New Report Makes Specific Recommendations
for Meeting Long Island’s Short- and Long-term Energy Needs

Center for Management Analysis at the C.W. Post Campus Says:
Plan for Long-range Solutions Rather than Quick Fix

October 14, 2002 -- The Center for Management Analysis (CMA) at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University released an analysis that contains recommendations for meeting Long Island’s energy demands – including a possible energy shortage in summer 2003 – in an economical and environmentally acceptable way.

This analysis, titled "Peakers as a Step to Re-Powering," follows the Center’s two previous studies on energy issues on Long Island. While the CMA reports have a distinctly regional focus, they also hold significant potential as models by which other regions may prepare for the widespread increase in the demand for energy.

The creation of small (45-50 megawatt) simple-cycle combustion turbine plants, known as "Peakers" for their ability to carry utilities through periods of peak demand for electricity, has been widely discussed because the units can be licensed and built in a nine-month time frame under New York State’s Article X licensing law, in time for the next peak season, Summer 2003. However, Dr. Matthew C. Cordaro, Director of the CMA, says, "a forward-looking examination of the economics and environmental factors suggests that such units may not be the best choice for the long-term."

The study recommends the installation of 80 MW simple-cycle combustion turbines at existing generating plants with a plan for eventual conversion to more efficient combined-cycle technology as part of a re-powering of these facilities. The 80 MW peakers can also be put in place in the ideal 9-month time frame, and in time they would result in greater capacity, as well as significant economic and environmental benefits, through conversion to combined-cycle operation.

The study points out that the 45-50 MW simple-cycle units previously used in peaking service on Long Island cannot be converted to combined-cycle operation, making them distinctly less efficient in the long run.

Combined-cycle plants consist of multiple combustion turbines. They capture and convert exhaust heat from the primary turbine, and use it to drive additional steam turbine generators. This makes the combined-cycle generators not only more economical, it makes them more environmentally friendly through the reduction of air emissions relative to the amount of energy produced.

It is important not to assume from this analysis that the baseload generating projects now in advanced development on Long Island, Spagnoli Road and ANP, are not needed. These projects are vitally necessary for meeting future energy demand and should be completed as soon as possible.

The Center for Management Analysis is an academically based organization designed to serve the diverse needs of government, business and the community. Its mission is to provide a climate for research, consultation and problem solving by uniting educators and practitioners in addressing public issues through reasoned dialogue and analysis.

For more information or a copy of the report, e-mail Dr. Cordaro at Mcsqd22@aol.com or call Wendy Goldstein in the Office of Public Relations at (516) 299-2332.