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Viable Options for Reducing Carbon Footprints

Many building owners and managers in the City of NY are consumed with evaluating what options they should employ to gain compliance with Local Law 97 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction legislation. This local law mandates a reduction of 40% of GHG emissions by 2030 and another 40% by 2050. Greenhouse gasses are defined mostly by CO2 (80%), Methane or CH4 (11%), and Nitrous Oxide N2O (6%), with the balance inclusive of Fluorinated Gasses. A reduction plan must be in place by 2025 to avoid the risk of being fined by NYC.

Boiler Room Focus

One of the more common areas of focus has been the boiler room. From a point of use perspective, replacing and or supplementing fossil fuel-fired boilers and water heaters with “alternate fuels” can be a viable plan for reducing carbon footprint and obtaining GHG reduction compliance.

Best Practice Solutions

There are several “best practice” solutions for reducing GHG emissions that are available for immediate deployment.

Electric Boilers

Electric boilers are 100% thermally efficient with a net zero carbon footprint at the point of use. They are an excellent source of heat and hot water at loads under 4,200 MBTU/H. The limitation on electric boilers is the availability of electrical service to a given building.

For loads up to 4,200 MBH (one hundred boiler horsepower), the most viable minimum supply voltage is 460/3/60. While some smaller electric appliances can operate at 208/3/60, the amount of service (amps) required is impractical and/or unavailable. For loads greater than 100 HP, medium voltage or 4160 volts is often required and may not be available.

Biofuel

Biofuel is a non-fossil-based fuel that can be fired like #2 oil without the emissions. Some of the more commonly deployed biofuels include B20 through B100 and renewable diesel. While the BTU characteristics of each fuel vary, these fuels are a cost-effective means to achieve compliance without a significant capital infrastructure outlay.

B20-B100 will require some considerations for filtering and conditioning the fuel, including tempering. However, renewable diesel can replace #2 oil without significant changes.

Hydrogen Blends

Hydrogen is a clean and abundant fuel. It can be mixed with natural gas in concentrations up to 30% without employing any significant upgrade to the plant (other than the burner). Hydrogen blends effectively reduce carbon emissions and are widely used in Europe and Canada. As infrastructure is expanded in the USA, Hydrogen will emerge as a next-generation fuel.

Tri-Fuel Boilers

These boilers are equipped to fire #2 oil, B20-B100, renewable diesel, natural gas, hydrogen blends, biogas, and electric. The tri-fuel boiler is capable of burning any of these fuels 100% of the time or can vary the firing based on demand charge limitations. They can be supplied as factory packages or can be field erected for buildings with limited access to the mechanical spaces.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps have been available for decades; however, their re-emergence in the northeast has been sparked by these new regulations and the newest available design technologies. While heat pumps used to be limited by modest climates and maximum water temperatures of 125 to 130 degrees F, newer designs allow for operating water temperatures in excess of 185 degrees F at a lower range of outside air temperatures.

Heat pumps are available in air-to-water, water-to-water, and air-to-air configurations. Heat pumps carry a COP (coefficient of performance) many times that of fossil fuels or electric boilers and are capable of heating and cooling buildings simultaneously with even higher COPs. The COP of an appliance is represented by a factor of work a machine can output based on a given input. As an example, a high-efficiency gas-fired condensing boiler may have a COP of 0.9, an electric boiler can have a COP of 1, and a heat pump can have a COP of between 2.5 and 7.

Hybrid Plants

Hybrid plants are a popular and cost-effective means of combining a fossil fuel appliance with a renewable fuel appliance. The design typically utilizes an electric boiler or heat pump as the prime source of energy and is used during the majority of the heating season. The fossil fuel boiler is only run during peak loads. The result is often a significant reduction of GHG emissions (often more than 80%) without the high cost of replacing your entire heating infrastructure.

As the CEO of ATI, we’re ready to assist with designing and supplying any and all of these solutions. Our engineers are available NOW to assist you with a feasibility assessment to provide a custom and coordinated solution to fit your budget. Give us a call at 631-331-0215.

Sincerely,
Frank D. Morgigno
President/CEO

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