Diesel-fueled Generation in TVA Demand Response Program

On February 13, 2017, TVA issued a final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact for authorizing the use of customer-owned diesel‑fueled generators to provide backup generation during certain demand response events.

In response to recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changes in emission standards and the continued interest by demand response participants, TVA wants to change previous limits on diesel-fueled generators in demand response programs. Under this proposal, TVA would authorize the use of customer-owned diesel‑fueled generators with the appropriate non-emergency use permit to provide backup generation during reliability-based (5 MR, 60 MR, and IP5) demand response events. TVA also proposes to allow participants in the reliability- and economic-based (IP30 and RP) programs to use customer-owned diesel-fueled generators with the appropriate emissions permit during demand response events. All participants in TVA’s demand response programs will meet the stringent requirements provided in EPA’s Standards of Performance for (new) Stationary Compression Ignition Engines and / or National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Internal Combustion Engines.