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Why Natural Gas? Why Now? © 2013 Energy Solutions Center, All Rights Reserved An overview of Natural Gas and its Benefits November 13,2013

Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

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Page 1: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

Why Natural Gas? Why Now?

© 2013 Energy Solutions Center, All Rights Reserved

An overview of Natural Gas and its Benefits

November 13,2013

Page 2: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

2

Natural Gas and its Benefits North American Natural Gas and Projected

Reserves

Natural Gas In the United States

From the Well to the Customer

Economical Energy

Efficient Energy

Clean Energy

Benefits of Gas Technologies

Page 3: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 3 Source: www.cga.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CGA-CERI-Presentation-final-feb-27.pdf

Natural Gas in North America

Over 2,500,000 miles of gathering, transmission and distribution lines in North America.

Laid end to end - would circle the earth at the equator 100 times.

Page 4: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

4

North American Gas Production

Source: www.eia.gov/oiaf/aeo/tablebrowser/#release=IEO2011&subject=0-IEO2011&table=6-IEO2011&region=0-0&cases=Reference-0504a_1630

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035

Vo

lum

es

(Tc

f)

  Mexico

  Canada

  United States

Historic Projected

Steady production growth projected into the future

Page 5: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 5 Source: www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=58&t=8

Consensus on Long Term Supply

How much natural gas does the United States have and how long will it last?

100 Years !

Per EIA 2,203 Tcf @ 24 Tcf/year = 92 Years

Per AGA Based on EIA and Colorado School of Mines = 2,170 Tcf = almost 100 year supply

Based on CGA 22,521 Cubic Metres @ 144 cubic metres / year = 156 years in Canada

Page 6: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

6

Hydrates – Not Included in Projections

From 7 to 65 times current projections of reserves

And That Does Not Include Methane Hydrates ! ! !

Source: EIA and DOE

• 10,000 TCF to 100,000+ TCF

• More research and technological improvements needed

• U.S. Department of Energy funding 14 gas hydrate projects

• Successful test in early 2012 on Alaska's North Slope

Page 7: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 7

Natural Gas in the United States

31% of the Primary Energy Produced

Coal 30% Petroleum 16% Nuclear 11% Hydroelectric 4% Other 8%

EIA Annual Energy Review – Released September 2012 Table 1.2 - Primary Energy Production by Source, 1949-2011 - 2011 Data

Source: www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/showtext.cfm?t=ptb0102

Page 8: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

8 Source: EIA Annual Energy Review

Natural Gas

Natural Gas serves approximately

66 million U.S. homes

5.3 million businesses

189,000 industrial customers

5,500 electric generating units

On a daily basis the average U.S. home uses more than 200 cubic feet of natural gas

Page 9: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

9 Source: www.aga.org/Newsroom/factsheets/Documents/Facts%20About%20Natural%20Gas%20(JAN%202012).pdf

Natural Gas

Per American Gas Association:

•Natural Gas comprises almost one-fourth of all energy used in the U.S.

• is directly linked to jobs and economic health Natural gas, on an energy equivalent basis, • emits 50 percent less CO2 than coal • emits 30 percent less CO2 than oil

Making it the best fossil fuel source available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Page 10: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

10 Source: www.eia.gov/pressroom/presentations/howard_01232012.pdf

Natural Gas Production by Formation Type

Shale gas to dominate where gas comes from.

Page 11: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

11

Natural Gas Consumption by Market

-

5

10

15

20

25

1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012

An

nu

al C

on

sum

pti

on

(T

CF)

Electric Power Gen

Industrial

Commercial

Residential

Source: www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_cons_sum_dcu_nus_a.htm

Page 12: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

12

Delivered Energy Consumption By Fuel Type

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Qu

adri

llio

n B

tu

Electricity Related Losses

Natural Gas

Electricity

Liquid Fuels

Biofuels + Renewables

Coal

Source: www.eia.gov/oiaf/aeo/tablebrowser/#release=AEO2013ER&subject=2-AEO2013ER&table=2-

From Early Release of EIA 2013 Annual Energy Outlook

Energy Use: Natural gas use second only to electric.

Page 13: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 13

Natural Gas

From the Well to the Customer

Page 14: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

14

Conventional gas accumulations - gas migrates into overlying sandstone formation

Associated gas - accumulates in conjunction with oil

Non-associated gas - accumulates separately from oil

Tight sand gas accumulations - gas in sandstone formation with reduced permeability

Coalbed methane - generated during the transformation of organic material to coal.

Gas-rich shale - Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have made shale gas an economically viable alternative to conventional gas resources.

Underground

Formations

Where Natural

Gas Is Found

Source: www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=110

Page 15: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

15

North American Shale Gas Deposits

Source: www.cga.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/CGA_bulletin_SUPPLY-Billingual.pdf

Page 16: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

16

Shale – One Source of Natural Gas

• Sedimentary Rock - combination of clay, silica, carbonate and organic materials

• Typically collects at the bottom of large lakes, deep seas or oceans

• Bacteria feeds on the organic material, producing oil and natural gas

Dark layers are shale, light layers are limestone. A writing pen is shown for scale.

Source: National Energy Board - Canada A Primer for Understanding Canadian Shale Gas - Energy Briefing Note ISSN 1917-506X

Source: www.neb.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rnrgynfmtn/nrgyrprt/ntrlgs/prmrndrstndngshlgs2009/prmrndrstndngshlgs2009-eng.html#s8

Page 17: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

17

Basics of Fracking

Source: National Energy Board - Canada A Primer for Understanding Canadian Shale Gas - Energy Briefing Note ISSN 1917-506X

Source: www.neb.gc.ca/clf-nsi/rnrgynfmtn/nrgyrprt/ntrlgs/prmrndrstndngshlgs2009/prmrndrstndngshlgs2009-eng.html#s8

• Pump Fluid into the well at high pressure

• Pressure creates Fractures in the shale

• Filler material mixed with fluid keeps fractures open

• Natural Gas then able to move to the well

Page 18: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

18

Horizontal Drilling for Shale Gas

Operators have strong economic incentives to ensure that fractures do not propagate beyond the shale

• Waste of materials, time, and money

• Potential loss of the well and the associated gas

• Lead to excess water production from adjacent strata – increasing production costs

Source: www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/oil-gas/publications/EPreports/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf

Page 19: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

19

From Wellhead to the Customer

http://playbook.aga.org/

1) From the Wells

2) Through the Pipelines

3) To the Distribution Companies

4) To the Consumers

Page 20: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

20

Pipeline Additions 1998-2008 Over the 10 year period • 20,000 miles of new Pipelines • 97 Bcfd of added capacity

Due in part to • Imports from Canada • Expanding production for new

gas fields

Increased Demand also helped drive expansions Many new natural gas fueled power plants installed to • meet increased power demand • replace older coal fired plants • reduce emissions

Source: www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/ngpipeline/comparemapm.pps

Page 21: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 21

Natural Gas -Economical Energy

Oil Prices Increasing

North

American Gas Prices

Decreasing

U.S. & Canadian Gas prices

Oil price

Page 22: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

22

Global Natural Gas Prices

Source: www.cga.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Chart-5-Global-Natural-Gas-Prices8.pdf

European and Japanese Gas Prices Increasing

North American Gas Prices Dropping Henry Hub • connects to four intrastate and

nine interstate pipelines

• serves as the official delivery location for futures contracts on the NYMEX

AECO-C • Alberta spot gas trading price at

the AECO-C hub.

U.S and Canada have very low gas prices compared to other countries

Page 23: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

23

Natural Gas Prices vs. 5 Year History

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

US

$ p

er

MM

Btu

Henry Hub Natural Gas Prices – Monthly Min & Max

Max (2007-2011)

Min (2007-2011)

2012 min

2012 max

2013 min

2013 max

Source: http://tonto.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdd.htm

Fairly stable natural gas prices today and moving forward

Page 24: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

24

US Energy Prices

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

En

erg

y P

rice

- $

/ m

mB

tu Electricity

Propane

Fuel Oil

Natural Gas

Source: EIA – Historical Data & 2012 Annual Energy Outlook

Historic Projected

2012

Page 25: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 25

Natural Gas - Efficient Energy

• More Energy to the Customer

• Electric Grid Reliability Decreasing

• Efficiency of Electric Power Generation by State

• Natural Gas Fueled Generators - the Most Efficient

• Natural Gas Appliances and Equipment Efficiencies Improving Over Time – Reducing Gas Consumption

Page 26: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

26

Electric Power Generation Efficiency & Price By State – 2010 Data

Source: www.eia.gov/electricity/state/

Table of Data To Extract State Data From – Plus get US overall

State Total Fuel

Consumption Net Generation % Conversion Average Retail Price

(Open link to go to EIA Page for the State)

mmBtu Megawatthours MMBtu % Conversion (cents/kWh)

Arkansas 685,411,539 65,382,254 223,084,252 32.5% 7.28

Louisiana 1,172,177,952 103,770,029 354,063,337 30.2% 7.80

Minnesota 580,229,523 52,559,789 179,333,999 30.9% 8.41

Mississippi 508,530,694 54,192,544 184,904,960 36.4% 8.59

Oklahoma 765,754,478 78,266,626 267,045,727 34.9% 7.59

Texas 4,394,883,632 431,017,341 1,470,631,167 33.5% 9.34

U.S. Total 41,583,133,603 4,054,484,988 13,833,902,781 33.3% 9.83

The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity is only about 33% efficient.

Page 27: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

27

Best Spark Spread

Good Spark Spread

A 3 or higher on a scale from 1-5 is a good spark spread.

Spark Spread

2.56 AR TX

3.74

MN 3.51

LA 2.74

MS 3.81

1.96 OK Based on 2011 retail

commercial energy rates from EIA.

Spark Spread = Cost of Electricity from the grid + Cost of Fuel for Heat – Cost of Fuel used for CHP

Page 28: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

28

Natural Gas vs. Electricity

Source: EIA 2012 Annual Energy Review & EIA State Energy Profiles

Three times more energy to the customer with natural gas

Electricity 100 MMBtu

95 34 32

MMBtu

Delivered to Customer

Natural Gas 100 MMBtu

95 NA 92

MMBtu Delivered to

Customer

Extract & Process

Convert Distribute

Page 30: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

30

9,000 MW > 7,000 MW < 8,000 MW

Generation:

(Growing)

Transmission

& Distribution:

(?????)

Load:

(Growing)

Why the decline in electric grid Reliability?

An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand for power even if we can generate more power than needed by consumers. T&D

Congestion and Constraints continue to increase.

Page 31: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

31 Source: www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/

Average Heat Rates by Prime Mover and Energy Source (BTU per Kilowatt-hour)

Per EIA Electric Power Annual – Table 8.2 Released January 2013

Prime Mover Coal Petroleum Natural

Gas Nuclear

Steam Turbine 10,128 10,414 10,414 10,464

Gas Turbine 13,637 11,569

Internal Combustion 10,428 9,923

Combined Cycle 10,650 7,603

Efficiency in Electric Power Generation Natural Gas Fueled Combined Cycle Generators are the Most Efficient

(Lower heat rate means more electricity)

Page 32: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

32

Improved Efficiency = Reduced Gas Use

Source: www.aga.org/Newsroom/factsheets/Documents/Energy%20Efficiency%20Utilities%20(Feb%202013).pdf

No

rmal

ize

d M

CF

pe

r Y

ear

General Natural Gas consumption continues to decrease as improved more efficient Natural Gas

Appliances replace older units.

Page 33: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 33

Natural Gas

Clean Energy

Page 34: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

34

Energy-related CO2 Emissions by Source & Sector (Million Metric Tons)

Sectors

Preliminary data for 2011.

Electricity-related CO2 emissions for each sector based on electricity use in that sector and electric power emissions.

Source: www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=75&t=11

Sources Residential Commercial Industrial Transportation Electric Power

Source Total

Coal 1 5 151 0 1,718 1,874

Natural Gas

256 171 419 39 411 1,296

Petroleum 78 49 345 1,802 25 2,299

Electricity 827 767 567 4 2,165

Page 35: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

35

Natural Gas - Cleanest Fuel for Steam-Electric Generators

Pounds of CO2 from Steam-Electric Generators

Source: www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=74&t=11

Fuel Lbs of CO2 per

Million Btu Heat Rate

(10^6 Btu/kWh) Lbs CO2 per kWh

Coal – Bituminous 205.300 0.010128 2.03

Coal - Sub-bituminous 212.700 0.010128 2.10

Coal – Lignite 215.400 0.010128 2.13

Natural gas 117.080 0.010414 1.12

Distillate Oil (No. 2) 161.386 0.010414 1.55

Residual Oil (No. 6) 173.906 0.010414 1.67

Page 36: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

36

Natural Gas – the Clean Choice

Source: www.cga.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CGA-CERI-Presentation-final-feb-27.pdf

Page 37: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

37

Oil versus Gas Emissions • Lower emissions from Natural Gas than oil

Example: 50,000 Gallons of #2 oil compared to other fuels

0.0

5.0

10.0

Nat.Gas

#2Oil

#4Oil

#6Oil

Emissions Gas versus Oil (Tons)

Emissions Uncontrolled

(Pounds)

Natural

Gas #2 Oil #4 Oil #6 Oil

Part 20.20 100.00 347.97 555.91

PM10 20.20 54.00 223.69 361.34

SOx 4.04 7180.00 7456.45 7347.26

NOx 942.55 1000.00 994.19 2547.92

VOC 18.85 17.00 16.90 52.35

CO 235.64 250.00 248.55 231.63

Lead 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.19

Total #s

1,241

8,601

9,288

11,097

Emissions EPA Factors 22,300 # CO2/1000 Gal #2

25,000 # CO2/1000 Gal #6

116.8 # CO2 per MMBTU Natural Gas

Page 38: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 38

Benefits of using Natural Gas for: • Cogeneration • Gas versus Oil • Gas Cooling • Humidity Control

Page 39: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

39

CHP Efficiency vs. Electric Power Plants

Combined Heat & Power (Cogeneration)

Source: www.aga.org/our-issues/playbook/Documents/AGA_Playbook2012_HI_RES.pdf

Save Energy, Money, and the Environment with CHP.

Page 40: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

40

CHP Life Cycle Cost Analysis

0

5

10

15

20

25

20 Y

r Li

fe C

ycle

Co

st (

$mil

)

CHP Options to Purchased Electricity 1000 KW CHP System

Annual Energy Cost

Avg Maintenance

Installed Cost

Recip Micro

turbine Turbine

Simple Payback

1.9 yr 3.2 yr 4.4 yr

Internal Rate of Return

51% 29% 19% Example Only

Page 41: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

41

Commercial Gas vs. Oil Pricing

$-

$5.00

$10.00

$15.00

$20.00

$25.00

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Commercial Natural Gas and Oil Prices (Average Retail Pricing per EIA in $/MMBTU)

Commercial #2 Oil

Commercial Natural Gas

Gap widening

between oil and

gas costs

$-

$5.00

$10.00

$15.00

$20.00

$25.00

$30.00

Heating Oil NaturalGas

2013 ($/MMBTU)

Heating Oil

Natural GasEIA 2013 Short Term Energy Outlook

Page 42: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

42

Energy Consumption for Comfort Cooling by Business Activity

Source: U. S. Department of Energy, 2011 Buildings Energy Data Book

0

5

10

15

20

X 1

00

0 B

TU

/ S

q F

t

Energy UseIntensity by Market(1000 BTU/SqFt)

“Everybody needs Air Conditioning”

Page 43: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

43

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

ElectricCentrifugal

Absorption- SingleEffectDirectFired

Absorption- Single Eff

/ usingWasteHeat

Absorption- Double

Effect

EngineDrivenChiller

EngineDriven w/

HeatRecovery

20 Y

r Li

fe C

ycle

Co

st (

$mil

)

AnnualEnergy Cost

AverageMaintenance

Installed Cost

Cooling Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Example Only – Values will vary by region and project

Energy Prices – EIA US Average as of Nov 2012

Electricity @ $0.10 / KWH & Natural Gas @ $8.01 / MCF

Compared to Electric Centrifugal Chiller

Simple Payback

Internal Rate of Return

Absorption - Single Effect Direct Fired

0.00 -58.3%

Absorption - Single Effect / using Waste Heat

4.17 8.1%

Absorption - Double Effect -12.17 -56.2%

Engine Driven Chiller 10.06 4.4%

Engine Driven w/ Heat Recovery

5.67 6.9%

Page 44: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

44

Chiller Annual GHG Emissions

0

100

200

300

400

500

ElectricCentrifugal

Chiller

AbsorptionSingle EffectFired Chiller

AbsorptionSingle EffectChiller usingWaste Heat

Gas EngineChiller

Gas EngineChiller w Heat

Recovery

263

473

237 240

108 Ton

s C

O2

pe

r Y

ear

Page 45: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

45

Optimum humidity level – 45% to 55%

Uncontrolled humidity negatively impacts:

• HVAC systems

• Energy costs

• Building structure and systems

• Furnishings, equipment and supplies

• Comfort of building occupants

• Health of building occupants

Why Control Humidity?

Page 46: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

46

H1N1 Influenza

Health Impact of Uncontrolled Humidity

Optimum Level

% Relative Humidity

Gas fired desiccants & humidifiers are available to help

Page 47: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 47

CenterPoint Energy Conservation Improvement Program rebates Rebates for boilers, boiler system components, other heating systems, water heaters, foodservice equipment, and custom equipment. Availability, details and contact info: Minnesota: Business Customer Hotline: 612-321-4939, 877-809-3803 CenterPointEnergy.com/BusinessRebates Arkansas: Lance Orton: 501-377-4548 CenterPointEnergy.com/ARBusinessRebates Oklahoma: Robin Slater: 580-250-5426 CenterPointEnergy.com/OKBusinessRebates

Page 48: Why Natural Gas? Why Now? - CenterPoint Energy · Why the decline in electric grid Reliability? An aged electric transmission and distribution system cannot handle today’s demand

‹#› 48

Questions?