Tom Casten

Last updated

Thomas Casten
Born1942 (age 81–82)
Education University of Colorado (BA)
Columbia University (MBA)
Spouse
Judy
​
(m. 1965)​
Children3, including Sean

Thomas R. Casten is an American businessman, author, and activist known for his work on industrial energy recycling. Since 1977, Casten has founded and managed numerous companies and organizations associated with combined heat and power (also called cogeneration), decentralized energy, and waste energy recovery.

Contents

Casten is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry [1] and a former U.S. Marine and Eagle Scout. [2]

Education

Casten graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder and was valedictorian of his graduating class at Columbia Business School. [3]

Career

Casten was the founding president and CEO of Trigen Energy Corporation (a New York Stock Exchange corporation) and its predecessors from 1977 through 2000. He served until 2006 as founding chair and CEO of Primary Energy and its subsidiary Primary Energy Recycling Corp. In 2006 he founded and was chairman of Recycled Energy Development (RED), based in Westmont, Illinois. In 2016 RED was sold to Ironclad Energy Partners. [4] [5] These companies focused on energy recycling, a process that turns waste energy (usually heat) into clean power and steam. [6] Casten has said his goal is to combat global warming in a profitable way, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs at the same time. [7]

Casten has served as president of the International District Energy Association and co-founder and chairman of the World Alliance for Decentralized Energy, which are trade associations that promote combined heat and power, district heating, and other forms of distributed generation. Casten also serves on numerous boards for energy-related institutions, has testified before the energy committees of the U.S. Congress, and served on the informal policy advisory team of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008. [6]

Casten is the author of Turning Off the Heat: Why America Must Double Energy Efficiency to Save Money and Reduce Global Warming. [8] He has also published articles in outlets including American Scientist, [9] the Detroit Free Press, [10] Electricity Journal, [11] and the Albuquerque Journal, [12] as well as a chapter in Energy and American Society: Thirteen Myths. [13] His work on energy recycling received profiles in Forbes, [14] Smithsonian, [7] Nature, [15] US News, [16] The Atlantic, [17] Orian, [18] and National Public Radio. [19]

Personal life

Casten and his wife, Judy, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by running the Chicago marathon in 2015. [20] Casten's son, Sean, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. [21] He has two other children: Damien and Gillian.

Tom is the lone funder of SunshinePAC which contributed to Sean Casten's 2018 election campaign. These contributions became a source of a complaint to the FEC in February 2022. [22] [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear power</span> Power generated from nuclear reactions

Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions. Presently, the vast majority of electricity from nuclear power is produced by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants. Nuclear decay processes are used in niche applications such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators in some space probes such as Voyager 2. Generating electricity from fusion power remains the focus of international research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy</span> Energy collected from renewable resources

Renewable energy, green energy, or low-carbon energy is energy from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Renewable resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy sources are sustainable, some are not. For example, some biomass sources are considered unsustainable at current rates of exploitation. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling. Renewable energy projects are typically large-scale, but they are also suited to rural and remote areas and developing countries, where energy is often crucial in human development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear power plant</span> Thermal power station where the heat source is a nuclear reactor

A nuclear power plant (NPP) is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor. As is typical of thermal power stations, heat is used to generate steam that drives a steam turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity. As of September 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported there were 410 nuclear power reactors in operation in 31 countries around the world, and 57 nuclear power reactors under construction.

Alternative technology is a term used to refer to technologies that are more environmentally friendly than the functionally equivalent technologies dominant in current practice. The term was coined by Peter Harper, one of the founders of the Centre for Alternative Technology, North Wales, in Undercurrents (magazine) in the 1970s. Alternative Technologies are created to be safer, cleaner, and overall more efficient. The goals of alternative technology are to decrease demand for critical elements by ensuring a secure supply of technology that is environmentally friendly, increased efficiency with lower costs, and with more common materials to avoid potential future materials crises. Alternative technologies use renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind energy. Some alternative technologies have in the past or may in the future become widely adopted, after which they might no longer be considered "alternative." For example, the use of wind turbines to produce electricity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cogeneration</span> Simultaneous generation of electricity and useful heat

Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) is the use of a heat engine or power station to generate electricity and useful heat at the same time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable energy</span> Energy that responsibly meets social, economic, and environmental needs

Energy is sustainable if it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Most definitions of sustainable energy include considerations of environmental aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions and social and economic aspects such as energy poverty. Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric power, solar, and geothermal energy are generally far more sustainable than fossil fuel sources. However, some renewable energy projects, such as the clearing of forests to produce biofuels, can cause severe environmental damage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paper recycling</span> Process by which waste paper is turned into new paper products

The recycling of paper is the process by which waste paper is turned into new paper products. It has a number of important benefits: It saves waste paper from occupying homes of people and producing methane as it breaks down. Because paper fibre contains carbon, recycling keeps the carbon locked up for longer and out of the atmosphere. Around two-thirds of all paper products in the US are now recovered and recycled, although it does not all become new paper. After repeated processing the fibres become too short for the production of new paper, which is why virgin fibre is frequently added to the pulp recipe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fossil fuel power station</span> Facility that burns fossil fuels to produce electricity

A fossil fuel power station is a thermal power station which burns a fossil fuel, such as coal or natural gas, to produce electricity. Fossil fuel power stations have machinery to convert the heat energy of combustion into mechanical energy, which then operates an electrical generator. The prime mover may be a steam turbine, a gas turbine or, in small plants, a reciprocating gas engine. All plants use the energy extracted from the expansion of a hot gas, either steam or combustion gases. Although different energy conversion methods exist, all thermal power station conversion methods have their efficiency limited by the Carnot efficiency and therefore produce waste heat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortum</span> Finnish energy company

Fortum Oyj is a Finnish state-owned energy company located in Espoo, Finland. It mainly focuses on the Nordic region. Fortum operates power plants, including co-generation plants, and generates and sells electricity and heat. The company also sells waste services such as recycling, reutilisation, final disposal solutions and soil remediation and environmental constructions services, and other energy-related services and products e.g. consultancy services for power plants and electric vehicle charging. Fortum is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.

Green computing, green IT, or ICT sustainability, is the study and practice of environmentally sustainable computing or IT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District heating</span> Centralized heat distribution system

District heating is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralized location through a system of insulated pipes for residential and commercial heating requirements such as space heating and water heating. The heat is often obtained from a cogeneration plant burning fossil fuels or biomass, but heat-only boiler stations, geothermal heating, heat pumps and central solar heating are also used, as well as heat waste from factories and nuclear power electricity generation. District heating plants can provide higher efficiencies and better pollution control than localized boilers. According to some research, district heating with combined heat and power (CHPDH) is the cheapest method of cutting carbon emissions, and has one of the lowest carbon footprints of all fossil generation plants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waste Management (company)</span> American waste and environmental services company

Waste Management, Inc., doing business as “WM”, is a waste management, comprehensive waste, and environmental services company operating in North America. Founded in 1968, the company is headquartered in the Bank of America Tower in Houston, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waste-to-energy</span> Process of generating energy from the primary treatment of waste

Waste-to-energy (WtE) or energy-from-waste (EfW) is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the primary treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source. WtE is a form of energy recovery. Most WtE processes generate electricity and/or heat directly through combustion, or produce a combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol or synthetic fuels, often derived from the product syngas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy recovery</span>

Energy recovery includes any technique or method of minimizing the input of energy to an overall system by the exchange of energy from one sub-system of the overall system with another. The energy can be in any form in either subsystem, but most energy recovery systems exchange thermal energy in either sensible or latent form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheffield Energy Recovery Facility</span>

The Sheffield Energy Recovery Facility, also known as the Energy from Waste Plant, is a modern incinerator which treats Sheffield's household waste. It is notable as it not only provides electricity from the combustion of waste but also supplies heat to a local district heating scheme, making it one of the most advanced, energy efficient incineration plants in the UK. In 2004, the district heating network prevented 15,108 tonnes of CO2 from being released from buildings across the city, compared to energy derived from fossil fuels. The incinerator is a 'static asset' owned by Sheffield City Council and operated by Veolia Environmental Services under a 35 year integrated waste management contract (IWMC)/PFI contract.

Energy recycling is the energy recovery process of using energy that would normally be wasted, usually by converting it into electricity or thermal energy. Undertaken at manufacturing facilities, power plants, and large institutions such as hospitals and universities, it significantly increases efficiency, thereby reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas pollution simultaneously. The process is noted for its potential to mitigate global warming profitably. This work is usually done in the form of combined heat and power or waste heat recovery.

Covanta Holding Corporation is a private energy-from-waste and industrial waste management services company headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. Most of its revenue comes from operating incineration facilities that serve a secondary purpose as power plants that burn trash as fuel. Covanta charges a fee for waste disposal, sells electricity produced in the process, and recovers metal for recycling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recycled Energy Development</span>

Recycled Energy Development, LLC (RED) aims to profitably reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and recycling waste energy, especially through cogeneration and waste heat recovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FuelCell Energy</span> U.S.-based fuel cell company

FuelCell Energy, Inc. is a publicly traded fuel cell company, headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut. It designs, manufactures, operates and services Direct Fuel Cell power plants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Casten</span> American politician (born 1971)

Sean Thomas Casten is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 6th congressional district. The district covers southwestern Chicago, as well as many of Chicago's inner southwestern suburbs, such as Downers Grove, Wheaton, Lisle, Orland Park, and Western Springs. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

References

  1. ↑ "CSI Fellows and Staff". Skeptical Inquirer. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  2. ↑ Lukenbill, David H. (April 30, 2008). "American River Parkway Blog: Use the Steam". Parkwayblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Thomas R. Casten". www.bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Ironclad Energy Ventures announces partnership with StonePeak Infrastructure Partners and acquisition of RED Investment". ironclad-energy.com. September 22, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Recycled Energy Development Completes Sale of RED Investment LLC Including Eastman Business Park Utilities to Ironclad Energy Partners". Business Wire. September 22, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  6. 1 2 "Tom Casten". recycled-energy.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Hathaway, Bruce. "Converting Energy Waste into Electricity and Heat". Smithsonian. Archived from the original on February 25, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  8. ↑ Casten, Thomas (1998). Turning Off the Heat: Why America Must Double Energy Efficiency to Save Money and Reduce Global Warming. Prometheus Books. ISBN   1573922692.
  9. ↑ Casten, Thomas; Schewe, Phillip (January–February 2009). "Getting the Most from Energy" (PDF). American Scientist. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  10. ↑ Casten, Tom. "Find Greatest Energy Savings in Power Production Industry". recycled-energy.com. Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  11. ↑ Munson, Richard; Casten, Thomas. "Simplifying Climate Change legislation: Output-Based Allocations" (PDF). recycled-energy.com. The Electricity Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  12. ↑ Casten, Tom (November 29, 2007). "Bill Weak Without Energy Recycling Provision". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  13. ↑ Sovacool, Benjamin (March 2007). Energy and American Society – Thirteen Myths. Springer. ISBN   978-1402055638.
  14. ↑ Steiner, Christopher. "Gray Is The New Green". Forbes. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  15. ↑ Lindley, David. "The energy should always work twice" (PDF). recycled-energy.com. Nature. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  16. ↑ Lavelle, Marianne. "Three Ways Businesses Can Save on Power". US News & Word Report. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  17. ↑ Margonelli, Lisa (May 2008). "Waste Not". The Atlantic. The Atlantic.
  18. ↑ McKibben, Bill. "The Unsung Solution: What Rhymes with Waste-heat Recovery?". recycled-energy.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  19. ↑ Schaper, David. "'Recycling' Energy Seen Saving Companies Money". npr.com. National Public Radio. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  20. ↑ Hetzel, Megan (October 15, 2015). "Couple Celebrates 50th Anniversary at Chicago Marathon". runnersworld.com.
  21. ↑ "'Democrat Sean Casten's business background under microscope in 6th Congressional District race". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  22. ↑ "The hidden money funding the midterms". Politico .
  23. ↑ "FEC investigating Sean Casten on ethics charge | Crain's Chicago Busi…". Archived from the original on February 22, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.