NORA has applied the GHG calculator to
Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
To see the results and more detailed
reports go to NORAweb.org/ghg.
More will be added as they become available.
it is a full life-cycle model sponsored by the Argonne
National Laboratory at the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Office
of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
What does it all mean?
The final result for the Connecticut use-case scenario
(Figure 1) in which converting all current oil-heated
homes to no-carbon liquid solutions by 2050—and assumes
normal 5% liquid fuel appliance upgrades per
year versus all-electric (heat pump plus resistance backup)
conversions at a rate of 1% per year—shows that
high bio-blending along with normal liquid fuel appliance
upgrades are more beneficial both in cost and rate
of decarbonization to liquid-fueled homeowners and citizens
in Connecticut.
Furthermore, looking at 2030, the cost to homeowner
per ton of CO2e removed is $560 for heat pumps and
$162 for high biodiesel blends. This means that in 2030,
the cost to homeowners to remove the same amount of
cumulative GHG is approximately 3.5 times higher with
electrification of oil-heated homes. It should be noted
Industry News
Technicians Manual Now in Audio Format
The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA)
has released its Technicians Manual for Liquid
Heating Fuels in audio format. Each chapter
of the manual is available in a standard mp3
audio file that can be played on all mobile
devices, as well as desktop computers. The
audio follows the text of the manual allowing
for multi-sensory learning. Additionally, each
chapter is available to download in a pdf format. “Making
high quality learning resources available to liquid fuel heating
technicians is one of NORA’s highest priorities,” said NORA’s
President Michael Devine. “Whether used as a stand-alone
resource or in conjunction with NORA’s technician certification
program, the manual and its audio component can bring this
material to an even wider range of students and technicians.”
Visit Learning.NORAweb.org/manual
WE Launches Online Learning Platform
In addition to celebrating its fifth anniversary, Women in Energy
(WE) launched a new online Learning Center. The easyto
access Learning Portal on WE’s website includes recorded
Webinar Wednesday sessions, an educational library, 2022
Annual Conference materials, and items for those new to the
industry. The portal also has material on energy technologies
such as home heating, biodiesel, heat pumps, geothermal
and more. The site is organized into seven categories: Human
Resources, Customer Service, Sales & Marketing, Financial
Wellness, Personal Development, Leadership and Welcome to
the Energy Industry.“Our mission is to connect and empower
that this analysis of costs did not assess or incorporate
upstream costs associated with a major transformation
of the electric distribution system, which will likely impact
pricing of electricity.
In addition to Connecticut, the calculator has already
been applied to Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
New York and New Jersey with similar results and only
variations based upon size of market, weather, prices
and each State plan for biodiesel uptake.
The NORA GHG Calculator is the first proven, analytical
look at the benefits of carbon reduction using
biodiesel in home heating in comparison to electric heat
pumps. In addition to the economic and environmental
benefits, the liquid fuel heating industry is already
positioned, and if fact has begun the transition. It is of
added value that very few changes are needed to the delivery,
storage and use of biodiesel blends, even at very
high levels. Technical issues have been given the highest
priority by the NORA, Clean Fuels Alliance America
and others. Heating appliance manufacturers are currently
gearing up for full biodiesel use and liquid fuel
retailers and wholesalers have made the commitment
to continue to elevate the biodiesel blending as fast as
possible.
Reducing and eventually virtually eliminating carbon
from homes is the right thing to do and the liquid heating
fuels industry is on the right track to do it.
NORA has assembled this data at NORAweb.org/ghg
where one can find more detailed explanations, reports
and graphics for each State. ICM
women working in the energy industry,” said WE President Erin
Holohan Haskell. “We do this by providing career resources,
creating networking and mentoring opportunities, promoting
educational courses, and developing strategies to minimize
obstacles women may face in the industry. We follow this
mission in everything we do.” Visit wewomeninenergy.com.
Clean Fuels Alliance Taps Martin for New Role
Clean Fuels Alliance America has appointed Jonathan Martin
of Ottawa Hills, OH, as Director of Economic
and Market Analytics, a newly created position.
Martin, most recently an economist
with Marathon Petroleum Co., brings ten
years of experience in oil and gas corporate
economics to this role and will be based in
Ohio. “As the diversity of clean fuels grows, we
are dedicating additional resources to better predict market
trends for our organization and our members,” said Donnell
Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels. “Jonathan’s vast experience in
market research, forecasting and data analytics will better
position our Clean Fuels to do just that.”
Debut Flow-Through Expansion Tank
Taco offers a new flow-through expansion tank to help reduce
environmental conditions necessary for Legionella/bacteria to
flourish. With standard tank volumes ranging from 23 to 528
gallons, and constructed, tested and certified to ASME Section VIII
Div. 1, these tanks minimize pressure loss, discourage shortcycling
and are retrofittable to meet ASHRAE Standard 188
on existing designs. Visit TacoComfort.com.
6 ICM/November/December 2022