HomeMy WebLinkAboutKaltag Reconnaissance Study of Energy Requirements & Alternatives 6-1981
RECONNAISSANCE STUDY
OF
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES
FOR
KALTAG, ALASKA
(A SUMMARY)
ROPERTY GF:
Prepared by:
HOLDEN & ASSOCIATES
Planning Consultants
Juneau
ERYER's PRESSLEY? @2LIOda
Consulting Engineers
Anchorage
JWA
Professional Engineering
Alaska
June 1981
Prepared for:
ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY
INTRODUCTION
The Alaska Power Authority undertook an analysis of the current and future
energy use patterns and possible alternative energy sources in various com-
munities in rural Alaska. The results of one portion of that work are con-
tained in a report entitled: Reconnaissance Study of Energy Requirements
and Alternatives for Kaltag, Savoonga, White Mountain and Elim. The re-
port, prepared by Holden & Associates, Fryer : Pressley : Elliott, and JWA,
outlines in detail the current energy use patterns and suggests some alter-
native methods of providing for future energy needs of the communities
surveyed.
This summary is intended to describe the recommendations and findings of
the above mentioned report. If you desire more information on this subject,
you may obtain a copy of the full report from your City Council, Village
Corporation or High School, or you may contact the Alaska Power Authority
(Attention: Mr. Don Baxter, 333 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 31, Anchorage,
Alaska 99501, 276-7641) or Holden & Associates (Attention: Mr. Richard
Holden, 1710 Davis Avenue, Juneau, Alaska 99801, 586-3687).
Briefly, the forecast for the future energy needs of Kaltag are as follows:
FORECASTED ENERGY CONSUMPTION
1981 1986 1991 1996 2001
Electric (kWh x 1000) 241 285 396 502 609
Peak Demand (kW) 88 105 146 185 224
Thermal (Btu x 109%) 17 22 27 29 32
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The residents of Kaltag are dependent on high cost, imported diesel fuel for
the production of electric energy. The cost is stiff. Fuel oil for power
generation (and space heating) is about $2.00 a gallon (1981) and electric
energy is generated at'a cost of approximately 37¢ per kWh:
Escalating oil costs have spurred a large scale return to wood for residential
space heating. The conversion now underway has been spontaneous and
largely unaided by outsiders. Today 90 percent residential and 35 percent
commercial/municipal heat is provided by wood. For those with good health
and the cash resources to purchase snowmachines, boats and motors, gaso-
line, chainsaws and wood heaters, this option is viable. For the old, dis-
abled and financially disadvantaged, the switch to this cheaper fuel source
cannot be afforded (regardless of income source). Wood harvest and trans-
port is accomplished by individuals or small groups, and these activities are
tailored to other seasonal subsistence patterns such as hunting and fishing.
The small amount of excess wood available in Kaltag fetches about $90.00 per
cord ($5.80/10® Btu); a little more than one-third the cost of fuel oil.
The high cost of electricity is reflected in low consumption rates. The
average household uses about 1,700 kWh per year, or about one-third of
railbelt consumption; yet pays about twice the utility bill. Under such
"subsistence" level consumption, it is difficult to consider significant savings
through conservation, not withstanding total disconnect.
Home heating, on the other hand, does not mirror conservative electrical
consumption. Building heat loss is more a function of the building's charac-
teristics (e.g., size and condition) than a function of occupant habits.
Although the average house is about 450 square feet, the family occupying it
must provide about 175 x 10° Btu annually for space heat (10 cords of wood,
equivalent). The extreme subarctic cold, high winds and substandard hous-
ing, aggravated by escalating fuel costs cause an ever increasing stress on
household budgets. Unlike residential electric consumption, conservation of
residential heating fuel has obvious merit.
Regional transportation is by barge (in the ice-free summer months) and by
air (year-round). Due to remote location and logistical difficulties, the cost
of many goods and services consumed has a relatively and absolutely high
transportation component. Escalating fuel costs will be compounded by esca-
lating transportation charges. Gasoline for local snowmachine and_ boat
transport is about $2.50 per gallon (1980).
Construction of the community's energy balance revealed that schools are the
largest single consumers, as well as the largest consumer class of electric
energy, with residential being the second largest consumer class. However,
residential is the largest consumer class of space heating fuels, and schools
are the largest single consumers. Of every three million Btu's consumed
today for non-transportation needs, about one million are used for electric
power generation and two million are used for space heating -- an early
indication of where future emphasis may well be placed.
As the population continues to grow, the quality of housing continues to
increase and government related construction continues to expand, the de-
mand for raw energy resources will rise significantly. Base case forecasts,
performed by the reconnaissance team, indicate about a 60 percent increase
in per capita total electric consumption and about a 30 percent increase in
per capita total thermal energy consumption over the next 20 years.
The reconnaissance team evaluated a number of alternative fuel sources and
energy conserving technologies within the framework of this study. Primary
to evaluation procedures are the elements of cost, availability, reliability,
complexity and the desires and traditions of the community's residents.
Conclusions based on our technical and economic feasibility work are as
follows:
° Improvin diesel-electric conversion efficiency and capturing generator p
waste heat for space heating purposes appear to be the best short-term
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methods of defraying the high cost of electric generation.
The prospects for hydroelectric development are not clear-cut at this
reconnaissance level. Hydrologic investigation to confirm stream flow
(and, thus, electric generation capacity) and cost assumptions are re-
quired to adequately assess this potential.
Power generation technologies alternative to diesel-electric and hydro do
not appear to be economically or technically attractive for the small remote
load center considered.
Weatherization is a low cost proven technology with obvious merit.
Wood will remain an economically viable option for space heat. If this
already established pattern of conversion is continued to its apparent and
logical conclusion, approximately 95 percent of all residential space and 75
percent of all commercially and municipally operated space will be heated
with wood. Although the switch thus far has been accomplished inter-
nally, the final increments of the conversion described above may require
assistance in the acquisition of the tools of harvest, transport and end
use.
Although the pattern of conversion is established, long-term complications
may arise. Wood, which is classified as a renewable resource, regener-
ates slowly in the subarctic study area. Thus, convenient select wood
fuel could dwindle in the periphery of Kaltag. This raises the possibility
that forests will be depleted faster than trees cut for fuel can be re-
placed. Due to the construction of modern housing, schools and utilities,
this community is now immobilized. For residents who no longer can
simply pick up their belongs and leave when local resources dwindle, the
potential of wood's long-term price advantage over fuel oil could eventu-
ally evaporate.
Although wood can have a major impact on reducing the community's de-
pendence on imported petroleum, this development would not completely
solve the regions' energy problems. At least 50 percent of the energy
used by these communities cannot be replaced directly by wood (or coal),
using currently available technology.
We, therefore, conclude a long-term solution to the regions' problems appears
to be development of an alternative liquid fuel, derived from wood or coal or
both. Technologies required to convert wood and coal into fuels for trans-
portation, power generation and space heating are now being developed, and
may be available for use, on a regional basis, in the future.
Of course, the success of new and innovative technologies in rural Alaska
depends on the same transportaton systems needed to distribute coal and
wood within the region. Thus, in addition to the establishment of wood har-
vesting and coal extraction industries, a major component of the region's
energy plan should be the development of transportation systems of suffi-
cient scale to handle these fuels.
In conclusion, the alternatives evaluated herein can have an impact on low-
ering the Kaltag's dependence on high cost petroleum fuels. To do this the
plan must tap another bountiful form of energy -- the willingness and desire
of local residents to participate in finding and implementing solutions to their
energy problems. Thus, the ultimate solution must be consistent with
emerging village lifestyles, as well as being within the financial and technical
capabilities of local residents.
RECOMMENDATIONS
°o Electric Generation Plant
The fuel efficiency of the electric generation system should be increased.
This project involves the further training of operators and improved man-
agement of the plant facilities, load management, and replacement with
higher efficiency units as older units reach the end of their physical life.
Proceed with design and feasibility for the retrofit of existing diesel-
electric generators with waste heat recovery equipment for school space
heat. The electric generation plant will need to be relocated to a site
adjacent to the school. Estimated cost for feasibility and design is
$35,000.
Energy Conservation in Buildings
An energy specialist and auditor should be brought to Kaltag to assist
the residences in participating in the various weatherization programs that
exist under state and federal law.
A technical audit should be conducted of the school buildings and appro-
priate retrofit programs undertaken.
Hydroelectric potential
Although positive economic benefit for the Kaltag hydro plan was not
proven by this work, some hydrologic and cost assumptions remain uncon-
firmed by on-site investigation. Therefore, a reconnaissance geotechnical
and hydrologic investigation should be performed at the Kaltag hydro
sites. This on-the-ground investigation is needed primarily to verify
(winter and summer) statistically derived stream flow assumptions used
for the Corps of Engineers' analysis and incorporated into this study.
This reconnaissance would also assist in refining capital cost estimates for
each site. The economic benefits of the hydro site development could
then be reexamined using various petroleum fuel escalation rates and amor-
tization periods. This analysis would provide a basis for the decision to
conduct a full feasibility study. The estimated cost of this investigation
is $80,000.
Wood Resource
Encouragement and assistance should be given to those desiring to con-
vert to the local wood resource for space heat.
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF ENERGY RESOURCES
Heat Losses 1980 (2)
Source of Data:
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Engineer's estimate.
(2)
Estimate by local residents.
Inadequate data for the purpose of estimation.
Wood to Gas to Power; Galliett and Marks; 1980.
Weather Bureau Statistics.
Northwest Alaska Small Hydropower Reconnaissance Study (Draft), OTT
Watter Engineers, 1981. (7) Claus Naski and Don Tripplehorn; Sept. 1980. (8)
Reliability of Data:
(10) Adequate for the purpose of this work (reconnaissance level).
(11) Not adequate for the purpose of this work.
(12) Further data is
level work
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Blazing Alaska's Trails; Alfred Brooks; 1958.
required to verify or procede to feasibility
(KALTAG)
Source of Reliability Resource Quantity Quality Cost Data of Data
Wood 4.4 million Adequate for $90/cord (1)(2)(4) (10) cubic. yards Space Heat ($5.80/ (4) (1)(2) MMBtu)(1)
Wind Varies with 8.1 mph (1) (5) (10) Season and average(5)
year (1)
Coal Unknown Unknown (4) (3) (1) (4) (11) (12) Nearest point (7) (8) of previous
exploitation
is 40 miles
distant (1)(4)
Hydro- 4 miles Seasonal $4,792,200 (6) (10) (12) electric distant Flow (6) Capital 262 mWh (6) potential(6)
Generator 1.3x10°Btu/yr Adequate for $250,000 (2) (10) (12) Waste Heat Recoverable Space Heat (2) (2)
1980 (2)
Building 8.5x10°Btu/yr Adequate for (2) (10)
Envelope Recoverable space heat
The Federal Government and Alaska's coal; The Northern Engineer;
TABLE 2
CURRENT ENERGY BALANCE (KALTAG)
(1979 - 1980)
Fuel Oil Fuel Oil Wood Wood Total Waste Heat (Gallons) (BtuX10°) (Cords) (BtuX10°) (Btux109) (BtuXx109)
RAW_FUEL CONSUMPTION
ELECTRIC GENERATION 47,287 6.5 6.5 5.7
SPACE HEAT
Residential 5,000 0.69 450 7.0 7.7 3.7 Institutional 45,000 6.2 6.2 2.7 Commercial and Public Agencies 6,883 0.95 35 0.54 1.5 0.53
TOTAL SPACE HEAT CONSUMPTION 56,883 7.8 485 7.5 15.4 6.9
Water and Sewer Utility Heat 6,000 0.83 0.83 0.29
TOTAL BULK RAW FUEL CONSUMPTION 110,170 15.3 485 7.5 22.7 12.9 (Without Transportation)
ELECTRIC POWER CONSUMPTION kWh BtuX109
Institutional 113,065 0.38
Residential 84,825 0.28
Commercial 13,924 0.05 Public Agencies 9,243 0.08 Water and Sewer Utility 19,597 0.07
TOTAL ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION 240,654 0.82
TRANSPORTATION Gallons. BtuX109
Ground and Water (Regular Gas) 20,000 2.5 Air (Avgas) 6,000 0.76
MISCELLANEOUS FUELS
Propane 12,100 Lbs.
White Gas Unknown
Kerosene Unknown Note: All values are annual.
END USE CONSUMPTION BULA FUEL CONSUMPTION {i mae sd ao
FUEL OL FoR Yo WASTE HEAT FROM FUEL OL
Genleean NJ = _—— ELECTRIC TO Beer oO 47, mele aes Ol> KWH CONVEI2ZSION
@.5 Tod aru
FUEL OIL FoR oe HEAT 56883 GAL 7.8 X 1o? Bru
oes SPACE HEAT
COMMERCIAL ELECTAIC 15,9 fa PUBLIC AGENCIES ELECTRIC 224 SEWER 2 WATER UTILITY See bin
a Soe <= ES oO. oe
% WASTE HEAT
% WASTE HEAT
* & eb HOO? SB RDS 0.54 IO a % WASTE HEA PUBLIC AGENCIES | FUBLOL (ESGAL.,095K 10? it - a ae
PFIVGAS Gooo GAL, O16 Kio? Ba ——s”F
LALTAG ENERGY BALANCE (1979-1980) FI
NOTE: ALL VALVES ARE ANNUAL. @ULK FUBLS ONLY.
| Tea GAS ates GAL, 1B ko? anu
free] PETROLELIM PRODUCTS.
FIGURE - |
RESULTS OF COMMUNITY MEETING
A representative of the study team conducted a public meeting in Kaltag and
also addressed the Mayor and City Council of Kaltag on November 13, 1980.
Approximately 13 people participated. The purpose of the meetings was to
discuss the objectives of this study and to document local input on current
energy related difficulties and possible solutions which may be implemented
now and in the future. In subsequent days, the engineer had conversations
with many individuals concerning these same matters. The method of notifi-
cation was radio announcement on KNOM and posted message at the Post
Office and School.
It is felt, from these meetings and conversations, that the people of Kaltag
view their energy related difficulties generally as follows:
° The cost of electricity in Kaltag is excessive for people existing
primarily on a subsistence based economy.
° Many houses are inadequately insulated and weatherized, resulting
in high heat loss and personal discomfort. Some residents re-
ported icing on floors and in corners.
° Wood (the predominate fuel for residential space heating) is diffi-
cult to obtain by older or disabled people.
° This high cost of snowmachine and outboard motor fuel, physical
depreciation of outboards, snowmachines, and chain saws as well
as the difficulty of wood transport all contribute to make this
alternative more costly than may be initially estimated.
° Heating domestic water from the PHS built circulating water sys-
tems for showers, etc., is not possible with the manufactured and
self-built wood heaters and stoves currently in use.
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Residents of Kaltag expressed preference for the following concepts as a
means to deal with their current energy problems:
°
°
Development of hydroelectric power.
Implementation of a program to better insulate and weatherize
existing buildings.
Development of educational TV programming or literature disburse-
ment to teach techniques of home weatherization, conversion of
existing wood heaters to include domestic water heating, etc.
Development of a program to mechanize and centralize wood har-
vesting and transport in order to increase efficiency, lower costs,
and provide for older and disabled persons. It should be noted
that some residents were suspicious of this concept because of a
recent regional CETA funded attempt harvest wood for municipal
building use and for older people which apparently suffered ex-
tensive cost overruns.
Possible implementation of wood fired electric generation should
hydroelectric power not be feasible.
The residents of Kaltag were aware of several possible alternative energy
sources which exist in the local area and are as follows:
°o
°
Wood as both standing timber and drift. As previously noted, this
is the primary fuel source for residential space heating in Kaltag.
Hydroelectric potential as previously noted.
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LISRARY COPY
PROPERTY OF:
Alaska Power Authority
334 W. 5th Ave. Anchorage, Alaska 99501