Comments on: Chicago Generates Twice the Energy for a Third of the Carbon http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/ Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Fri, 25 May 2012 12:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Transportation Fuel Produced From Trash in World’s Largest Plant in 2009 : CleanTechnica http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-711 Transportation Fuel Produced From Trash in World’s Largest Plant in 2009 : CleanTechnica Thu, 08 May 2008 14:17:59 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-711 [...] Landfill Gas Heats and Powers School [...] [...] Landfill Gas Heats and Powers School [...]

]]> By: Chicago Unveils Plan to Punish Driving While Encouraging Riding : CleanTechnica http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-710 Chicago Unveils Plan to Punish Driving While Encouraging Riding : CleanTechnica Thu, 01 May 2008 15:45:22 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-710 [...] Posts: Chicago Generates Twice the Energy for a Third of the Carbon 5 Ways to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil European “Smart Car” Hits the American Market [...] [...] Posts: Chicago Generates Twice the Energy for a Third of the Carbon 5 Ways to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil European “Smart Car” Hits the American Market [...]

]]> By: speakforthose http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-709 speakforthose Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:09:42 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-709 Former CIA director James Woolsey has actually made precisely that point: decentralized generation makes power plants less of a target. In terms of the regs, theoretically, CHP producers should be able to sell to the grid, at least at a low rate. The problem is that the regulations enforcing this are enforced state-by-state -- and the folks who run state utility boards are usually former utility execs. And, even if those rules were enforced appropriately utilities still have tons of advantages. So I think we have to think about appropriate places for general deregulation in the energy industry. Deregulation has become a dirty word since Enron messed things up so royally, but it doesn't follow that utilities should be able to do whatever they want and keep efficient options out. There are constructive ways to make this work. Former CIA director James Woolsey has actually made precisely that point: decentralized generation makes power plants less of a target.

In terms of the regs, theoretically, CHP producers should be able to sell to the grid, at least at a low rate. The problem is that the regulations enforcing this are enforced state-by-state — and the folks who run state utility boards are usually former utility execs. And, even if those rules were enforced appropriately utilities still have tons of advantages. So I think we have to think about appropriate places for general deregulation in the energy industry. Deregulation has become a dirty word since Enron messed things up so royally, but it doesn’t follow that utilities should be able to do whatever they want and keep efficient options out. There are constructive ways to make this work.

]]> By: speakforthose http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17172 speakforthose Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:09:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17172 Former CIA director James Woolsey has actually made precisely that point: decentralized generation makes power plants less of a target. In terms of the regs, theoretically, CHP producers should be able to sell to the grid, at least at a low rate. The problem is that the regulations enforcing this are enforced state-by-state -- and the folks who run state utility boards are usually former utility execs. And, even if those rules were enforced appropriately utilities still have tons of advantages. So I think we have to think about appropriate places for general deregulation in the energy industry. Deregulation has become a dirty word since Enron messed things up so royally, but it doesn't follow that utilities should be able to do whatever they want and keep efficient options out. There are constructive ways to make this work. Former CIA director James Woolsey has actually made precisely that point: decentralized generation makes power plants less of a target.

In terms of the regs, theoretically, CHP producers should be able to sell to the grid, at least at a low rate. The problem is that the regulations enforcing this are enforced state-by-state — and the folks who run state utility boards are usually former utility execs. And, even if those rules were enforced appropriately utilities still have tons of advantages. So I think we have to think about appropriate places for general deregulation in the energy industry. Deregulation has become a dirty word since Enron messed things up so royally, but it doesn’t follow that utilities should be able to do whatever they want and keep efficient options out. There are constructive ways to make this work.

]]> By: Sarah Lozanova http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-708 Sarah Lozanova Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:55:18 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-708 You raise a really good point about regulations as the last page of the pdf. It sounds like many applications of combined heat and power would be forced to size the system such that all the power is used internally and not sold to the power grid. I wonder if thinking in upcoming years may change with concern over centralized power generation and the terrorist threat. You raise a really good point about regulations as the last page of the pdf. It sounds like many applications of combined heat and power would be forced to size the system such that all the power is used internally and not sold to the power grid.

I wonder if thinking in upcoming years may change with concern over centralized power generation and the terrorist threat.

]]> By: speakforthose http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-707 speakforthose Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:23:19 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-707 Whoops -- looks like the hyperlink above is including the period I placed at the end of the sentence. Here's a better link: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf Whoops — looks like the hyperlink above is including the period I placed at the end of the sentence. Here’s a better link: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf

]]> By: speakforthose http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17171 speakforthose Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:23:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17171 Whoops -- looks like the hyperlink above is including the period I placed at the end of the sentence. Here's a better link: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf Whoops — looks like the hyperlink above is including the period I placed at the end of the sentence. Here’s a better link: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf

]]> By: speakforthose http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-706 speakforthose Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:18:14 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-706 Sarah -- thanks for this post. I'm actually associated with Recycled Energy Development (recycled-energy.com), a company that recycles waste heat in the manner you're describing. We're based just outside Chicago. You're exactly right in your response to Uncle B: heat doesn't travel well, which is precisely why we need to install these small power plants (called "combined heat & power" or cogeneration plants) at factories and large institutions across the country. The elephant in the room, though, is that current regulations make it very difficult for energy recycling to take place on a large scale. Utilities receive monopoly protections that are designed to keep out more efficient competitors. Sorry for the plug, but anyone who's interested in more info can look at our backgrounder here: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf Thanks again for this post. The country needs more like them. Sarah — thanks for this post. I’m actually associated with Recycled Energy Development (recycled-energy.com), a company that recycles waste heat in the manner you’re describing. We’re based just outside Chicago. You’re exactly right in your response to Uncle B: heat doesn’t travel well, which is precisely why we need to install these small power plants (called “combined heat & power” or cogeneration plants) at factories and large institutions across the country. The elephant in the room, though, is that current regulations make it very difficult for energy recycling to take place on a large scale. Utilities receive monopoly protections that are designed to keep out more efficient competitors. Sorry for the plug, but anyone who’s interested in more info can look at our backgrounder here: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf Thanks again for this post. The country needs more like them.

]]> By: speakforthose http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17170 speakforthose Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:18:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17170 Sarah -- thanks for this post. I'm actually associated with Recycled Energy Development (recycled-energy.com), a company that recycles waste heat in the manner you're describing. We're based just outside Chicago. You're exactly right in your response to Uncle B: heat doesn't travel well, which is precisely why we need to install these small power plants (called "combined heat & power" or cogeneration plants) at factories and large institutions across the country. The elephant in the room, though, is that current regulations make it very difficult for energy recycling to take place on a large scale. Utilities receive monopoly protections that are designed to keep out more efficient competitors. Sorry for the plug, but anyone who's interested in more info can look at our backgrounder here: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf Thanks again for this post. The country needs more like them. Sarah — thanks for this post. I’m actually associated with Recycled Energy Development (recycled-energy.com), a company that recycles waste heat in the manner you’re describing. We’re based just outside Chicago. You’re exactly right in your response to Uncle B: heat doesn’t travel well, which is precisely why we need to install these small power plants (called “combined heat & power” or cogeneration plants) at factories and large institutions across the country. The elephant in the room, though, is that current regulations make it very difficult for energy recycling to take place on a large scale. Utilities receive monopoly protections that are designed to keep out more efficient competitors. Sorry for the plug, but anyone who’s interested in more info can look at our backgrounder here: http://recycled-energy.com/documents/media-kit/backgrounder.pdf Thanks again for this post. The country needs more like them.

]]> By: Sarah Lozanova http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-705 Sarah Lozanova Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:30:29 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-705 One of the challenges from your idea Uncle B is that many power plants are located outside of heavily populated areas. This is partially to reduce pollution in urban areas and partially because land is more expensive. Piping water from cooling towers long distances would be costly and have large efficiency losses. I don't see why complimentary businesses like the ones you mentioned, factories and fish farm for example wouldn't be good matches if it was planned accordingly. They tend to be in rural areas anyway. Businesses that use heat all year long will get more value out of the heat, making the project more cost effective. It could possibly be a good way to conserve water as well. One of the challenges from your idea Uncle B is that many power plants are located outside of heavily populated areas. This is partially to reduce pollution in urban areas and partially because land is more expensive. Piping water from cooling towers long distances would be costly and have large efficiency losses.

I don’t see why complimentary businesses like the ones you mentioned, factories and fish farm for example wouldn’t be good matches if it was planned accordingly. They tend to be in rural areas anyway. Businesses that use heat all year long will get more value out of the heat, making the project more cost effective. It could possibly be a good way to conserve water as well.

]]> By: Tron http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-704 Tron Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:44:29 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-704 Bravo to one of my most favorite cities in the world! Bravo to one of my most favorite cities in the world!

]]> By: Tron http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17169 Tron Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:44:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17169 Bravo to one of my most favorite cities in the world! Bravo to one of my most favorite cities in the world!

]]> By: Uncle B http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-703 Uncle B Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:43:42 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-703 All we have to do is look for cooling towers to find a cheap source of heatenergy? Could waste heat from nuclear reactors be used to heat slippery road surfaces in winter? keep green houses warm? heat parking garages? heat buildings? factories? fish farms? So does this mean that if we just tighten up the existing systems, and engineer the upcoming systems with energy efficiency and thrift in mind we can survive in a world with less oil? Maybe higher oil prices are our first warning of the very ominous cost of extravagant wasteful ways All we have to do is look for cooling towers to find a cheap source of heatenergy? Could waste heat from nuclear reactors be used to heat slippery road surfaces in winter? keep green houses warm? heat parking garages? heat buildings? factories? fish farms?

So does this mean that if we just tighten up the existing systems, and engineer the upcoming systems with energy efficiency and thrift in mind we can survive in a world with less oil?

Maybe higher oil prices are our first warning of the very ominous cost of extravagant wasteful ways

]]> By: Uncle B http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17168 Uncle B Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:43:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-17168 All we have to do is look for cooling towers to find a cheap source of heatenergy? Could waste heat from nuclear reactors be used to heat slippery road surfaces in winter? keep green houses warm? heat parking garages? heat buildings? factories? fish farms? So does this mean that if we just tighten up the existing systems, and engineer the upcoming systems with energy efficiency and thrift in mind we can survive in a world with less oil? Maybe higher oil prices are our first warning of the very ominous cost of extravagant wasteful ways All we have to do is look for cooling towers to find a cheap source of heatenergy? Could waste heat from nuclear reactors be used to heat slippery road surfaces in winter? keep green houses warm? heat parking garages? heat buildings? factories? fish farms?

So does this mean that if we just tighten up the existing systems, and engineer the upcoming systems with energy efficiency and thrift in mind we can survive in a world with less oil?

Maybe higher oil prices are our first warning of the very ominous cost of extravagant wasteful ways

]]> By: Dagny McKinley http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-702 Dagny McKinley Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:08:56 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/2008/04/14/chicago-generates-twice-the-energy-for-a-third-of-the-carbon-2/#comment-702 Wouldn't it be great if more high schools, museums etc. took the initiative to re-use waste. Just reading another post about how Vermont does not want to use waste and sewage for energy. That's disappointing. Dagny McKinley www.onnotextiles.com organic apparel Wouldn’t it be great if more high schools, museums etc. took the initiative to re-use waste. Just reading another post about how Vermont does not want to use waste and sewage for energy. That’s disappointing.

Dagny McKinley

http://www.onnotextiles.com

organic apparel

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