Abstract: In one embodiment, power gathering system (PGS) circuits are connected as an electrical overlay system to a distribution substation of a conventional electric-power generation, transmission, and distribution system. Combined heat and power (CHP) generators generate (i) electric power provided to the PGS circuits and (ii) thermal energy provided to co-located thermal host facilities that also receive electric power from the PGS circuits. The CHP generators convert excess thermal energy not used by the thermal host facilities into additional electric power provided to PGS circuits. As the amount of thermal energy used by the thermal host facilities varies over time, the amount of additional electric power generated by CHP generators is inversely varied. In this way, the primary electric-power generators (e.g., gas turbine generators) of the CHP generators can be operated economically at optimal levels independent of the thermal energy demand of the thermal host facilities.

Abstract: A method of economically substituting higher-priced clean energy sources for lower-price energy sources with negative environmental attributes by using a portion of the return on investment in a portfolio of residential, commercial, institutional or industrial energy efficiency measures to offset the cost of higher-priced, clean energy. Proceeds from investments and the monetization of the environmental benefits of the invention would are used to subsidize the cost of natural gas-fired plants so that they can economically displace coal-fired plants or other types of plants with similar negative environmental attributes as a source for base load power generation.