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Distributed Energy Resources and Combined Heat and Power Resources

The following publications and Web sites provide more information on distributed energy resources (DER) and combined heat and power (CHP). The resources below are organized by:

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Distributed Energy Resources

The following DER resources are available:

  • FEMP DER Program Overview (PDF 220 KB): Fact sheet detailing the benefits and nuances of distributed energy resources, as well as available FEMP assistance and contacts.

  • Distributed Energy Resources at Federal Facilities (PDF 260 KB): Overview of how DER can help meet increased demand and improve the reliability of the power generation system.

  • Definitions Applicable to Distributed Generation (PDF 167 KB): Department of Energy (DOE) provided definitions applicable to distributed generation.

  • Environmental Siting of Distributed Energy Resources (PDF 507 KB): Fact sheet providing guidance to Federal facility managers on the process of environmental siting and approval requirements for distributed energy resources.

  • Technologies for Distributed Energy Resources (PDF 366 KB): Resource on how increases in electric power and the need for greater system reliability are driving the development and use of distributed power generation systems.

  • Using Distributed Energy Resources (PDF 422 KB): How-to guide for Federal energy managers on the implementation of distributed energy resources.

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Combined Heat and Power

The following CHP resources are available:

  • FEMP CHP Program Overview (PDF 218 KB): Fact sheet detailing how replacing central-station power generation with CHP reduces carbon emissions and can be about twice as efficient as central-station power plants and on-site boilers.

  • CHP Potential at Federal Sites (PDF 357 KB): Market assessment of the potential for CHP applications at Federal facilities and the associated costs and benefits including energy and emission savings.

  • Energy Efficiency Improvements through the use of Combined Heat and Power in Buildings (PDF 980 KB): Resource describing how combined technology helps Federal energy managers meet mission critical energy needs.

  • National CHP Roadmap (PDF 2.2 MB): Overall plan to double the combined heat and power capacity in the U.S. by 2010.

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Case Studies

The following case studies outline DER and CHP applications at Federal facilities:

  • Dual-Fuel Combustion Turbine Provides Reliable Power to U.S. Navy Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut (PDF 322 KB): Case study covering how combined heat and power project provides reliable power at reduced cost.

  • Fuel Cell Demonstration at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod (PDF 697 KB): Detail of how a U.S. Coast Guard combined heat and power project provided insight into fuel cell-related issues.

  • Photovoltaic DER System Could Save USPS $25,000 per Year in Marina del Rey, California (PDF 329 KB): Demonstration by the U.S. Postal Service on how to save energy, money, and the environment by adding a solar electric system as a distributed energy resource to reduce peak demand.

  • Summary of Results from Testing a 30-kW-Microturbine and CHP System (PDF 1.2 MB): Federal Technology Alert summary of results from a series of CHP system tests performed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory CHP Integration Test Facility.

  • Fuel Cells in Backup Power Applications (PDF 756 KB): Background on clean power generators as an alternative to conventional backup power sources.

  • Assessment of Packaged Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell CHP Systems (PDF 1.1 MB): Information on grid-connected, packaged fuel cell systems that provide clean, quiet, reliable heat and power.

  • Wireless Temperature Sensors for Improved HVAC Control (PDF 791 KB): Description of the installation of a wireless temperature sensor network at the Environmental Protection Agency's National health and Environmental Effects Research laboratory in Duluth, Minnesota.

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The Department of Energy's Distributed Energy Program Web site contains a wealth of information, including an overview of distributed energy technologies and applications. Case studies of successful projects are also available.

For more information on fuel cell technology and the hydrogen economy, see the DOE Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program Web site.

The following links provide additional information on combined heat and power systems:

The following links provide additional information on energy incentive and rebate programs:

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