Sr. Engineer, Environmental & Renewable Energy GTI Energy
Ever greater power demands for electric vehicle (EV) charging and other electrified technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions will not be met with existing energy infrastructure. Recent climate events amplify vulnerabilities and inadequacies of existing power generation and transmission capacity. Along with evolving renewable energy technologies, innovative ways of integrating efficiency, flexibility, and resilience are vital.
Distributed generation (DG) designed for local use offsets the need for large capital investment in centralized power plants and high voltage transmission infrastructure. DG can be implemented with fuel cells and gas turbines capable of generating power with hydrogen and renewable natural gas (RNG). DG with combined heat and power (CHP) provides a direct path to greater efficiency by capturing excess combustion heat and providing thermal energy for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial use.
Low carbon fuels such as RNG and hydrogen produced with renewable resources offer the versatility of gaseous fuels with far fewer carbon emissions. RNG is produced by removing carbon dioxide and other impurities from biogas. Biogas can be produced from anaerobic degradation of organic materials, as with wastewater biosolids, landfills, and purpose-build digesters for a variety of agricultural resources and food scraps. Ultimately, these fuels are essential in a holistic approach to developing net zero energy systems.
This presentation will explore ways in which technologies utilizing renewable fuels can be integrated as infrastructure for decarbonization, resilience, and abundant power for EV charging and other purposes.
