- What is an independent power producer?
- An independent power producer is a privately owned company with electricity generating assets (power plants). The company generates power which is purchased by an electric grid operator or a large industrial consumer.
- Who regulates independent power producers?
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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an independent regulatory agency, in the United States, that oversees the interstate commerce of energy commodities and wholesale sales and transmission of electricity. The commission is also responsible for licensing hydroelectric power projects and providing environmental analysis relating to such projects. The FERC is responsible for oversight of the financial conduct of regulated companies, as well as promoting open-market competition
The New York State Independent System Operator (NYISO), is a nonprofit organization formed as part of the restructuring of New York State's electric power industry. Its mission is to ensure the reliable, safe and efficient operation of the state's major transmission system and to administer an open, competitive wholesale market for electricity in New York state.
- What is biodiesel?
- Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from organic agricultural oils. Biodiesel is currently being produced using a variety of sources such as soybean oil, canola oil, palm oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed and cottonseed oil , used restaurant grease, and animal fats.
- Can I use biodiesel in my diesel burning automobile?
- Yes, biodiesel works in any diesel burning engine with little or no modifications to the engine of the fuel system. Typically biodiesel is sold blended with conventional petroleum diesel in varying proportions. The most common blends are B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) up to B99 (99% biodiesel, 1% petroleum diesel).
- Why use biodiesel as fuel for the power plants?
- By using biodiesel, RPL will qualify for a number of Federal incentives, tax credits and renewable energy credits which significantly improve the financial performance of the power plants.
- What other types of fuel could RPL use in its power plants?
- Originally both Massena and Elmwood Park power plants were designed to be run on natural gas and/or #2 diesel fuel.
- How is biodiesel made?
- Biodiesel is produced through a process called transesterification. This involves adding methanol to an organic oil to remove the free fatty acids and turn the organic oil into a substance known as methyl ester. Methyl esters behave in a similar fashion to conventional petroleum diesel when burned in a diesel engine.
- Is the palm oil that you are using to produce biodiesel being grown in a sustainable way?
- RPL requests a letter of sustainability from its suppliers indicating the palm oil is produced in an environmentally responsible way.
- Why is the New Jersey plant not currently running on biodiesel?
- Presently, RPL does not have sufficient refining capacity to fuel both power plants. The company will expand its biodiesel refinery by fourth quarter 2008, to 90 million gallons per year in order to provide fuel for the New Jersey plant as well.
- What are the benefits of using biodiesel?
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- It is a renewable resource.
- Biodiesel helps to mitigate "global warming". A 1998 study (jointly sponsored by US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Energy) concluded that biodiesel reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 78% compared to petroleum diesel.
- Scientific research has concluded that biodiesel has a less harmful effect on humans than does petroleum diesel. Emissions linked to asthma and other diseases is reduced by 47% and carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas is reduced by 48% (National Biodiesel Board of US).
- Biodiesel improves the lubricity in an engine's moving parts.
- Biodiesel is easy to use. No equipment modifications or new equipment is necessary in vehicles in order to use biodiesel.
- Which renewable credits is RPL eligible for?
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- Federal Biodiesel blending credit
- Renewable Energy Credits.
- Which government bodies administer these programs at State and Federal levels?
- The IRS is responsible for administering the Federal Blending credit. NYISO is responsible for distributing Renewable Energy credits.
- Does the use of biodiesel as a fuel affect the price of electricity?
- No, the price of electricity will remain the same regardless of the source fuel.
- Is biodiesel readily available to consumers?
- Somewhat. Most States and some Provinces offer biodiesel blends at gas stations and for home heating oil. Rising demand for renewable fuels is pushing fuel suppliers to offer more and more biodiesel to retail customers.
- Who is using biodiesel?
- Many fleets, including the trucking industry, school buses, public transportation systems, and the US Navy have adopted the use of biodiesel. Also, many individuals are now using biodiesel instead of diesel in there personal automobiles.
- Interesting facts about biodiesel. (Canada Renewable Fuels Association)
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- One bushel of soybeans produces about 1 gallon of biodiesel.
- France is currently the world's largest producer of biodiesel, using it as heating oil and also in 50 percent blends with petrodiesel.
- Biodiesel-powered engines deliver similar torque, horsepower and kilometres per litre as petroleum-powered diesels. Over 100 cities have run demonstrations or test projects utilizing biodiesel, including more than 1,000 buses and several million miles.
- Biodiesel does not require new refueling stations, new parts inventories or expensive engine modifications.
- Life cycle use of biodiesel produces 80% less CO2 than diesel oil.
- Life cycle use of biodiesel produces 100% less sulfur dioxide than diesel oil.