News from NORA
Underwriters Laboratories published an update to include B20 to B100 in its standard for safety testing liquid-fuel-fired burners , reports the National Oilheat Research Alliance .
The updated standard , UL296 , “ has been eagerly awaited by the liquid fuel heating industry ,” NORA notes on its website , “ as it allows for the development and market introduction of heating appliances rated to run on 100 % low-carbon biodiesel , drastically reducing the carbon emissions of home heating systems .” A number of industry entities have been working towards the update of UL296 , including NORA ,
Clean Fuels Alliance , Carlin Combustion Technologies and R . W . Beckett Corp .
Michael Devine , president of the Alliance , said , “ This standard update is most welcome as it accelerates the liquid fuel industry ’ s conversion to low-carbon home heating . The ever-increasing blends of biodiesel in our fuel eliminates more and more carbon , making liquid fuel heating an essential component in addressing climate change . Amending UL 296 allows liquid fuel appliance manufactures to provide equipment that aligns with the public policy requirements for carbon reduction . NORA has been able to demonstrate that a home heated with 100 % biodiesel using solar panels to produce its electricity can become a Net-Zero home quickly and at an economically viable cost .”
The “ Zero-Carbon Home ” demonstration project is showing how using a balance of 100 % biodiesel for heat and hot water coupled with roof-top solar collectors can reduce its carbon emissions to zero . The demonstration project is at the Port Jefferson , NY , home of the Alliance ’ s director of research , Dr . Thomas Butcher .
NORA is a leader in the transition to low-carbon liquid fuels in the home heating sector , testing and promoting the use of the advanced biofuel biodiesel combined with traditional heating oil . The Alliance ’ s liquid fuels research laboratory in Plainview , NY , is among the U . S .’ s leading facilities conducting this type of research .
Public policy in many of the Northeastern states calls for drastic reductions in carbon emissions and traditional heating oil cannot satisfy those requirements , so the Alliance intends to show that the combination of 100 % biodiesel partnered with solar panels can bring the home to zero carbon emissions . For more on this project , turn to “ NORA Aims for Zero-Carbon Home ,” on page 24 . The Alliance would like to extend the Zero-Carbon Home project to other U . S . states . If you have an interest in working with the Alliance , contact info @ noraweb . org . The Alliance is busy on other fronts , too . Devine and Don Farrell , communications director , write in this issue about the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ( NORA Tackles Emissions ,” page 17 ). They note , “ It was only five years ago when Arthur Marin , Executive Director of the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management ( NESCAUM ) addressed the Oilheat Manufacturers Association about the States in the Northeast contemplating policies that would demand drastically reduced carbon emissions from the heating sector . In the years since , many policies have been put in place that require homes to be on a path to significant atmospheric carbon emission reductions .”
New England should have adequate electricity supplies under mild and moderate weather conditions this winter , according to ISO New England , operator of the region ’ s electric grid . Prolonged periods of very cold weather continue to pose power system reliability risks , but ISO New England will use procedures and plans , including a rolling three-week energy supply forecast , with the goal of mitigating these conditions should they materialize .
“ Based on seasonal weather forecasts and information provided by generators about their fuel arrangements , the region ’ s power system is prepared for mild and moderate weather conditions ,” said Gordon van Welie , ISO New England ’ s president and CEO . “ If long periods of severely cold weather develop , we ’ ll lean on our forecasting tools to identify potential problems early enough to take proactive measures , such as calling for increased fuel deliveries or asking for public conservation .” For more , turn to “ ISO Issues Status on Grid ,” on page 12 . l FON
STEPHEN BENNETT
4 JANUARY 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com
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