You're reading an older article from ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. Some content, such as code-related information, may be outdated. Visit our homepage to view the most up-to-date articles.
Engines, microturbines and fuel cells generate electric power for individual customers and often utilize waste heat to provide some of the customer's heating, water heating and, in some cases, air conditioning needs.
The study also indicates that a LIPA DG strategy can reduce emissions, improve reliability and make more efficient use of limited Long Island natural gas resources.
A free copy of the white paper "Applying Distributed Generation Strategies to Ease the Long Island Power Crises," is available at the Web site: http://www.maisy.com/wpdglipa.htm.
"This study provided a number of interesting results," according to the author, Dr. Jerry Jackson, president of Jackson Associates. "Initial spark spread evaluations suggested that the high cost of gas on Long Island limits the economic application of DG; however, considering systems which combine onsite generation with waste heat applications completely changes the economics." The average payback for the 2,100 LIPA customers identified as candidates for these combined heat and power (CHP) systems is 5.1 years.
The analysis results in the white paper were developed with the MAISY Utility Service Area DG Policy Model, a dynamic microsimulation model which forecasts DG choices for a sample of LIPA customers. The model permits users to evaluate contributions of DG systems under alternative assumptions and in conjunction with conventional resources including conservation and demand response programs. Model results also identify market segments and customers with the greatest DG potential. EC
