CHP in the District of Columbia
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DC
This page is designed to provide background information on CHP activity in DC.
Summary of Activity
Installed CHP Capacity
Potential Market for CHP
Electricity Pricing
Natural Gas Pricing
State Restructuring Activities
State Agency Contacts
Electric Utilities Websites
CHP Requirements & State Support Programs Links
Summary of Activity
Over the past ten years, electric prices in the District of Columbia have steadily fallen. Natural gas has experienced price fluctuations along with all the other states in the region and seen prices climb 85.4% over the last 12 years. There is currently no documented summary of CHP activity within the District of Columbia available.
Installed CHP Capacity
There is currently no record of installations made in the District of Columbia available.
Potential Market for CHP
According to the US Department of Energy, installations of CHP systems in DC's commercial and industrial sector have the potential to generate 1320 to 2410 MW, representing 3-5% of DOE's 47GW long-term goal.
Electricity Pricing
Since 1990, DC's commercial electrical costs have experienced a consistent annual increase. Since the year 1990, commercial consumers have progressed from paying $.063/kWh to $.074/kWh in 1997. This 1997 figure is about the same as the 2000 national average of 7.36 cents per kWh.
Natural Gas Pricing
When evaluating CHP, a considerable amount of attention needs to be placed on the price of natural gas. Natural gas prices in the state of DC have steadily increased over the past few years, unlike the price of electricity. Compared to the national average of $6.57/kft 3 in 2002, DC's prices are far above average having a price of $10.44/kft 3 that year.
The combination of falling electric prices and climbing prices for natural gas make the "spark spread" between the cost of electrical and fuel energy smaller which tightens the profitability of CHP technology but there are still going to be successful applications for the appropriate use of CHP. Issues with the reliability of power in light of both the tropical storm and grid power disruptions to the north will motivate users to explore DG options. In the case where DG is already being installed, waste heat recovery is likely to decrease the operating cost of the installation. DG remains distinct from emergency backup generators, which are typically not permitted to operate continuously due to the emissions permit that they are issued with.
Links to more detailed energy price data:
EIA's Natural Gas Navigator
EIA's State Energy Prices
State Restructuring Activities
Customers in the District of Columbia were granted access to customer choice in the year 2001. In the year 2003, there were two major alternate generation companies, PEPCO Energy Service and Washington Gas Energy Service, serving DC customers. Retail choice programs are only available for the residential and commercial classes.
Links:
Summary of Restructuring by Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition
Status of State Electric Industry Restructuring from DOE EIA
DC Bureau of Environmental Quality
CHP Requirements & State Support Programs Links
Financial incentives, outreach programs, ad rules/regulations/policies for renewable energy and distributed generation
Regulatory Requirements for Small Electric Generators
