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Dominion Earns One Of Three EPA Energy Star CHP Awards
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized three facilities with the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award for demonstrating leadership and a commitment to protecting peoples’ health and the environment. Dominion Transmission-Crayne State in Waynesburg, Pa was one of the winners.
The other two CHP award winners were KPMG LLP, Minneapolis, MN; and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
By using CHP technology, the award winners achieved an estimated annual energy savings of more than $4 million and avoided carbon pollution equivalent to that from nearly 20,000 cars on the road.
Dominion Transmission is an interstate gas transmission company and operates one of the largest underground natural gas storage and transmission systems in the United States. This gas transmission network includes approximately 7,800 miles of pipeline in six states—Ohio, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Some of Dominion's gas compression sites are located far from the electrical grid, or in areas that have limited availability of grid-supplied power, and microturbine/generators have been used to provide a reliable power supply.
Capable of functioning in remote locations, adhering to emissions standards, ensuring power reliability and reducing maintenance costs, CHP has been the answer to the varying operational obstacles Dominion faces at some of its gas compressor stations. The Crayne Compressor Station CHP system located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania is a great example.
Since 2004, three microturbines have been generating up to 195 kW of electricity—enough power to meet 100 percent of the station's electricity demand. The turbines that power the station's gas compressors are fueled with gas from the pipeline. Heat from the CHP system is used to warm raw gas chilled during the decompression process when it is taken from the pipeline.
With an operating efficiency of almost 73 percent, the CHP system requires approximately 25 percent less fuel than a typical system with similar output and prevents an estimated 440 tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of approximately 80 passenger vehicles.
“Combined heat and power systems are an exciting and innovative technology—it pays us back by cutting energy costs and protecting the environment,” said Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “By using this technology, our award winners are demonstrating their commitment to clean, healthy air and creating a path for others to follow.”
The three facilities achieved operating efficiencies ranging from 68 to 73 percent, much higher than the efficiency of separate production of electricity and thermal energy which can be less than 50 percent. CHP technology simultaneously produces electricity and useful thermal energy from a single energy source, such as natural gas, biomass, or wasted energy.
The EPA CHP Partnership, established in 2001, is a voluntary program that encourages the use of CHP to reduce the environmental impact of power generation. The partnership works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other energy stakeholders to facilitate the development of new projects and to promote energy, environmental and economic benefits.
For more information, visit EPA's CHP Partnership and CHP Award Winners webpages.
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10/10/2011 |
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