Industry-Utility Collaborative Efforts to Address Environmental Concerns- Dispatching for Localized NOx Reduction

Abstract

Environmental pressures are causing many companies to rethink how they do business. Like many other areas of the country, the Gulf Coast petrochemical corridors, including those served by Gulf States Utilities, are classified as non attainment for ozone. Some people believe this classification leads to a bad environmental image. Such an image stifles further economic development and forces existing industries to renovate or close. Sixty four industrial plants located near Baton Rouge were ordered by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to submit both short-term plans, which will be enforced this summer, and long- term plans to reduce ozone precursors. This paper describes a collaborative approach industry and the utility can use to help meet these objectives. The approach involves dispatching NOx-producing equipment (e.g., boilers and gas turbines) to achieve minimum NOx production during ozone alert periods and purchasing supplemental power under a special tariff to replace any loss in self-generated power.