EEA provides consulting services in the DG/CHP arena to a variety of public and private clients, evaluating technology readiness, identifying product opportunities, advocating regulatory and legislative change, and stimulating the market for distributed generation. The following is a partial list of recent projects related to distributed energy and on-site generation:

Technology Evaluation (Top)

Distributed Generation Benefits Validation and Quantification - Prepared a case study of a communications and control system to aggregate customer generation for use by the local electric utility for peak power generation. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI), EPRI Inc., and Public Service of New Mexico funded the work. The project evaluated a third-party aggregation program based on advanced communications and control technology

Database and Best Practices Surveys - Assisted the Distributed Resources Group at EPRI in the development of a distributed resource technology database and in surveys of customer power systems to develop a best-practices guide for distributed generation.

DG Reliability Characterization - Presently developing an operational reliability and availability database of on-site generation technologies. Improved information on DG system reliability and availability is a critical element in fostering the DG market. Project sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), GTI, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the Industrial Center.

Market Research (Top)

Dual Fuel Market Assessment - Evaluated a dual-fuel retrofit product for existing stand-by diesel engine gensets for a major engine manufacturer. This study evaluated the economic market potential, user attitudes and market impediments to converting customer diesel standby generation for economic peak-shaving use. The study detailed the technical requirements for increasing the utilization of converted engines.

Distributed Generation Forum - Served as the lead analytical contractor for the Distributed Generation Forum (DGF) that operated from 1997-2001. The DGF was an independent group of electric and gas utilities and equipment manufacturers interested in monitoring the development of Distributed Generation in North America.

American Gas Association Analytical Support - Assisted the A.G.A. in understanding the developing distributed generation market and its potential impact on natural gas utilities. Prepared a series of technology assessments, market evaluations, and policy analyses.

Combined Heat and Power Market Assessment - Evaluated the potential market for CHP in the industrial and commercial sectors for DOE's Energy Information Agency. The effort provided background data and updated technology assumptions to improve CHP market projections in EIA's Annual Energy Outlook.

Industrial Cogeneration Potential - Conducted detailed industrial sector market assessments for the food processing, chemicals, forest products and refining industries for the Department of Energy.

Distributed Power Generation Trend Analysis - Provided a distributed generation market review for a major U.S. gas utility company that defined the current activities related to distributed power, the market potential, and potential business strategies for the gas industry.

Environmental Assessments (Top)

Cogeneration Environmental Impact Analysis - Prepared an environmental analysis of alternative power generating systems for the Department of Energy (DOE). This analysis compared the environmental signature of cogeneration systems with other power generation technologies and emission control options.

Cost Analysis of NOx Control Alternatives for Stationary Gas Turbines - Prepared a comparative cost analysis of alternative gas turbine NOx control technologies over a range of sizes for DOE. Control technologies included catalytic combustion, lean premix (DLN), selective catalytic reduction, SCONOx and water/steam injection.

EPA Technical Support - Currently providing analytical and technical assistance to EPA's Climate Change Division in support of their CHP Partnership Program. Preparing technology characterizations and developing emissions comparisons of CHP technologies.

Regulatory Analysis (Top)

CHP Assessment and Strategy Development for New York - Currently developing a detailed CHP market estimate for New York and assisting NYSERDA in the development of a proactive CHP deployment strategy for the state.

California Interconnection Guidelines, Municipal Siting and Permitting - Provided technical and policy support to the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Order Instituting Investigation (OII) on interconnection of distributed generation to the electrical grid.

DG Permit Streamlining Strategies - Working on behalf of both the CEC and NYSERDA to evaluate permitting procedures for distributed generation projects in California and New York, and to outline strategies to streamline (cost and time mitigation) associated regulations and processes.

Combined Heat and Power Market Barriers - Developed for the California Energy Commission (CEC) a detailed estimate of the market opportunity for combined heat and power in California and a comprehensive review of the regulatory and institutional barriers.

Feasibility Studies & Application Engineering (Top)

Energy Audit for a Refinery - Performed an energy audit of major process equipment including steam boilers, direct-fired heaters, motors, and cooling towers. Investigated integration of fluid heating processes with combined heat and power.

Screening of Federal Facilities for CHP potential - Presently screening regions of the U.S. to identify federal facilities with potential for cost effective CHP. Conducted at the bequest of the DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), through the Oak Ridge National Labs.

CHP Feasibility Studies - Conducted feasibility studies of CHP at various commercial and industrial facilities including a major paper mill in New York and a wood products plant in California and municipal facilities.

International (Top)

Industrial Energy Efficiency Project in Mexico - With support funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the International Utility Energy Partnerships (IUEP), Onsite is developing a large energy efficiency and steam reduction program for a major petrochemical group in Guadalajara, Mexico.

International Project Support - Selected by the California Energy Commission's International Energy Technology Export Program to provide engineering and technical assistance, in the areas of energy efficiency and cogeneration project development overseas.

Wind Power Development in Panama - Providing technical support to the International Utility Energy Partnership in the development of a wind energy farm in the Valle de Anton, Republic of Panama. Additional program partners include the CEC and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Gas Turbine Packager Survey - Conducted a survey of domestic and foreign gas turbine packagers regarding products, scope of supply, and pricing information. The work was conducted for an international gas company.

Product Commercialization and Market Support (Top)

Advanced Turbine Commercialization Support - Retained by a major gas turbine manufacturer to conduct targeted market assessments and competitive analyses, develop an initial product commercialization plan, and provide an analysis of installation costs for alternative advanced industrial turbine system configurations and competing technologies.

Market Analysis of Gas Turbine Product Line - Evaluated the potential market in the United States for a major gas turbine manufacturer's product line. Quantified the market opportunity in environmental constrained areas and estimated the impact of advanced materials plans on market size and customer acceptance.

Market Analysis of Distributed Generation Products - Retained by several North American engine manufacturers to evaluate the distributed generation market for proposed new product lines, analyze market position and advantages compared to competing products and technologies, and assess the critical risks to market acceptance.

North American Market Introduction Strategy - Developed a North American market entry strategy for an international microturbine manufacturer, analyzing potential near-term market opportunities, identifying economically viable regions, and recommending market entry paths and potential partners.

Catalytic Combustion Market Study - Presently working with a major catalytic combustion system developer to identify critical commercialization issues, quantify key public and customer benefits, and provide recommendations for demonstration planning and market entry strategies.

Market Assessment for Advanced Microturbines - In parallel independent studies for two competing microturbine manufacturers, provided an assessment of the economic value proposition for combined heat and power, peak-shaving, power quality and reliability, waste and renewable fueled applications, and oil industry applications.