NEWS
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NYPA Engineer from White Plains Receives Award from National Electric Research Organization Contact: April 5, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—William Louer, a research and technology development engineer for the New York Power Authority (NYPA) was honored last month by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in connection with NYPA’s pioneering work toward possible use of biofuel at its Charles Poletti Power Project in Queens. Louer received a 2006 Technology Transfer Award from EPRI for his role in spearheading the Power Authority’s precedent-setting testing of soybean-derived biofuel at Poletti, undertaken in collaboration with the institute, an independent not-for-profit organization for energy and environmental research, in Palo Alto, CA. He was also recognized for the Power Authority’s work toward use of small, wood-fired combined heat and power generators. “At the Power Authority, engineers like Bill are taking on the challenges of expanding the use of alternative and renewable fuels to lead the Empire State toward independence from oil, while also making the air cleaner,” said Timothy S, Carey, president and chief executive officer, NYPA. “Everyone at the Power Authority joins me in congratulating Bill for the recognition from EPRI of his significant contributions to these different initiatives for enhancing energy security and the environment. Louer led a multidisciplinary team of NYPA professionals for the biofuel tests at Poletti, which involved the blending of conventional fuel oil with the renewable energy source to generate electricity at the 880-megawatt facility. The tests, which occurred in October 2006, marked the first such application at a large power plant, and the largest use of biofuels on any single occasion in the United States. Louer has also been studying economic feasibility and deployment of small, wood-fueled combined heat and power gasifiers for use by its customers in pursuit of energy cost savings and fossil fuel usage reduction. Supported by EPRI research, the Power Authority’s preliminary efforts in this regard have identified specific advantages and disadvantages of various supplier offerings and technologies. Louer’s duties at NYPA also include communicating with EPRI and others, including academic and private sector entities, to learn about new technologies and to share the Power Authority’s experiences. Louer, who joined NYPA in 2001, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers College of Engineering in New Brunswick, N.J. Louer is a resident of White Plains, NY, and coaches youth lacrosse for the White Plains Lacrosse Club. About NYPA: ■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. |
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