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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReconnaissance Study Of Energy Requirements & Alternatives-Finding and recommendations 1980RECONNAISSANCE STUDY OF ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR ELIM, KALTAG, SAVOONGA AND WHITE MOUNTAIN FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Funding was made available to the Power Authority in July of 1980 to conduct reconnaissance studies of energy requirements and alternatives in 29 selected Western Alaskan villages. Holden & Associates was the engineering firm selected to conduct the reconnaissance studies for the villages of Elim, Kaltag, Savoonga, and White Mountain. STUDY DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the study was to identify and assess the present and future power needs of each community and to assess the power project alternatives available to that community. It will serve as the basis for recommending more detailed data collection activities, resource assessments or detailed feasibility studies of one or more specific power project alternatives. The study includes the following items: 1. An assessment of existing demographic and economic conditions, power facilities, heating facilities, and preparation of an energy balance that characterizes total energy use in terms of energy forms entering the area, end uses and waste heat. 2. A 20 year energy requirements forecast which addresses economic activity, planned capital projects and electrical and heating end uses. The forecast includes electrical energy, heating energy and peak loads. 3. A resource and technology assessment. This includes an energy resource assessment for those resources available to each individual village, a brief description of the full range of alternative electrical energy technologies, and a determination of which technologies are available to each village. ‘4. Formulation of a number of energy plans for each individual village incorporating those technologies previously determined to be available to each village. The plans include a base case plan which consists of the continuation of existing practices. 5. Economic, environmental and technical evaluation of each plan. 6. Recommendation of the preferred energy alternatives for each individual village and required subsequent resource assessments and feasibility studies. Paae 1 ‘ pet FINDINGS: Elim - The existing electrical energy requirements and peak demand are approximately 249,819 kwh/yr and 82 kw respectively. These requirements are expected to increase to 654,293 kwh/yr and 213 kw by the year 2001. Existing heating energy requirements are 13,400 MBTU/yr. This requirement is expected to increase to 20,900 MBTU/yr by the year 2001. Existing power generation for the village is by one 250 kw, one 105 kw, and one 50 kw diesel generators, all owned by AVEC. The school district owns two standby diesel generators which supply power to the school during AVEC outages. Also, a Single 1 kw wind generator has been installed for use by the National Guard Armory. Most residential space heating is by woodstove. The remainder of the village heating requirements is accomplished by the use of fuel oil. The lowest cost energy plan available to Elim consists of continued diesel electric generation with the implementation of an increased conversion efficiency system, waste heat recovery for the school buildings, heavy utilization of woodstoves and weatherization measures. All plan components have been proven and demonstrated in an Alaskan village environment with the exception of the increased conversion efficiency component which would require pre-packaged load sharing and sequencing systems. The second lowest cost alternative is the base case plan of continued diesel electric generation with a continuation of the existing proportion of fuel oil and wood for space heating purposes and none~~ the “lowest cost plan" improvements. Development of hydroelectric energy on Quiktakik Creek with supplemental diesel electric generation and maximum utilization of woodstoves and weatheri- zation measures was found to be the highest cost alternative and, therefore dropped from further consideration. The harvest and transportation of wood required for space heating could have significant environmental impacts due to access trails and clear cutting. Also, development of the hydroelectric project could have significant adverse environmental impacts. Community preferences at Elim include hydroelectric power and weatherization of older homes. Kaltag - The existing electrical energy requirements and peak demand are approximately 240,654 kwh/yr and 88 kw respectively. These requirements are expected to increase to 609,060 kwh/yr and 224 kw by the year 2001. Existing heating energy requirements are 17,100 MBTU/yr. This requirement is expected to increase to 32,000 MBTU/yr by the year 2001. Existing power generation for the village is by one 250 kw, one 105 kw and one 50 kw diesel generators, all owned by AVEC. The school district owns two standby diesel generators which supply power to the school during AVEC outages. Also, one small privately owned generator is operated in Kaltag. Most residential and a portion of the commercial and public facility space heating is by woodstove. The remainder of the village heating requirement is accomplished by the use of fuel oil. The lowest cost energy plan available to Kaltag consists of continued diesel electric generation with the implementation of an increased conversion efficiency system, waste heat recovery for the school buildings, heavy Page 2 utilization of woodstoves and weatherization measures. All Plan components have been Proven and demonstrated in-an Alaskan village environment with the exception of the increased conversion efficiency component which would require pre-packaged load sharing and sequencing systems. The second lowest cost alternative is the base case plan of continued diesel electric generation with a continuation of the existing proportion of fuel oil and wood for Space heating purposes and none of the “lowest cost plan" improvements. A plan including development of a hydroelectric project on the south tributary of the Kaltag River was considered, but found to be too expensive and dropped from further consideration. The harvest and transportation of wood required for space heating could have significant environmental impacts due to access trails and clear cutting. Also, development of the hydroelectric projects could have significant adverse environmental impacts. Community preferences at Kaltag include hydroelectric power, weatherization of residential housing, energy education and wood fired electric generation if hydroelectric is not feasible. One resident suggested mechanization of wood transportation. Savoonga - The existing electrical energy requirements and peak demand are approximately 652,574 kwh/yr and 192 kw respectively. These requirements are expected to increase to 1,516,831 kwh/yr and 444 kw by the year 2001. Existing heating energy requirements are 34,100 MBTU/yr. This requirement is expected to increase to 65,300 MBTU/yr by the year 2001. Existing power generation for the village is by one 250 kw, one 300 kw and one 100 kw diesel generators, all owned by AVEC. The Bureau of Indian Affairs owns two standby diesel generators which provide power to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bering Strait REAA schools during AVEC outages. Nearly all village space heating is accomplished by the use of fuel oil. A few homes are equipped with woodstoves which utilize the scarce amounts of driftwood found on St. Lawrence Island. The lowest cost energy plan available to Savoonga consists of continued diesel electric generation with a 25% insertion of wind power, waste heat recovery for the school buildings, heavy utilization of cdéal for space heating and weatherization measures. All plan components have been proven and demonstrated in an Alaskan village environment with the exception of the increased conversion efficiency component and the wind energy conversion systems. The increased conversion efficiency component would require pre- packaged load sharing and sequencing systems. Wind generators show promise as a future means of offsetting a portion of the villages electrical energy requirements and may someday help to satisfy a portion of the space heating requirement through resistive heating. However, wind generation systems greater than 4 kw in size have not proven themselves as yet. Not one system of the size deemed necessary to supply an economical portion of Savoonga's overall electric energy requirements has been successfully installed in Alaska. Two occurrences of coal have been identified on St. Lawrence Island. One source is reported to be used for residential heating. No information exists on the grade or tonnage of this coal, but if of inferior quality or inadequate supply, the possibility of barging in coal from other localities may be available. The second lowest cost plan consists of all the “lowest (2D cost plan" components minus the wind energy conversion system and coal space heating. The highest cost alternative is the base case plan of continued . diesel electric generation with continued use of fuel oil for space heating and none of the “lowest cost plan" improvements. Environmental impacts of the plans are expected to be minimal. The ex- traction of coal could have adverse impacts on fish, wildlife and vegeta- tion. Emissions from coal heaters could be detrimental, however, due to the small size of the community and the continuous movement of air in the area impacts should be minimal. Community preferences at Savoonga include weatherization programs, wind power, energy education and development of alternative heating fuels. White Mountain - The existing electrical energy requirements and peak demand are approximately 76,000 kwh/yr and 25 kw respectively. These requirements are expected to increase to 137,790 kwh/yr and 45 kw by the year 2001. Existing heating energy requirements are 8,200 MBTU/yr. This requirement is expected to increase to 17,100 MBTU/yr by the year 2001. There are no centralized power generating facilities in White Mountain. The Bering Strait School District owns two 85 kw and one 35 kw diesel generators which supply power to the school, health clinic and store. In addition, there are six small gasoline generators which supply power to private residences and a church. White Mountain will be electrified by the Bering Strait School District power generation system this year. Most village space heating is accomplished by the use of fuel oil. Some residences are equipped with woodstoves, however. The lowest cost energy plan available to White Mountain consists of diesel electric generation with the implementation of an increased conversion efficiency system, waste heat recovery for the school buildings, heavy utilization of woodstoves and weatherization measures. This plan assumes the community will be electrified by the school district as planned. All plan components have been proven and demonstrated in an Alaskan village environment with the exception of the increased conversion efficiency compo- nent which would require pre-packaged load sharing and sequencing systems. The second lowest cost alternative is the base case plan of continued diesel electric generation from the school district generators with a continuation of the existing proportion of fuel oil and wood for space heating purposes and none of the "lowest cost plan" improvements. Development of a hydro- electric project on Eagle Creek with maximum utilization of woodstoves and weatherization measures was the highest cost plan and therefore dropped from further consideration. The need for a wide pad crawler tractor for the transportation of wood was also identified. The harvest and transportation of wood required for space heating could have significant environmental impacts due to access trails and clear cutting. Also, development of a hydroelectric project on Eagle Creek could have significant adverse environmental impacts. Community preferences at White Mountain included completion of the electrification project by the school district, implementation of a weatherization program, mechanization of the current wood transportation system, implementation of a grant or low cost loan program to assist in the purchase of woodstoves, and a higher degree of energy efficiency in new homes. SDD RECOMMENDATIONS: It is the recommendation of the Power Authority that Elim, Kaltag and Savoonga continue to use diesel generation to satisfy their electric energy requirements and that White Mountain proceed with planned centralized diesel electrification of the community by the school district. A study should be conducted to determine the feasibility/final design of a waste heat recovery system to supply heat to the school buildings in all four villages. At White Mountain, installation of the system should coincide with the scheduled remodeling of the elementary school to reduce costs. A demonstration project to determine the feasibility of increasing con- version efficiencies of diesel electric generators utilizing load sharing and sequencing systems as mentioned earlier, and perhaps other systems suggested by different consultants, should be conducted. Such systems would require pre-packaged load sharing and sequencing systems which are commer- cially available from United States manufacturers, but are relatively complex for village use and may have difficulties functioning in extreme temperature variations. If proved feasible, a re-assessment of the technologies appli- cation to each of the four villages should be made. If the appropriate type and size of wind generator proves itself in the Alaskan environment and becomes commercially available in the future, feasibility studies should be conducted at Savoonga to determine if such units would be a viable conservation measure to work in conjunction with the diesel generators. Wind anemometers should be installed if the wind gener- ators prove themselves feasible to further assess wind potential. Also, an assessment should be made of coal resources on St. Lawrence Island for space heating purposes and for potential coal fired binary cycle electrical power generation. The assessment should be made in conjunction with a larger regional study, if possible, and should address importation of coal in the event local sources are inadequate. A demonstration project to determine the feasibility of utilizing coal and wood fired binary cycle electrical generation facilities should be conducted at an optimal location within Alaska. The demonstration project should also address co-generation for district heating. If determined feasible in the Alaskan environment and the appropriate type and size of unit becomes com- mercially available, site specific feasibility studies of using the binary cycle systems in each of the four villages should be conducted. The Power Authority also recommends conducting energy audits of all building stock and the implementation of cost effective weatherization programs and other conservation measures. Increased use of woodstoves should be encouraged as part of this program in Elim, Kaltag and White Mountain. | The residents of White Mountain should be provided a crawler tractor to aid in the harvest of wood. The estimated costs of these various programs are summarized below: Page 5 Waste Heat Recovery Feasibility/ Village Name Final Design Study Energy Audits Elim $ 15,000 $ 14,000 Kaltag 21,000 14,000 Savoonga 21,000 33,000 White Mountain 5,000 7,500 The estimated cost of the St. Lawrence Island coal resource assessment is $100,000, the estimated cost of the crawler tractor to aid in the harvest of wood at White Mountain is $120,000, the estimated cost of the increased conversion efficiency demonstration project is $200,000, and the esti- mated cost of the wood and coal fired binary cycle demonstration project is $3,000,000. J RY Lt Eric P. Yould Executive Director Page 6 of ALASKA FUEMORAMOY 4G ae TO: TP Yould, Executive Director 71 Uwoe* Alaska Power Authority FILENO TELEPHONE NO: ORT MA: i { | ; SUBJECT: ag Ronald DO. Lehr, Director) ; A.(3) & -. otudy Division of Budget and Management Office of the Governor FRO. In accordance with AS44.83.179, Budget and Management has completed a review of a reconnaissance study for Kaltag, Savoonga, White Mountain and Elim. We find that the study complies with statutory requirements and provides justification for captial expenditures to improve the energy utilization of each village. An attached memo gives a more detailed review of the reconnaissance study. ot ey SNIP ATEN EM ORAMOUK C Tn ; DATE 10 Crete Yould, Executive Director i (ows Alaska Power Authority FILENO. { TELEPHONE NO OR fi f 2 SUBJECT: 2 *0™: Ronald D. Lehr, Directonl- it A. (3) er _. otudy Division of Budget and Management Office of the Governor i, In accordance with AS44.83.179, Budget and Management has completed a review of a reconnaissance study for Kaltag, Savoonga, White Mountain and Elim. We find that the study complies with statutory requirements and provides justification for captial expenditures to improve the energy utilization of each village. An attached memo gives a more detailed review of the reconnaissance study. Ronald D. Lehr, Director September 2, 1981 Division of Budget and Management Office of the Governor George Matz, Program Analyst APA Reconnaissance Study Division of Budget and Management Office of the Governor The Alaska Power Authority (APA) has submitted to Budget and Management a copy of Reconnaissance Study of Energy Requirements and Alternatives for Kaltag, __ Savoonga, White Mountain, Elim, and a letter of findings and recommendations. . According to AS44.83.179, Budget and Management is to review the reconnaissance study and determine its compliance with the requirements of AS44.83.177. Funding for this reconnaissance study was provided by CH54/SLA80 which allocated $50,000 to each village. The reconnaissance study includes a detailed survey of all reasonable power sources which are available to each community at this time. The economic merits and the environmental impacts of each source of power are presented. The study includes the present and projected electrical energy demand for each community including net energy balance. A model was developed to project increases in population and electrical consumption. Although there may not be a sufficient data base to use such a model on a village basis, it may prove useful for rural regional studies. The assumptions used to determine saturation rates, etc., were reasonable. Residents of each community have had an opportunity to participate in public meetings and several public agencies have provided comments. The study is adequate and complete and approval is recommended. The APA recommendations are consistent with the reconnaissance and are also endorsed. One negative comment about the reconnaissance study concerns its' organization. Information was often fragmented and frequently redundant. From a reviewers standpoint, it would have been easier to have information presented on a village by village basis. For instance the resource and technology assessment for a village should be followed by its energy plan and its recommendations. The reconnaissance study and the APA make recommendations for each village. It should be noted that many of the projects being recommended are funded by CH90/SLA81. Section 6 provides funding for power project feasibility studies, preconstruction, design and engineering for a number of villages including Elim and Kaltag. Section 28 provides $5,000,000 for the acquisition and installation of two organic Rankine Cycle generators in Northwest Alaska. Section 31 allocates $170,000 to White Mountain for electrification. Section 42 appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Natural Resources for a coal resource investigation on St. Lawrence Island where Savoonga is located. Section 48 Ronald D. Lehr, Director September 2, 1981 Division of Budget and Management Office of the Governor George Matz, Program Analyst APA Reconnaissance Study Division of Budget and Management Office of the Governor The Alaska Power Authority (APA) has submitted to Budget and Management a copy of Reconnaissance Study of Energy Requirements and Alternatives for Kaltag, Savoonga, White Mountain, Elim, and a letter of findings and recommendations. . According to AS44.83.179, Budget and Management is to review the reconnaissance study and determine its compliance with the requirements of AS44.83.177. Funding for this reconnaissance study was provided by CH54/SLA80 which allocated $50,000 to each village. The reconnaissance study includes a detailed survey of all reasonable power sources which are available to each community at this time. The economic merits and the environmental impacts of each source of power are presented. The study includes the present and projected electrical energy demand for each community including net energy balance. A model was developed to project increases in population and electrical consumption. Although there may not be a sufficient data base to use such a model on a village basis, it may prove useful for rural regional studies. The assumptions used to determine saturation rates, etc., were reasonable. Residents of each community have had an opportunity to participate in public meetings and several public agencies have provided comments. The study is adequate and complete and approval is recommended. The APA recommendations are consistent with the reconnaissance and are also endorsed. One negative comment about the reconnaissance study concerns its' organization. Information was often fragmented and frequently redundant. From a reviewers standpoint, it would have been easier to have information presented on a village by village basis. For instance the resource and technology assessment for a village should be followed by its energy plan and its recommendations. The reconnaissance study and the APA make recommendations for each village. It should be noted that many of the projects being recommended are funded by CH90/SLA81. Section 6 provides funding for power project feasibility studies, preconstruction, design and engineering for a number of villages including Elim and Kaltag. Section 28 provides $5,000,000 for the acquisition and installation of two organic Rankine Cycle generators in Northwest Alaska. Section 31 allocates $170,000 to White Mountain for electrification. Section 42 appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Natural Resources for a coal resource investigation on St. Lawrence Island where Savoonga is located. Section 48 appropriates $400,000 for a Bering Straits wind project for a number of villages including White Mountain and Savoonga. Also, White idountian has previously received $5,000 for a generator hook-up (Chp. 50/SLA80) and $50,000 for a generator (Chp. 173/SLA80). tone of the recommended projects would be subject to the project review process (AS44.87.181 or AS44.83.183). However, if State funding is expected for project construction budgetary approval is needed which generally requires similar justification. Ae OG << appropriates $400,009 for a Bering Straits wind project for a number of villages including White Mountain and Savoonga. Also, White ifountian has previously received $5,000 for a generator hook-up (Chp. 50/SLA80) and $50,000 for a generator (Chp. 173/SLA80). None of the recommended projects would be subject to the project review process (AS44.87.181 or AS44.83.183). However, if State funding is expected for project construction budgetary approval is needed which generally requires similar justification.