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1999-2002 DG Reports    Speakers at 1999-2003 DG Conferences    

Previous DG Experience        Key DG Staff

The Resource Dynamics Corporation creates business solutions that empower clients to compete effectively in changing energy markets. Frequently, this process involves evaluating the role of new technologies. Staff have both business and engineering backgrounds, with a distinct focus on strategy implementation. By combining these strengths we create innovative business solutions for energy technologies and markets. RDC utilizes a broad array of resources including proprietary databases and models to develop these solutions.

RDC has been a leader in the energy consulting business for over two decades. Meeting the needs of our clients has always been our top priority, and we have consistently delivered superior consulting services and products that have enabled our clients to reach their goals. Our clients include electric and gas utilities, independent power producers, financial institutions, law firms, equipment vendors, trade associations and government agencies. Additionally, we have worked with international institutions such as the Asian Development Bank, International Energy Agency, Ontario Hydro, BC Hydro, the United Nations, and the World Bank.

1999-2002 DG Reports

"Assessment of Distributed Generation Technology Applications", Maine Public Utility Commission, 2001.

"CHP Technologies and Their Impact on Energy Use", LBNL, 1999.

"Converting Existing Backup Generators Into Dispatchable System Resources: Assessing The Business Case", EPRI, 2000.

"DG Training Seminar", PEPCO Energy Services, 2000.

"Distributed Generation Technology Applications", National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 2000.

"Environmental Performance, Regulation, and Permitting of Distributed Resources", EPRI, 1999.

"Information to Support DR Business Strategies: Quantitative Analysis of DR Opportunities", EPRI, 1999.

"Industrial Applications for Micropower: A Market Assessment", DOE, 1999.

"Regional Analysis of Business and Regulatory Climate for DR", EPRI, 1999.

"Research on Reciprocating Engine Genset Sales", Stonehenge Partners, Inc., 2001.

"Residential Fuel Cell Economics", EPRI, 2000.

"Scenarios for a Clean Energy Future", DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1999.

"Strategic Overview of Distributed Resources", EPRI, 2000.

"Strategies for Providing DR Services to Distribution Companies", EPRI, 2000.

"Using DR to Manage Volatility and Risk", EPRI, 1999.

"A Worldwide Assessment of DR Markets", EPRI, 1999.

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Speakers at 1999-2002 DG Conferences

Distributed generation is at the core of RDC expertise, and our staff members are qualified and experienced public speakers.  Several of the following presentations are available in the DG library.

Establishing a Goal for DER: Challenging or Business as Usual - Paul Lemar, Conference presentation at Distributed Energy Resources: The Power to Choose, Washington DC, Nov 28, 2001.

Serving the Internet Economy - N. Richard Friedman, Conference presentation at Distributed Generation: Reaching the Market, San Diego, Nov 9-10, 2000.

Microturbine Technology and Business Developments - N. Richard Friedman, Conference Presentation at the World Energy Engineering Conference, Atlanta, Oct 26, 2000.

Increasing Power Reliability Via Distributed Generation - E.J. Honton, A presentation describing how evolving DG technologies can and are being used to increase both customer and grid reliability, presented at Power Quality 2000, Boston, Oct 5, 2000.

The Market for Distributed Resources - N. Richard Friedman, conference presentation at the EPRI Distributed Resources Week, Tucson, Oct 4-6, 2000.

Overview of Distributed Power - N. Richard Friedman, conference presentation at the Intertech Distributed Power Conference, Washington DC, Sept 25-26, 2000.

Combined Heat and Power for Distributed Power: Markets and Prospects - Paul Lemar Jr., conference presentation at the Intertech Distributed Power Conference, Washington DC, Sept 25-26, 2000.

Micro and Mini Turbine Technology - E.J. Honton, A presentation of DG technologies, focusing on micro and mini turbines, presented at the West Coast Energy Management Congress, San Jose, June 21, 2000.

Technical and Business Impacts of Interconnection of DG - N. Richard Friedman, IBC Conference on DG Markets, San Diego, February 24, 2000.

Environmental Impacts of New Generation in California - E.J. Honton, CEC-EPRI workshop, San Diego, October 28, 1999.

Self-Generation: What Drives Customer Choice? - N. Richard Friedman, EUCI DG conference,  Denver, September 22, 1999.

Integrating DG with the Grid - N. Richard Friedman, EUCI DG conference, Denver, September 22, 1999.

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Previous DG Experience

RDC has provided consulting advice on small-scale power generation for nearly two decades. Clients include project developers, equipment manufacturers, utilities, end-users, trade associations and financial institutions. Our work began in the early 1980s with cogeneration feasibility studies and market assessments. In the 1990s, we helped several U.S. companies assess and act on DG business opportunities. Projects typically quantify the market for DG technologies as well as develop effective business strategies. Highlights from recent accomplishments include:

A listing of additional relevant projects is provided below.

DG Market Assessment and Business Strategies for a Major Equipment Manufacturer. RDC recently completed a comprehensive study of the worldwide small-scale power generation equipment market for a major manufacturer of gas turbines. This manufacturer was considering entering a new market and wanted insights and success factors on the competition, the market structure and drivers, suggested marketing implementation approaches, channels for distribution, a value chain and profitability analysis, analysis of internal capabilities that could be leveraged on, and high potential market segments. RDC’s comprehensive analysis covered both the reciprocating engine and turbine markets.

Market Assessment for Microturbines. RDC recently completed a project for EPRI examining the economics and potential market for microturbines. EPRI has published this work as part of a state-of-the-art assessment of microturbines. In this project, RDC performed a comprehensive market assessment, examining different end-use sectors, regions and operating scenarios while considering key factors such as fuel availability, thermal and electric loads, need for emergency backup power and regional price variations. The report included estimates of the technical and economic potential for using microturbines for power generation, forecasting the number of potential applications.

Micropower Market Assessment for U.S. Department of Energy. We completed a study for the Department of Energy entitled Industrial Applications for Micropower: A Market Assessment that conducted an in-depth look at DG technologies, their cost and performance. The study included technology assessments for the major types of micropower generating equipment, with projections on how price and performance improvements will affect the market for the technologies. The study also included policy recommendations for improving the climate for DG technologies.

Technology Assessment for a Large Energy Company. RDC performed a national DG market assessment and a DG early-adopter study for a large U.S. energy company considering investing in a DG equipment manufacturer. The study examined the potential market for two different types of DG equipment, as well as analyzed the characteristics of early adopters of DG technologies.

Assessment of the Market for Combined Heat and Power and Emissions Impacts. Recently completed a study conducted for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, entitled Scenarios for a Clean Energy Future. The principal goal of this was to produce fully documented scenarios assessing how energy-efficient and clean energy technologies can address key energy and environmental challenges. RDC helped define policies to accelerate the development and deployment of CHP systems. RDC described how CHP is treated in the DOE models, and provided estimates of market shares for CHP systems under the two carbon reduction scenarios.

DG Business Strategies for a NE Electric Utility. We performed a regional DG market assessment and developed DG business strategies for an U.S. electricity generator, analyzing return on equity and other investment parameters for the client. These assessments included quantifying the market for using DG technologies to expand beyond their service territory, and a quantification of the threat from DG within their existing service territory. This study also included potential business strategies for DG.

Markets and Opportunities for an U.S. Energy Company. RDC performed a consulting project for a major U.S. energy company considering entry into new markets. We looked at the market for various products and services (including DG and power quality products), and recommended market entry strategies.

Market Assessment for Fuel Cell Manufacturer. RDC performed an analysis of the market for the proposed products of a fuel cell manufacturer. This study compared their products with conventional and other emerging technologies, and quantified the potential market for the manufacturer’s products. The study gave them the information they needed to target key applications, industries and regions.

SOFC Market Assessment. RDC completed a commercial sector solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) business assessment for EPRI’s Generation Group. This effort examined and quantified the potential market for using SOFCs as an onsite power source in the commercial sector and recommended which sizes and types would result in the highest market demand. It also contained a major section outlining business considerations for utilities considering utilizing DG technologies such as SOFCs.

Distributed Resources Workstation (DRWS). RDC has helped EPRI develop the DRWS, which is a software tool for selecting and evaluating DG equipment and services for application to individual customer’s energy facilities. The DRWS consists primarily of a technology information base and an economics evaluation engine. The economics engine is used to model the customer’s cost of energy services with and without the selected DG equipment. RDC designed the software, developed the life-cycle cost analysis calculations, and maintains the database of DG technologies.

DG Technology Training for an U.S. Utility. RDC developed and delivered a training workshop for an U.S. utility on electric motors competing with non-electric drives (DG technologies). The workshop detailed the technologies involved and their relative advantages and disadvantages. The workshop was designed to give utility staff the pertinent information needed to help customers decide which technology is suitable for their application.

Restructuring Support to Various States. RDC staff have been key figures in providing support to numerous states, including Illinois, California and New York, in their electric utility industry restructuring efforts.

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All our senior staff members have both technical and management academic training and practical experience. Thus each team member brings both technical and business practice skills to all DG projects. Our staff possesses extensive technical abilities in DG, modeling, distribution system engineering and operations. Based on your area of interest, either email dg@rdcnet.com or contact one of the following DG team members, considering their areas of specialty:

N. Richard Friedman, Chairman, interconnection, DG technologies, power quality, cogeneration, distribution systems engineering, industrial use

Paul Lemar, President, environmental issues and regulations, combined heat and power, HVAC technologies, commercial and industrial energy use, electric rate analysis

Paul Sheaffer, Director of Technology Analysis and Deployment, technology and market analyses, fuel cells, microturbines, diesel engines, fuel cells, wind power, industrial energy utilization, integration with industrial process use and motor systems

Click here to search for the phone number or email address of any staff member. Brief biosketches may also be reviewed.

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