Central plant economics are hard to beat, but distributed generation (DG) is poised to enter the scene. That, at least, is the promise of distributed generation, a set of technologies that incorporate several different power generation techniques that share one common trait - the generation and distribution of electric power on a mini-grid serving a limited number of customers.
Even more likely, future distributed generators will deliver power to a grid of one - a fuel cell powering one house, for instance, or a microturbine powering a single office building... And why not, a ZPE converter doing it for free! Read more...
In a recent study, energy information publisher Chartwell found that more than half of 103 energy companies interviewed had conducted a DG test or
project. One-third had invested in DG technology companies and one-third had signed distribution agreements with DG manufacturers.
Fuel cells and microturbines are much more easily and quickly stepped up to meet peak demands or shut down when power is no longer needed. Experts generally agree that a price of $1,000/kW or less will be commercially attractive, while many of today's most advanced and economical
DG systems still cost $3,000/kW or more.
But folks, I have a gut feeling that all this movement towards deregulation and privatization, DG and green energy is aimed at minimizing the loses for some governments and groups that know what's coming and for paving the way for the real revolution in power generation brought by the technology we're talking about here, at this still controversial site (but not for long...).
In the mean time we learn from the Dow Jones Energy Service: Toxic pollution generated by eight utilities that have been cited for Clean Air Act violations will contribute to nearly 6,000
premature deaths and tens of thousands of respiratory illnesses annually, according to a study released by environmental advocates, The Washington Post reports in its Thursday edition.
Using a model that assumes full implementation of federal acid rain and smog reduction programs, the study forecasts that every year, beginning in 2007, some 5,900 adults will die prematurely because of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from 84 plants operated by the eight companies. The study also projects that power plant emissions from these eight utilities,
largely concentrated in the Midwest and South, will cause 4,300 annual cases of chronic bronchitis, 160,000 cases of upper respiratory symptoms and 140,000 asthma attacks.
The utilities covered in the study are Southern Co. (SO), AEP (AEPI), Cinergy (CIN), the Tennessee Valley Authority, Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Co. (SIGECO), First Energy, Dynergy Inc. (DYN) and Duke Power (DUK).
