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Innovative Propane Technologies - Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

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Language: en

00:00:10.730
hi I'm rich Ben saga for the propane
00:00:12.860 00:00:12.870 Education and Research Council we're
00:00:15.140 00:00:15.150 traveling to Ocean Springs Mississippi
00:00:16.670 00:00:16.680 and to New Milford Connecticut to take a
00:00:19.250 00:00:19.260 closer look at an emerging technology
00:00:20.570 00:00:20.580 for residential and light commercial
00:00:21.800 00:00:21.810 buildings it's called micro combined
00:00:24.109 00:00:24.119 heat and power or CHP also known as
00:00:26.720 00:00:26.730 cogeneration CHP technology basically
00:00:29.330 00:00:29.340 uses an internal combustion engine
00:00:30.650 00:00:30.660 powered by propane or natural gas to
00:00:33.200 00:00:33.210 generate thermal energy the thermal
00:00:34.910 00:00:34.920 energy can be used for space heating
00:00:36.650 00:00:36.660 water heating even to heat a pool or spa
00:00:38.900 00:00:38.910 but while it's generating that energy
00:00:40.700 00:00:40.710 it's also generating electricity which
00:00:42.920 00:00:42.930 can be used to supplement or perhaps
00:00:44.420 00:00:44.430 even offset the power coming from the
00:00:46.130 00:00:46.140 Gripp CHP technology has been used for
00:00:48.139 00:00:48.149 decades in industrial buildings like
00:00:49.940 00:00:49.950 factories and in massive size equipment
00:00:52.450 00:00:52.460 but some companies have recently come up
00:00:54.770 00:00:54.780 with a way to scale the technology to a
00:00:56.389 00:00:56.399 small footprint that can be used in
00:00:58.130 00:00:58.140 homes and small businesses and that's
00:01:00.290 00:01:00.300 where the term micro CHP comes from the
00:01:02.569 00:01:02.579 guts of a micro CHP are pretty
00:01:04.130 00:01:04.140 impressive especially when you consider
00:01:05.840 00:01:05.850 its relatively small footprint roughly 9
00:01:08.300 00:01:08.310 square feet the size of a typical
00:01:09.590 00:01:09.600 air-conditioning unit or photocopier the
00:01:12.410 00:01:12.420 primary components are liquid cooled
00:01:13.969 00:01:13.979 engine a heat exchanger and a generator
00:01:16.100 00:01:16.110 there's also a silencer that keeps the
00:01:18.380 00:01:18.390 sound - about the same level as a
00:01:19.670 00:01:19.680 refrigerator the rest is electrical and
00:01:21.740 00:01:21.750 propane connections a fresh air intake
00:01:23.690 00:01:23.700 and an exhaust vent the other main part
00:01:26.870 00:01:26.880 of a micro CHP unit is the buffer tank
00:01:28.760 00:01:28.770 which stores and recirculates water
00:01:30.770 00:01:30.780 through the units heat exchanger and
00:01:32.300 00:01:32.310 then transfers that heat to a variety of
00:01:34.340 00:01:34.350 standard heating equipment such as a
00:01:35.960 00:01:35.970 boiler or furnace we're here with Mike
00:01:39.200 00:01:39.210 Monahan of Marathon engine systems which
00:01:41.359 00:01:41.369 makes the Eco power micro CHP unit now
00:01:44.120 00:01:44.130 Mike tell us step-by-step how this
00:01:47.210 00:01:47.220 system works when the engine is running
00:01:49.460 00:01:49.470 we're creating thermal energy we take
00:01:51.800 00:01:51.810 that thermal energy and we store it into
00:01:53.420 00:01:53.430 the buffer tank whenever there's a
00:01:54.980 00:01:54.990 demand for thermal energy in the
00:01:56.630 00:01:56.640 building it takes it from the buffer
00:01:57.830 00:01:57.840 tank and sends it where it needs to go
00:01:59.260 00:01:59.270 while that's happening the engines
00:02:01.310 00:02:01.320 turning the alternator and we're
00:02:02.510 00:02:02.520 producing four point seven kilowatts an
00:02:04.249 00:02:04.259 hour of electricity while we're running
00:02:06.109 00:02:06.119 the unit now as I understand it the best
00:02:07.999 00:02:08.009 way or the way to optimize this
00:02:09.290 00:02:09.300 equipment is to have the end
00:02:10.620 00:02:10.630 running as often as constantly as
00:02:12.630 00:02:12.640 possible and at the highest rpms but
00:02:14.460 00:02:14.470 that seems counterintuitive to energy
00:02:16.470 00:02:16.480 efficiency so help me understand that
00:02:17.880 00:02:17.890 the building is only going to keep
00:02:19.140 00:02:19.150 consumed so many BTUs and heat while
00:02:22.440 00:02:22.450 that is happening we're producing
00:02:23.790 00:02:23.800 electricity as a by-product so we need
00:02:25.830 00:02:25.840 the engine running to produce that
00:02:27.930 00:02:27.940 electrical energy it's not going to
00:02:29.670 00:02:29.680 change the amount of the gas that we're
00:02:31.710 00:02:31.720 consuming in the building what kind of
00:02:33.420 00:02:33.430 offsets can they expect in terms of
00:02:35.010 00:02:35.020 thermal energy as well as electricity a
00:02:36.660 00:02:36.670 lot of that depends on the spark spread
00:02:38.520 00:02:38.530 the cost of the fuel versus the cost of
00:02:40.260 00:02:40.270 the kilowatt here they have a higher
00:02:43.050 00:02:43.060 kilowatt price a rate and so when we run
00:02:46.800 00:02:46.810 that we'll be able to have a better
00:02:49.350 00:02:49.360 payback than if we were just burning the
00:02:50.850 00:02:50.860 gas the unit also has a few smart
00:02:52.800 00:02:52.810 features to help optimize its
00:02:54.120 00:02:54.130 performance for cooling climates there's
00:02:56.670 00:02:56.680 a summer protection mode that runs at a
00:02:58.140 00:02:58.150 lower speed to conserve the fuel source
00:03:00.090 00:03:00.100 such as propane during times of the year
00:03:02.280 00:03:02.290 where heating energy is in less demand
00:03:03.660 00:03:03.670 in residential applications the unit
00:03:05.670 00:03:05.680 would ideally be used to heat a swimming
00:03:07.020 00:03:07.030 pool allowing it to run at full capacity
00:03:08.730 00:03:08.740 all year embedded software allows the
00:03:11.910 00:03:11.920 unit to sync with dynamic utility rates
00:03:13.620 00:03:13.630 to take maximum advantage of low rate
00:03:15.690 00:03:15.700 times and lessen the cost impact of high
00:03:17.790 00:03:17.800 rate times and there's an onboard
00:03:20.340 00:03:20.350 display that enables real-time energy
00:03:22.170 00:03:22.180 monitoring a key component in
00:03:23.700 00:03:23.710 maintaining and improving energy
00:03:25.020 00:03:25.030 performance and efficiency now the great
00:03:27.450 00:03:27.460 thing about micro CHP technology is that
00:03:29.640 00:03:29.650 it can run on propane thereby optimizing
00:03:32.010 00:03:32.020 an on-site energy source
00:03:33.300 00:03:33.310 now that's critical in these times of
00:03:35.010 00:03:35.020 energy uncertainty and a key reason why
00:03:36.900 00:03:36.910 micro CHP technology helps reduce energy
00:03:39.449 00:03:39.459 consumption costs and carbon emissions
00:03:41.310 00:03:41.320 compared to traditional systems of
00:03:43.290 00:03:43.300 course there are ideal circumstances for
00:03:45.570 00:03:45.580 micro CHP technology especially when it
00:03:48.000 00:03:48.010 comes to single-family housing
00:03:49.199 00:03:49.209 applications builders and contractors
00:03:51.270 00:03:51.280 can offer the greatest benefit to their
00:03:53.160 00:03:53.170 customers in colder climates where
00:03:55.020 00:03:55.030 heating energy is in the most demand the
00:03:57.420 00:03:57.430 technology also is targeted to areas
00:03:59.130 00:03:59.140 with high electrical rates like the
00:04:00.630 00:04:00.640 Northeast homes over 4,000 square feet
00:04:03.600 00:04:03.610 also are ideal as they typically have
00:04:05.910 00:04:05.920 higher heating energy demand and
00:04:07.140 00:04:07.150 therefore can realize a faster return on
00:04:08.910 00:04:08.920 investment now there aren't a lot of new
00:04:11.970 00:04:11.980 homes being built right now especially
00:04:13.530 00:04:13.540 large ones but here's the thing micro
00:04:15.600 00:04:15.610 CHP technology can be easily retrofitted
00:04:17.580 00:04:17.590 or added to an existing system helping
00:04:20.099 00:04:20.109 older homes and businesses operate more
00:04:21.900 00:04:21.910 efficiently save energy and
00:04:24.060 00:04:24.070 later on the environment and the
00:04:25.620 00:04:25.630 technology is compatible with a variety
00:04:27.000 00:04:27.010 of HVAC equipment it doesn't replace
00:04:29.250 00:04:29.260 that equipment
00:04:30.030 00:04:30.040 it just helps it operate more
00:04:31.110 00:04:31.120 efficiently we're here with Mitch
00:04:32.790 00:04:32.800 Mitchell who not only serves as this
00:04:34.290 00:04:34.300 area's propane supplier and service
00:04:36.120 00:04:36.130 provider but he's family also owns this
00:04:38.040 00:04:38.050 carwash now Mitch tell me what problems
00:04:40.980 00:04:40.990 you're trying to solve by incorporating
00:04:42.180 00:04:42.190 micro CHP technology into this carwash
00:04:44.040 00:04:44.050 well one thing we had was very high
00:04:45.720 00:04:45.730 electric bills here so and we also use a
00:04:47.700 00:04:47.710 lot of fuels so we thought by using a
00:04:49.560 00:04:49.570 CHP we could curb the amount of
00:04:50.880 00:04:50.890 lectricity we use and make a operation
00:04:52.830 00:04:52.840 more efficient now why is it a carwash
00:04:54.660 00:04:54.670 in particular a good candidate for this
00:04:56.520 00:04:56.530 technology year-round hot water use for
00:04:59.340 00:04:59.350 washing the cars and also a lot of
00:05:00.630 00:05:00.640 winter use for heating the the building
00:05:02.280 00:05:02.290 and doing right into eating the slabs
00:05:03.360 00:05:03.370 okay now when you say radiant heating
00:05:04.680 00:05:04.690 the slabs what are we talking about the
00:05:05.730 00:05:05.740 bays and invest in front of the bays yes
00:05:07.530 00:05:07.540 the basin in front of the base is the
00:05:09.180 00:05:09.190 entrances and the exits just it also
00:05:11.190 00:05:11.200 cuts down liability from car sliding
00:05:12.750 00:05:12.760 into each other okay that makes sense
00:05:14.070 00:05:14.080 I know it's going to take a while to get
00:05:15.270 00:05:15.280 your payback but what do you anticipate
00:05:16.890 00:05:16.900 being able to offset in terms of heating
00:05:19.560 00:05:19.570 for water thermal energy and also
00:05:21.180 00:05:21.190 electricity what we're looking at about
00:05:22.800 00:05:22.810 saving about a third on our electric
00:05:24.180 00:05:24.190 bill at least and when we did our
00:05:25.680 00:05:25.690 numbers we looked at about a four and a
00:05:27.030 00:05:27.040 half to five year payback on the
00:05:28.170 00:05:28.180 equipment really wow that's a pretty
00:05:29.460 00:05:29.470 fast pay back yeah well it's year-round
00:05:30.840 00:05:30.850 use of hot water so we have a lot of use
00:05:33.330 00:05:33.340 here now in this market where other
00:05:35.280 00:05:35.290 opportunities where do other
00:05:37.020 00:05:37.030 opportunities exist for micro CHP any
00:05:39.150 00:05:39.160 place it uses a lot of hot water health
00:05:41.340 00:05:41.350 clubs laundromats assisted living
00:05:44.070 00:05:44.080 facilities places like that that would
00:05:45.390 00:05:45.400 have a big hot water demand okay great
00:05:47.160 00:05:47.170 well thanks a lot thanks to its small
00:05:49.230 00:05:49.240 footprint the Eco power micro CHP is
00:05:51.810 00:05:51.820 easy to add to the HVAC system of a home
00:05:54.240 00:05:54.250 or building new or existing so Mike tell
00:05:57.150 00:05:57.160 me a little bit about some of the
00:05:58.260 00:05:58.270 installation techniques or conditions
00:06:01.140 00:06:01.150 that are optimal for this things like
00:06:02.910 00:06:02.920 area around the unit ventilation things
00:06:06.210 00:06:06.220 like that basically we want to have
00:06:08.010 00:06:08.020 plenty of space around the unit so we
00:06:09.600 00:06:09.610 can service the engine and do
00:06:10.830 00:06:10.840 maintenance needs to be inside the unit
00:06:12.690 00:06:12.700 cannot go outside we don't like to see
00:06:15.120 00:06:15.130 the the space that it's in get over like
00:06:16.860 00:06:16.870 90 to 95 degrees so pretty much a good
00:06:20.010 00:06:20.020 dry scenario for it to be able to
00:06:22.440 00:06:22.450 operate now I understand that these
00:06:24.000 00:06:24.010 units are compatible with a lot of
00:06:25.170 00:06:25.180 different HVAC systems heating systems
00:06:27.060 00:06:27.070 thermal heat space heating water heating
00:06:29.520 00:06:29.530 tell me about some of the hookups that
00:06:31.110 00:06:31.120 that are that you have to make to make
00:06:33.420 00:06:33.430 this machine work with those systems the
00:06:35.280 00:06:35.290 hookup between the echo power and si
00:06:37.740 00:06:37.750 Peter's stay pretty much standard the
00:06:39.270 00:06:39.280 entire time after this after the buffer
00:06:41.910 00:06:41.920 tank you can pretty much send the heat
00:06:43.920 00:06:43.930 out to a fan coil radiant heat baseboard
00:06:47.310 00:06:47.320 heat milking applications potable water
00:06:50.880 00:06:50.890 swimming pools anything like that that
00:06:52.890 00:06:52.900 requires thermal energy okay in terms of
00:06:55.290 00:06:55.300 generating the electricity I understand
00:06:57.450 00:06:57.460 that this can work with a net metering
00:06:58.620 00:06:58.630 situation too so explain what net
00:07:00.060 00:07:00.070 metering is and how this ties into that
00:07:01.800 00:07:01.810 well net metering comes into play when
00:07:03.900 00:07:03.910 we're going to produce more electricity
00:07:04.920 00:07:04.930 than what the building can consume which
00:07:07.320 00:07:07.330 means we're going to be spending the
00:07:08.190 00:07:08.200 electrical meter backwards now in terms
00:07:10.260 00:07:10.270 of maintenance
00:07:10.920 00:07:10.930 what can the building owner or the
00:07:12.660 00:07:12.670 homeowner expect in terms of maintenance
00:07:13.980 00:07:13.990 the union has to be serviced every 4,000
00:07:16.680 00:07:16.690 hours so if it was rain continuously
00:07:18.690 00:07:18.700 that would be in six months basically
00:07:21.540 00:07:21.550 it's the oil the air filter the oil
00:07:23.190 00:07:23.200 filters spark plug in the spark plug
00:07:24.840 00:07:24.850 cable on every installation that we do
00:07:27.030 00:07:27.040 the contractor provides a netbook
00:07:28.710 00:07:28.720 computer that gives them the ability to
00:07:31.050 00:07:31.060 be able to troubleshoot work with the
00:07:32.340 00:07:32.350 system make sure everything's operating
00:07:34.620 00:07:34.630 correctly and to know when it needs to
00:07:36.240 00:07:36.250 be maintenance they provide that unit
00:07:38.940 00:07:38.950 it's connected to online so they can
00:07:41.220 00:07:41.230 remotely connect and also so the factory
00:07:43.020 00:07:43.030 can remote connect with unit as well so
00:07:45.360 00:07:45.370 what's next for micro CHP technology
00:07:47.159 00:07:47.169 well it's already embedded in the
00:07:48.960 00:07:48.970 Federal Energy Star climate Choice
00:07:50.430 00:07:50.440 Program which targets merging energy
00:07:52.740 00:07:52.750 saving solutions to help build awareness
00:07:54.390 00:07:54.400 and a critical mass of demand in fact
00:07:57.210 00:07:57.220 marathon's eco power CHP system earned
00:07:59.610 00:07:59.620 the Energy Star emerging technology
00:08:01.200 00:08:01.210 award for 2011 among all of the systems
00:08:03.600 00:08:03.610 in the climate Choice Program that kind
00:08:05.790 00:08:05.800 of recognition as well as other
00:08:07.409 00:08:07.419 important drivers such as the rising
00:08:08.940 00:08:08.950 cost of electricity the need for cleaner
00:08:11.070 00:08:11.080 burning equipment an interesting Green
00:08:12.960 00:08:12.970 Building is pushing micro CHP store
00:08:15.300 00:08:15.310 becoming an Energy Star qualified
00:08:16.409 00:08:16.419 product category that status would not
00:08:19.020 00:08:19.030 only spur the market but also give
00:08:20.909 00:08:20.919 builders and building owners the
00:08:21.990 00:08:22.000 opportunity to objectively compare their
00:08:23.700 00:08:23.710 options in Ocean Springs another micro
00:08:26.340 00:08:26.350 CHP manufacturer Yanmar America
00:08:28.260 00:08:28.270 corporation created a working model in a
00:08:30.630 00:08:30.640 warehouse to simulate a light commercial
00:08:32.159 00:08:32.169 application of the technology in this
00:08:34.680 00:08:34.690 mock-up they're addressing a variety of
00:08:36.839 00:08:36.849 scenarios that incorporate micro CHP
00:08:38.969 00:08:38.979 which also allows builders installers
00:08:41.490 00:08:41.500 and consumers to see it in action and
00:08:43.709 00:08:43.719 also understand its versatility it's
00:08:45.660 00:08:45.670 also the perfect training environment
00:08:47.130 00:08:47.140 for blossoming gas which hopes to
00:08:48.870 00:08:48.880 leverage micro CHP technology in several
00:08:51.060 00:08:51.070 markets
00:08:51.480 00:08:51.490 Georg Woodcock is the manager of the
00:08:53.579 00:08:53.589 energy system division at Yanmar america
00:08:55.590 00:08:55.600 corporation which is on the cusp of
00:08:57.000 00:08:57.010 introducing its micro CHP unit to North
00:08:59.400 00:08:59.410 America George thanks for joining us no
00:09:00.900 00:09:00.910 it's my closure tell us about this unit
00:09:02.850 00:09:02.860 and how and what it's hooked up to here
00:09:04.829 00:09:04.839 at this facility
00:09:05.820 00:09:05.830 basically this ten kilowatt unit is
00:09:07.740 00:09:07.750 hooked up to a dehumidification system a
00:09:10.170 00:09:10.180 hot water tank baseboard heating in an
00:09:13.530 00:09:13.540 HVAC system that utilizes a air to water
00:09:16.470 00:09:16.480 heat exchanger now you mentioned the
00:09:18.829 00:09:18.839 dehumidification component to that tell
00:09:21.060 00:09:21.070 me about why that's necessary and how
00:09:22.410 00:09:22.420 that helps the system yeah the key for
00:09:24.540 00:09:24.550 micro cogeneration is to utilize as much
00:09:27.180 00:09:27.190 as you can the electrical output and the
00:09:30.480 00:09:30.490 thermal output and during the summer
00:09:32.519 00:09:32.529 months what do you do with the heat so
00:09:34.800 00:09:34.810 what we do is we put it into a
00:09:36.420 00:09:36.430 dehumidification system to take the
00:09:38.550 00:09:38.560 humidity out there and you could raise
00:09:41.250 00:09:41.260 your air conditioned temperature
00:09:42.720 00:09:42.730 slightly to keep the same comfort level
00:09:44.550 00:09:44.560 talk to me about the performance of this
00:09:46.410 00:09:46.420 unit what can you expect okay the tenth
00:09:48.510 00:09:48.520 kilowatt unit has an efficiency of about
00:09:50.460 00:09:50.470 88% the service interval is 10,000 hours
00:09:54.060 00:09:54.070 or 13 months and three weeks is designed
00:09:56.880 00:09:56.890 for 24/7 operation and also the sound
00:10:00.329 00:10:00.339 level is down to 57 decibels which is
00:10:03.210 00:10:03.220 comparable to a high-end dishwasher
00:10:04.800 00:10:04.810 excellent well thanks for joining us
00:10:06.000 00:10:06.010 thank you
00:10:06.560 00:10:06.570 we're here with Rhonda Mullenix who is a
00:10:08.820 00:10:08.830 distributed energy representative for
00:10:10.620 00:10:10.630 blossom and gas here in Ocean Springs
00:10:11.820 00:10:11.830 Ron - thanks for being with us thank you
00:10:13.530 00:10:13.540 tell us how you plan to use this
00:10:15.750 00:10:15.760 installation for your installers and
00:10:17.220 00:10:17.230 subs basically we hope to bring in our
00:10:19.710 00:10:19.720 employees and other subcontractors
00:10:21.500 00:10:21.510 throughout the year that we have our
00:10:23.370 00:10:23.380 trainings and just basically be able to
00:10:26.130 00:10:26.140 go through the variable applications of
00:10:27.750 00:10:27.760 the CHP and what types of buildings do
00:10:29.790 00:10:29.800 you see this unit being appropriate for
00:10:31.820 00:10:31.830 restaurants laundromats fitness centers
00:10:34.500 00:10:34.510 nursing homes any small commercial
00:10:36.870 00:10:36.880 building that has a high demand for hot
00:10:38.490 00:10:38.500 water usage as well as electricity so is
00:10:41.670 00:10:41.680 there anything in particular about this
00:10:43.319 00:10:43.329 installation that's going to be new for
00:10:45.240 00:10:45.250 your installers are pretty familiar with
00:10:46.829 00:10:46.839 this product each product is designed
00:10:48.780 00:10:48.790 for a specific need depending on what
00:10:50.639 00:10:50.649 you're looking for in the application
00:10:52.590 00:10:52.600 but with any electrical contractor or
00:10:55.050 00:10:55.060 HVAC contractor should be no problem at
00:10:57.000 00:10:57.010 all excellent well thank you very much
00:10:58.260 00:10:58.270 00:10:58.740 00:10:58.750 micro CHP technology has a few hurdles
00:11:01.170 00:11:01.180 to overcome before it achieves
00:11:02.430 00:11:02.440 mainstream status chief among those is
00:11:04.860 00:11:04.870 awareness
00:11:05.250 00:11:05.260 which these two installations among
00:11:06.990 00:11:07.000 others will help it overcome but it also
00:11:08.790 00:11:08.800 needs to establish a proven track record
00:11:10.710 00:11:10.720 of performance in the US in addition to
00:11:12.840 00:11:12.850 its market acceptance and success in
00:11:14.430 00:11:14.440 Europe and of course industry
00:11:16.200 00:11:16.210 professionals want a lower cost of
00:11:17.880 00:11:17.890 installation as well as a faster return
00:11:19.950 00:11:19.960 on investment which will come primarily
00:11:21.840 00:11:21.850 from increased demand we'd like to thank
00:11:24.210 00:11:24.220 our friends in Ocean Springs Mississippi
00:11:25.920 00:11:25.930 and New Milford Connecticut for letting
00:11:28.230 00:11:28.240 us take a closer look at this emerging
00:11:29.880 00:11:29.890 and exciting technology for more
00:11:31.830 00:11:31.840 information about micro CHP technology
00:11:33.720 00:11:33.730 and to take online training courses and
00:11:35.400 00:11:35.410 see more educational videos about
00:11:37.020 00:11:37.030 incorporating propane into your projects
00:11:38.610 00:11:38.620 going to build with propane comm for the
00:11:41.250 00:11:41.260 propane Education and Research Council
00:11:42.720 00:11:42.730 I'm Richmond Saka
00:11:43.530 00:11:43.540 thanks for watching

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