of biodiesel in the fuel). However,
to reach the goals of the states
where oilheat is sold, will require
moving into much higher blends—
even moving to a B-100. It may also
require the use of next generation
fuels.
NORA’s roles is to carefully evaluate
the different fuels at varying blends
and determine whether they are
usable in the equipment in the
field. This requires a lab analysis
of the fuels and how they would
perform in the oilheat environment.
Additionally, NORA reviews how
the materials that the fuel would
interact with and its combustion
properties behave and whether low-
cost modifications to the fuel or the
system can be made.
NORA also looks to other fuels as
possible solutions to greenhouse
gases. These include biodiesel
derived from algae, wood and cellulosic
based fuels.
Energy efficiency is the second leg
of the stool. Most oilheating equipment
is rated in the mid-to high
80% range. However, NORA’s in-use
study found that appliances heating
homes typically perform well below
their rated values. Thus, NORA has
focused on improving the in-use
efficiency of heating appliances.
Many home heating systems use
a boiler to heat the living space as
well as the domestic water. As a
result, these systems operate very
efficiently in the winter. However,
in the summer, they can be very
inefficient due to high standby
losses. NORA partnered with a
boiler manufacturer to improve the
efficiency of these systems.
Additionally, NORA has worked on
cutting edge technology to make
efficiency jumps. Heat pumps are
the best way to break the 100%
efficiency barrier. Current heat
pumps are typically powered by
electricity. Unfortunately, the
production and distribution of
electricity reduces the actual overall
efficiency of the product. NORA is
focused on developing a heat pump
that is powered, at the source, by a
renewable liquid fuel.
The third leg of the stool is
responding to the current marketplace.
There are over six million
homes heated with oil, in a variety
of locations and with a variety of
heating equipment. NORA will
often be alerted to concerns in the
marketplace that may undermine
the comfort and use of oilheat
and lead to unnecessary costs to
consumers. NORA’s lab will investigate
these problems, understand
the scope of the problem and work
to develop countermeasures.
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