Stanton W. Hadley

Responses of energy use to climate change: A climate modeling study

doubling. The low-DT scenario had acumulative (2003–2025) energy increase of 1.09quadrillion Btu (quads) for cooling/heating demand.Northeastern states had net energy reductions for cooling/heating over the entire period, but in most other regionsenergy increases for cooling outweighed energy decreasesfor heating. The high-DT scenario had significantlyincreased warming, especially in winter, so decreasedheating needs led to a cumulative (2003–2025) heating/cooling energy decrease of 0.82 quads. In both scenarios,CO

Electricity sector analysis in the clean energy futures study

Abstract This paper examines the impact of policies to reduce carbon and other air emissions in the electric sector. The analysis is from a recent scenario development effort, Scenarios for a Clean Energy Future (CEF), by five National Laboratories. The CEF assesses how policies can be used to promote energy-efficient and clean energy technologies to address key energy and environmental challenges facing the United States. The impact of policies in the electric sector is evaluated using the CEF-NEMS model, which is derived from the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) model developed by the DOE Energy Information Administration. The analysis shows that by 2020 under the policies analyzed, CO2 and other emissions can be substantially reduced by moving from coal to advanced gas combined cycle systems and renewable energy. Prices show little change and may drop due to decreased end-use demands.

Quantitative Assessment of Distributed Energy Resource Benefits

Distributed energy resources (DER) offer many benefits, some of which are readily quantified. Other benefits, however, are less easily quantifiable because they may require site-specific information about the DER project or analysis of the electrical system to which the DER is connected. The purpose of this study is to provide analytical insight into several of the more difficult calculations, using the PJM power pool as an example. This power pool contains most of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. The techniques used here could be applied elsewhere, and the insights from this work may encourage various stakeholders to more actively pursue DER markets or to reduce obstacles that prevent the full realization of its benefits. This report describes methodologies used to quantify each of the benefits listed in Table ES-1. These methodologies include bulk power pool analyses, regional and national marginal cost evaluations, as well as a more traditional cost-benefit approach for DER owners. The methodologies cannot however determine which stakeholder will receive the benefits; that must be determined by regulators and legislators, and can vary from one location to another.

The Oak Ridge Competitive Electricity Dispatch (ORCED) Model

The Oak Ridge Competitive electricity Dispatch (ORCED) model has been used for multiple analyses of the impacts of different technologies and policies on the electricity grid. The model was developed over ten years ago and has been greatly enhanced since the initial documentation from June 1998 (ORNL/CON-464). The report gives guidance on the workflow and methodologies used, but does not provide a complete users manual detailing steps necessary to operate the model. It lists the major resources used, shows the main inputs and outputs of the model, and describes how it can be used for a variety of analyses.

Economic Impacts of Carbon Taxes and Biomass Feedstock Usage in Southeastern United States Coal Utilities

The Southeastern United States depends on coal to supply 60% of its electricity needs. The region leads in CO2 emissions and ranks second in emissions of SO2 and NO2. Compared with coal, biomass feedstocks have lower emission levels of sulfur or sulfur compounds and can potentially reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. This study examines the economic impacts of cofiring level scenarios. Economic impacts are estimated for producing, collecting, and transporting feedstock; retrofitting coal-fired utilities for burning feedstock; operating cofired utilities; and coal displaced from burning the feedstock.

EMISSIONS BENEFITS OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION IN THE TEXAS MARKET

One potential benefit of distributed generation (DG) is a net reduction in air emissions. While DG will produce emissions, most notably carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the power it displaces might have produced more. This study used a system dispatch model developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to simulate the 2012 Texas power market with and without DG. This study compares the reduction in system emissions to the emissions from the DG to determine the net savings. Some of the major findings are that 85% of the electricity displaced by DG during peak hours will be simple cycle natural gas, either steam or combustion turbine. Even with DG running as baseload, 57% of electricity displaced will be simple cycle natural gas. Despite the retirement of some gas-fired steam units and the construction of many new gas turbine and combined cycle units, the marginal emissions from the system remain quite high (1.4 lb NO{sub x}/MWh on peak and 1.1 lb NO{sub x}/MWh baseload) compared to projected DG emissions. Consequently, additions of DG capacity will reduce emissions in Texas from power generation in 2012. Using the DG exhaust heat for combined heat and power provides an even greater benefit, since it eliminates further boiler emissions while adding none over what would be produced while generating electricity. Further studies are warranted concerning the robustness of the result with changes in fuel prices, demands, and mixes of power generating technology.

Fernald's dilemma: Recycle the radioactively contaminated scrap metal, or bury it?

Abstract During the past 5 years, a number of US Department of Energy (DOE) funded efforts have demonstrated the technical efficacy of converting various forms of radioactive scrap metal (RSM) into useable products. From the development of accelerator shielding blocks, to the construction of low level waste containers, technology has been applied to this fabrication process in a safe and stakeholder supported manner. The potential health and safety risks to both workers and the public have been addressed. The question remains: do the benefits of fabricating products from RSM outweigh the costs? This paper presents a decision methodology for use within DOE to evaluate the costs and benefits of recycling and reusing some RSM, rather than disposing of this RSM in an approved burial site. The methodology is being applied to a decision on whether the DOE Fernald site should recycle its radioactively contaminated metals.

A life cycle decision methodology for recycle of radioactive scrap metal

During the past five years, a number of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded efforts have demonstrated the technical efficacy of converting various forms of radioactive scrap metal (RSM) into useable products. While health and safety and other technical issues have been addressed, the question remains: do the benefits of fabricating products from RSM outweigh the costs? This paper presents a decision methodology for use within DOE to evaluate the costs and benefits of recycling and reusing some RSM, rather than disposing of this RSM in an approved burial site. The methodology consists of two distinct phases: the Life Cycle Assessment phase and the decision phase. The Life Cycle Assessment approach proposed here differs from traditional life cycle assessments because it considers economic and other impacts of concern to stakeholders, and includes secondary and indirect impacts that may occur upstream or downstream of the decision.

Impact of Governor Deadband on Frequency Response of the U.S. Eastern Interconnection

This paper documents the effort to perform dynamic model validation for the U.S. Eastern Interconnection (EI) by modeling the governor deadband. The Western Electricity Coordinating Council-modified 1981 IEEE type 1 turbine governor model (WSIEG1) was added to the EI model. A frequency response sensitivity study is conducted to look at the impacts of a few major factors. The significance of modeling governor dead band is evident. Simulated frequency responses are adjusted and validated against the measurements collected by the frequency monitoring network. Two actual events are replicated in a 16 000-bus EI dynamic model. This paper demonstrates the need for a comprehensive effort on governor dead band modeling by the industry.

Impact of Extended Daylight Saving Time on national energy consumption

This report presents the detailed results, data, and analytical methods used in the DOE Report to Congress on the impacts of Extended Daylight Saving Time on the national energy consumption.