Uploaded on Nov 15, 2011
Nov 10, 2011 Carbon Cycle 2.0 talk Donald DePaolo
Associate Lab Director for Energy and Environmental Sciences, LBNL
Associate Lab Director for Energy and Environmental Sciences, LBNL
Showing posts with label carbon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carbon. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Climate Change Science: Dr. Paul Alivisatos, Berkeley Lab Director
Video Published on Mar 6, 2012
Jan 31, 2011. As a director of a national laboratory, I'm sometimes asked about the scientific underpinnings of climate change issues and their relationship to human activities. I imagine that some of you have also been asked these questions. Government officials want to know that their policy and spending decisions are based on sound science, and ordinary citizens want to know why so much emphasis is being placed on "clean" and "green" energy. I've developed a brief exploration of the basic science of carbon dioxide's influence on the temperature of the planet, along with some of the empirical evidence behind scientists' concerns about the long-term impacts of anthropogenic carbon emissions.
Tags: human activity, carbon dioxide, Fourier, heat transfer, Keeling, oxygen, glaciation, warming, Arrhenius, feedback
Tags: human activity, carbon dioxide, Fourier, heat transfer, Keeling, oxygen, glaciation, warming, Arrhenius, feedback
Monday, March 23, 2015
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Conservation Grant Helps Rice Growers Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
USDA Blog Post:
A California farmer harvests his rice field. Photo by Robert Parkhurst, Environmental Defense Fund (used with permission).
Note: Three projects funded by a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant were recently honored by the American Carbon Registry for innovative approaches to environmental stewardship. The winners included Ducks Unlimited, Delta Institute and Terra Global Capital. Ducks Unlimited’s work aimed to generate a carbon credit system for North Dakota landowners, which not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also restores wetlands and grasslands that are crucial to waterfowl. Delta Institute is working with farmers to reduce use of nitrogen – one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, Terra Global Capital and many others partners are working on a credit system for rice growers in California and the Midsouth. The below post provides more information on this project.
USDA is helping to provide rice growers in California and the Midsouth with new opportunities to voluntarily execute conservation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while cultivating a new income stream.
The California and Midsouth rice projects are funded by a Conservation Innovation Grant from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is providing more than $1 million to help identify and develop new conservation methods. The grant also leverages new and emerging ecosystem income for landowners while addressing climate change.
Methane and nitrous oxide are potent greenhouse gases that are given off when rice fields are cultivated and fertilized. Precise water management and conservation-based nitrogen management can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maximizing water-use nitrogen fertilizer efficiency.
Arkansas and California are the two largest rice growing states in the country, providing them with an opportunity to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions while maintaining yields.
This carbon offsets project was under development for many years and is the first of its kind from U.S. rice production. Partners include the Environmental Defense Fund, The American Carbon Registry, Terra Global Capital, California Rice Commission and the White River Irrigation District. NRCS has provided grant funding and technical support for the project.
By employing voluntary management practices, such as dry seeding, precise water management and nutrient management, farmers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate carbon offset credits. These rice carbon offset credits are expected to be available to the California Air Resources Board’s regulatory compliance market later this year.
In order to quantify carbon offsets, the partners developed the “Voluntary Emissions Reductions in Rice Management Systems” quantification methodology that was recently approved by the American Carbon Registry. This will allow producers to quantify and validate their carbon reductions. The credits are then verified by a third party to ensure the integrity of the carbon credits. Once the carbon credits are verified and approved for sale, the credits can be sold into the carbon market.
The carbon credits generated by farmers are also expected to be the first agricultural credits exchanged in the California regulatory market. The adoption of the first crop-based agriculture offset methodology also opens the door for other agricultural opportunities. California’s regulatory market is seen by many people as a gold standard throughout the world. Since credits can be sold into California’s market from anywhere in the country, this project has a broad scope of rice producers that include Arkansas, Louisiana and other Midsouth states that grow rice.
The conservation techniques applied to reduce greenhouse gas emission can also help farmers manage water more efficiently, manage nitrogen fertilizer more efficiently and maintain yields while maintaining aquatic wildlife habitat.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Accenture Release Report Featuring European Cities
News release:
According to this new report "Seven Climate Change Lessons from the Cities of Europe," 22 European cities and local governments reported their emissions, strategies, risks and opportunities regarding climate change to CDP this year. Of these, 86 percent have set a city-wide reduction target, compared to the global average of 70 percent. Two-thirds of reporting European cities engaged with their suppliers on climate change, compared to 47 percent across all regional groupings of cities reporting to CDP in 2012.
“European cities are demonstrating leadership and best practice in managing climate change at the local level,” said Conor Riffle, Head of CDP’s cities program. “The report shows that other cities can benefit by implementing similar strategies, like annual measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Measuring climate change risks and performance goes beyond environmental stewardship,” said Bruno Berthon, managing director, Accenture Sustainability Services. “Transparent disclosure enables authorities to lower risks and associated insurance costs, and helps to demonstrate to investors and decision makers the relative appeal of their city in a competitive world in which talent and capital have choices as to where they locate.”
As well as target setting, the report identifies and examines six other key areas where European cities are demonstrating best practice to manage climate change including:
About CDPThe Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an independent not-for-profit organization providing a transformative global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share climate change and water information. Over 3,700 organizations across the world’s largest economies now report their greenhouse gas emissions and assessment of climate change risk and opportunity through CDP, in order that they can set reduction targets and make performance improvements. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of self-reported climate change data. For more information visit www.cdproject.net.
About AccentureAccenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 246,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$25.5 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2011. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
June 27, 2012
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Accenture Release Report Featuring European Cities
European cities lead global peers in climate change management issues, but face significant risks from warmer temperatures
LONDON, ROME; June 27, 2012 – European cities are leading their international peer group in various areas of climate change management, including setting emissions targets, according to a new report published today by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Accenture (NYSE:ACN). According to this new report "Seven Climate Change Lessons from the Cities of Europe," 22 European cities and local governments reported their emissions, strategies, risks and opportunities regarding climate change to CDP this year. Of these, 86 percent have set a city-wide reduction target, compared to the global average of 70 percent. Two-thirds of reporting European cities engaged with their suppliers on climate change, compared to 47 percent across all regional groupings of cities reporting to CDP in 2012.
“European cities are demonstrating leadership and best practice in managing climate change at the local level,” said Conor Riffle, Head of CDP’s cities program. “The report shows that other cities can benefit by implementing similar strategies, like annual measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Measuring climate change risks and performance goes beyond environmental stewardship,” said Bruno Berthon, managing director, Accenture Sustainability Services. “Transparent disclosure enables authorities to lower risks and associated insurance costs, and helps to demonstrate to investors and decision makers the relative appeal of their city in a competitive world in which talent and capital have choices as to where they locate.”
As well as target setting, the report identifies and examines six other key areas where European cities are demonstrating best practice to manage climate change including:
- Annual measurement of emissions: European cities are moving toward measuring and reporting on city-wide emissions annually, using the best practice of annual benchmarking that large listed companies around the world follow. Fifty percent say they are now measuring city-wide emissions annually.
- Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: One of the key goals of climate action is for a city to demonstrate year-on-year emissions reductions at a city-wide level. Two European cities show GHG reductions from their last CDP response—London and Copenhagen.
- Completing risk assessments: Climate change risk assessment has become mainstream in Europe. Seventeen participating cities (77 percent) have completed or are in the process of completing risk assessments to understand how climate change will affect their local jurisdictions. These efforts reveal that 18 of the 22 European cities face significant risks arising from climate change and 54 percent categorize these risks as severe or very severe. Furthermore, as revealed by the CDP Global Cities Report released on 7th June, 16 of the 22 European cities say they are facing risks related to frequent or intense rainfall and the same proportion reports temperature rises or heatwaves.
- Developing an adaptation plan: Once the risks have been identified, cities are moving to establish action plans to adapt. Fourteen cities (64 percent) report that they have an adaptation plan, and two additional cities are in the process of developing these plans.
- Using sustainability to drive competitiveness: European cities show a growing awareness of the economic opportunity from climate change. Thirteen cities (59%) anticipate that addressing climate change will lead to development of new business industries in their cities.
- Extending the city’s reach through voluntary agreements with the private sector: A small number of leading cities – including Berlin and Helsinki—are utilizing voluntary agreements with local businesses to further their cities’ climate protection goals.
About CDPThe Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an independent not-for-profit organization providing a transformative global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share climate change and water information. Over 3,700 organizations across the world’s largest economies now report their greenhouse gas emissions and assessment of climate change risk and opportunity through CDP, in order that they can set reduction targets and make performance improvements. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of self-reported climate change data. For more information visit www.cdproject.net.
About AccentureAccenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 246,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$25.5 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2011. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
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Monday, May 21, 2012
EPA to Hold Public Hearings in Washington, D.C. and Chicago on Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants
News release:
Contact Information: EPA Headquarters Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355 EPA Region 5 Phillippa Cannon Cannon.phillippa@epa.gov 312-353-6218
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold two public hearings on May 24, 2012, on the proposed carbon pollution standard for new power plants. The proposed standard, which only applies to power plants built in the future, is flexible and would help minimize carbon pollution through the deployment of the same types of modern technologies and steps that power companies are already taking to build the next generation of power plants. Currently, there is no uniform national limit on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit.
WHO: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
WHAT: Public hearings on proposed carbon pollution standard for new power plantsWHEN: May 24, 2012
The hearings will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and Central Daylight Time according to the location.WHERE: May 24: Washington, DC
Ariel Rios East Building
Room 1153
1301 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC 20460May 24: Chicago, Ill.
Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building
Lake Michigan Room (12th floor)
77 West Jackson
Chicago, Ill. 60604
Please bring picture identification and allow additional time to enter the buildings and go through security. Pre-registration for the hearings has closed. The public may register to speak in person on the day of the hearing and will be accommodated as time allows. EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed standards until June 25, 2012.
More information on the hearings and instructions for submitting written comments: http://epa.gov/carbonpollutionstandard
EPA to Hold Public Hearings in Washington, D.C. and Chicago on Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants
Release Date: 05/21/2012Contact Information: EPA Headquarters Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355 EPA Region 5 Phillippa Cannon Cannon.phillippa@epa.gov 312-353-6218
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold two public hearings on May 24, 2012, on the proposed carbon pollution standard for new power plants. The proposed standard, which only applies to power plants built in the future, is flexible and would help minimize carbon pollution through the deployment of the same types of modern technologies and steps that power companies are already taking to build the next generation of power plants. Currently, there is no uniform national limit on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit.
WHO: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
WHAT: Public hearings on proposed carbon pollution standard for new power plantsWHEN: May 24, 2012
The hearings will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and Central Daylight Time according to the location.WHERE: May 24: Washington, DC
Ariel Rios East Building
Room 1153
1301 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC 20460May 24: Chicago, Ill.
Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building
Lake Michigan Room (12th floor)
77 West Jackson
Chicago, Ill. 60604
Please bring picture identification and allow additional time to enter the buildings and go through security. Pre-registration for the hearings has closed. The public may register to speak in person on the day of the hearing and will be accommodated as time allows. EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed standards until June 25, 2012.
More information on the hearings and instructions for submitting written comments: http://epa.gov/carbonpollutionstandard
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
EPA Proposes First Carbon Pollution Standard for Future Power Plants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:March 27, 2012
EPA Proposes First Carbon Pollution Standard for Future Power Plants
Achievable standard is in line with investments already being made and will inform the building of new plants moving forward
WASHINGTON – Following a 2007 Supreme Court ruling, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed the first Clean Air Act standard for carbon pollution from new power plants. EPA’s proposed standard reflects the ongoing trend in the power sector to build cleaner plants that take advantage of American-made technologies, including new, clean-burning, efficient natural gas generation, which is already the technology of choice for new and planned power plants. At the same time, the rule creates a path forward for new technologies to be deployed at future facilities that will allow companies to burn coal, while emitting less carbon pollution. The rulemaking proposed today only concerns new generating units that will be built in the future, and does not apply to existing units already operating or units that will start construction over the next 12 months.
“Today we’re taking a common-sense step to reduce pollution in our air, protect the planet for our children, and move us into a new era of American energy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Right now there are no limits to the amount of carbon pollution that future power plants will be able to put into our skies – and the health and economic threats of a changing climate continue to grow. We’re putting in place a standard that relies on the use of clean, American made technology to tackle a challenge that we can’t leave to our kids and grandkids.”
Currently, there is no uniform national limit on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit. As a direct result of the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling, EPA in 2009 determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment.
The proposed standard, which only applies to power plants built in the future, is flexible and would help minimize carbon pollution through the deployment of the same types of modern technologies and steps that power companies are already taking to build the next generation of power plants. EPA’s proposal is in line with these investments and will ensure that this progress toward a cleaner, safer and more modern power sector continues. The proposed standards can be met by a range of power facilities burning different fossil fuels, including natural gas technologies that are already widespread, as well as coal with technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Even without today’s action, the power plants that are currently projected to be built going forward would already comply with the standard. As a result, EPA does not project additional cost for industry to comply with this standard.
Prior to developing this standard, EPA engaged in an extensive and open public process to gather the latest information to aid in developing a carbon pollution standard for new power plants. The agency is seeking additional comment and information, including public hearings, and will take that input fully into account as it completes the rulemaking process. EPA’s comment period will be open for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.
More information: http://epa.gov/carbonpollutionstandard/
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EPA Proposes First Carbon Pollution Standard for Future Power Plants
Achievable standard is in line with investments already being made and will inform the building of new plants moving forward
WASHINGTON – Following a 2007 Supreme Court ruling, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed the first Clean Air Act standard for carbon pollution from new power plants. EPA’s proposed standard reflects the ongoing trend in the power sector to build cleaner plants that take advantage of American-made technologies, including new, clean-burning, efficient natural gas generation, which is already the technology of choice for new and planned power plants. At the same time, the rule creates a path forward for new technologies to be deployed at future facilities that will allow companies to burn coal, while emitting less carbon pollution. The rulemaking proposed today only concerns new generating units that will be built in the future, and does not apply to existing units already operating or units that will start construction over the next 12 months.
“Today we’re taking a common-sense step to reduce pollution in our air, protect the planet for our children, and move us into a new era of American energy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Right now there are no limits to the amount of carbon pollution that future power plants will be able to put into our skies – and the health and economic threats of a changing climate continue to grow. We’re putting in place a standard that relies on the use of clean, American made technology to tackle a challenge that we can’t leave to our kids and grandkids.”
Currently, there is no uniform national limit on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit. As a direct result of the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling, EPA in 2009 determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment.
The proposed standard, which only applies to power plants built in the future, is flexible and would help minimize carbon pollution through the deployment of the same types of modern technologies and steps that power companies are already taking to build the next generation of power plants. EPA’s proposal is in line with these investments and will ensure that this progress toward a cleaner, safer and more modern power sector continues. The proposed standards can be met by a range of power facilities burning different fossil fuels, including natural gas technologies that are already widespread, as well as coal with technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Even without today’s action, the power plants that are currently projected to be built going forward would already comply with the standard. As a result, EPA does not project additional cost for industry to comply with this standard.
Prior to developing this standard, EPA engaged in an extensive and open public process to gather the latest information to aid in developing a carbon pollution standard for new power plants. The agency is seeking additional comment and information, including public hearings, and will take that input fully into account as it completes the rulemaking process. EPA’s comment period will be open for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.
More information: http://epa.gov/carbonpollutionstandard/
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Hitachi Announces Partnership with SaskPower on Test Facility for CO2 Capture Technology
March 20, 2012
Hitachi Announces Partnership with SaskPower
on Test Facility for CO2 Capture Technology
Saskatoon Saskatchewan, March 20, 2012 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT/TSE: 6501, "Hitachi") announced today that the Company has agreed to collaborate with Saskatchewan Power Corporation ("SaskPower") to jointly construct a Carbon Capture Test Facility, ("CCTF"). The test facility will be a part of SaskPower's larger "Clean Coal Project", which is a comprehensive initiative to select and apply emerging carbon capture technologies to coal fired power plants to manage their emission of greenhouse gases.
In this project equipment to capture CO2 will be installed at SaskPower's Shand Power Station (298MW), which is located near the city of Estevan, Saskatchewan. SaskPower and Hitachi will jointly invest 5 billion yen to cover the cost of the project. Operations of the CCTF will begin mid 2014.
While the demand for electric power is increasing in Canada, power companies are being required to implement countermeasures against global warming, including measures to suppress CO2 emissions, and to reinforce these initiatives, Canada is currently promoting the development of CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage) technology and the implementation of demonstration projects as a national strategy. SaskPower, in line with this initiative, is currently constructing a world leading, large CO2 capture and storage demonstration project at the Boundary Dam Power Station. Hitachi was selected to supply the steam turbine and generator for this carbon capture and storage demonstration project and will build the crucial system that is needed to efficiently supply the steam required for the CO2 capture and storage equipment.
Hitachi began researching and developing technology to capture CO2 in the 1990s and since then, the company has conducted demonstration projects using its own research equipment as well as domestic and overseas pilot facilities. SaskPower's experience in integrating CCS into commercial projects combined with Hitachi's expertise in Carbon Capture Technology will contribute to a comprehensive evaluation and demonstration of the equipment's overall reliability, economic feasibility, and the necessary properties to scale-up to a large, commercial-scale facility. Hitachi will produce and supply its CO2 capture solvent (H3-1) and the main equipment for the facility. The Hitachi Group companies Babcock-Hitachi K.K. (President : Tetsuro Wakino) and Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd. (President and CEO : Tom Kishchuk) at the Province of Saskatchewan will be in charge of production and supply.
Through this demonstration project with SaskPower, Hitachi will focus on achieving commercial operations, reducing costs, realizing innovative technologies, and will contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.
Hitachi is also deepening its collaboration with the province of Saskatchewan through exchange activities sponsored by the Japan Coal Energy Center and the Coal Division of the Natural Resources and Fuel Department of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and will further endeavor to contribute to this mission.
Overview of the CCTF Demonstration Project
| Amount of CO2 that is captured | 120 tons/day |
|---|---|
| Equipment Installation Site | Shand Power Station (Coal-Fired Thermal Power Station) |
| CO2 Capturing Process | Chemical Scrubbing |
| Evaluation Items | CO2 capture efficiency, energy usage, reliability, etc. |
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2010 (ended March 31, 2011) consolidated revenues totaled 9,315 billion yen ($112.2 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Nextiva Renews Participation in CarbonFree Program
Nextiva Maintains its Environmental Leadership Position by Renewing Participation in Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Program
March 13, 2012 – Scottsdale, AZ
Nextiva (www.nextiva.com), the leading unified communications and business VoIP service provider, announced today that it is offsetting its carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org Foundation, a leading nonprofit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization. By renewing its participation for the fourth consecutive year in Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Partner program, Nextiva demonstrates its commitment to the fight against global warming.
Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Partner program supports third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects in the U.S. and abroad to reduce CO2 emissions and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. During the last year, Nextiva has enhanced its internal recycling program by providing employees with beverage cups to minimize the use of paper products, adding many plants around the office and reducing the number of printers onsite. Nextiva continues to utilize eco-effective technology in its data centers and support their clients’ eco-friendly goals at the same time by offering an online fax service called vFAX.
“Our commitment to being the best partner for our customers guides all of our business decisions, and we want them to know that in addition to providing cloud-based services, we also make environmentally-conscious decisions about our physical office locations,” states Yaniv Masjedi, VP of Nextiva. “By developing a carbon neutral office environment, we demonstrate to our customers and employees that we are doing our part to offset CO2 emissions.”
“We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Nextiva and applaud their ongoing efforts to protect our planet,” said Eric Carlson, president of Carbonfund.org. “Fortunately, Nextiva is as committed to protecting the environment as it is to delivering reliable VoIP services for businesses. We are excited about their ongoing participation in the CarbonFree® Partner Program.”
ABOUT NEXTIVA
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Nextiva (www.nextiva.com) is member of the privately held Unitedwebfamily of companies. Nextiva is one of the country’s leading providers of cloud-based, VoIPunified communication services designed for growing small and mid-size businesses. Nextiva has won more than 30 Independent Technology & Telephony Awards, including being named “Best Business VoIP Provider” by Voice Reports for three years running. Nextiva delivers “Fortune 500″ phone service at start-up prices and serves more than 60,000SMB companies across the United States. For more information call 800-983-4289 or visit nextiva.com.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Nextiva (www.nextiva.com) is member of the privately held Unitedwebfamily of companies. Nextiva is one of the country’s leading providers of cloud-based, VoIPunified communication services designed for growing small and mid-size businesses. Nextiva has won more than 30 Independent Technology & Telephony Awards, including being named “Best Business VoIP Provider” by Voice Reports for three years running. Nextiva delivers “Fortune 500″ phone service at start-up prices and serves more than 60,000SMB companies across the United States. For more information call 800-983-4289 or visit nextiva.com.
Monday, February 27, 2012
News Release from EPA - Comments Sought on GHG Inventory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELASEFebruary 27, 2012
EPA Requests Comment on 17th Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on the annual “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2010” (Inventory) draft report. The Inventory is the United States’ official estimate of total national greenhouse gas emissions, and is developed annually to meet commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The draft report will be open for public comment for 30 days.
The draft report shows that in 2010, overall greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions increased by 3.3 percent from the previous year. This trend is attributed to an increase in energy consumption across all economic sectors, due to increasing energy demand associated with an expansion in the economy. There was also an increase in air conditioning use due to warmer summer weather during 2010. Total emissions from GHGs were about 6,866 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. Overall, emissions have grown by 11 percent from 1990 to 2010.
The inventory tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions nationally from 1990 to 2010. The gases covered by this inventory include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by “sinks,” e.g., through the uptake of carbon by forests, vegetation, and soils.
This annual report is prepared by EPA in collaboration with experts from other federal agencies. After responding to public comments, the U.S. government will submit the final inventory report to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC. This report will fulfill the annual requirement of the UNFCCC international treaty, ratified by the United States in 1992, which sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.
More information on the draft report and submitting comments: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html
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Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.
EPA Requests Comment on 17th Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on the annual “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2010” (Inventory) draft report. The Inventory is the United States’ official estimate of total national greenhouse gas emissions, and is developed annually to meet commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The draft report will be open for public comment for 30 days.
The draft report shows that in 2010, overall greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions increased by 3.3 percent from the previous year. This trend is attributed to an increase in energy consumption across all economic sectors, due to increasing energy demand associated with an expansion in the economy. There was also an increase in air conditioning use due to warmer summer weather during 2010. Total emissions from GHGs were about 6,866 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. Overall, emissions have grown by 11 percent from 1990 to 2010.
The inventory tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions nationally from 1990 to 2010. The gases covered by this inventory include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by “sinks,” e.g., through the uptake of carbon by forests, vegetation, and soils.
This annual report is prepared by EPA in collaboration with experts from other federal agencies. After responding to public comments, the U.S. government will submit the final inventory report to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC. This report will fulfill the annual requirement of the UNFCCC international treaty, ratified by the United States in 1992, which sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.
More information on the draft report and submitting comments: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012
News Release from EPA Region 10
Seeing no levels of concern, EPA curtails emergency air monitoring at BP refinery fire site near Bellingham, Washington
Contact Info: Mark MacIntyre, EPA Public Affaris, macintyre.mark@epa.gov, 206-369-7999 (cell)
(Seattle, Washington) - As cleanup begins in earnest at the BP refinery fire site, 20 miles northwest of Bellingham, Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's air monitoring team is standing down after seeing no measurable threats to public health from airborne pollutants related to the fire.
As EPA responders arrived at the scene last night, a team of four EPA contractors, accompanied by a BP Industrial Hygienist, conducted air monitoring at several locations around the perimeter of the facility, including locations downwind.
The sweep was completed by midnight and the results were compared to similar locations that BP responders had monitored earlier in the day. EPA measured for elevated Volatile Organic Compounds, particulate matter, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. According to Andy Smith, EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator, "No readingswere found to be above background or demonstrate any level of concern."
Once the site was stabilized and secured, EPA and Department of Ecology responders completed their assessment and demobilized.
As EPA responders arrived at the scene last night, a team of four EPA contractors, accompanied by a BP Industrial Hygienist, conducted air monitoring at several locations around the perimeter of the facility, including locations downwind.
The sweep was completed by midnight and the results were compared to similar locations that BP responders had monitored earlier in the day. EPA measured for elevated Volatile Organic Compounds, particulate matter, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. According to Andy Smith, EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator, "No readingswere found to be above background or demonstrate any level of concern."
Once the site was stabilized and secured, EPA and Department of Ecology responders completed their assessment and demobilized.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Duke Energy & Carbon Sequestration
News release from Duke Energy:
Duke Energy and China Huaneng Group Expand Cooperation to Develop Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technologies
Feb. 13, 2012
LOS ANGELES -
Duke Energy and China Huaneng Group have signed a new, three-year agreement expanding their research cooperation in the areas of advanced coal and carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
The two parties initially signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2009 to pursue high-level discussions and information sharing on a number of renewable and clean-energy fronts. In 2009, Huaneng Group developed a facility that economically captured 120,000 tons of the carbon dioxide per year emitted from the 1,320-megawatt coal-fired Shidongkou power station in China.
The expanded agreement signed today calls for an engineering study to determine the potential feasibility of applying Huaneng Group’s low-cost carbon capture process at unit 3 of Duke Energy’s Gibson Station in Indiana. There are no plans to make any modifications to the power plant at this stage of the study. There are five units at Gibson with a combined capacity of 3,145 megawatts.
Funding for the project will be provided by the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC), which was established by the two countries in 2009 for such collaborative endeavors.
Duke and Huaneng will create a Joint Working Group that will begin meeting in the near future to coordinate the project.
“We’re very excited to explore the possibilities of Huaneng Group’s technology here in the United States,” said David Mohler, chief technology officer of Duke Energy, an electric utility company based in Charlotte, N.C. “Our assessment will help put this technology in context with other options,” he added.
“The carbon capture technology is well-proven, and cost-effective,” said Jiang Minhua, assistant president of China Huaneng Group, China’s largest power producer. “We are keen to work with Duke Energy in exploring the feasibility of large-scale carbon capture, utilization and sequestration.”
About Duke Energy Corporation
Duke Energy is the third largest electric power holding company in the United States, based on kilowatt-hour sales. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky -- representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Duke Energy’s commercial power and international business segments operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.
About China Huaneng Group
China Huaneng Group is an integrated energy company primarily focused on power generation. The Company is also engaged in sectors of coal, finance, technology R&D, and transportation etc. that support the core business of power. By the end of 2011, China Huaneng Group had total installed capacity of over 125GW, ranking No.1 in China, and No.2 in the world in terms of installed capacity. The company was the first Chinese power producer to join the ranks of Fortune 500 Companies, and ranked 275th in 2011.
The company now has overseas assets in seven countries, Australia, Singapore, Myanmar, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.chng.com.cn.
Duke Energy and China Huaneng Group Expand Cooperation to Develop Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technologies
Feb. 13, 2012
LOS ANGELES -
Duke Energy and China Huaneng Group have signed a new, three-year agreement expanding their research cooperation in the areas of advanced coal and carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
The two parties initially signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2009 to pursue high-level discussions and information sharing on a number of renewable and clean-energy fronts. In 2009, Huaneng Group developed a facility that economically captured 120,000 tons of the carbon dioxide per year emitted from the 1,320-megawatt coal-fired Shidongkou power station in China.
The expanded agreement signed today calls for an engineering study to determine the potential feasibility of applying Huaneng Group’s low-cost carbon capture process at unit 3 of Duke Energy’s Gibson Station in Indiana. There are no plans to make any modifications to the power plant at this stage of the study. There are five units at Gibson with a combined capacity of 3,145 megawatts.
Funding for the project will be provided by the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC), which was established by the two countries in 2009 for such collaborative endeavors.
Duke and Huaneng will create a Joint Working Group that will begin meeting in the near future to coordinate the project.
“We’re very excited to explore the possibilities of Huaneng Group’s technology here in the United States,” said David Mohler, chief technology officer of Duke Energy, an electric utility company based in Charlotte, N.C. “Our assessment will help put this technology in context with other options,” he added.
“The carbon capture technology is well-proven, and cost-effective,” said Jiang Minhua, assistant president of China Huaneng Group, China’s largest power producer. “We are keen to work with Duke Energy in exploring the feasibility of large-scale carbon capture, utilization and sequestration.”
About Duke Energy Corporation
Duke Energy is the third largest electric power holding company in the United States, based on kilowatt-hour sales. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky -- representing a population of approximately 11 million people. Duke Energy’s commercial power and international business segments operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.
About China Huaneng Group
China Huaneng Group is an integrated energy company primarily focused on power generation. The Company is also engaged in sectors of coal, finance, technology R&D, and transportation etc. that support the core business of power. By the end of 2011, China Huaneng Group had total installed capacity of over 125GW, ranking No.1 in China, and No.2 in the world in terms of installed capacity. The company was the first Chinese power producer to join the ranks of Fortune 500 Companies, and ranked 275th in 2011.
The company now has overseas assets in seven countries, Australia, Singapore, Myanmar, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.chng.com.cn.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Ultra-sustainable zHome
News Release from EPA Region 10:
Ultra-sustainable zHome becomes the first community of WaterSense labeled new homes in the Nation
Contact: Debra Sherbina, EPA WaterSense Coordinator, 206-553-0247, sherbina.debra@epa.gov; Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov
(Seattle – Jan. 25, 2012) zHome – the ultra-sustainable, 10-unit townhome development in Issaquah, WA that is redefining the future of housing – is also the first community in the Nation in which every home has earned the WaterSense label for new homes. EPA’s WaterSense program is modeled after its highly successful Energy Star program. The goal of WaterSense is to significantly reduce water use nationwide to save water resources for future generations.
(Seattle – Jan. 25, 2012) zHome – the ultra-sustainable, 10-unit townhome development in Issaquah, WA that is redefining the future of housing – is also the first community in the Nation in which every home has earned the WaterSense label for new homes. EPA’s WaterSense program is modeled after its highly successful Energy Star program. The goal of WaterSense is to significantly reduce water use nationwide to save water resources for future generations.
A home that is certified to earn the WaterSense label will use at least 20 percent less water than a standard, newly-constructed home and the high-efficiency WaterSense labeled fixtures perform as well or better than their traditional counterparts. The benefits of the certification include:
- Lower utility bills for future residents
- Reduced strain on water and wastewater systems
- More water left in streams and aquifers for salmon, recreation and other uses
- Fewer greenhouse gas emissions due to reduced energy demands from water treatment and delivery
zHome was designed to push the limits of sustainable, production housing. It is the first townhome, zero-energy, carbon-neutral community in the United States, and also received the Forest Stewardship Council’s 2011 award for the best residential project in North America.
In addition, zHome strove to demonstrate a multitude of water-efficient technologies, with a net reduction of 70 percent in potable water use compared to a typical King County home. Cascade Water Alliance provided WaterSense labeled toilets, showerheads, and bathroom faucets, as well as innovative, real-time use monitors for every unit to ensure maximum efficiency. Each zHome unit also includes a rainwater harvesting tank (ranging in size from 1,000- to 1,800-gallons) that is used for clothes washing and toilet flushing.
“EPA is proud to recognize the zHome project, built and developed by Ichijo USA and Seattle builder Matt Howland, as one of the leaders in the Pacific Northwest in helping to advance water efficiency,” said Paula vanHaagen, EPA’s Manager, Grants and Planning Unit in Seattle.
zHome was brought to life through a highly collaborative public/private partnership spearheaded by the City of Issaquah, in conjunction with Built Green, King County, Port Blakely Communities, Puget Sound Energy and the Washington State University Energy Program.
“We are extremely excited that the zHome units received the new WaterSense New Homes certification,” said Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger. “We hope zHome inspires homebuilders and homeowners to take advantage of the same water-saving benefits with their projects.”
Cascade Water Alliance, a long-time WaterSense promotional partner, is a non-profit corporation with the goal of providing safe, clean, and reliable water to its 400,000 residents and 22,000 businesses. Cascade is made up of the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Tukwila, the Covington Water District, and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts.
To find out more about Cascade Water Alliance, visit: www.cascadewater.org
To find out more about WaterSense, visit: www.epa.gov/watersense
To find out more about zHome, visit: www.z-home.org
To automatically receive Region 10 News Releases, subscribe via email at: http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USEPA_C19
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Grants for Clean Air Projects in San Joaquin Valley
News Release from EPA Region 9:
SAN FRANCISCO—U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld today announced $5 million in funding that will pay for cleaner locomotives throughout the San Joaquin Valley, including a state-of-the art locomotive operating between the Port of Stockton and Lodi. EPA and its partners in the valley, the California Air Resources Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District made the announcement at the Central California Traction Rail Company in Stockton, CA.
In addition, approximately $16 million in grants was announced to slash diesel emissions, advance air quality and improve public health throughout the state of California. The San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country, also has some of the nation’s worst air quality and highest rates of asthma. Federal, local and state partners are working to alleviate these problems by channeling significant funds into new clear air technologies.
“EPA’s goal is to reduce the public health impact of diesel emissions from the trucks and trains moving goods through the San Joaquin Valley,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This funding will reduce particulate matter emissions by 210 tons statewide for the lifetime of these projects—the equivalent of removing 1,000 heavy-duty trucks off the road.”
The state of the art locomotive unveiled in Stockton uses significantly less fuel than its 1953 model year predecessor and emits 90 percent less particulate matter and 92 percent less nitrogen oxides into the environment. This locomotive also uses a regenerative braking system, in which energy otherwise lost as the train slows down is captured and reused. New technologies such as these significantly cut emissions, while creating new jobs and revitalizing local economies.
"The Air Resources Board is committed to slashing diesel emissions throughout California," said Air Resources Board Member Dorene D'Adamo. "By adopting effective regulations and working with our local and federal partners to bring projects like clean locomotives to the Central Valley, we are making great progress. Our air is quantifiably cleaner than it was back in the last decade, and everyone here today has contributed to that achievement."
These EPA clean diesel grant funds will eliminate approximately 210 tons of particulate matter, 4,500 tons of nitrogen oxides and 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for the lifetime of these projects.
“The challenges we face in the Valley are unmatched by any other region in the nation, and we highly value our partnership with the EPA in our joint efforts to reach our clean air goals,” said Seyed Sadredin, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air District. “Achieving zero emission goods movement is a key component of our clean air strategy.”
Pollution from dirty diesel engines remains one of the most significant health risks in California. The California Air Resources Board estimates that approximately 9,000 people in California die prematurely each year as a result of exposure to fine particle pollution like diesel exhaust.
The $21 million in funds will go to new projects throughout the state and existing locomotives in San Joaquin Valley including:
Diesel Emission Reduction Act grants are funded through the West Coast Collaborative, a public-private partnership between leaders from federal, state, and local government, the private sector, and environmental groups committed to reduce diesel emissions throughout western North America. The Collaborative has provided more than $97.5 million of grant funds, with an additional $119 million of leveraged money by its partners since 2008. This translates to emission reductions of approximately 1,725 tons of particulate matter and 38,895 tons of nitrogen oxide for the lifetime of these grant projects.
Cleaning up diesel emissions can also have direct near term climate benefits. For more information, visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/BC%20Report%20to%20Congress?OpenDocument
More information on these grants and to learn more about the West Coast Collaborative, visit: http://www.westcoastcollaborative.org.
For more information on the National Clean Diesel Campaign, including a list of all grants nation-wide, visit: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
For information about EPA Region 9 Pacific Southwest’s San Joaquin Valley Strategy, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/strategicplan/sanjoaquin.html
Today’s announcement is part of EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld’s two day “Whistle Stop Tour” of San Joaquin Valley. For more information on his overall visit, today’s event and photos, please http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/sjv-tour/
For Immediate Release: January 24, 2012
Media Contact: Nahal Mogharabi, 213-514- 4361, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov
EPA Announces Millions in Grants to Clean Air Projects in San Joaquin Valley
Strategic Plan Aims to Reduce Harmful Air Pollutants, Improve Water Quality
Strategic Plan Aims to Reduce Harmful Air Pollutants, Improve Water Quality
SAN FRANCISCO—U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld today announced $5 million in funding that will pay for cleaner locomotives throughout the San Joaquin Valley, including a state-of-the art locomotive operating between the Port of Stockton and Lodi. EPA and its partners in the valley, the California Air Resources Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District made the announcement at the Central California Traction Rail Company in Stockton, CA.
In addition, approximately $16 million in grants was announced to slash diesel emissions, advance air quality and improve public health throughout the state of California. The San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country, also has some of the nation’s worst air quality and highest rates of asthma. Federal, local and state partners are working to alleviate these problems by channeling significant funds into new clear air technologies.
“EPA’s goal is to reduce the public health impact of diesel emissions from the trucks and trains moving goods through the San Joaquin Valley,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This funding will reduce particulate matter emissions by 210 tons statewide for the lifetime of these projects—the equivalent of removing 1,000 heavy-duty trucks off the road.”
The state of the art locomotive unveiled in Stockton uses significantly less fuel than its 1953 model year predecessor and emits 90 percent less particulate matter and 92 percent less nitrogen oxides into the environment. This locomotive also uses a regenerative braking system, in which energy otherwise lost as the train slows down is captured and reused. New technologies such as these significantly cut emissions, while creating new jobs and revitalizing local economies.
"The Air Resources Board is committed to slashing diesel emissions throughout California," said Air Resources Board Member Dorene D'Adamo. "By adopting effective regulations and working with our local and federal partners to bring projects like clean locomotives to the Central Valley, we are making great progress. Our air is quantifiably cleaner than it was back in the last decade, and everyone here today has contributed to that achievement."
These EPA clean diesel grant funds will eliminate approximately 210 tons of particulate matter, 4,500 tons of nitrogen oxides and 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for the lifetime of these projects.
“The challenges we face in the Valley are unmatched by any other region in the nation, and we highly value our partnership with the EPA in our joint efforts to reach our clean air goals,” said Seyed Sadredin, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air District. “Achieving zero emission goods movement is a key component of our clean air strategy.”
Pollution from dirty diesel engines remains one of the most significant health risks in California. The California Air Resources Board estimates that approximately 9,000 people in California die prematurely each year as a result of exposure to fine particle pollution like diesel exhaust.
The $21 million in funds will go to new projects throughout the state and existing locomotives in San Joaquin Valley including:
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District: $2,000,000 to repower two older locomotives with newer, cleaner engines.
California Air Resources Board: $14 million to replace 18 older with ultra-low emitting genset locomotives in San Joaquin Valley and Southern California and install a selective catalytic reduction system with a diesel oxidation catalyst capable of meeting Tier 4 emission levels on a line haul locomotive.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District: $1,557,987 to replace 43 heavy-duty drayage trucks that operate at ports around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sacramento Air Quality Management District: $1,097,032 to establish a voucher program to replace 200 existing diesel agricultural irrigation pump engines with new electric agricultural pump motors to power agricultural irrigation pumps.
In addition to the funding announcement, EPA today launched its strategic plan for the Valley which suffers from some of the most pressing issues in the region. The EPA prioritizes air and water quality, enforcement of public health standards and environmental justice. EPA will continue to work with the California Air Resources Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and will aim to reduce particulate matter 2.5 concentrations by 7% in 2012. To improve water quality, EPA will work closely with other federal agencies to invest in 11 public water systems that need infrastructure improvements and treatment to meet drinking water standards. Under President Obama’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative, EPA has also contributed two full-time federal employees to lead a multi-agency team that will partner with the City of Fresno and local stakeholders to implement a redevelopment vision. As part of the strategic plan, EPA is also dedicated to tracking and reducing environmental hazards, recycling pesticide containers and helping to spur dairy digester projects in the Valley. EPA welcomes public comment on the San Joaquin Strategic Plan. The plan will be finalized in the coming months.
Cleaning up diesel emissions can also have direct near term climate benefits. For more information, visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/BC%20Report%20to%20Congress?OpenDocument
More information on these grants and to learn more about the West Coast Collaborative, visit: http://www.westcoastcollaborative.org.
For more information on the National Clean Diesel Campaign, including a list of all grants nation-wide, visit: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
For information about EPA Region 9 Pacific Southwest’s San Joaquin Valley Strategy, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/strategicplan/sanjoaquin.html
Today’s announcement is part of EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld’s two day “Whistle Stop Tour” of San Joaquin Valley. For more information on his overall visit, today’s event and photos, please http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/sjv-tour/
###
Friday, January 20, 2012
Utility to Purchase Low-Carbon Power from Innovative Clean Coal Plant
Blog post from the U.S. Dept of Energy web site. The photo doesn't seem to go with the story, except that the photo depicts a coal gasification facility.
Utility to Purchase Low-Carbon Power from Innovative Clean Coal Plant
January 19, 2012
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory demonstrated coal gasification in large-scale field experiments at the Rocky Mountain Test Facility (above) near Hanna, Wyoming. Coal gasification and sequestration of the carbon dioxide produced are among the technologies being used in the Texas Clean Energy Project. | Photo courtesy of llnlphotos.
Carbon emissions for this plant will be...
- less than 10 percent of a conventional coal plant of similar output.
- less than 25 percent of an high-efficiency natural gas-powered power plant.
The Department of Energy is working with industry to keep the United States at the forefront of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies. An innovative clean coal demonstration project in Texas, supported by the Department’s Office of Fossil Energy, recently took a big step forward.
The Energy Department announced that CPS Energy of San Antonio will purchase approximately 200 megawatts of power annually from the Texas Clean Energy Project (TCEP) when the facility is complete in 2015. The $2.4 billion plant will receive $450 million in funding from the Department’s Clean Coal Power Initiative; of this, $211 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
This is the first purchase in the United States of low-carbon power from a power plant that uses carbon capture technology.
When operational, the 400-MW facility located just west of Midland-Odessa, Texas, will be the cleanest coal-fueled power plant in the world. Using a state-of-the-art process known as integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from this plant will be less than 10 percent of a conventional coal plant with similar energy output, and less than 25 percent of a high-efficiency natural gas-powered power plant.
It will also be capable of capturing 90 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) it produces, as well as 99 percent of sulfur dioxide, 90 percent of nitrogen oxide, and 99 percent of mercury.
In the gasification process, coal is not burned as if you were shoveling coal into a furnace or a steam locomotive boiler. Instead, the coal is sealed in a gasifier -- an airtight chamber that allows only controlled amounts of oxygen to enter. Starved for oxygen, the coal bakes rather than ignites and creates enough heat and pressure in the chamber to squeeze hydrogen and carbon monoxide out of the coal. The gases squeezed from the coal are then processed into synthetic gas, or syngas.
Next, water vapor is added to the syngas, which chemically reacts with the carbon monoxide to create additional hydrogen and also carbon dioxide. The gas is then cleaned of impurities, and separated into pure streams of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen powers an advanced turbine to generate electricity and its carbon-free exhaust heats water to generate steam that’s fed to a turbine to produce even more electricity.
Of the nearly 2.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to be captured annually at the Texas plant, 83 percent will be used in the West Texas Permian Basin for enhanced oil recovery -- a technique where carbon dioxide is pumped into a known reservoir where it expands and forces the oil out of the well. The rest of the captured carbon dioxide will go to producing urea -- a valuable compound with many industrial applications.
Today, approximately 80 percent of the energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, petroleum, and natural gas, with coal-fired power plants accounting for approximately half of the electricity generated. The implementation of clean, state-of-the-art coal-based technologies will help ensure America’s energy security while mitigating the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use.
The Energy Department announced that CPS Energy of San Antonio will purchase approximately 200 megawatts of power annually from the Texas Clean Energy Project (TCEP) when the facility is complete in 2015. The $2.4 billion plant will receive $450 million in funding from the Department’s Clean Coal Power Initiative; of this, $211 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
This is the first purchase in the United States of low-carbon power from a power plant that uses carbon capture technology.
When operational, the 400-MW facility located just west of Midland-Odessa, Texas, will be the cleanest coal-fueled power plant in the world. Using a state-of-the-art process known as integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere from this plant will be less than 10 percent of a conventional coal plant with similar energy output, and less than 25 percent of a high-efficiency natural gas-powered power plant.
It will also be capable of capturing 90 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) it produces, as well as 99 percent of sulfur dioxide, 90 percent of nitrogen oxide, and 99 percent of mercury.
In the gasification process, coal is not burned as if you were shoveling coal into a furnace or a steam locomotive boiler. Instead, the coal is sealed in a gasifier -- an airtight chamber that allows only controlled amounts of oxygen to enter. Starved for oxygen, the coal bakes rather than ignites and creates enough heat and pressure in the chamber to squeeze hydrogen and carbon monoxide out of the coal. The gases squeezed from the coal are then processed into synthetic gas, or syngas.
Next, water vapor is added to the syngas, which chemically reacts with the carbon monoxide to create additional hydrogen and also carbon dioxide. The gas is then cleaned of impurities, and separated into pure streams of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen powers an advanced turbine to generate electricity and its carbon-free exhaust heats water to generate steam that’s fed to a turbine to produce even more electricity.
Of the nearly 2.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to be captured annually at the Texas plant, 83 percent will be used in the West Texas Permian Basin for enhanced oil recovery -- a technique where carbon dioxide is pumped into a known reservoir where it expands and forces the oil out of the well. The rest of the captured carbon dioxide will go to producing urea -- a valuable compound with many industrial applications.
Today, approximately 80 percent of the energy consumed in the United States comes from coal, petroleum, and natural gas, with coal-fired power plants accounting for approximately half of the electricity generated. The implementation of clean, state-of-the-art coal-based technologies will help ensure America’s energy security while mitigating the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use.
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