Energy Biz - July/August 2008 - (Page 73) Think Small groWing appeal oF Small generatorS By Salvatore Salamone worldwide interest in taking distributed generation to a new level and combining it with green technology into what some are calling micro-generation is growing. A handful of projects and companies are developing small energyefficient power-generation units — micro-generation units — to place in a home or business to provide clean heat and power. Some micro-generation development work simply formalizes past efforts to use alternative technologies to heat or provide electricity to homes. The work builds on a wide variety of technologies including solar photovoltaic and heating, ground source heat pumps, micro wind and water turbines, and hydrogen fuel cells. Some companies bringing this technology to market include Climate Energy, Honda, Marathon Engine Systems, Microgen Energy, and Whisper Tech. One factor that makes many of these new efforts different from past work is that they are being driven by utilities, rather than homeowners. Customer efforts certainly continue, but the new micro-generation projects are aimed at helping utilities meet their growing energy demands. These efforts offer customers an energy-efficient and green way to offload the energy production burden from a utility in peak electricity demand times. Since the work in this field is being driven by the utilities, the devices that would be installed in homes or businesses need additional features to simplify long-term management because upkeep will be the utility’s responsibility. Additionally, many of the efforts provide a way for the home or business owner to sell back electricity to the grid when they are producing more energy than their dwelling needs. So why is interest in this technology growing now? According to the London-based industry group, The Micropower Council, a number of factors are contributing to the adoption of this technology by utilities and others. One is the increased desire to use green energy sources. A more important reason is that it can help utilities meet growing power demands. “If just one-quarter of all gas boilers that will be replaced between now and 2020 are replaced with ones that can generate power, the contribution to winter peak electricity demand they would make would be similar to just under half of that provided by today’s nuclear power stations,” according to the council. Transforming ideas into reality GAI Consultants, Inc. (GAI) is a $60 million engineering and environmental consulting firm with a 50-year track record of delivering innovative, award-winning engineering solutions. From environmental regulations to roadway and bridge design to global climate change, we transform ideas into reality with solutions that make a real difference to our clients - solutions in construction services, energy, cultural resources, environmental, geotechnical, land development, structural, and transportation. GAI is looking for a Senior Director of Energy Services with intimate knowledge of the Florida energy market. This position will involve developing marketing strategies, establishing marketing priorities, coordinating all Florida work within the sector, assisting all Florida offices in obtaining staff and work, managing of appropriate projects, training and mentoring staff to market within the energy sector, managing the energy sector regional marketing budget (not sales budget), and assisting managing officers and project managers on proposals. This position reports to the Managing Officer and will operate from either our Orlando or Jacksonville office. Qualifications ▪ Ten to fifteen years of experience in the electric utility industry in Florida ▪ Senior utility executive or senior consultant experience ▪ Broad range of knowledge in power generation, transmission, distribution, or gas utilities ▪ Experienced project or department manager ▪ Recognized expert in the industry ▪ Capable and experienced in marketing and client management ▪ Active in relevant technical societies and organizations ▪ Excellent communicator and leader Resumes should be sent to: r.reuscher@gaiconsultants.com www.gaiconsultants.com www.energycentral.com E n E rgyB i z 73 http://www.gaiconsultants.com http://www.gaiconsultants.com http://www.energycentral.com
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