Pod Technologies: Update: 04/2007

Annual Energy Outlook

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has posted it's Annual Energy Outlook for 2007. Information includes a projection and analysis of US energy supply, demand, and prices through 2030. Projected energy trends include:

• Coal consumption for the electric power sector is expected to grow by 0.5 percent in 2007 and 2.1 percent in 2008;
• After large increases in residential electricity prices during 2006, prices are projected to grow at a slower rate of 3.0 percent during 2007. Total retail electricity sales are expected to grow 0.8 percent this year and 1.9 percent in 2008; and
• Total natural gas consumption in 2007 is projected to rise above 2006 levels by about 2.5 percent due to a colder-than-normal first quarter.

4/17/2007

Evaluation and Comparison of Reference Methods for Measurement of Mercury, Heavy Metals, PM2.5 and PM10 Emissions

The Energy Research Institute at Lehigh University has published a study comparing commercially available Hg CEMs and sorbent trap methods with the reference method (Ontario Hydro Method) at Allegheny Energy’s Armstrong Generating Station.

The main project objectives included:

• Testing of mercury CEMs under field conditions and comparison against the reference method;
• Testing of sorbent trap methods under field conditions and comparison against the reference method;
• Field-testing of the US EPA Instrumental Reference Method for mercury;
• Comparison of the reference methods and test equipment for Hg measurement developed in the US and EU; and
• Comparison of the reference methods for heavy metals, PM2.5, and PM10 measurement developed in the US and EU.

The results from the Armstrong project show there is a good agreement between the reference method, Hg CEMs, and sorbent trap methods. The maximum bias with respect to the reference method is in the 10 percent range. Also, the precision of the Ontario Hydro Method results obtained at Armstrong was comparable to the precision obtained at other sites.

Armstrong Project - Evaluation and Comparison of US and EU Reference Methods for Measurement of Mercury, Heavy Metals, PM2.5 and PM10 Emissions from Fossil-Fired Power Plants - Final Report (pdf, 313pp., 7.5MB)

4/06/2007

Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) Version 3 Beta

US EPA has posted Version 3 Beta of it's Electronic Reporting Tool for evaluation. Comments are due June 15, 2007.

The Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) is a Microsoft Access desktop application that provides an electronic alternative for paper reports documenting US EPA's emissions measurement methods for stationary sources. The ERT replaces time-intensive manual preparation and transcription of stationary source emissions test plans and reports currently performed by contractors for emissions sources, as well as time-intensive manual quality assurance evaluations and documentation performed by State agencies.

4/03/2007