by Shane Henson — February 10, 2012—Tecogen Inc., a next-generation manufacturer of natural-gas-fueled, engine-driven, combined heat and power (CHP) products, recently announced that its ultra-low-emissions technology is now available across its entire product line of natural gas engine-driven systems.
According to the Waltham, Massachusetts-based company, these emissions are on par with fuel cells, far surpassing Best Available Control Technology (BACT)—a pollution control standard mandated by the United States Clean Air Act—limits for stationary natural gas engines. Designed for commercial and industrial facilities, Tecogen products offer reliable, clean energy performance for today’s heating, chilling and power needs.
Through a proprietary process developed by Tecogen with funding from the California Energy Commission and Southern California Gas Company, Tecogen’s ultra-low-emissions technology greatly reduces the production of criteria pollutants, which are contributors to smog. Emission measurements from Tecogen systems equipped with the ultra-low emissions technology conform to the current California Air Resource Board (CARB) 2007 carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide standards for distributed power generation.
And, according to the company, ultra-low Tecogen emissions measure at or below current fuel cell emissions. These emission results were recently verified by New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection as part of a certification process that exempts qualifying distributed-generation systems from obtaining site-specific air permits, say the company’s leadership. Tecogen’s CHP product line received this certification in November 2011.
With this ultra-low-emissions technology, Tecogen systems will be eligible for installation in the most stringent air-quality districts in the United States. In fact, Tecogen has just received an order for a CM-75 Ultra CHP system to be installed within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which utilizes standards based on CARB 2007. SCAQMD reportedly has the strictest air quality standards in the country. This CHP system was purchased by a California-based engineering company and will be installed in a recreational facility, notes Tecogen.
