Distributed Generation and Your Energy Future

Authors

  • Barney L. Capehart University of Florida
  • D. Paul Mehta Bradley University
  • Wayne C. Turner Oklahoma State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1842

Abstract

Distributed generation (DG) is electric or shaft power generation at
or near the site of use as opposed to central power station generation.
Combined heat and power (CHP) takes advantage of this site location to
recover the normally wasted thermal energy from power generation and
utilizes it beneficially to increase the total system efficiency. This article
explores the rapidly developing world of DG and associated CHP. First
the article shows why DG is necessary in the US power future and that
DG is going to happen. Then, the article briefly looks at the different
technologies that might be employed and their relative advantages and
disadvantages. The article then explores who should be the major de-
signers and implementers of DG and CHP technologies, and develops a
strong argument that in many cases this should be an Energy Service
Company (ESCO). Finally, the reasons for selecting either an indepen-
dent ESCO or a local utility affiliated ESCO are discussed, and in particu-
lar, opportunities for the local utility ESCO (the local grid) to be a major
moving force in this effort are examined in depth

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Author Biographies

Barney L. Capehart, University of Florida

Barney L. Capehart, Ph.D., CEM , is a Professor Emeritus at the
University of Florida College of Engineering, and is a member of the
AEE Hall of Fame He regularly teaches five-day Energy Management
Training Seminars for AEE. Barney is the lead author of Guide to Energy
Management from Fairmont Press, and is a Fellow of IEEE, IIE and
AAAS. Barney was the Founder and Director of the University of Florida
Industrial Assessment Center for ten years, and was the recipient of the
1988 Palladium Medal from the American Association of Engineering
Societies for his work on promoting appliance efficiency legislation in
Florida and the nation. He is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. Barney is also the co-author of the book Florida’s
Electric Future, and he has often provided expert testimony to the
Florida Public Service Commission on Cogeneration Rates and Policies
for the State of Florida. In his spare time, he enjoys foreign travel, square
and round dancing, and ham radio (K4AQP). Barney can be reached at
Capehart@ise.ufl.edu.

D. Paul Mehta, Bradley University

D. Paul Mehta, Ph.D., is a CILCO Professor and Chairman of the
Mechanical Engineering Department at Bradley University. He earned his
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1979. He
has more than 35 years of teaching experience and has initiated, devel-
oped, and taught several undergraduate and graduate courses in energy
engineering. He has directed the graduate program in mechanical engi-
neering at Bradley University for 20 years. His research interests include
applications of control theory to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
systems and to manufacturing processes for the purpose of reducing en-
ergy consumption. He has published numerous research papers in that
area. He has co-authored a book “Handbook of Energy Engineering”
which is in its 5th edition and published by The Fairmont Press-Prentice
Hall. Dr. Mehta has also directed the Industrial Assessment Center at Bra-
dley University since 1993. Under this program, which is sponsored by
the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Mehta has assessed about 250 small-
and medium-sized manufacturing plants for energy efficiency, waste
minimization, and productivity enhancement. He is an active member of
ASME, ASEE, ASHRAE, and AEE. He is actively involved with the na-
tional agenda on energy engineering education.

Wayne C. Turner, Oklahoma State University

Wayne C. Turner, Ph.D., P.E., C.E.M . is a Regents Professor of In-
dustrial Engineering and Management at Oklahoma State University. He
is founder and Director of OSU’s Industrial Assessment Center and has
conducted or supervised well over 800 energy audits for industrial and
commercial facilities. Dr. Turner has broad experience in energy manage-
ment and has authored five textbooks and numerous articles in profes-
sional magazines and Journals. He has won many teaching and profes-
sional award and is listed in numerous Who’s who. He has served as
past president of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and is in
AEE’s Hall of Fame. He is Editor-In-Chief of AEE’s journals Energy
Engineering and Strategic Planning For Energy And The Environment.
He is an avid fly fisherman and is willing to fly fish anywhere anytime
(although he was unsuccessful when he tried it at the Great Pyramid in
Egypt). His email address is wturner@okstate.edu.

References

Guide to Energy Management (Chapter 14), Fourth Edition, The Fairmont

Press; Lilburn, GA, by Barney L. Capehart, Wayne C. Turner, and

William J. Kennedy.

Energy Management Handbook (Chapter 7), Fifth Edition, The Fairmont

Press; Lilburn, GA, Edited by Dr. Wayne C. Turner.

Combined Heating, Cooling and Power Handbook , The Fairmont Press,

Lilburn, GA, by Neal Petchers.

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Published

2003-10-14

How to Cite

Capehart, B. L. ., Mehta, D. P. ., & Turner, W. C. . (2003). Distributed Generation and Your Energy Future. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 18(4), 17–33. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1842

Issue

2003: Vol 18 Iss 4

Section

Articles