BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS – FEBRUARY 25, 2010

PETER SPINNEY - NEUCO

BIO: Peter Spinney is Director of Market and Technology Assessment at NeuCo, Inc., the leading provider of optimization technology solutions within the electric power industry. His background combines electric power generation, economics consulting and government agency experience. Prior to becoming one of the original members of NeuCo, he was a Principal and Director of Power Resource Planning at CRA International (formerly Charles River Associates.)

Peter's education includes a B.S. at University of Illinois, MIT’s Power Systems Engineering Program and a joint M.S. in Technology Assessment and Energy Economics from the University of Washington. He is also the voice of The Optimization Blog.com, sponsored by NeuCo, Inc. 

ABSTRACT:  Using Optimization Software to Improve Efficiency & Reduce GHG Emissions

This presentation will discuss the role of optimization software in improving power plant efficiency and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. NeuCo’s boiler optimizers streamline the combustion and sootblowing processes to improve boiler efficiency, steam temperatures and heat transfer. Its unit optimizers alert plant personnel to unit efficiency, capacity and equipment health degradation, and expedite problem diagnosis and resolution. While optimization software can improve many different aspects of asset performance, placing a priority on heat rate can result in significant fuel efficiency improvements and GHG emissions reductions.

CHRISTOPHER NICHOLS - NETL

BIO: Chris Nichols is a senior analyst with the National Energy Technology Laboratory's (NETL) Office of Systems, Analyses and Planning (OSAP).  In this capacity, he performs a variety of analyses related to the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of new energy-related technologies. 

Mr. Nichols graduated from Drew University with a degree in Physics and minor and Mathematics.  He then served as a nuclear engineering officer and surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, mainly on board an aircraft carrier. Prior to his employment with NETL, Mr. Nichols was a technical services contractor to various government agencies including the Departments of Energy, Defense and Homeland Security.  He provided a wide range of services and products including energy infrastructure security support, market assessments of new technologies and custom database development and analysis.  Mr. Nichols has a master’s degree in Safety and Environmental Management from West Virginia University. 

ABSTRACT: Abatement through Efficiency: Opportunities for Carbon Mitigation in the US Coal Fleet

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) conducted three distinct benchmarking analyses on coal-fired units in the US power generation fleet to characterize the operational potential for efficiency improvements.

The results of these analyses indicate a potential improvement of approximately 4% in overall fuel consumption assuming a constant generation level.  Such a fuel reduction would deliver a concomitant reduction in solid wastes such as fly ash, bottom ash, slag, gypsum, and related wastes from sulfur removal; as well as reductions in airborne emissions such as particulate matter, acid rain species, mercury, and greenhouse gases (primarily CO₂). 

An efficiency increase of this magnitude would reduce CO₂ emissions from the coal fleet by 4.1%, or 75 Teragrams of CO₂ per year.  This contribution represents approximately 1.3% of the total anthropogenic CO₂ emissions in the US economy. Furthermore, these efficiency improvements could be achieved before 2020, thereby contributing to the near-term efforts by the United States to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

JOE SULLIVAN – TRINITY CONSULTANTS

Abstract: EPA's Proposed GHG Tailoring Rule

Within the next few months, EPA is poised to begin regulation of GHGs under an upcoming EPA regulation pertaining to light duty vehicle (LDV) emissions. EPA has indicated when this occurs that the current regulatory framework of the Clean Air Act and implementing regulations automatically triggers regulation of these pollutants under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V operating permits programs. Since current emission thresholds triggering PSD and Title V permitting are very low for existing regulated pollutants, EPA is attempted to raise the PSD and Title V permitting thresholds for GHGs under the GHG Tailoring Rule, also scheduled for promulgation concurrently with the promulgation of the LDV Rule. This presentation provides an overview of the regulatory background for regulation of GHGs, the proposed Tailoring Rule, potential impacts of GHG regulation under the PSD and Title V program and uncertainties regarding implementation and timing.

LORENCE MOAT – KELA ENERGY LLC

ABSTRACT: KeLa Energy, LLC has developed a coal based fuel consisting of recovered coal fines, recycled binding materials, and renewable biomass.  This water resistant Engineered Fuel burns cleaner than coal; can be engineered to meet the needs of the customer in terms of emissions, Btu value, and biomass content; and can be transported, stored and handled like coal.