Cogeneration: Obama’s Executive Order Encourages More Use
In past posts, we’ve talked about cogeneration. We posted a blog about cogeneration and its future in the HVAC industry in 2009. Because it became one of our more popular posts, we published a follow-up post in June 2012.
In late August, President Obama signed an executive order aimed at increasing industrial energy efficiency. “Today, we are taking another step to strengthen American manufacturing by boosting energy efficiency for businesses across the nation,” the president says in a statement. “This action will cut costs, increase efficiency, and help our businesses create strong, middle class jobs. We’ll continue to do everything we can to put more people back to work and build an economy that lasts.”
Beckett Adams, the author of an article in The Blaze, explains the order’s intent is to add 50% more cogeneration plants in the United States by 2020 and to reduce carbon emissions by 150 million tons per year.
An article in Smart Grid News notes the order’s focus is on combined heat and power (CHP), also called cogeneration. Investment in CHP technology may save tens of billions of dollars, while creating jobs and reducing energy usage and pollution. The U.S. Clean Heat & Power Association (USCHPA) says CHP provides 12% of the United States’ energy capacity, or 82 gigawatts. The order specifies a goal of an additional 40 gigawatts by 2020.
“CHP technology can be deployed quickly, cost effectively and with few geographic restrictions,” says Jessica Bridges, the executive director of the USCHPA, in the Smart Grid News article. “Establishing this national goal toward greater CHP deployment will significantly advance cleaner energy generation in the U.S., benefit the environment and help create much needed manufacturing and industrial jobs.”
Several departments, including the Environmental Protection Agency, National Economic Council and the Council on Environmental Quality will be responsible for coordinating policies that encourage CHP technology usage. The agencies will work with states, utility companies and industrial companies to provide information and guidance to encourage companies to adopt clean energy technologies, such as CHP, at an accelerated rate.
To read the full press release click here.
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