The rapid changes on today’s energy grid have never been greater. The increase of renewable energy has made the integration of highly efficient, lower carbon power generation assets in all power markets even more important. With today’s latest technologies we can’t just simply flip the switch to a carbon neutral power grid, it must be done strategically and safely to ensure lights never go out. Our grid was built piece by piece over the last century this is not an easy task to accomplish without the right balance of planning and generation assets.

The progressive integration of renewable energy resources as baseload power is a positive change in our global energy landscape. However, it also creates challenging supply gaps for the grid when the wind stops blowing or the sun stops shining. Increasing the utilization of renewable energy assets on the grid today requires the increased deployment of quick-start dispatchable power as back up.

Companies looking to grow and evolve require integration of generation assets and in order to meet current changing energy demands and overall costs. Generation assets need to quickly respond and at times work as part of an integrated microgrid.

THE SOLUTION
To accelerate the sustainable adoption of renewable power generation assets as baseload, installing highly efficient and reliable peaker plants engineered specifically for this application is the logical next step. Integration of reliable natural gas-powered generation assets serving as back-up to wind and solar is a critical step in reducing emissions while maintaining safe and reliable energy production.

Peaker plants must be always at the ready to fill intermittent and sudden power gaps. When called on, they can ramp to full power in minutes and power down just as efficiently, however these units spend a great deal of each day idle. For this reason, the installed cost per kW of a peaker-plant is crucial to enabling the sustainable adoption of carbon-neutral assets as baseload. Currently costs of building such plants are high and inefficient. Operating cost of older inefficient units to provide dispatchable power are high. In addition, time required from start to finish of building a new plant with supply chain issues is long and requires a lot of know-how recourses.

MODULAR PEAKING POWER SYSTEMS
Utilizing a Peaking Power System is a model that can resolve many of the current power reliability challenges we face. Our Modular systems offer rapid deployment, increased efficiency and lower operating costs. Whether you are adding 2MW or 200MW, our custom designed and facility built modular systems will eliminate many of the on-site issues that arise from building your system onsite. Besides brand new custom designs, there are often opportunities to install refreshed/rebuilt power units which offer a cost savings advantage and shorter lead times. Below are many compelling arguments for modular or fully containerized systems, including:

– Complete turnkey systems
– Shorter planning and commissioning time
– Optimal and flexible system designs, component tuning.
– Lower installation and maintenance costs
– Higher system availability
– Sole source responsibility, risk mitigation
– Smaller overall footprint
– Suitable for temporary use or easy to dissemble and move

Energy Choice offers rebuilt and new modular or containerized systems. Helping to facilitate the right solution will be driven from understanding your needs and expected timeline.

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To meet federal and/or state emissions standards, you can utilize one, or a combination of several different technologies, including oxidation catalysts, diesel particulate filters, fuel water emulsion, three-way catalysts and SCR systems. Energy Choice designs, sell, install and tests various technologies to bring under compliance existing or new assets.

Oxidation Catalysts
Oxidation catalysts are a form of emissions control systems that convert pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) into carbon dioxide and water. These types of catalysts are widely utilized for both new and retrofitting existing installations. This is due to RICE NESHAP federal regulations. By installing an oxidation catalyst, or a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), customers become compliant with federal regulations and reduce their carbon footprint.

An emissions control system that is designed for NESHAP compliance would include an oxidation or diesel oxidation catalyst, a closed crankcase ventilation system (CCV), and a NESHAP monitoring device. This turn-key installation process allows our customers to revitalize existing generation assets and enroll in incentive-driven programs like Demand Response or Capacity Tag Management.

Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems (SCRs)

SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) System is typically used in power applications to remove nitrogen oxides (NOx) from exhaust gases. SCRs are successfully used today to reduce emissions on power generation engines, turbines, industrial boilers and diesel automobiles. They are employed in a variety of applications, including systems that operate on natural gas, bio/waste gases, and diesel fuels.

For new generation systems with expected higher run hours annually, the first component in an emissions control system is typically a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. A SCR system injects a liquid agent like urea (DEF) through a catalyst into exhaust to set a chemical reaction to reduce NOx and CO by up to 97%. DEF is a non-toxic fluid composed of purified water and urea. An SCR system consist of:
– Dosing Systems: Adds the reactant (urea) to the exhaust gases
– Injection/mixer unit: Mixes the reactant with the exhaust gas
– Reactor Unit: Houses the catalyst

Following dosing process, all the pollutants in the exhaust gas are converted into nitrogen and water. Our SCR systems are finely tuned to meet the guaranteed emissions requirements and employ highly sophisticated dosing systems to avoid any harmful ammonia slip.

EC emissions control systems are a customized and packaged to allow for lower costs and quick installation. They include an emissions analyzer, dosing system, catalysts, filtration elements, urea tanks and all necessary accessories and components.

Fuel Water Emulsion (FWE)
Fuel Water Emulsion (FWE) is a pre-treatment technology designed to lower fuel consumption and air emissions in diesel-fired engines. An EC FWE reduces NOx up to 70%, soot up to 100%, particle mass over 80%, CO2 up to 10%. In addition to lowering diesel engine emissions, with engine running cooler, FWE will improve engine life, performance and extend service schedules. It has a cleaning effect for engine components, turbocharger and exhaust system. Highly compact system save space and allow roof or on-site installations.

FWE is an add-on circulation system, utilizing fully electronic controls and monitoring systems, designed to blend water with diesel fuel immediately before the fuel injection pump. The fuel is taken from the existing fuel supply system and pre-mixed with varying, previously specified amounts of specially treated freshwater. This pre-treatment allows customers to maximize the benefits of the unit.

Energy Choice’s FWE lowers costs significantly compared to an SCR used in diesel engine retrofits in both upfront and maintenance costs.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
For diesel generators, the second component that an EC SCR system is a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). A DPF is utilized to reduce the amount of fine particles that are produced by a diesel engine. These systems are used in combination with an Energy Choice SCR to provide a complete package that allows existing diesel asset to meet the increasingly strict state and federal emissions standards.

Non-Selective Catalytic Reduction | 3-Way Catalyst (NSCR)
A 3-way catalyst reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and are used on rich burn gas engines to reduce emissions to compliance levels.

Energy Choice’s 3-way catalyst is customized to specific generation asset and is supplied as a single housing.

Continuous Parametric Monitoring Systems (CPMS)
Monitoring systems records and reports temperature and pressure data at catalyst bed from individual regulated stationary sources over 500 HP. In order to demonstrate compliance with federal, state and local environmental requirements, reporting will become an ongoing operating procedure. Minimum standards for measurement frequency, sensor accuracy, compliance tolerance, operational load, and periodic performance evaluations are set prior to testing and can be asset-specific.

CPMS is checked when tests are performed for the asset. Site-specific monitoring plan is developed and implemented by involving maintenance protocols for the CPMS. In addition, data review helps facility manager take corrective action when needed.

A CPMS from Energy Choice is modified so the required compliance information is easy collected and can be transferred remotely to your online Energy Choice account.

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The Real Benefits of Onsite Energy
Many think of onsite energy as simply backup power, but it is worth considering that there are more benefits than fault tolerance.

As the power infrastructure in the United States ages, many businesses have concerns. Just how reliable is the nation’s large-scale energy system.

It’s hard to pinpoint any major investments that would have a positive effect on the near- and long-term future of power distribution.

Looking beyond the use of onsite power as a business continuance tool, we are starting to see companies viewing onsite energy as a requirement when building new facilities or retrofitting old buildings.

In addition to providing power when needed, onsite power is used to cut overall energy costs, lower energy consumption emissions and in many cases generate additional revenues through ISO and Utility demand response, demand management and peak shaving programs. Based on location, onsite power can reduce energy costs by 30%.

What is Onsite Energy?
Onsite energy, sometimes known as onsite power, is a “power plant in a box.” These power generation units are specifically made for commercial and industrial applications. They provide continuous power using gas, biogas, green gas engines. They can help power mission-critical systems like medical buildings, data centers, and a wide range of facilities that cannot tolerate power outages

The form factor of these power generators is actually quite condensed and they have a footprint that is specially made for simple on-site installation.

When a power outage occurs, the onsite energy system begins producing steady, reliable power and insulates the organization from energy interruptions.

The financial benefit to using a “power plant in a box”
One of the biggest drivers for reliable onsite energy is the associated financial benefit. Many companies start losing revenue the moment the power goes out. This is especially true in our current economic environment where sales of products and services can happen worldwide through the internet.

In situations like this, emergency and standby power generation more than “keep the lights on.” In cases where grid power might be interrupted for days, onsite energy can keep a business from an unrecoverable loss of sales.

Legal requirements to have onsite energy
Looking beyond the financial benefits to continuous, uninterrupted power, there are many instances where human life and safety are affected by the loss of power.

Every state has laws that dictate when a building or organization must have standby power and emergency power capabilities.

In New York State, for example, emergency onsite power is legally required for any electrical systems where interruption power can pose danger or risk for human life. These areas include medical facilities, high-rises, plants that contain toxic materials, to name a few.

When the safety and wellbeing of humans are involved, onsite energy can provide a robust solution that does not rely on a faulty power grid.

How can I choose the right onsite power system?
Energy Choice offers a variety of “power plant in a box” energy generation units. These units are ideal for many different energy use applications from standby, peak shaving, continuous power, grid stability and participation on demand response.

Each unit is a plug-and-play system with a small footprint that is pre-designed and engineered for easy installation on-site. The integrated system offers off-grid reliability, allowing you to receive uninterrupted power during grid outages or when power prices are high.

Energy Choice maintains the equipment for the full life of the system, providing tens of thousands of hours of power generation. Systems can start from 500 kW to many MW each. More power modules can be added with increased demand.

Some of the main benefits of an Energy Choice distributed generation unit include: increased profit, resiliency and flexible financing.

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As a new cannabis grow facility began construction in state of Massachusetts, the owners quickly discovered that their cooling and lighting needs would be a huge financial burden on the facility. Instead of bearing the huge electric bills, they teamed up with Energy Choice to find an onsite power generation solution that would work for them.

Energy Choice conducted a full analysis and concluded that a power solution comprised of two 550kW natural gas reciprocating engines could provide enough power to completely meet the power needs of the grow facility. And by collecting the waste heat in the form of hot water and sending it to absorption chillers, the units would be able to produce free cooling to further reduce the electric costs. This solution is called a combined heat and power system, or a CHP.

The 1100kW (gross capacity) and 400-ton CHP system was installed, and it has been operating 24/7. The system has given the facility electric resiliency by providing all electricity that is needed and keeping the site connected to the utility to be used as backup power. Due to relatively low natural gas costs, electricity is produced by the CHP units for almost half the cost of buying it from the utility. And about 400 tons of cooling is available for no additional cost, which slashes the operational costs of the grow facility and significantly increases profits.

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The Energy Choice DER Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are fully containerized power generation units that utilize a natural gas engine and a battery to provide immediate vehicle charging. The unit is sized to charge multiple vehicles at the same time. There are many benefits to using the Energy Choice charging unit instead of depending on the grid for power including:

• Lower cost of electricity on a $/kWh basis
• Reliable power even if there is a grid outage
• Efficiency and emissions are better than or comparable to the grid

Technical Overview:

Each Energy Choice charging station is sized to fully power two electric vehicle charging stations. It consists of a battery and a natural gas reciprocating engine. The battery starts charging the vehicle immediately after it is plugged in. The engine then switches on and takes overcharging within a few minutes.

A 7’x7’x15’ steel container houses the engine, generator, battery, inverter, and all necessary electrical and control equipment. The container protects the equipment and reduces noise to as low as 55 dB(A). The station is factory assembled, pre-wired, pre-piped, and tested to ensure full functionality. The utility-grade unit is monitored remotely and controlled via the PLC system.

Savings Overview:

When charging stations take electricity from the grid, the resulting electric bills can be a huge burden. A significant portion of each electric bill is from demand charges, which are based on the largest instantaneous electric demand. Customers can benefit greatly from an EC300B unit by eliminating this utility demand charge.

The DER charging stations compare very favorably with MA grid power:
DER installation cost is often comparable with a charging station grid interconnection.
DER produces power below $0.10/kWh (including fuel cost, 24×7 monitoring and long-term maintenance). This DER production cost is a fraction of MA all-in grid rates.

Energy Choice Commitment:

Energy Choice’s equipment is high quality and utility grade. Additionally, Energy Choice provides much more than just the equipment. It is our priority to ensure that every power generation solution is set up for success for the lifetime of the project. Included in Energy Choice’s scope of supply is all engineering and equipment needed to interconnect the unit to the gas utility, electric utility, and the facility’s electric infrastructure. Installation, startup, testing, interconnection permitting, and emissions permitting are provided as well. Once the units are operating, Energy Choice will continue to support the project by offering a maintenance contract that includes scheduled maintenance, remote monitoring, and a fast response in the event that unplanned maintenance is required. By providing full project support throughout the life of the equipment, Energy Choice ensures that your facility will always have a reliable and high-quality power generation solution.

Learn more about Energy Choice’s EV Charging Stations here.

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Environmental and Economic Benefits of Diesel Water Emulsion
Water-emulsified diesel is a substantial advancement in fuel alternatives. The emulsion has the ability to improve the emissions that come from diesel engine fuel combustion. Further, many studies suggest that a diesel water fuel emulsion plays a role in improving the combustion within a diesel engine.

What is Diesel Water Emulsion?
To best understand what a diesel water emulsion is, we first must discuss the process of emulsifying liquids. Chemically speaking, an emulsified liquid, also known as a dispersion, is a liquid in which distributed particles of one material are dispersed in another material.

A diesel water emulsion is a mixture of water, diesel fuel, and several additives. It’s important to note that diesel fuel, which is an oil, cannot dissolve in water. This means that when water is dispersed into diesel fuel, it can be emulsified but they will never form a homogeneous liquid.

Where are emulsified fuels used?
The mixture of water, diesel fuel, and several additives, known as the diesel water emulsion, can be used in any diesel engine.

However, it is important to understand that because water has been added to the fuel mixture, the energy that the generator can produce is reduced. Emulsified fuels have a tradeoff where a greater reduction in emissions will correspond to a greater reduction in the generator capacity. The capacity reduction will vary depending on the emissions levels that are trying to be achieved, but typical capacity reductions are around 10-35%.

Often, the combination of using a diesel water emulsion with an efficient diesel generator provides better fuel consumption of the emulsion. In many cases, the benefits of the better fuel consumption and the reduction in harmful engine emissions far outweigh the less-than desirable power reduction of the engine. Beyond the ability to use diesel emulsions as a fuel source, there are secondary benefits, including the mitigation of the high temperatures resulting from combustion as well as the reduction of emissions.

Decreased Combustion Temperatures
In many cases, it is desirable to reduce and control the amount of heat that an engine or generator produces under load. Increased heat can cause premature engine component wear, the breakdown of fluids, and the reduction of the usable lifetime of the equipment. Many studies have shown that using a diesel emulsion as a fuel source can effectively decrease the combustion temperature which yields all of the benefits of a lower operating temperature including the increased engine efficiency, reduced component wear, and increase in the lifetime of the equipment.

The other main benefit of fuel water emulsion decreasing the operation temperature is that this can increase the thermal efficiency of the engine. By definition, thermal efficiency is the ratio of work done by an engine to the amount of heat produced by the fuel and engine over the same work-time. Increased thermal efficiency means cooler running equipment and improved fuel consumption.

Lower NOx Emissions
One of the primary initiatives of the United States’ Clean Air Act and its amendments is the reduction of NOx emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited that industrial facilities can and should make efforts to reduce NOx emissions from sources that include combustion equipment like diesel generators.

Studies of NOx emissions have demonstrated their role in forming ground-level ozone. This ozone can have adverse health effects on humans and other living organisms and pollutes the environment. Reducing NOx emissions can effectively reduce ground-level ozone.

While there are many technologies available to control NOx emissions, their application is mostly site-specific and dependent on the conditions of the facility. Replacing heavy fuel oils with a diesel water emulsion can effectively reduce NOx emissions and has little physical impact on the facility or equipment.

Some case studies suggest that emulsified diesel fuel can effectively reduce emissions of NOx by about 10-70 percent and particulate matter, also known as PM, by as much as 80 percent.

Energy Choice Can Help
We combine onsite power generation with emissions control technologies to create highly efficient modular power generation. As part of our methodology, we work closely with project developers and engine end-users to provide a full turn-key project. Our power generation units can either be power only or combined heat and power (CHP).

We can provide emission control techniques and equipment or full turn-key emission reduction that will ensure power generation units comply with environmental requirements, including the EPA requirements for demand response.

Fuel Water Emulsion: parallel, energy efficient reduction of all relevant pollutant’s benefits:
Soot reduction up to the detection limit (≈ 100%)
Particle mass reduction of over 80%
Particle numbers reduction of over 90%
Up to 40% NOx reduction
Fuel consumption and – / CO2 – Reduction of 2 to 10% and more
No secondary emissions, e.g. NO2 / literature: significant reduction of PAH
Customers typically see a reduction in total running costs
Complete tolerance to poor fuel qualities / also HFO suitable
Savings in installation space
Ability to incorporate an SCR downstream
Significant running cost advantage in combination with SCR, compared to SCR only
Significant reduction of running cost in combination with SCR, compared to DPF & SCR
Cleaning effect for engine components, turbo charger, exhaust system
No additional heat dissipation in engine room
Guaranteed safe operation due to consistent monitoring and controls

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