Friday, April 22, 2011 By William Pentland The prospect of
massive rate hikes over the next three years has convinced many
residents of New York City that small is not only beautiful but
also makes good business sense. The New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced plans to
invest nearly $20 million in clean heat and power generation
(CHP) projects at hospitals, supermarkets and multi-family
housing facilities in New York City. NYSERDA pays between 30%
and 50% of the cost of a CHP project, depending on whether and
to what extent the project provides collateral public benefits.
For example, hospitals can provide a “place of refuge” during a
disaster. CHP, often called “cogeneration,” is the most
compelling clean-energy technology most people never knew
existed. It works like so: the first part of the system burns
natural gas or biomass feedstock to produce electric power. The
second part of the system captures heat wasted during the first
part, which usually sneaks up the chim