OAR 330-160-0080: Thermal Energy from the Generation of Electricity Using Biomass

(1) T-RECs may be used to comply with the Oregon RPS if they are created in association with the generation of qualifying thermal energy that is generated in a facility that meets the requirements of Section (3) of this rule and generated in a manner that meets the requirements of Section (4) of this rule. (2) Qualifying thermal energy must be in the form of direct heat, steam, hot water, or other useful thermal form. (3) Facility Requirements: (a) The facility must generate electricity from renewable biomass sources listed under ORS 469A.025(2) and must also generate thermal energy for a secondary purpose; (b) The age of the facility must meet the requirements of ORS 469A.020; (c) The location of the facility must meet the requirements of ORS 469A.135(2); and (d) The facility’s electric generator must have a rated capacity of at least 10 percent of the energy content of the fuel input. (4) Manner of Generation: (a) The thermal energy must be generated as a byproduct of the generation of electricity using biomass sources listed under ORS 469A.025(2). For multiple-fuel facilities, only the portion of thermal energy that is generated from eligible biomass sources is eligible for the generation of T-RECs, in accordance with OAR 330-160-0060; and (b) The thermal energy must be used for a “secondary purpose,” as defined in OAR 330-160-0015. (5) Thermal energy may not be used to comply with the Oregon RPS if: (a) It is used for “station service,” as defined in OAR 330-160-0015; (b) It is returned to the biomass conversion device that initially created the eligible thermal resource; (c) It bypasses the electricity production device; or (d) It is generated while the electricity production equipment is out of service.