World’s Energy Future
(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Energy and the University of Wyoming today announced an agreement to further cleaner coal technology, making coal-fired power generation more viable in America. Under the agreement, GE and the university will develop the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center to accelerate the commercial use of cleaner coal technology.
In the United States, coal supplies more than 50 percent of the country’s current electricity generation and it plays an important role in meeting the nation’s energy needs. Coal is an abundant, low-cost, domestic, natural resource that continues to be a significant part of America’s energy mix.
Wyoming is uniquely positioned in the nation’s energy landscape and has vast coal resources capable of supporting a substantial portion of the nation’s energy needs. The state produces approximately 40 percent of all of the coal used in the United States to generate electricity.
The new center will include a small-scale gasification system that will enable researchers from GE and the university to develop advanced gasification solutions for Powder River Basin and other Wyoming coals. The research is expected to expand the range of coals that can be used with GE’s integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) technology for power plants. The facility is expected to be operational by 2012.
To create a path forward for coal, future climate change policy will be needed to incentivize the deployment of already-available low carbon technology and to foster further improvements that will bring down the cost of carbon capture and sequestration.
“This project underscores the commitment of both the University of Wyoming and GE to work toward U.S. energy independence and plan for future energy needs,” said Steve Bolze, president and CEO of GE Energy’s Power & Water business. “We believe that our country’s energy and environmental policies should promote a balance of available, reliable, cleaner and low-cost energy. The use of cleaner coal technology helps create jobs, support economic growth and positively impacts the environment.”
GE is a world leader in IGCC technology and has been at the forefront of IGCC technology since the Coolwater project, a 120 MW technical demonstration IGCC project started in 1984. GE's IGCC technology also has operated at the 250 MW TECO Polk I station in Florida for more than 12 years. Today, GE offers a 630 MW IGCC reference plant that produces 75 percent less SOx, 33 percent less NOx, 40 percent less particulate matter, uses 30 percent less water and offers 90 percent mercury capture, compared to a traditional pulverized coal plant.
In addition to providing a cleaner alternative for power generation, IGCC is well-suited for carbon capture. Carbon capture technology is in use in GE’s industrial gasification applications around the world today. IGCC technology will offer cost and efficiency advantages for carbon capture and storage, once clear policies and regulations are in place to support storage and an economically viable value is established for carbon.
Although IGCC technology is relatively new, gasification is more than a century old. The process uses pressure, heat and steam to convert carbon-based materials like coal into a synthesis gas (syngas) that has a variety of uses including the production of chemicals or fertilizers and power generation.
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In the United States, coal supplies more than 50 percent of the country’s current electricity generation and it plays an important role in meeting the nation’s energy needs. Coal is an abundant, low-cost, domestic, natural resource that continues to be a significant part of America’s energy mix.
Wyoming is uniquely positioned in the nation’s energy landscape and has vast coal resources capable of supporting a substantial portion of the nation’s energy needs. The state produces approximately 40 percent of all of the coal used in the United States to generate electricity.
The new center will include a small-scale gasification system that will enable researchers from GE and the university to develop advanced gasification solutions for Powder River Basin and other Wyoming coals. The research is expected to expand the range of coals that can be used with GE’s integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) technology for power plants. The facility is expected to be operational by 2012.
To create a path forward for coal, future climate change policy will be needed to incentivize the deployment of already-available low carbon technology and to foster further improvements that will bring down the cost of carbon capture and sequestration.
“This project underscores the commitment of both the University of Wyoming and GE to work toward U.S. energy independence and plan for future energy needs,” said Steve Bolze, president and CEO of GE Energy’s Power & Water business. “We believe that our country’s energy and environmental policies should promote a balance of available, reliable, cleaner and low-cost energy. The use of cleaner coal technology helps create jobs, support economic growth and positively impacts the environment.”
GE is a world leader in IGCC technology and has been at the forefront of IGCC technology since the Coolwater project, a 120 MW technical demonstration IGCC project started in 1984. GE's IGCC technology also has operated at the 250 MW TECO Polk I station in Florida for more than 12 years. Today, GE offers a 630 MW IGCC reference plant that produces 75 percent less SOx, 33 percent less NOx, 40 percent less particulate matter, uses 30 percent less water and offers 90 percent mercury capture, compared to a traditional pulverized coal plant.
In addition to providing a cleaner alternative for power generation, IGCC is well-suited for carbon capture. Carbon capture technology is in use in GE’s industrial gasification applications around the world today. IGCC technology will offer cost and efficiency advantages for carbon capture and storage, once clear policies and regulations are in place to support storage and an economically viable value is established for carbon.
Although IGCC technology is relatively new, gasification is more than a century old. The process uses pressure, heat and steam to convert carbon-based materials like coal into a synthesis gas (syngas) that has a variety of uses including the production of chemicals or fertilizers and power generation.
-----
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