HomeMy WebLinkAboutNikolai lighting Project Status Reports, Trip Reports, & Field Notes 1988Nikolai Lighting Project
Annual Capital Project Status Report
(this paragraph is to be included in the general
description for the Nikolai generation and
distribution system improvements)
Energy improvements in Nikolai also included conversion of
incandescent lighting in homes to low-energy fluorescent lighting.
This work was completed in 1987 and followed by a 12 month
monitoring period to document energy savings. Results showed
an overall drop of about 13% in residential energy use in the year
after the improved lighting was installed. This reduction in load,
along with larger, commercial load reductions, allowed the
community to begin using a less expensive, smaller generator.
Assistance audit of Nikolai's generation and distribution system.
The photographs on the following pages illustrate many problems
Nikolai residents experienced with the old system. Energy improve-
ments on Nikolai's engine-generators, distribution system, and
commercial buildings were completed during the year the lighting
study was underway. The sections below describe these activities.
(1) Generator Improvements
Before electrical improvement projects were initiated in 1987,
two of the City's generators had burned out because fuse
protection was lacking on old-style transformers. The remain-
ing 85 KW engine generator unit was burning about 26,430
gallons of fuel annually. By reducing end-use loads and
reconfiguring phase balances in the system, the City was able
to run the entire system on smaller generators.
New generator in existing powerhouse module.
3727/909/31 - 27 -
A 75 KW and a 70 KW unit were purchased to replace the two
burned out generators. These units are run alternatively in
place of the 85 KW engine-generator, resulting in an estimated
annual fuel savings of 3,200 gallons. At $1.56/gallon,
estimated annual dollar savings for the generator replacements
is about $5,000.
Labor and materials costs for generator replacements are
estimated at about $8,000. Simple payback based on these
figures is about a year and a half. In addition to the
generator replacements, about $8,000 in improvements to the
three power houses were also made.
Improvements included replacing power house roofs, installing
fire-treated plywood on walls, and putting new mufflers and
battery charging systems on all three generators. New doors
and lighting systems (including emergency lighting) were also
added. An electronic governor was installed on the new 70 KW
generator, and overload protection on both the 70 KW and 75 KW
units. Vent systems were also installed in the power houses.
(2) Reconfiguration of Resistance Loads
One of the main problems with Nikolai's overall system design
was the high number of resistance loads. Generator overload-
ing was caused by both phase imbalances and large loads
capable of coming on line simultaneously.
In the Lodge/Duplex, a commercial building, three electric hot
water heaters (5 kilowatts each) were replaced with one
oil-fired hot water heater. Two of the electric hot water
heater tanks were removed, and a third was kept for storing
water heated by the two woodstoves in the Lodge. The new
oil-fired hot water heater acts as a backup unit to the
3727/909/32 - 28 -
wood-fired/storage unit. The two systems were piped in
series, with the oil heater set to kick in if wood-fired hot
water drops below 140 degrees Farenheit.
Two small space heaters (3 kilowatts combined) were replaced
with one non-electric unit heater connected to the circulating
hot water system. A heat tape with approximately 1 kilowatt
capacity was also disconnected at the Lodge.
The main reason for these modifications was to avoid problems
with a theoretical peak load of 19 kilowatts on one phase of
Nikolai's system from the Lodge/Duplex alone. Nikolai's
electrical system is capable of providing 85 kilowatts of
capacity when the largest generator is used or 60 kilowatts
when either of the two smaller generators is used. One phase
is capable of supplying slightly more than one-third of the
60 kilowatt generator's capacity. Consequently, the Lodge's
heavy load created problems for the entire system.
One-phase and three-phase service connections to washeteria.
3727/909/33 - 29 -
The City Hall washeteria had two single-phase, 5-kilowatt
dryers and two, three-phase washing machines. The 10 kilowatt
dryer load was split among the three phases coming into the
building. Five kilowatts was connected to one phase and 2.5
kilowatts to each of the two remaining phases. Nikolai's City
Hall also had two service drops, one of which was eliminated
due to safety problems. The redistribution of this load also
helped to balance the system, allowing the utility to use the
smallest of the three generators without fear of overloading a
single phase.
No direct electrical savings can be attributed to the phase
balancing activities at City Hall, although there will be some
indirect savings from the utility's ability to operate a
smaller generator for the same electrical load. Estimated
labor cost for the work at City Hall was approximately $100.
Improvements to the Lodge/Duplex cost approximately $2,500 in
materials and $1,500 in labor. Since March 1988, when im-
provements were completed, kilowatt hour meter readings for
the Main Lodge showed savings as follows:
Month Year Difference % Change
1987 1988
March 2,080 1,416 - 664 -31.9
April 1,494 253 -1,241 -83.1
May 1,247 231 -1,016 -81.5
June 1,327 115 -1,212 -91.3
July 1,114 122 - 992 -89.0
August 418 181 - 237 -56.7
Totals 7,680 2,318 -5 ,362 -69.8
Compared to the same six months for the previous year, there
has been a reduction of 5,362 kilowatt hours or 69.8%.
3727/909/34 - 30 -
Monthly kilowatt hour savings should improve during the
winter, as higher electric heating costs are avoided.
A rough payback for Lodge/Duplex improvements can be calculat-
ed using an annual 10,000 KWH estimated savings. Divided by a
system efficiency of 10 KWH/gallon, about 1,000 gallons of
fuel could be saved. At $1.56/gallon, this results in an
annual savings of $1,560. Actual savings may be less due to
lower fuel prices.
(3) Distribution System
Electrical improvements in Nikolai included complete replace-
ment of the distribution system. The old 480 volt, three-
phase system had low clearances, distribution wiring suspended
from trees, and transformers open and accessible to children.
Safety problems were considered severe, as some transformers
were as low as four feet off the ground.
Additionally, project staff discovered the use of overhead
cable in an underground application, a situation posing
extreme safety problems. Overhead line was buried under the
airport runway and extended to service customers
in a separate part of the community.
As mentioned above, the old distribution system included
dry-style transformers with no fuses, which resulted in
burnout of two generators. With all of these problems, the
system was extremely inefficient, with line losses estimated
as high as 25%.
3727/909/35 - 31 -
Interior type transformers,
exterior mounted 3 and 6
feet above ground. Uninsul-
ated splices accessible
behind cover. 480 volt.
In 1987 a new 12,470 volt, three-phase system was installed
throughout the entire community. Design and construction was
based on Rural Electrification Association (REA) standards.
Most poles were replaced and new poles were added to bring the
system up to REA standards.
A 7200 volt, underground, single-phase line was run to the
north side of the runway to serve customers located away from
the central part of the community. The project also included
upgrading all service drops.
3727/909/36 - 32 -
Replacement cost of the entire distribution system was approx-
imately $123,000. A portion of these funds was paid to the
City for local work crew salaries, thus contributing to the
local economy.
The primary reason for replacement of the distribution system
was safety, but fuel savings can also result from reduced line
losses. These savings can be estimated by taking an annual
net generation estimate of 250,000 KWH per year and figuring
25% line losses at 62,500 KWH/year. Under the improved
distribution system, a net generation of 250,000 KWH per year
at 5% line losses yields 12,500 KWH/year, resulting in a
reduced generation requirement of about 50,000 KWH/year.
Close-up view of 480 volt duplex line mounted in tripod
approximately 8 feet above ground.
3727/909/37 - 33 -
VII.
By dividing this 50,000 KWH by a generation efficiency of 10
KWH per gallon, an estimated annual fuel savings of about
5,000 gallons may be realized from improvement to the distri-
bution system. Using the average cost of $1.56/gallon for
oil, this results in an estimated dollar savings of $7,800.
With estimated project costs at $123,000 and estimated first
year savings of $7,800, a simple payback for this project is
just under 16 years.
The older system also had high operating costs because the
larger, 85 KW generator was needed to handle the high load
requirement caused by extreme line losses. Dropping line
losses by an estimated 20% and reducing commercial load
enabled the City to use a newer, smaller generator.
All of these electrical system improvements resulted in
increased reliability, fuel efficiency, lower operating costs
and improved safety. The original appropriation for this
project was motivated by safety concerns, but system modifi-
cations resulted in energy savings as well. It should be
noted that combined energy savings for generator, distribution
system, and end-use improvements may be less than the savings
that is calculated for each of the projects individually.
Heating System Improvements
Waste Heat Project
In 1987 the City of Nikolai completed work on an existing mainte-
nance building. Originally constructed in 1985, the maintenance
shop did not have a heating system. The original building consists
of a two-story, 40' x 40' shop area and two 20' x 40' maintenance
bays. The maintenance bays are used for storage and repair of
3727/909/38 - 34 -
heavy equipment such as the City's fire truck and earth moving
machinery.
In 1988 a waste heat system was designed and installed for the
building. Adjacent to the maintenance building, there are four
separate generator buildings; three belonging to the City and one
to the school. The cooling systems for the three City-owned
generators were tied together with a heat exchanger system that
transfers heat from the generators' jacket water to a circulating
system in the maintenance building.
Waste heat utilidor from generator house to maintenance building.
3727/909/39 - 35 -
Heating lines from the power house were run about 20 feet to the
maintenance building through a 12" x 12" fully-insulated utilidor.
Heat is distributed through six unit heaters suspended throughout
the building. A pump circulates anti-freeze through the distri-
bution system. Separate unit heaters provide heat to the four
power houses.
Since this is a newly-installed system and there are no heating
records for earlier years, fuel use was estimated to be about 4,700
gallons per year. Using the average fuel cost of $1.56 established
for the lighting project, annual first-year costs for heating the
building would be about $7,332 if this level of fuel consumption
actually takes place.
Estimated simple payback for the waste heat project, based on a
$19,000 project cost, is a little over two and one-half years.
This figure will vary depending on the actual avoided heating fuel
costs, which will be available after the first heating season.
Maintenance building.
3727/909/40 - 36 -
Dates:
Purpose:
Results:
Costs:
NIKOLAI RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING PROJECT
July 1987-June 1988
To measure energy savings from replacing
incandescent with low-energy fluorescent Light bulbs
in community residences.
A 12.7% reduction in electrical use by households
over the one year period.
An estimated first year fuel savings of 738 gallons
An estimated cost savings of $1,151
First-year payback for project is 1.95 years.
Savings are expected to continue for an additional
17 months before bulbs scheduled for replacement
Materials and shipping costs were $2,246. Project
management labor was donated by City of Nikolai.
Nikolai Lighting Project
Executive Summary
The Nikolai Lighting Demonstration project was conducted from July
1987-June 1988. Its purpose was to measure energy savings from replac-
ing incandescent with low-energy fluorescent lighting in 36 community
residences. The project resulted in a 12.7% reduction in electrical use
and an estimated savings of $1,151 in avoided oi] costs for the communi-
ty over the one year period.
Other project objectives included the following:
eto determine the impact of changes in kilowatt hour sales on the
utility's annual fuel and operating costs,
*to develop a profile of how homes use electricity; and
eto identify installation and operating problems with low-energy
fluorescent bulbs.
While the lighting project was underway, several other energy improve-
ments were completed in Nikolai. These included replacing the City's
generator and electrical distribution lines, installing a waste heat
system, phase balancing the distribution system, and reducing the
electrical requirements of the City's Lodge/Duplex building.
A section of this report provides details on these projects, and empha- sizes the importance of evaluating all parts of the utility's system to determine the best type of improvement. These combined activities should result in significant fuel savings for Nikolai over the next
several years.
Using the simple payback method, the projects' costs and benefits are
described in the table on the next page.
5258/954(1)
Nikolai Energy Improvements
Cost/Payback Estimates
Project Description Cost Estimated Estimated Payback
($) Fuel Savings Ist Year (Years) **
(Gallons )* Savings($)*
Generator Replacement 8 ,000 3,200 5,000 1.50
Lighting Project 2,246 738 1,151 1.95
Lodge/Duplex 4,000 1,000 1,560 2.56
Load Reductions
Waste Heat Retrofit 19,000 4,700 7 332 2.59
Distribution System 123,000 5 ,000 7,800 16.00
* Savings cannot be added. Multiple improvements affect savings
calculations for the total system.
** Payback Years are based on assumptions such as fuel cost, system
efficiency and estimated savings that may vary in practice.
Without sub-metering households, electricity savings can only be es-
timated. Estimates can be improved, however, by identifying how elec-
tricity is used in the home.
A preliminary household survey was conducted to accomplish this objec-
tive. The survey identified the number and type of appliances in each
home, and the lighting wattages before and after the low-energy fluores-
cent bulbs were installed. This information was used to estimate the
percentage of electricity used by light bulbs in community homes.
Monthly energy use for all residences began to decline three months
after the bulbs were installed. Changes in appliance use were con-
sidered negligible, and the decline was attributed wholly to the change
in lighting. Monthly kilowatt hour use is described in Table 1 of the
report. Savings were calculated by comparing electrical use for each
household 12 months before and after energy-efficient lighting was
installed.
A follow-up consumer survey was conducted 12 months after low-energy
fluorescent lighting was in place. This survey evaluates consumer
5258/954(2)
response to the lighting project. It provides information on durabil-
ity, lighting quality and costs of low-energy fluorescent bulbs. The
results of the two surveys are discussed in the report.
The report evaluates the affect of declining fuel costs on Nikolai's
Power Cost Equalization (PCE) rate and consumer tariff. During the two
year study, Nikolai's PCE rate dropped from 41.8 cents per kilowatt hour
to 21.0 cents. The community's tariff dropped from 60 cents per
kilowatt hour to 50 cents.
The final portion of the report discusses the potential impact of energy
projects on utility cash flow and tariffs. This section presents
different points to consider when planning an energy project. Both
regulated and non-regulated utilities are discussed in this section.
The report stresses the importance of prioritizing energy projects to
achieve the best return on investment. Improvements in generator
efficiency can have positive, short-term benefits in reducing utility
fuel use and costs. In the case of Nikolai, energy efficiency improve-
ments to the City's Lodge/Duplex building had a larger kilowatt hour
savings than the residential lighting program.
Each rural electrical system is unique, and should be considered as a
whole when prioritizing energy projects. The projects in Nikolai
demonstrate the effectiveness of looking at supply and end-use as a
dynamic system. A combination of energy improvements keeps the whole
system sized to the community's needs, and provides effective long-term
savings for rural consumers.
5258/954(3)
Table 1
Nikolai Lighting Project
Changes in Residential
Kilowatt Hour Use
Month FY87 Usage FY88 Usage Difference Difference
(KWH) (KWH) (KWH) (%)
July 3,638 4,162 + 984 +14.4 August 4,090 3,524 - 566 -13.8
September 3,376 3,858 + 482 +14,3
October 4,740 3,756 - 984 -20.8 November 4,370 3,783 - 587 -13.4
December 5,763 4,421 -1,342 -23.3
January 4,855 3,538 -1,317 -27.1
February 3,748 3,295 - 453 -12.1
March 4,212 3,492 - 720 -17.1
April 3,706 3,194 - 512 -13.8
May 3,901 3,701 - 200 - 5.1
June 4,205 3,478 - 727 -17.3
Totals 50,604 44,202 -6,402 -12.7
3727/909/19 - 15 -
KWH USE
6000
5900
0000
4500
4000
3900
3000
Nikolai Lighting Project:
Changes in Residential KWH Use
\A “ \ L o | ==
Cd
,
JUL AUG SEP OCr NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR = MAY JUN
@ FY87
Ct FY88
Nikolai Lighting Project
Monthly KWH Use
Lodge/Duplex Building
Month Year Difference % Change
1987 1988
March 2,080 1,416 - 664 -31.9
April 1,494 253 -1,241 -83.1
May 1,247 231 -1,016 -81.5
June 1,327 115 -1,212 -91.3
July 1,114 122 - 992 -89.0
August 418 181 - 237 -56.7
September 538 198 | - 340 -63.2%
October 413 424 11 2.7%
November 675 498 - 177 -26.2%
December 1786 562 -1,224 -68.5%
Totals 11,092 4,000 -7,092 -63.9%
5257/909/2
Nikolai Lighting Project:
Monthly KWH use for
Lodge/Duplex Building
2500 +
2000 <— .
1500 + 5 L = a 1987 KWH USE Oo 1988 1000 +
500 +
i —— IO
0 + + + + + + t + 1
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