2. The following material represents an overview of regulatory requirements related to engine emissions
for Electric Power applications
The material is intended for general informational purposes only
The information is NOT COMPREHENSIVE and DOES NOT address specific manufacturers’
circumstances
There is no substitute for reading and understanding the rules; companies are strongly encouraged to
investigate and apply the regulations accordingly
Regulations may change, and these materials may not be updated to reflect the latest regulatory
revisions
Companies relying on this information do so at their own risk and assume any liability for so doing
The information IS NOT intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice or as a substitute
for competent legal advice
Please consult your legal advisor if you have questions or need assistance
Notice
3. Basic Diesel Emissions
EPA Diesel Emissions Regulations
EPA Emissions Regulations Changes
EPA Tier 4 Final
Product Changes
Application Considerations
When does Tier 4 Final apply?
Stationary Emergency Definition
Important considerations
Inducement Override
Confusion in the Marketplace
Specification Suggestions
Caterpillar Tier 4 Final Products
Summary
Overview
4. Emissions Regulated by EPA Standards
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Hydrocarbons (HC)
Particulate Matter (PM)
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
Emphasis is on NOx and PM
Tradeoffs between NOx and PM, HC, and CO during combustion
Higher temperatures/pressures – more efficient – more NOx
Lower temperatures/pressures – less efficient – more PM, HC, and CO
Air Quality Basics
6. This is what the majority of industry is thinking about when it talks about
“EPA” or “Tier 4” regulations
Applies to non-road mobile machinery or on-road diesel powered
vehicles
Includes a “flexibility program” for equipment OEMs
Engines in stationary applications are regulated separately
EPA On-Road and Non-Road Regulations
7. Introduced much later than non-road regulations, tier 1 did not take
effect until 2006.
Shorter periods between regulation changes for the first 3 tiers.
Different emissions regulations depending on application (emergency
or non-emergency)
Cannot field certify/decertify to different emissions levels
No “flexibility program” for OEMs in NSPS
Averaging, Banking, and Trading (AB&T) credits could be used to
gain emissions certifications
EPA Stationary Regulations
9. In the case of Tier 4 Finals, emissions levels are now so low that other technology solutions
are needed, including the use of aftertreatment devices. Tier 2/3 can usually be met without
aftertreatment.
Emissions standards vary based on the power category
Differing technologies available: DPF (PM), SCR (NOx), DOC (HC and CO), CEM (PM, NOx, HC, and CO)
Optimum technology varies by power category
Engine and aftertreatment must be certified as a complete system by manufacturer, No option
for field certification or decertification of new equipment
The EPA certification process includes demonstration that no aftertreatment deterioration will
occur prior to 8000 hours of usage
Reliant on introduction of ULSD (<15 ppm)
Manufacturers may have credits to allow for Tier certification
AB&T (Average Banking and Trading) credits
Used to certify a product to a tier level
Tier 4 Certified Generator sets subject to Inducement
Shutdown if unit is not meeting emissions
Recently introduced inducement override for emergency situations
Product Changes
11. Affects diesel generator sets in U.S. Minimum standard that must be met
(states/counties/cities can introduces stricter regulations)
Stationary engines ≥10 liters/cylinder and <30 liters/cylinder must be
certified to Marine Tier 2 limits defined in 40 CFR 94 Subpart C.
Regulations vary on use
Stationary Emergency – Tier 2/3
Mobile generators sets – move more than once in a 12 month period – Tier 4 Final
Non-Emergency Stationary– Tier 4 Final
Application – When does Tier 4 Final apply?
Understanding the EPA emergency definition is critical
12. When Tier 4 Interim and Final were initially introduced, “Emergency”
effectively meant no running when normal power was available
No limit to actual emergency running time (no normal power available)
100 hours per year for testing and maintenance
Unless local codes mandate other limits
No allowances for other use (demand response, storm avoidance, peak shaving,
etc)
Operator must record use and reference to hours meter
Note: 2010 through 2012, EPA has reviewed the allowances for non-emergency running of stationary emergency CI
engines. These changes are discussed in subsequent slides.
Original Emergency Definition
13. EPA rules continued to be amended up to 2015, allowing stationary emergency generator
sets to operate for limited periods under a wider range of non-emergency conditions.
No limitation on actual run time (no normal power available)
100 hours per year limit for non-emergency operation for stationary emergency gensets
Site Testing and Maintenance
Normal power frequency or voltage deviate 5% or greater below standard
Up to 100 hours can be used for emergency demand response
Transmission Authority Operator declared emergency
Power created is provided only to the facility itself or to support the local transmission and distribution system
Site can receive financial benefit
Up to 50 hours per year:
Can be used for storm avoidance (no voltage or frequency deviation from normal power)
Cannot be used for peak shaving
Counts towards 100 hours per year limit
Operator must record use and reference to hours meter
May 2015 Emergency Definition
Updated May, 2015
14. In May 2015, US Court of Appeals overturned EPA’s rule allowing 100 hours of demand
response with emergency generator sets. Issues raised by the State of Delaware stated that
the EPA acted arbitrarily in modifying the NESHAP and NSPS standards for backup
generators/emergency engines and did not consult any authorities (such as FERC) before
adjusting regulation
No limitation on actual run time (no normal power available)
100 hours per year limit for non-emergency operation for stationary emergency gensets
Site Testing and Maintenance
Normal power frequency or voltage deviate 5% or greater below standard
Up to 50 hours per year:
Can be used for storm avoidance (no voltage or frequency deviation from normal power)
Cannot be used for peak shaving
Counts towards 100 hours per year limit
Operator must record use and reference to hours meter
Emergency Definition – Latest Update
Updated September 2016
Regulations are constantly being adjusted, and need to be consulted every time
15. Application – Important Considerations
Tier 4 Final certified generator sets will be required for the following applications:
Non-emergency standby units, including demand response
Prime Power applications
Load management / peak shaving
Mobile units (move more than once per year)
EPA sets the minimum requirement for emergency and non-emergency generator set
emissions in the United States. State and local regulations may drive stricter emissions
requirements for emergency and/or non-emergency generator sets, requiring additional
aftertreatment.
For non emergency use, only certified Tier 4 Final product can be used. Units cannot be field
certified to a different emissions levels
Confusion drove EPA clarify with a letter on this: www3.epa.gov/ttn/atw/iceengines/imp.html
Aftertreatment can be added to Tier 2/3 generators sets, however; they can still only be used for
Emergency use
Tier 4 Final certified generator sets can be used for Stationary Emergency, newly added
inducement override make them a viable option when lower emissions are required or there is
interest in using the generator sets for demand response
16. Inducement Override
Federal regulations require inducement shutdowns for Tier 4 Certified product
Mandatory shutdown of generator set if it was not meeting emissions, even in emergency situations
Could not be overridden or turned off
Avoided using Tier 4 Certified product in life-safety/mission critical applications
Introduced additional risk to site: significantly more points of failure
For stricter requirements for emergency generators, utilized Tier 4 compliant systems – Tier 2 generator sets with 3rd
party aftertreatment
Meant sites could not participate in demand response with emergency generator sets
End users and manufacturers petitioned EPA for Inducement override
Exists for On-Road and Non-Road EPA regulations
In June 2016, EPA issued notice of inducement override allowance for stationary engines, effective 4Q2016
Tier 4 Certified product is still subject to Inducement, however; Inducement can be overridden if
needed in emergency situations
Manual override of 120 service hours.
Timer can be reset by manufacturer or authorized dealers
Units must meet EPA Tier 1 emissions levels while in override
Site must log overrides and cause
Inducement override can be retrofitted on existing Tier 4 generator sets
Less risk for using Tier 4 Certified equipment in life-safety/mission critical applications, opens the
door to using emergency equipment for demand response
17. Product Options – Federal Regulations
EPA Tier 2/3 Certified
Can be used for Emergency Stationary applications, cannot be used for Non-Emergency
Stationary applications, even if aftertreatment is added to meet Tier 4 Final emissions levels.
Unlimited hours allowed during an emergency (no normal power available)
When normal power available: 100 hours maintenance and testing
50 (of 100) for general use – Storm Avoidance
No peak shaving or demand response
Tier 4 Final Certified
Only equipment legal for non-emergency applications. Can be used in emergency applications
Inducement override makes this an option for emergency stationary applications were lower
emissions are needed or where users want to participate in demand response programs.
No limitation on run time with or without normal power available
18. Confusion in the Marketplace
With the upcoming emissions change, confusion is dominating the market
“Provide factory test reports including noise level and exhaust emissions showing compliance
with Tier 4”
“The unit that we quoted for this project is EPA Tier 4 compliant. It meets or exceeds the
standards set by the EPA for this application.”
“The unit is Verified to meet Clean Air Act Standards for 2015. A Verified unit has the ability to
run per local air permit approvals.”
Important to define what Tier (2, 3, 4 Final), and if it is being driven by local requirements
‘Compliant’ and ‘Verified’ product will meet federal requirements for non-emergency uses!
19. Emissions Specification Suggestions
The diesel engine generator shall be certified by the engine
manufacturer to the applicable EPA non-road mobile regulations
and/or the EPA NSPS rule for stationary reciprocating compression
ignition engines (Non-Emergency: Tier 4 Final Stationary Emergency:
Tier 2). Additionally, the engine generator shall comply with the State
Emission regulations based on the operating conditions. Actual engine
emissions values must be in compliance with applicable EPA
emissions standards per ISO 8178 – D2 Emissions Cycle at specified
ekW / bHP rating. EPA "Verified" or the proposal of EPA "Compliant"
engine generator sets are not acceptable. Manufacturer must provide
letter of conformity for the specified product.
21. Caterpillar Stationary Tier 4 F Product
C18, 500 ekW
3516C-HD, 2000 ekW*
3516C-HD, 2500 ekW*
C175-16, 3000 ekW*
*Tier 4 Final PM requirements met with with AB&T Credits
22. Tier 4 Final – 2000 kW Example
Tier 4 Final Certified
EPA Tier 4 final certified product
No federal run hour limitation
Can be used in standby, prime, and
continuous applications
Engine will meet Tier 4 final outputs
Units = g/ kW hr
NOx = .67
HC = .19
CO = 3.5
PM = .03
Tier 4 Final Certified with AB&T
EPA Tier 4 final certified product
No federal run hour limitation
Can be used in standby, prime, and
continuous applications
Engine will meet Tier 4 interim outputs
Units = g/ kW hr
NOx = .67
HC = .19
CO = 3.5
PM = .10
ABT credits get the PM to EPA Tier 4 final
levels
23. Summary
EPA is the starting point… Understanding local requirements is vital
Local or state emissions regulations for emergency and non-emergency
Non-attainment areas
Understanding if an installation falls within the EPA definition of “emergency” is
important. This definition is also a moving target.
Non Emergency or demand response – must be a certified Tier 4 Final engine and
aftertreatment system from the manufacturer. Tier 2 units can not be field certified to
Tier 4. Tier 4 Final certified units cannot be de-certified
Tier 4 final certified products are subject to inducement, but an inducement override is
allowed for emergency situations
Local regulations requiring Tier 4 Final emissions may be able to be met with ‘compliant’
product, using separate aftertreatment systems, however; cannot be used in demand
response
EPA Stationary ICE website: https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/atw/icengines/