CHP Regional Application Centers

The U.S. DOE has created six CHP Regional Application Centers (RACs). The objective of creating RACs is to ensure that these technologies are deployed by working with targeted markets on a State-by-State and regional basis to educate market players on the benefits of CHP technologies while reducing the perceived risk, and providing project specific support. In addition, these RACs will provide a valuable feedback loop to DOE and industry regarding future R&D program needs.

According to the National CHP Roadmap, available here in PDF format, the goal of the RACs is to double the amount of CHP installed capacity in the United States by the year 2010 (utilizing 1999 as the base year). This translates to the equivalent of 46,000 MW of new CHP capacity.

Each RAC will provide essential and appropriate applied research and development support, focused on the technology transfer and deployment of advanced CHP technologies. The RACs will achieve this objective through a strategy of targeted education and outreach as well as project technical assistance. A copy of the guidebook is available here in PDF format, or from the library section of this Website. The guidebook has been developed to specify the work scope for and provide standards for developing and implementing each RAC. The guidebook will ensure some consistency in structure and operation as the concept grows throughout the country.

In April 2001, the DOE, through Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), established the first pilot RAC to serve the Midwest and is located at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This pilot RAC developed and proved the Regional Application Center processes. The Midwest RAC is a partnership between the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Gas Technology Institute. Based on the success of the pilot RAC , in September 2003, DOE/ORNL established five additional RACs. The regions and the states covered by these centers are shown in the following map. DOE might consider additional RACs in the future. A recent (December 2003) overview presentation on the RACs is available here in PDF format.

Links to the Websites and information on key contacts for all six RACs are as follows:

For further information on the RAC program, please contact:

• Merrill Smith, USDOE CHP Program Manager,
• Patti Garland, ORNL (202-479-0292), Program Technical Assistance, or
• Ted Bronson PEA (630-248-8778), Program Technical Assistance.