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Brevig Mission Reconnaissance Study Of Energy Requirements & Alternatives-Appendix C Brevig Mission 1982
' VIL-A 002 Brevi os RECONNAISSANCE STUDY OF ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES APPENDIX C: BREV!IG MISSION MAY 1982 LIERARY COPY PROPERTY OF: Alaska Power Authority 334 W. 5th Ave. Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Prepared by: — ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY — BREVIG S MISSION FALRBANKS BETHEL ANCHORAGE ° oo KODIAK P VILLAGE SPECIFIC REPORT C. BREVIG MISSION TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page A - SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..........eeeceeesees C-1 Bo Mesa Gene ts aos ca rererce rere ro voor eV ov cv avave rete a ore el o/el aisle ololelelelstoleieiw' la veieleIsior C-1 A.2 - Alternative Plan Descriptions .......... cee esse ee eeeee C-1 B - DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ............. aeyare mois lcTeteele c-5 Beever COC AG OM mare creroranelotores siokeloioreloverc teietelelstererstorsrareloxcictererersveletelossicxers C-5 B.2 - Population C-5 02 -~_ EON cance U SN GSs Ske en de dee N ek CSEEENSs EERE dds sees C-5 B.4 - Government C-6 Oo = TANS OP CRC IOR a as aca 860446 e che etes eres POOOGGOC C-6 Ga== COMMUNITY. MEETING REPORM = stersreresorcscrercrtrejoieterocie! releloicreieieiel oleleieielersiers C-8 D - EXISTING POWER AND HEATING FACILITIES ...........cccccesccees C-10 Emm ENERGY = BAU ANGES wre sorercreloxeralessfelevoreret ol ererelereelefoiotoisloForele leis Ielalsisieielelaieleicle C-11 F-=- ENERGY REQUIREMENTS! FORECAST: ictere cracicietessie sicivislosieloiensisisisie cic C-13 F.1 - Capital Projects Forecast Fi2=— PODUN G1 ON ROMCCASC eicreire:crein «os 0leisielereisiajoieiwloleisieieielsisieleie ewe F.3 - Electrical Eneray Forecast o” B-4eqeihenma l= EneraysFOneGaStacisi.ssieri eo iciorersiareleleieloioisiciciciarcieis 1 Gie==VITCAGE ST ECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT <cicis avererere 1010 crcicre’o 010 1s Selerers: o1orereiere C-19 H - ENERGY PLAN DESCRIPTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS ..........eeeeeeeees c-21 Hela =BaS@e GaS@ majcrepstsrorerece onoioleteleierorerol boy eieioleioleleislarereoleTerols Ielotelelererero C-21 Ha2ameAllPernatt Ve Pan A o7cicrerexororarsrenerctele (olerelsl srel ore levetels ieiclol version C-22 Te==ENERGYSPEANE EVA I-UATILONS =< orerereterorerclo!steteveteiereioloislercleloleroieloleterorsiciorcie C-24 Tiles RASCs CASE —excrereisrorerete mistols|etsrelofeleleloteleiosWolsinieieielorsisvelorsioicreis: claret C-28 Te2aerAlernatsl y= Pilana tA M SiciciciercisiciercivicielsIeisieisivivie is eiclecisiesisicions C-33 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Section Page di =) COMMENTS! AND DISCUSSTON| Sccrerejers, cyelero svorets ra1016 012115) oielel.e (0 nie ete) sh 9) fe) 4) C-35 J.1 - Comments Received From Mr. Phil Kaluza .............00% C-36 J.2 - Comments Received From The Alaska Power MAM SEV AGHON Sheer c, crete io reuet fe) eves ove) evcvelereusharel o1otairoleteterousl stale] shes C-42 J.3 - Comments Received From The State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game ........... cece cece ec eeees C-47 J.4 - Comments Received From U.S. Fish and Wildlife SERVICE) TM ANCHORAGE) (sterosc)sissic1)oler ele cielcleierej ete; clelois oie oielesslelers C-50 J.5 - Comments Received From U.S. Bureau of Land MaridQ EMON Gs istejere)c1ci<10/ol eee oho lore ore) +1 ole! sieieloleiekal ey sieine) ele (elsiorelsiel< C-55 LIST OF TABLES No. Title Page 1 Comparative Estimated Electrical Energy Prices For Base Case and Alternatives ............cceeeeeeeee C-3 2 Eneray Use Profile for Brevia Mission - 1981 ............ C-11 3 Village Electric Energy Use Forecast ..............eeeeee C-16 4 Net Thermalll Reauirements) ).2/:1 0015 50/0 .010/ciaisi e110, e.cjeieloisisieieiseicie C-18 5 Village Technology Assessment ..........ceec cece eceecvees C-20 6 Estimated Costs of Breviq Mission Base Case ............. C-25-26 7 Estimated Non-Electrical Benefits of Base Case .......... C-27 8 Estimated Costs of Previa Mission Alternative Plan "A" .. C-29-30 9 Estimated Non-Electrical Benefits of Aliternnatdve (Plan SAM esol creteicicieler< e/eiereisicieisielelelelslinisierersieisieys C-31 10 Estimated Non-Electrical Disbenefits of AliGernatel Pian) As felelslelersiclejols jererelererole eieceieleieielel ere /eloleteleteler lel C-32 LIST OF FIGURES Title Page Energy (Cost) Summarsy) |ict-ye)e/e/elore telele ret clelielelolele nile slei ovet el ciel eteletotsletevers c-4 Energy. (Balance) cori rzopoy 010: overevete tore ops s}i0} 019; 6/6 5 (0 6 (ois) o10]/s10/0 fete le (ateia1 ol C-12 Electric iEnengy Use) Farecast) s.\c1c1s101212/0 0c le /06(0.2:6/ 010/010) lalelsiaseie.s C-17 BREVIG MISSION C-1 A_- SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS A.1 - General After an analysis of the information aathered on the village of Rrevia Mission, the recommendations which seem to be most appropriate to the existing village conditions and the wishes of the village residents are as follows: I A careful examination should be made of a number of recently built federally funded houses. Of all of the villages studied, including one in the North Slope Borough, Brevig Mission appeared to have the largest number of homes which used unreasonable amounts of fuel. Residents showed field teams walls inside homes which were covered with frost and bedrooms which were used as refrigerators because of inadequate warm air circulation. Several residents reported using fuel oil at the rate of one drum (55 gallons) every five days. It was made clear to the reconnaissance staff which visited the village that the residents were more concerned about the difficulties they had with home heating than about electrical energy supplies. The Rering Straits REAA should continue to provide electric service to the village. Presently this service is not reliable. There is no on-site maintenance staff with training in diesel enaine service and the diesels themselves have been troublesome in the past. This situation is not expected to improve until a reasonable maintenance program and skilled staff are provided. A waste heat system supplements the school's heating system and helps to keep village electric costs to a minimum. A wind turbine installation at Brevia Mission deserves a closer look than was possible in this study. While the present worth of this alternative was higher than that of the diesel/waste heat base case, it was close enough (about 10 percent difference) so that minor changes in some assumptions could change the outcome. A.2 - Alternative Plan Description A.2.1 - Base Case The Brevia Mission base case considers the supply of electricity to the village by the Bering Straits REAA school generators with no changes in operation except as required to serve additional load caused by village growth and expansion of distribution system if needed. It is not expected that the BSREAA will have to increase the installed capacity of its plant. It must, however, improve the BREVIG MISSION C-2 reliability of its service. The school generators will continue to provide waste heat to the schools to supplement their heating needs. This plan has a net present worth of $1,319,000 for the period 1982 through 2001. A.2.2 - Alternative Plan "A" In this alternative, in addition to the REAA generators, which will serve as the primary source of electrical power, there will be a relatively large (100 kW) wind turbine installed near the village. When there is sufficient wind to operate the wind turbine, the REAA diesels will be able to run at a liahter load and thus consume less fuel. It is not anticipated that such a wind turbine will be able to replace the diesel sets. This plan has a net present worth of $1,457,000 for the period 1982 through 2001. There was a slight preference voiced by village residents for wind eneray. This seemed to reflect a sentiment that wind energy is "free" and, therefore, very much preferable to diesel. Although it was originally intended that two alternative sources of electric energy would be investiaated, it was found that there is a lack of resources in Brevig Mission to produce electricity. Therefore, the only alternative examined was wind energy. Costs associated with electricity produced by the diesel/waste heat system and the diesel/waste heat/wind system are shown in Table 1 and in Figure 1. Figure 1 also shows the relative costs of a number of heating fuels available to Brevig Mission. Year 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Notes: 1. TABLE 1 COMPARATIVE ESTIMATED ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRICES FOR BASE CASE PLAN AND ALTERNATIVES Energy Base Case Plan Alternative "A" Production Energy Price Energy Price MWh kWh $/kWh 167 0.42 0.42 175 0.42 0.42 185 0.40 0.42 193 0.40 0.42 208 0.39 0.49 2h3 0.39 0.48 217 0.39 0.47 219 0.39 0.47 224 0.36 0.46 231 0.39 0.46 235 0.39 0.45 235 0.40 0.45 235 0.40 0.45 240 0.41 0.45 240 0.42 0.45 240 0.42 0.45 243 0.42 0.45 243 0.43 0.45 246 0.44 0.45 246 0.44 0.45 Energy prices shown for “Base Case Plan" include the savings realized by the operation of the waste heat equipment. Energy prices shown for "Alternative Plan 'A'" include the extra expenses incurred due to reduced heat output from the base case plan waste heat system. Energy prices are stated in terms of 1981 dollars and do not include costs of village distribution and administration. They also do not include any subsidies such as power cost assistance programs. €-9 NOISSIW DIAINg (umy/$) 1502 A9N3N3. BREVIG MISSION C-4 8 gz % a 3 a a UE EN NT 8 8 Rk BRE BRE = 90/4) 1809 49Y3N3 BREVIG MISSION- FIGURE | BREVIG MISSION C-5 B - DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS B.1 - Location Brevig Mission is located at the mouth of Shelman Creek on the north shore of Port Clarence, on the Seward peninsula. It is 5 miles northwest of Teller and 65 miles northwest of Nome. B.2 - Population Date: 1960 1970 1980 Population: 77 123 138 There are no early population records for Brevig Mission. The 1980 U.S. census shows 138 residents. Of the 123 persons living in the village in 1970, 118 were Kauwerak Fskimo. A report by PHS in 1979 stated that the population of Brevig Mission was 96 percent Native. The population of Brevig Mission fluctuates throughout the year, as fish camps draw people away during the summer months. B.3 - Economy The people of Brevig Mission depend on both sea mammals and fishing for subsistence. Seal, oogruk, and beluga whale are the most important subsistence food items. Fish staples include salmon, whitefish, herring, tom cod, flounder, sculpin and smelt. Residents also rely on waterfowl, game birds, eggs, rabbits, squirrels, moose, berries and an occasional polar bear. Reindeer were the economic base of this community from 1892 to 1974, but they are now declining. Skin sewing (arts and crafts) and seasonal construction bring in some cash income for residents. The city employs a village management trainee, police officer, and a part-time clerk. There are two stores, the Breviag Mission Native Store and the Native Corporation Store. The Norton Sound Regional Health Corporation employs one primary health aide. A postmaster was recently hired in Brevig Mission, and the BIA grade school employs two teachers, one maintenance person, a cook and two aides. The RFAA hiah school employs two teachers. RREVIG MISSION C-6 Native residents of Brevig Mission are shareholders in the Brevig Mission Native Corporation. This organization was incorporated in accordance with the terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). B.4 - Government Brevig Mission was incorporated in 1969. The city has a mayor selected from a seven-member city council. Regular elections are held annually on the first Tuesday of November. The city employs a part-time clerk/administrator, a village management trainee and a chief of police (presently vacant). There is a volunteer fire department, but no equipment. Breviq Mission is eligible to participate in the State of Alaska's Revenue Sharing Program. Brevig Mission received $8,927 in shared revenue in fiscal year 1980. As a second class city, Breviq Mission may assume diverse powers, including levying taxes. The city presently assesses a 3 percent sales tax. For nonmunicipal programs and services, Brevia Mission's native population is represented by a six-member traditional council. The council is eligible to administer a variety of federal programs and services, including local health care, employment assistance, college assistance, social services and tribal operations. In Brevig Mission many of these services are provided by Kawerak, Inc., and the Norton Sound Health Corporation. B.5 - Transportation Brevig Mission is accessible by air, sea, and in winter, over land or ice. Its location on Port Clarence allows for barge service during the summer months. The BIA cargo ship, North Star III, stops annually in Brevig Mission to deliver supplies. There is no dock in the village, and supplies must be lightered a half mile to the beach. Arctic Lighterage provides barge service from Nome when demand warrants. Most families in the village own boats and use them for transportation and fishing from June to September. Port Clarence is generally ice-free from early June through mid-November. Except when seas are rough, Teller is easily accessible to Breviq Mission by boat; a road connects Teller to Nome. A 2,500 foot gravel airstrip is operated by DOT/PF. Both Wien Air Alaska and Munz Northern Airlines fly scheduled service from Nome on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Rering Air, Seward Peninsula Flying Service and Foster Aviation provide charter service from Nome and Teller Air Service provides charter service out of Teller. BREVIG MISSION C-7 Overland travel is limited in summer-due to the lack of roads. A road around the townsite was washed out and has not been repaired. There is a tractor, a pickup and two all terrain vehicles in Brevig Mission. Snowmobiles are the main mode of transportation during the winter months, along with a few dogsleds. A small tramway connects the BIA school with the boat landing area and is used to bring supplies to the school. It also serves as an elevated walkway above the often wet or flooded area which divides the village. BREVIG MISSION C-8 C_- COMMUNITY MEETING REPORT Field reconnaissance personnel arrived in Brevig Mission in the morning of December 1, 1981. A public meeting had been scheduled for that evening and the high school principal agreed to the use of one of the school's classrooms. The meeting was very well attended. It was estimated that about thirty residents came. The school generator had not been giving reliable service that day, and at the scheduled meeting time there was no power available. Repairs were made and there were lights available as the meeting began. Just after the program got underway, the generator broke down once again and remained out of service for the remainder of the meeting. Flashlights were used to provide some light for the meeting. Field personnel described the reconnaissance study and asked the meeting attendees to describe their ideas on the energy needs of Brevig Mission. At the time of the field team's visit, there was no central utility. Only the schools and the privately owned store had generators. There was a team of electricians in the village who were completing an electrification project which would make the school's generators the central power source for the village. The system was first energized briefly on December 2, but did not stay in service for long. As could be expected, there was much more interest in residential heating needs than in electricity generation. Those attending the meeting, having lived successfully without electricity, made it clear that they needed aid in their heating situation. Much discussion took place about the poor quality of construction of the newer federally-built housing. It was felt that a typical fuel use for some of the new homes was one drum (55 gallons) of fuel oi] every five days especially in cold weather and about five drums of oi] per month in the cold weather. (Field personnel later did a rough estimate of annual fuel use at such a rate of oi] consumption. It was estimated that a total of about 30 barrels of oi] per year or 1,650 gallons would be required. At current prices, this represents an annual cost of nearly $3,500.) Many residents have installed wood stoves adjacent to their oil stoves and have been able to gather enough wood to substantially reduce their oil use. Concern was expressed for the older village residents who can't gather wood so easily and who can no longer afford oi}. Some people pointed out that their homes were built without wiring systems and that the new electrification program did not do them much good. BREVIG MISSION C-9 The meeting lasted just over one hour. Field staff members were invited into some residents' homes and shown frost buildup on inside walls, ice buildup on the insides of windows, and water stains on ceiling tile. The newer homes are heated with an oi] stove at one end of the home with no system provided to circulate air to the back bedrooms, which become too cold to be livable. One resident stated that she used the back bedrooms as large refrigerators to store milk, meat, and other perishables. The back bedrooms were too cold to sleep in and the entire family (five people) slept in the living room/kitchen area. BREVIG MISSION C-10 D - EXISTING POWER AND HEATING FACILITIES As was briefly noted in the previous section, the Rerina Straits REAA Hiah School was, at the time of the field visit, in the process of becoming the village utility. At the time of the visit, there was no mechanism in place to provide for consumer billing, and apparently no rate structure available. The generators installed at the school were two 135 kW diesel sets. While final arrangements have not been completed, it is anticipated that the REAA will sell electricity to the village council of Brevia Mission. The council would then make its own arrangements for distribution of eneray throuahout the village and billing of customers. At the time of the visit, only one unit was operational, and then only sporadically, emitting a suspiciously loud knocking noise when running. The other unit was down for unknown reasons. School personnel stated that their district was quite slow to respond to the needs of the generator equipment. This was evidenced by the poor operating condition of the installed equipment (which was less than two years old). The school maintenance personnel at Brevig Mission are general purpose janitorial staff not trained in diesel generator maintenance. It is not likely that the existing arrangement will provide reliable power. [A representative of the Bering Straits REAA has subseauently advised the Alaska Power Authority that a new District Director of Maintenance is beina hired. It is the RFAA's objective to upgrade the quality of maintenance work throughout the district. New training programs are planned to provide better-prepared maintenance personnel. | There were three small (50, 40, and 25 kW) units sharina the generator building with the two 135 kW units. These units belona to the BIA school and are no lonaer used. The two 135 kW units are equipped with a water jacket waste heat recovery system. The waste heat is piped to the high school and to the BIA elementary school. No other facilities are close enouah to the school generator building to make further consideration of expansion of the waste heat system necessary. All other commercial and governmental buildings are heated with pot-burner type oil stoves. Homes are heated with a combination of oi] stoves and wood stoves. BREVIG MISSION C-11 E - ENERGY BALANCE As would be expected in a small village with little commercial and no industrial activity, most of the energy consumed is used for space heating. Data gathered by field staff shows the following energy uses. TABLE 2 ENERGY USE PROFILE FOR BREVIG MISSION - 1981 ota Heat Content Type of Fuel Cost End Uses Quantity (109 Btu) Fuel Oi] $2.11/qal Home Heating 21,000 aal 2.9 (residential) Cook ing Water Heating Fuel Oi] $2.11/gal Heating (School) 66,000 aqal 9.1 (Used by (est.) Cooking (School) School) Water Heating (School) Power Generation (School) Fuel Oi] $2.11/gal Heating 7,000 gal 0) (Other) Gasoline $1.90/aal Transportation 15,000 gal 1.9 Blazo $4.90/gal Cooking 800 gal 0.1 Lighting Propane $0.95/1b Cooking 2,500 lbs 0.05 Wood $200/cord Home Heating 150 cords 2.4 (est) Cooking (est.) Water Heating BREVIG MISSION C-12 Gaivwos0oN NWDIWENY B3WV 1 2 ayundla (1861) SONVIVE ASYSN3 NOISSIN SIA3ZYS “YA/NLE ,O! NI SLIND TIV ‘S310N" Hetero Hd (2001 (S0°0) 3NWdONd i (ZrO) ONINOOD WILN3OIS3Y eon ure) oer (OO) ONILHOIT AWILN30IS3Y (boo) NOLVLNOdSNVEL if N60 | (61) aNINOSV9 (2€°0) ALIDNIYLI3TN3 (€S1)S3SSO1 W31LSAS \ totes (Lo) ONILV3H Y3LVM iv3H 378v3sn ONV ONIMO00D TOOHOS (61)NOILVY3N39 Y3MOd (22) (sz) (22) S3SSO1 W3LSAS ONLIW3H 39VdS TOOHDS (S€0) 1V3H 318vasN> Fi (O'l) “WWO9/LAOD | (on (900) SNINOOD ANY o_ DNNLV 3H Y3LVM TWWILN3ZGIS3SY (sen) 4v3H 378Vv3sn (she) (es) $3SSo7 ONILV3H W31SAS 30vdS WILN301S3Y (ore) Wo 1W3N4 (v2) QO00M 3asn GN3 39YuNOS3Y ADY3N3 BREVIG MISSION C-13 F_- ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FORECAST F.1 - Capital Projects Forecast F.1.1. Scheduled Capital Projects None F.1.2. Potential Developments None F.1.3. Economic Forecast Brevig Mission is almost entirely a subsistence community. The only wage jobs are at the two stores, the health clinic, and a part-time postmaster. It is conceivable that the proposed sale of offshore oil exploration and development bases in the Kotzebue Basin could have an impact on the economy of Brevia Mission. F.2 - Population Forecast The annual growth rate in Rrevig Mission was 1.1 percent from 1970 to 1980. During the reconnaissance study site visit, villagers consistently reported that they expected Brevig to grow only very slowly from the natural birth and death rate, and they expected no in-migration. Therefore, a 1.0 percent per year arowth rate is used based on the population forecast. 1970 1980 1986 1991 1996 2001 Population 123 138 146 153 160 168 # Residences 18 41 43 45 45 47 # Commercial NA 2 2 2 2 2 # Gov't/Other NA 9 9 9 9 9 F.3 - Electrical Energy Forecast Brevia Mission has had a centralized electric utility since the end of 1981. Previously, the only buildinas served by electricity were the BREVIG MISSION C-14 schools, the private store, the PHS clinic, and the ANICA store. All residential lighting was by kerosene or Blazo lamps. Radios were battery operated. Given the general economy of Brevig Mission and the projected cost of electrical energy there, it is expected that residential use will be very low throughout the term of the study. Projections for 1982 show a per-residence use of only 1,500 kWh annually. As appliance use increases, energy use will climb accordingly so that by 1990 the per-household use will be about 2,700 kWh annually. Appliance saturation in the village will not occur until the mid-1990's when energy use will level out at about 3,000 kWh per household. The schools are the largest single consumers of electricity in Brevig Mission, using an estimated 81,000 kWh of energy each year. This level of use will remain fairly constant throughout the study. The commercial users in the village, the two stores, consume an estimated 9,000 kWh each per year. This sector is not expected to expand for the term of the study. The only other significant customer in the village is the clinic, which is expected to consume 3,000 kWh. In those cases where electricity can be produced at a cost significantly less than that of heat delivered by wood or fuel oil, there is likely to be a tendency to convert to electric space heat, driving the electricity demand up. None of the alternatives examined for Brevig Mission produced such a result. A summary of the forecast energy use and power demand in Brevig Mission through 2001 is shown in Table 3 as well as Figure 3. F.4 - Thermal Energy Forecast In the village of Brevig Mission, the largest single user of heating energy is the school system. It is estimated that the elementary and high schools together consume the equivalent of 52,000 gallons of fuel oi] annually. The waste heat system installed on the high school's generators supplements the boiler system. Of the residential energy use, it is estimated that about 98 percent of the usable energy delivered to the homes is used for space heating. It is estimated that if the "typical" Brevig Mission home had to rely exclusively on oil for its heating needs, that home would require about 900 gallons of fuel oi] per year. New homes should be built to be more energy efficient than those existing in Brevig Mission. For purposes of this study, it was assumed that any homes built after 1985 will be 30 percent more efficient in their use of heating energy than those presently there. This is certainly an attainable goal. Better design and more rigorous construction inspection will assist. BREVIG MISSION C-15 The remainder of the space heating requirements are taken up by the various commercial and governmental consumers. A summary of heat use projections is given in Table 4. The figures given in this table are expressed in terms of net thermal energy. Net thermal energy is the energy actually delivered to an end use, such as building heating, after all conversion losses have occurred. TABLE 3 VILLAGE ELECTRIC ENERGY USE FORECAST Residential Schools Other Total j Year kW Mah kW Muh kW Mh kW MWh 1982 12 62 30 81 8 24 50 167 1983 20 70 30 81 8 24 58 175 1984 21 80 30 81 8 24 59 185 1985 21 88 30 81 8 24 59 193 1986 26 103 30 81 16 24 72 208 1987 26 108 30 81 16 24 72 213 1988 30 112 30 81 16 24 76 217 1989 35 114 30 81 16 24 81 219 1990 35 119 30 81 16 24 81 224 1991 36 126 30 81 16 24 82 231 1992 36 130 30 81 16 24 82 235 1993 36 130. 30 81 16 24 82 235 1994 36 130 30 81 16 24 82 235 1995 40 135 30 81 16 24 86 240 1996 40 135 30 81 16 24 86 240 1997 40 135 30 81 16 24 86 240 1998 41 138 30 81 16 24 87 243 1999 41 138 30 81 16 24 87 243 2000 47 141 30 81 16 24 93 246 2001 47 141 30 81 16 24 93 246 i ED, Notes: 1. In 1983 there is a 67 percent increase in the residential sector's demand due to the rapid increase in per-household use since the village was only electrified in 1982. 2. In 1986 there is a doubling of demand in the "other" sector. This is due to the projected installation of runway lights which may draw about 8 kW. These lights, used only occasionally, use little energy. 91-2 NOISSIW DIA3ZUS BREVIG MISSION C-17 DEMAND(KW) - = = = ~~ z S - a = > an z 3° oO 3 « us =z LY) BREVIG MISSION- FIGURE 3 BREVIG MISSION C-18 TABLE 4 NET THERMAL REQUIREMENTS Electricity Residential Schools Other Total Year __————(10°Btu)__——(10%Btu) __—(10%Btu) __(10°Btu)_(10°tu) 1982 0.6 1.8 2.4 0.4 bie, 1983 0.6 1.8 2.4 0.4 Sind 1984 0.6 159 2.4 0.4 523 1985 0.6 1.9 2.4 0.4 533 1986 0.7 1.9 2.4 0.4 5.4 1987 On7 1.9 2.4 0.4 5.4 1988 0.7 Ue) 2.4 0.4 5234 1989 0.7 2.0 2.4 0.4 535 1990 0.8 200 2.4 0.4 556 1991 0.8 220 2.4 0.4 5.6 0.8 220) 2.4 0.4 5.6 1992 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 536 1993 0.8 220 2.4 0.4 5.6 1994 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 536 1995 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5.16 1996 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5/16 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 526 1997 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5.6 1998 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5.6 1999 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5.6 2000 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5.6 2001 0.8 2.0 2.4 0.4 5.6 BREVIG MISSION C-19 G - VILLAGE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT 1. Coal. There presently exist no practical means to provide Alaska coal to Brevig Mission. Additionally, the village lacks sufficiently skilled personnel to staff a coal fired plant. No consideration of the coal alternative is warranted. 2. Wood. There are no supplies of wood in sufficient auantity at Brevig Mission for purposes other than supplemental home heating. No further consideration of the wood resource alternative is needed. 3. Geothermal. There are no known geothermal resources in the Breviag Mission area. No further consideration of the geothermal alternative is warranted. 4. Hydroelectric. There are no suitable hydroelectric sites near Brevig Mission. No further consideration of the hydroelectric resource is warranted. 5. Photovoltaic. The technology is presently too expensive to consider for Alaska utility use. 6. Wind. There is a substantial wind resource available in all Seward Peninsula coastal communities. Records are available for Nome, Kotzebue, and Tin City. It is appropriate to consider the wind resource further and to establish some means of determining in some detail the specific nature of the windspeed distribution. In lieu of having site-specific data available for Brevig Mission, wind data taken at Kotzebue was analyzed. It is felt that a well-chosen site near Brevig Mission could provide enough wind to permit wind-turbine operation with a 25 percent plant factor. 7. Fuel Oi]. This resource is available by barge and is the primary fuel used in Rrevia Mission. Fuel oil is presently used for home heating and diesel generation. Table 5 presents the results of the preliminary evaluation of resources and technologies as applied to the community. Methods and criteria used in developing this table are covered in Section C of the main report. The results of this preliminary assessment were used as guidance in development of plans evaluated in the final stages of the study. BREVIG MISSION C-20 TABLE 5 VILLAGE TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR BREVIG MISSION RESOURCE FACTORS TECHNOLOGY Electric Coal Fired Steam Wood Fired Steam Geothermal Diesel (base) Gas Turbine Hydroelectric Wind Photovoltaic own Pe SP MFP NY NY BB mr rw HH OC OO GEOEOETEOEOoLonS or WOOF OF wWwwoaoaoda Ny nOoONNnNOO mnNoOorFNAOACOA ue 2. 3. 4, DB: 6. Tie 8. Heating Diesel Waste Heat Recovery Electric Resistance Passive Solar Wood Coal Oil (base) Other Coal Gasification Wood Gasification - Diesel Biogas Waste Fired Boiler Peat Binary Cycle Generator Conservation NOTE: Higher numbers are more favorable. BREVIG MISSION C-21 H_- ENERGY PLAN DESCRIPTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS H.1 - Base Case The base case plan uses the Rering Straits REAA diesel system to produce both electricity for the village and waste heat for the schools. Load forecasts indicate that the present generators will be sufficient to serve the needs of Brevig Mission through the end of the study period. Assumptions made when calculating future energy costs and present value figures for the base case were as follows: - The aenerators have the following capacities: Two 135 kW machines - The diesel sets will be valued at a purchase price of $300/kW plus $500/kW for installation, for a total of $800/kW installed. - The installed value of the waste heat recovery system will be 50 percent that of the diesel sets. - As long as the Bering Straits REAA operates the generators (and this is assumed to be the case throughout the study period), each diesel set will require an overhaul costina one half of its purchase price or $150/kW every five years. - REAA employees will carry out routine maintenance on the diesel sets. This service is valued at $8,000 per year. - It will be assumed that the qenerators will consume fuel at the rate of about 8 kWh/gal. This consumption rate will be used throughout the study period. - Annual (fixed) costs of the qeneration system operation are calculated as follows: (1) The initial cost of the diesel sets is amortized over 20 years. The real discount rate (net from inflation) is assumed to be 3 percent annually. (2) The initial cost of the waste heat system is amortized over 10 years. The real discount rate (net from inflation) is assumed to be 3 percent annually. (3) The annual costs of the overhaul work are the result of the establishment of a sinking fund which earns 3 percent annually designed to provide $150/kW every 5 years. (4) General operations and maintenance adds $8,000 to the annual expenses. BREVIG MISSION C-22 - Annual variable costs associated with the diesel set operation are calculated as follows: (1) Fuel in 1982 is assumed to cost $2.11 per gallon with its real (1981) cost rising 2.60 percent annually to $3.44 by the year 2001 and remaining constant thereafter. A tabulation of the results of these calculations is shown in the next section. It should be noted that the energy cost figure in $/kWh is not necessarily the cost which would be billed to the ultimate consumer. This figure, expressed in terms of 1981 dollars, does not take into account costs associated with distribution of energy within the village, which can add about $0.10/kWh to the consumer's cost. The figures also do not take into account subsidy programs such as the State's Power Cost Assistance Program. H.2 - Alternative Plan "A" Alternative "A" uses the diesel sets as described in the base case, with their associated waste heat system. In this alternative, however, a 100 kW wind turbine is installed near the village. At those times when there is sufficient wind to operate the wind turbine, its electrical output will be fed into the Brevig Mission power system. In these times, the school's diesels can run at less load, thereby saving fuel. In the real case, as a diesel is operated at less load, its fuel economy (kWh/gal) becomes worse. This effect will be ignored here. For purposes of this study, the wind turbine will be assumed to have a plant factor of 25 percent and an availability factor of 90 percent. The expected annual output of these machines is then: 100 kW x 8760 kW/yr x 0.25 x 0.90 = 197,100 kWh/yr This amount represents nearly all of Brevig Mission's electrical energy in the early years of the study, and about three-quarters of the needs by the year 2001. While such a large wind turbine would not likely be installed, an analysis of its performance should demonstrate the costs associated with a wind turbine in the best possible light due to the large quantities of diesel fuel which would be displaced. Assumptions made when calculating future costs of the diesel/wind turbine system are as follows: - The BSREAA generating plant is as stated in the base case study. - The capital costs associated with the wind turbine such as the one described in this alternative are $2,600/kW. The costs associated with wind turbine installation are also estimated at $2,600/kW, for a total of 100 kW x $5,200/kW = $520,000. BREVIG MISSION C-23 - This capital cost will be amortized over a period of 15 years. The real discount rate (net from inflation) is assumed to be 3 percent annually. This represents an annual cost of about $44,000. - Operations and maintenance of the wind turbine will require attention of skilled personnel brought in from Anchorage. It is estimated that this service will require four visits per year, each visit costing about $3,000. Total O&M charges are, therefore, $12,000 per year. - Total annual costs associated with the operation of the wind turbine are $56,000. - The on-line date of the wind turbine will be delayed until such time as the savings in fuel use by the REAA generators are sufficient to pay for the wind turbine. This will occur when the price of fuel reaches the level as calculated below: 197,100 kWh/ yr _ 94 637 gal of BSREAA fuel displaced 8 kWh/gal each year $56 ,000/yr Rete 2) $2.27/ dal 24,637 aal/yr Diesel fuel is expected to reach this level by 1985. To simplify later present-worth calculations, the wind turbine will be brought on-line in 1986. It is important to note that, while the electrical output of the wind turbine decreases the need for fuel used by the diesels, they in turn produce less waste heat, causing the REAA schools to use more fuel in their boiler systems. Calculations show that the 197,100 kWh of diesel qeneration displaced annually would have produced the heat equivalent of about 9,600 gallons of heating fuel which the schools must buy to replace the lost waste heat. This is taken into account as a non-electrical disbenefit in an auxiliary present-worth calculation. A tabulation of the costs associated with the implementation of this alternative is shown in the following section. BREVIG MISSION C-24 I_- ENERGY PLAN EVALUATIONS TABLE 6 ESTIMATED COSTS OF BREVIG MISSION BASE CASE FUEL COSTS SYSTEM ADDITIONS FIXED COSTS Energy Diesel Fue Fuel Capital Annual Overhaul Total Fixed Production Fuel Used x Price = Costs Costs Costs + Fund + O&M = Costs Year (MWh) (1,000 gal) _($/gal) ($1,000) Component ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) 1982 167 21 2.11 44 o School generators used 540 15 8 8 44 throughout study. 270 1983 175 22 2.17 48 kW aggregate capacity 15) 8 8 44 (2 X 135 kW) 1984 185 23 2.22 51 15) 8 8 44 1985 193 24 2.28 55 15 8 8 44 1986 208 26 2.34 61 15 8 8 44 1987 213 27 2.40 65 15 8 8 44 1988 217 27 2.46 66 15 8 8 44 1989 219 27 2.53 68 15 8 8 44 1990 224 28 2.59 72 15 8 8 44 1991 231 29 2.66 77 15 8 8 44 1992 235 29 2.73 719 15 8 8 44 1993 235 29 2.80 81 15 8 8 44 1994 235 29 2.87 83 15 8 8 44 1995 240 30 2.95 88 15 8 8 44 1996 240 30 3.02 91 15 8 8 44 1997 240 30 3.10 93 15 8 8 44 1998 243 30 3.18 95 15 8 8 44 1999 243 30 3.26 98 15 8 8 44 2000 246 31 3.35 104 15 8 8 44 2001 246 31 3.44 106 15 8 8 44 S2-2 NOISSIW DIAINE TABLE 6 (Cont'd) Total Discounted Fuel Fixed Annual Annual Energy Costs + Costs = Costs Costs Costs Year ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($/kWh) 1982 44 44 88 85.4 0.42 1983 48 44 92 86.7 0.42 1984 51 44 95 86.9 0.40 1985 55 44 99 88.0 0.39 1986 61 44 105 90.6 0.39 1987 65 44 109 91.3 0.39 1988 66 44 110 89.4 0.39 1989 68 44 112 88.4 0.39 1990 72 44 116 88.9 0.36 1991 77 44 121 90.0 0.39 1992 719 44 123 88.9 0.39 1993 81 44 125 87.7 0.40 1994 83 44 127 86.5 0.40 1995 88 44 132 87.3 0.41 1996 91 44 135 86.7 0.42 1997 93 44 137 85.4 0.42 1998 95 44 139 84.1 0.42 1999 98 44 142 83.4 0.43 2000 104 44 148 84.4 0.44 2001 106 44 150 83.1 0.44 TOTAL $1,743 Total present worth of non-electrical benefits ($424) Net present worth $1,319 All costs shown in thousands of dollars Note 1: Diesel fuel use is calculated at a consumption rate of 8 kWh produced per gallon of fuel used. Note 2: Diesel fuel price is expressed in terms of 1981 dollars, with prices escalated at 2.6 percent above general inflation. Note 3: Total annual fixed costs include funds for equipment amortization (calculated at 3%), a sinking fund for equipment overhaul and replacement, and general O&M work. 92-9 NOISSIW DIA3ZYS TABLE 7 ESTIMATED NON-ELECTRICAL BENEFITS OF BASE CASE BREVIG MISSION C-27 Total Annual Benefits Discounted Year (Space Heating Fuel Saving) Benefits 1982 17 16.5 1983 19 17.9 1984 20 18.3 1985 21 18.6 1986 : 24 20.7 1987 25 20.9 1988 26 21.1 1989 27 21.3 1990 28 21.4 1991 30 22.9 1992 31 22.4 1993 32 22.4 1994 33 22.5 1995 34 22.5 1996 35 22.5 1997 36 22.4 1998 38 23.0 1999 38 22.3 2000 40 22.8 2001 41 2237 TOTAL: $ 424.5 All cost figures shown are in thousands of dollars. BREVIG MISSION C-28 I.1 -- Base Case I.1.1 - Social and Environmental Evaluation of Base Case Because the school generating plant is already in place, there will be no possibility of local employment for plant construction work. However, there may be the potential for perhaps one or two Brevig Mission residents to be employed by the school district as general maintenance personnel. Skilled personnel required for major overhaul work will likely be brought in from Nome, Unalakleet, or even Anchorage. Diesel plant equipment is relatively benign environmentally. Diesel engines emit small quantities of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (S02), and unburned hydrocarbons. With the small scale plant at Brevig Mission, there will not likely be any noticeable buildup of any of these pollutants. There is also the possibility of an oil spill at the storage tanks, or from the pipelines leading to and from the tanks. The lubricating oi] must be chanaed periodically and the waste oi] must be disposed of properly. In remote villages such as Brevia Mission, this can be a sianificant problem. Diesel engines also are significant sources of noise, but with proper siting and with adequate muffler systems, this problem can be minimized. Diesel plants have very few visual impacts. 1.1.2 - Technical Evaluation of Base Case Diesel systems are typically the best understood means of producing electricity available to bush villages today. Nevertheless, diesel engines require frequent attention and regular maintenance which requires highly skilled personnel. With the Bering Straits School District having responsibility for the operation of the Brevig Mission utility, there is some assurance that adequate funds will be available for repair and overhaul work will be supervised through proper administrative procedures. This same setup will likely lead to the need for frequent costly overhaul work due to the general training and experience of available maintenance personnel for routine maintenance. It can be concluded that, in the absence of some AVFC-like entity, the service provided by the REAA school generating plant will be about as qood as can be expected in Brevia Mission. TABLE 8 ESTIMATED COSTS OF BREVIG MISSION ALTERNATIVE PLAN "A" FUEL COSTS SYSTEM ADDITIONS FIXED COSTS Energy Diesel Fuel Fuel Capital Annual Overhaul Total Fixed Production Fuel Used x Price = Costs Costs Costs + Fund + O&M = Costs Year (MWh) (1,000 gat) __($/gal) ($1,000) Component ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($1,000) _( $1,000) 1982 167 21 2.11 44 © School generators used 540 28 8 8 44 throughout study. 270 1983 175 22; 2.17 48 kW aggregate capacity 28 8 8 44 (2 X 135 kW) 1984 185 23 2.22 51 28 8 8 44 1985 193 24 2.28 55 28 8 8 44 1986 208 1 2.34 5 o Installation of 100 kW 520 72 8 20 100 wind turbine 1987 213 2 2.40 5 72 8 20 100 1988 217 2 2.46 4 72 8 20 100 1989 219 2 2.53 5 72 8 20 100 1990 224 > 2.59 7 72 8 20 100 1991 231 4 2.66 VW 72 8 20 100 1992 235 4 2.73 WW 72 8 20 100 1993 235 4 2.80 VW 72 8 20 100 1994 235 4 2.87 VW 72 8 20 100 1995 240 5 2.95 14 72 8 20 100 1996 240 5 3.02 15 72 8 20 100 1997 240 5 3.10 15 72 8 20 100 1998 243 5 3.18 15 72 8 20 100 1999 243 5 3.26 16 72 8 20 100 2000 246 6 3.35 20 72 8 20 100 2001 246 6 3644 26 72 8 20 100 62-9 NOISSIW DIAZNE TABLE 8 (Cont'd) Total Discounted Fuel Fixed Annual Annual Energy Costs + Costs = Costs Costs Costs Year ($1,000) ($1, 000) ($1,000) ($1,000) ($/kWh) 1982 44 44 88 85.4 0.42 1983 48 44 92 86.7 0.42 1984 51 44 95 86.9 0.40 1985 55 44 99 88.0 0.39 1986 é) 100 103 88.8 0.49 1987 5: 100 105 87.9 0.48 1988 4 100 104 84.6 0.47 1989 5 100 105 82.1 0.47 1990 7 100 107 82.0 0.46 1991 W 100 Wi 82.6 0.46 1992 1 100 Wi 80.2 0.45 1993 W 100 Ww 71.9 0.45 1994 Uh) 100 Ww 75.6 0.45 1995 14 100 114 7564 0.45 1996 15 100 115 73.8 0.45 1997 15 100 115 7167 0.45 1998 15 100 115 69.6 0.45 1999 16 100 116 68.1 0.45 2000 20 100 120 67.3 0.45 2001 20 100 120 65.3 0.45 TOTAL $1,580 Total present worth of non-electrical benefits $(424) Total present worth of non-electrical disbenefits $ 301 Net present worth $1,457 All costs shown in thousands of dollars Note 1: Diesel fuel use is calculated at a consumption rate of 8 kWh produced per gallon of fuel used. Note 2: Diesel fuel price is expressed in terms of 1981 dollars, with prices escalated at 2.6 percent above general inflation. Note 3: Total annual fixed costs Include funds for equipment amortization (calculated at 3%), a sinking fund for equipment overhaul and replacement, and general O&M work. O€-2 NOISSIW DIARYNE TABLE 9 BREVIG MISSION ESTIMATED NON-ELECTRICAL BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE PLAN "A" Total Annual Benefits Discounted Year Space Heating Fuel Savin Benefits 1982 17 16.5 1983 19 17-9 1984 20 18.3 1985 21 18.6 1986 : 24 20.7 1987 25 20.9 1988 26 21.1 1989 27 21.3 1990 28 21.4 1991 30 22.3 1992 31 22.4 1993 32 22.4 1994 33 22.5 1995 34 22.5 1996 35 22.5 1997 36 22.4 1998 38 23.0 1999 38 22.3 2000 40 22.8 2001 41 22.7 TOTAL: $ 424.5 All cost figures shown are in thousands of dollars. C-31 BREVIG MISSION C-32 TABLE 10 ESTIMATED NON-ELECTRICAL DISBENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE PLAN "A" Total Annual Disbenefits Fuefl Which REAA Must Purchase Discounted Year To Make Up Lost Waste Heat Disbenefits 1982 - - 1983 - - 1984 - - 1985 - - 1986 22 19.0 1987 23 19.3 1988 24 19.5 1989 24 7 1990 25 19. 1991 26 19.3 1992 26 18.8 1993 27 18.9 1994 28 19.1 1995 28 18.5 1996 29 18.6 1997 30 18.7 1998 30 18.2 1999 31 18.2 2000 32 18.2 2001 33 18.3 TOTAL: $ 300.7 All cost figures shown are in thousands of dollars. BREVIG MISSION C-33 1.2 - Alternative Plan "A" 1.2.1 - Social and Environmental Evaluation If this alternative were to be implemented, there would be the possibility that some local construction employment would be generated. There would be a need for skilled workers such as welders, riqaers, and electricians, as well as for general laborers. Wind turbine equipment is considered to be environmentally safe. There are, however, a number of items which should be considered in this regard. First, there is the possibility that children, or others, may climb towers which are not secured against this type of activity, exposing themselves to the danaer of a fall. Second, in the event that a wind turbine blade should fail in operation, it could be thrown several hundred feet. Larae machines, such as those considered in this analysis, have blades weighing several tons. There is also the possibility of interference with television signals and the generation of noise. These last considerations are generally not threatening to human life, but are annoying. 1.2.2 - Technical Evaluation Given the small difference in net present worth costs of this alternative and the base case (less than $140,000 in discounted terms over 20 years), it may be appropriate to study the incorporation of a wind turbine in Brevig Mission's power system in more detail. The analysis used is sensitive to capital costs of the wind turbine, construction costs, plant factor of the wind turbine, value of the displaced fuel, and the operational problems of wind turbines. The assumptions used in this analysis are necessarily rough and the small differences in net nresent worth of the base case and alternative "A" may be narrowed even more as more refined data becomes available. The first step to be taken in this reqard is the establishment of a sophisticated anemometry station to collect wind data adequate to establish more definitely the amount of eneray which could be expected form a wind turbine. Second, a study of the availability and costs of apnropriate wind turbines should be conducted. Third, an investigation of the interaction between the proposed wind turbine and the diesel generators should be carried out. There is the possibility that in varying wind conditions the speed governors on the diesels and the wind turbine may fiaht for control with the power system losing stability and ultimately shutting down. The historical performance of similar wind turbines should be examined to more accurately estimate the operation and maintenance problems to be anticipated. BREVIG MISSIONS C- 34 This will not be a short-term process. At least one full year of good wind data is necessary, and the wind turbine industry is progressing at a pace which is rapid enough that significant reductions in cost may be seen by the suagested on-line date of 1986. RREVIG MISSION C- 35 J = COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION BREVIG MISSION C-36 J.1 - Comments Received From Mr. Phil Kaluza BREVIG MISSION C-37 Eric P. Yould Alaska Power Authority : 7 334 West 5th Ave. Poe Anchorage, AK 99501 APR — 9 4989 ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY Dear Mr. Yould, I would like to make several comments concerning the Reconnaissance Studies recently drafted for the villages in the Bering Straits Region. In nearly all of the villages studied a 100KW wind turbine was used as an alternative for deisel generation. I question the practicality of such a large wind system for several reasons. Several of the villages studied ( Brevig Mission, Golovin) do not even have village wide elec- tricity and are so small that if and when they do undergo an electrification project the demand would be much less than the output of the wind system. I futher question the practicality of such a large wind system in that it would provide an all or nothing approach to the reliability of wind generated electricity. In comparsion, several smaller wind systems could be installed using primarily local manpower which could be trained to maintain and repair the smaller systems. This would help eliminate the need for those costly maintenance trips from Anchorage or out of state personnel. The smaller systems would provide a far better reliability factor and possibily a better system for load management. The use of such a large wind system as an alternative will certainly set any potential of wind energy on a back burner. Also concerning the wind generator alternative the research group decided not to incorporate into the alternative a waste heat recovery system for the diesel generator. Apparently they can not see the potential of a combonation of many small scale alternatives. Another area covered in the report was the energy efficiency of the housing stock.In several reports the researchers estimated 20-30% energy savings through weatherization. As a certified state energy auditor and having traveled to many of the villages in the study I would agree there is much room for improvement, even in the recently built houses, but 20 or 30 percent is nothing. An aggressive retrofit program could cut the energy loss by 80 or 90 percent. This could be done through a loan pronram that village homeowners would be eligible for. Sincerely, Phil Kaluza Box 843 Nome, AK 99762 1. Comment : Response: u“ In was the The BREVIG MISSION C-38 ACRES' RESPONSE nearly all the villages studied, a 100 kW wind turbine used as an alternative for diesel generation. I question practicality of such a large wind system..." relatively large wind turbine was chosen for use in this study for a number of reasons: 1. 3. Economy. As turbine size increases, advantage can be taken of their economy of scale: costs in terms of $/kWh at the turbine equipment tend to decrease. For a given aggregate wind turbine capacity at any particular site, the site specific items such as foundations, control equipment, and electrical hookups are simplified and made less expensive. The problems associated with maintaining one 100 kW machine as opposed to, say ten-10 kW units, are minimized. It is worth noting that the larger units have room inside the generator nacelle to work on equipment out of the weather. On-site repair work on smaller units can be expected to be performed by workers exposed to high winds and low temperatures. Appropriateness of Size. At a site with a mean wind speed of 15 mph, a 100 kW wind turbine with an 8 mph cut-in and a 25 mph rated speed will produce a mean power output less than 20 kW, not even enough to power a typical Bering Straits REAA high school. A number of smaller wind turbines with a similar aggregate capacity and wind speed/power characteristic, would not do much better. Reliability. To date, only very small-scale wind turbines have been tried in Alaska with very rare successes. Two weeks after being put into operation, the State's $100,000 10-kW demonstration project at Skagway was shut down due to a blade failure. Many other small-scale projects have been subject to similar defects. The 100 kW units have such large costs (on an absolute basis) that substantial engineering efforts can be carried out without drastically increasing the $/kW costs. The development programs undertaken by the Department of Energy and NASA using large machines have been largely successful. It is expected that a well designed large turbine would be more reliable than a number of small units. 4. Comment : Response: Comment: Response: Comment : BREVIG MISSION C-39 4. Manufacturer's Support. It has been the unfortunate history of wind turbines that many manufacturers start up a business, inflate advertising claims, sell a few machines which cannot, for whatever reason, perform satisfactorily, and promptly go out of business, leaving their customer with no source of information or repair parts. Only large, well-established companies can raise the capital needed to tool up for production of large units. Presently, large units are manufactured by well-known firms such as Westinghouse and Boeing. It is presumed that these firms will exist into the foreseeable future to support their wind turbines. With a few exceptions, the same cannot be said for makers of the small units. Larger manufacturers typically have more depth in their engineering departments to address problems as they develop. No change in report text is needed. “Several of the villages studied (Brevig Mission, Golovin) do not even have village-wide electricity..." All villages studied, including Brevig Mission and Golovin had, or were in the very final stages of getting, village- wide electric system installations. No change in report text is needed. ",..demand would be much less than the output of the wind system." This is not true. A 100-kW wind turbine will rarely put out that much power. In winds of less than 18 mph, the wind turbine described under Comment No. 1 above will not produce more power than could be used by the typical village school (20 kW). As refrigerators and TV's become more and more popular, it is highly probable that even the 100 kW unit will be able to provide but a fraction of a village's needs. Only rarely will there be a surplus. No change in the report text is needed. "... such a large wind turbine ... would provide an all or nothing approach to the reliability of wind generated electricity." 5. 6. 7. Response: Comment: Response: Comment: Response: Comment: BREVIG MISSION C-40 While it is true that if one large wind turbine were used and it were out of commission, no wind-generated power would be available, it is not thought that this disadvantage is sufficient to make the small units' higher costs attractive. No change in the report text is needed. "\.. several smaller wind systems could be installed using primarily local manpower which could be trained to maintain and repair the smaller systems." The availability of people with the required maintenance skills is something which varies widely from village to village. Except for a few notable cases, most diesel plants visited in rural Alaska are not good examples of the labors of highly skilled maintenance personnel. If these diesel plants show what can be accomplished by "local manpower," it is not likely that even the simplest wind turbines could be maintained to provide reliable service. Equipment such as gearboxes, generators, and inverters would still require attention by personnel from outside the village. The large units are not so dissimilar and local workers could be trained to perform routine maintenance tests such as lubrication, inspection, expendible parts replace- ment, etc. As noted before, the large units have room to work inside their generator nacelles out of the weather. This is far less likely to lead to maintenance errors and should be far safer for the serviceman than clinging to a small system's tower (in safety belt) in a cold breeze. No change in report text is needed. "The use of such a large wind system as an alternative will certainly set any potential of wind energy on a back burner." This opinion is diametrically opposite that of Acres' staff, who believe that one well-designed and properly functioning wind turbine system which is capable of supplying significant amounts of electrical energy to a power system will do more to promote the use of wind power than will a collection of marginally engineered and poorly supported machine installations such as already exist in the State. No change in the report text is needed. ".., the research group decided not to incorporate [a wind turbine] into the alternative [using] a waste heat recovery system for the diesel generator. Apparently, they cannot see the potential of a combination of many small-scale alternatives." 8. Response: Comment : Response: BREVIG MISSION C-41 In fact, Acres does recognize the combination of any number of power producing technologies, but only where appropriate. A diesel set is a much more efficient generator of heat than it is of electricity. In power systems where both diesel/waste heat and wind turbine systems are in use, as wind turbine output increases, the waste heat output diminishes accordingly. The relationship is generally such that revenues lost from reduced waste heat sales are not recovered in fuel savings, resulting in a net increased system cost with greater wind turbine output. Very appropriate combinations of small-scale and renewable technologies are those of wind and hydro, or solar photovoltaic and hydro, and similar combinations in which the increased output of one element does not degrade the performance of the others. Unfortunately, few such combinations were found which were appropriate to the economic needs of the village. No change in the report text is needed. "An aggressive retrofit program could cut the energy loss by 80 or 90 percent." Without having access to the assumptions used to arrive at the 80 to 90 percent figure, it is not possible to comment on the validity of these figures. New housing designs, while improvements over past efforts, are not expected to be much more than 25 - 30 percent more efficient than existing housing. Presently, there is no indication that the State is prepared to embark on an "aggressive retrofit program." No change in the report text is needed. BREVIG MISSION C-42 J.2 - Comments Received From The Alaska Power Administration [Original Letter Retyped Here For Clarity] BREVIG MISSION C-43 April 12, 1982 Mr. Eric P. Yould Executive Director Alaska Power Authority 334 West 5th Avenue, Second Floor Anchorage, Alaska 99802 Dear Mr. Yould: We have reviewed the two draft sets of reconnaissance reports of energy requirements and alternatives for numerous smal] Alaskan villages, transmitted to us by your March 3 letter. One was prepared by Acres American, Inc. and one by Northern Technical Services (NORTEC). We agree with the recommendations in the Acres summary report (pp. 0-6 and 0-7), and the individual village NORTEC reports. However, there appears to be a discrepancy in that the recommendations of the NORTEC summary report are not presented in the same priority as some of the individual reports. Specifically the individual reports recommend investigation before specific action is taken on new projects, while the summary report recommends immediate installation of central diesel generators in eight villages. We offer a few general comments for consideration. There appears to be a disparity between the two reports in that Acres assumed that conservation was not within the scope of consideration while NORTEC did, Neither put a "value" on conservation in terms of energy reduction. A summary comparison of energy cost per kWh for each generation technology would enhance the Acres report. Presentation of costs in terms of kWh units and a summary by technologies would also enhance the NORTEC report, Neither report addresses actual present and projected electric power costs with or without consideration of the residential subsidy under AS 44.83.162. BREVIG MISSION C-44 Extending a single energy cost for a given technology to several communities leads to risk of invalid comparison based on local conditions. The description of each technology in each report is a good approach to inform lay consumers of the basic parameters. It is good to see a description of the state-of-the art of technologies that are not yet practical for power generation in remote locations such as wind, biomass, and geothermal. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Robert J. Cross Administrator FSUMMERS:gs:sr 3/18/82 Yould Letter FLOYD4 Le a Comment : Response: Comment : Response: BREVIG MISSION C-45 ACRES' RESPONSE "... Acres assumed that conservation was not within the scope of consideration." No such assumption was ever made either explicitly or implicitly. In a number of village reports, the primary recommendation was that aggressive energy audit programs be undertaken forthwith. It was repeatedly noted that village residents were more concerned about the costs of home heating and the inefficiencies of their homes than they were about the supply of electricity within their village. While the study of the means necessary to achieve any meaningful savings of space heating energy was beyond the scope of the study, the effects of such savings were incorporated where appropriate. It was assumed that new housing designs which would be implemented in the villages after 1985 will be 25 to 30 percent more efficient than existing units. No "value" was placed on such improvements for the reason noted above. It is the opinion of Acres' staff that electrical energy conservation is a function of electric energy cost and is inversely related to disposable income: consumers will purchase and use those electricity-consuming devices for which they feel a need or desire. As the real cost of using these items increases, their use will likely (but not necessarily) decrease. The incorporation of so-called energy efficient lights or motors is not expected to have perceptible impact on any village's energy or demand forecast. No comment or change in report text is needed. "A summary comparison of energy cost per kWh for each generation technology would enhance the Acres report." Without site-specific parameters such as fuels costs, construction costs, and annual O&M charges, such a summary would be meaningless. Not all technologies are appropriate or available to all villages. Even where two villages may share access to a particular technology, such as diesel generation, local conditions including fuel costs, fuel consumption rates, and O&M considerations may make comparisons invalid. The comment is noted to be contradictory to the later comment that "Extending a single energy cost for a given technology to several communities leads to risk of invalid comparison based on local conditions." No comment or change in report text is needed. 35 Comment: Response: BREVIG MISSION C-46 ACRES' RESPONSE “Neither report addresses actual present and projected electric power costs with or without consideration of the residential subsidy under AS 44.83.162." This omission is deliberate at the direction of the Alaska Power Authority. Study costs given are busbar costs calculated without governmental subsidy. The availability of a subsidy does not affect the economics of a power production facility; it merely shifts the burden of paying the operation costs to the government. It is also worth noting that the subsidy programs are continued from year to year at the pleasure of the legislature. No comment or change in report text is needed. BREVIG MISSION C-47 J.3 - Comments Received From The State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game BREVIG MISSION C-48 + STATE OF ALASKA / =~ DEPART MENT OF FISH AND GAME OFFICE OF THE CORRIISSIOHER (OF BOM 52000 JUNEAU, ALASKA 929802 PHONE: 465-4100 April 8, 1982 RECEIvep APR] 2 1982 ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY Alaska Power Authority 334 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Attention: Eric P. Yould, Executive Director Gentlemen: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has reviewed the Power Authority's Draft FY 82 Energy Requirement Reconnaissance Reports for several Alaska communities. We have no comments to offer at this time. We wish, however, to review subsequent studies as they become available. Sincerely, ea On bonnie fo Ronald 0. Skoog Commissioner BREVIG MISSION C- 49 ACRES' RESPONSE No comment or change in report text is needed. BREVIG MISSION C- 50 J.4 - Comments Received From U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchor age BREVIG MISSION C-51 United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Western Alaska Ecological Services 733 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 101 WAES Anchorage, Alaska 99501 REc (907) 271-4575 “GEIVED IN REPLY REFER TO: APR ~ 9 1989 Mr. Eric P. Yould ar, Executive Director ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY Alaska Power Authority 334 West 5th Avenue 8 APR 1982 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Dear Mr. Yould: We have reviewed the Alaska Power Authority's (APA) Draft FY 1982 Energy Reconnaissance Reports. If the conclusions and recommendations stated in the individual reports become those of the APA, and if the APA undertakes feasi- bility studies in fulfillment of the recommended alternatives, then the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) requests that the information and studies outlined below be made a part of the feasibility studies. Without current site-specific resource information and a more complete description of the proposed project, it is difficult to assess what impacts, if any, will occur to fish and wildlife resources and associated habitat. Information should be acquired and studies conducted to identify the fish and wildlife resources of the study area, identify adverse project impacts to those resources, assess alternatives to the proposed action and devise a mitigation plan that would prevent a net loss to fish and wildlife resources. Specific information to be collected and studies to be conducted which the FwS feels are necessary to adequately assess potential impacts include the following: nls Plans for construction activities and project features to minimize damage to fish, wildlife, and their habitats should be devised, e.g., erosion control, revegetation, transmission line siting, construction timing, siting the powerhouse, diversion weir, and penstock above salmon spawning habitat, etc. 2. Losses of fish and wildlife habitat should be held to a minimum, and measures to mitigate unavoidable losses and enhance resources should be devised. 3< If there is to be a diversion of water or if substantial water temperature fluctutations are imminent, then these factors should be addressed because of their possible influence on water quality and fish habitat. Aquatic data collection should at least include the following: BREVIG MISSION C-52 Page 2 (a) Identification of species composition and distribution of resident and anadromous fish within and downstream of the pro- ject area. Standard sampling methods such as fyke netting and minnow trapping, as well as visual observation of spawning and/or redds, should be used. (b) Surveying and mapping of fish spawning, rearing, and over- wintering habitat as defined in the FWS Instream Flow Techniques or similar guidelines. (c) Harvest levels and subsistence use data, if applicable. It should be incumbent upon the APA to document animal species within the project boundary. If it is determined that impacts to terrestrial mammals or bird habitat is imminent, the APA should gather habitat and population infor- mation in a manner consistent with the FWS' Habitat Evaluation Procedures. 4. Terrestrial data collection should include the following: (a) Verification of game and non-game species use and occurrence within the project area. 1s Mammals. a. Historical and current harvest levels and subsistence use data. db. Site-specific wildlife observations, including wild- life sign, denning sites, feeding sites, migration routes, winter use areas, and calving areas. 2. irds. Raptor nesting surveys within the project area. (bo) Description of vegetation, cover typing, and areal extent of each type. The FWS requests that bald eagle surveys be undertaken. If nest sites are encountered, the APA should notify the FWS. The FWS seeks to maintain a 330-foot protective zone around all active and inactive nests. Compliance with provisions of the Bald Eagle Protecton Act is mandatory. We request that the following be accomplished during the course of the studies: l. During the period of project planning, the APA should consult with federal, state, and local agencies having an interest in the fish and wildlife resources of the project area, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, prior to preparing any environmental reports. 2. The APA shall investigate and document the possible presence of any endangered or threatened species in the project area. If endangered of threatened species are determined to be present, the FWS should be notified. / BREVIG MISSION C-54 Page 3 3a The APA shall design and conduct at project cost, as soon as prac- ticable, preparatory studies in cooperation with the FWS and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. These studies shall include, but not be limited to, the above aquatic and terrestrial data. The studies shall also identify and evaluate general measures to avoid, offset, and/or reduce adverse project-caused impacts on fish and wildlife resources. Information from these fish and wildlife related studies shall be provided to the concerned state and federal resource agencies. Future correspondence on this, or other projects proposed by the APA should include a clear map, in sufficient detail to show the exact location of the project. This will enable the FWS to accurately determine whether or not Interior managed lands are involved. t is the desire of the FWS to work with the APA to resolve any concerns relating to fish, wildlife, and other resources. If it is determined that the project will result in resource impacts, the FWS will assist the APA in attempting to modify the project to alleviate or mitigate any adverse effects. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding our suggested feasibility studies. Sincerely, fede Lerctin Field Supervisor I, Comment : Response: BREVIG MISSION C- 54 ACRES' RESPONSE "Without current site-specific resource information and a more complete description of the proposed project, it is difficult to assess what impacts, if any, will occur to fish and wildlife resources and associated habitat. Information should be acquired and studies conducted to identify the fish and wildlife resources of the study area, identify adverse project impacts to those resources, assess alternatives to the proposed action and devise a mitigation plan that would prevent a net loss to fish and wildlife resources." The reconnaissance study scope does not provide for any but the most general identification of sites, definition of project design characteristics, and assessment of environmental consequences. The level of study effort suggested in the USF&WS letter is appropriate to a feasibility-level study of a project. No change in report text is required. BREVIG MISSION C- 55 J.5 - Comments Received From U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) BREVIG MISSION oe £756 PLY REFER TO United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Anchorage District Office 4700 East 72nd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99507 APR 6 1982 RECEIVED APR - 8 1982 Mr. Eric P. Yould ‘ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY Alaska Power Authority 334 West 5th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 Dear Mr. Yould; Reference your letter dated 3 March 1982 in which you requested comments concerning your draft FY1982 energy reconnaissance reports. This agency agrees with the contractors basic conclusions that further feasibility studies of hydro power potential should be evalu- ated at applicable locations. Generally there is little or no BLM land involved at any sites. Most locations are native selected or other non-BLM land. When actual construction plans formulate land use and ownership will be determined on a case by case basis. The opportunity to comment on this report is appreciated. Should you have further questions feel free to contact me. Sincerely, RREVIG MISSION C- 57 ACRES' RESPONSE No comment or change in report text is needed. LIL RAY COLy PROPERTY GF; Alaska Power Axihority 334 W. 5th Ave. Anchorage, Alaska 99501