HomeMy WebLinkAboutChauthbaluk Reconnaissance Study Of Energy Requirements & Alternatives-Chauthbaluk 1981
OF
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS & ALTERNATIVES
FOR
CHAUTHBALUK
INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. A MORRISON-KNUDSEN COMPANY
ROBERT W. RETHERFORD ASSOCIATES DIVISION LS ALASKA POW ERAUTHORELY 24)
CHUATHBALUK SUPPLEMENT
TO
RECONNAISSANCE STUDY
OF
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES
FOR
BUCKLAND, CHUATHBALUK, CROOKED CREEK™
HUGHES, KOYUKUK, NIKOLAI, RED DEVIL,
RUSSIAN MISSION, SHELDON POINT, SLEETMUTE,
STONY RIVER, TAKOTNA AND TELIDA
MAY 1981
Prepared by:
Robert W. Retherford Associates
Arctic Division of International Engineering Co., Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska .
For the
State of Alaska
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Alaska Power Authority
333 West Fourth Avenue, Suite 31
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Under Contract No. AS44.56.010
APA 20/T1
This report was prepared by:
Robert W. Retherford Associates
Arctic Division of International Engineering Company
R.W. Retherford, P.E.
Frank J. Bettine, E.1.T.
James J. Lard, E.1.T.
Mark Latour, Economist
Illustrations on the front cover were prepared and sketched by
Kathryn L. Langman. These illustrations portray several energy
resource alternatives investigated for the Thirteen Villages
included in this study.
APA 20/T2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
a Summary and Results Sa
Zs Recommendations (eal
3s Existing Conditions and Energy Balance SL
as Energy Requirements Forecast 4.1
Ss Resource and Technology Assessment Boal!
6. Energy Plans Rul
APPENDIX A Description of Selected Technologies
APA*32C1
SECTION 1
SUMMARY AND RESULTS
APA*32C2
SECTION 1
- SUMMARY AND RESULTS
A. SUMMARY
A study was recently conducted under contract number AS44.56.010 for the
State of Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Divi-
sion of Alaska Power Authority to determine the energy alternatives for
Thirteen Western Alaskan Villages. This study consists of establishing
the following:
Energy Balance for 1979
Existing Power and Heating Facilities - 1980
Electric Power Requirements to the year 2000
Space Heating Requirement to the year 2000
Potential Energy and Electric Power Resources
Evaluation of the Electric Power Resources
Recommendations for the development or future studies
for the 13 Western Alaskan villages of Buckland, Hughes, Koyukuk, Telida,
Nikolai, Takotna, Stony River, Sleetmute, Red Devil, Crooked Creek,
Chuathbaluk, Russian Mission and Sheldon Point (See Figure 1.1).
The Chuathbaluk supplement represents a brief summary of the most pertinent
facts and findings contained in the original report which relate to the
village of Chuathbaluk. Detailed data concerning the village may be obtained
by referring to the original report.
Diesel fuels are presently used to satisfy the major percentage of energy
demands in the village. Emphasis in the study was therefore placed on
possible resources and technologies that could replace or at least supple-
ment the use of increasingly costly fuel oil.. The energy alternatives which
were selected for detailed evaluation in the village of Chuathbaluk include: ?
1) Diesel generation
2) Waste Heat Recovery
3) Binary Cycle generation using wood fuel
4) Hydroelectric generation
5) Passive solar heating
6) Energy conservation
1 See Appendix A for brief description of technologies listed.
d=]
APA32*K1
Nootak River
1
( 2
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a s 5
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8 \ 9
Taitea oe Plateau | 10
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ALASKA MAP
BUCKLAND
HUGHES
KOYUKUK
RUSSIAN MISSION
SHELDON POINT
CHUATHBALUK
CROOKED CREEK
NIKOLAI
RED DEVIL
SLEETMUTE
STONY RIVER
TAKOTNA
TELIDA
13 WESTERN VILLAGES
SECTION 1
SUMMARY AND RESULTS
To obtain a comprehensive understanding of future energy requirements
for the village, a control year - 1979 - was established from which all
projections have been made. Information related to village history,
population and economic conditions, plus information regarding village
government, transportation, power and heating facilities, fuel require-
ments, etc., was collected to provide the necessary background data to
support these projections.
B. EVALUATION RESULTS
is Economics
Table 1.1 is a summary of the 20 and 50-year economic evaluation per-
formed for the combination of alternatives (ji.e., energy plans) selected
for detailed study for Chuathbaluk. This Table lists the accumulated
present worth of plan costs and the accumulated present worth of the net
benefits derived from non-electrical outputs, where:
1) Plan costs represent the cost for providing electrical
generation, and
2) Net benefits represent the savings derived from waste heat
capture or surplus hydroelectric energy used for electric heating.
a. Twenty Year Evaluation Results
Results of the 20-year economic evaluation indicate that the use of diesel
with waste heat recovery to be most economical energy plan examined for
Chuathbaluk.
The diesel generation plus binary generation with waste heat energy plan
averaged approximately 9 percent greater cost than the diesel generation
plus waste heat recovery plan for Chuathbaluk.
This small variation in cost between the two energy plans represents an
insignificant difference in a reconnaissance level study, where costs
cannot be precisely determined, and should not be construed to indicate
a definite cost advantage of one plan over another.
1-3
APA32*K3
orl Table 1.1
PERIOD
20-year
50-year
CHUATHBALUK
Accumulated Present Worth of Plan Costs and Benefits ($1,000)
Diesel
&
Diesel Binary Cycle
& &
Waste Heat Waste Heat
Cost-Benefit Cost-Benefit
2148-233.9 2350-194. 3
5977-911.6 5455-822.5
Diesel
&
Hydroelectric
Cost-Benefit
4572-99.7
10854-539.4
Diesel
&
WECS
&
Waste Heat
Cost-Benefit
N/A
N/A
SECTION 1
SUMMARY AND RESULTS
Hydroelectric generation is found to be the most expensive method of
providing electrical energy for Chuathbaluk.
Passive solar and energy conservation have not been economically evaluated
in detail and they are, therefore, not listed in Table 1.1. Numerous past
studies have shown the value of conservation and passive solar heating. An
approximate fifteen percent reduction in fossil fuel requirements due to the
implementation of passive solar heating and energy conservation measures has
been built into the village Heating Requirement Forecast Tables listed in
Section 4. It is assumed that these two methods of reducing usage will be
implemented in the village.
b. Fifty Year Evaluation Results:
The results of the 50-year economic evaluation performed for the village
of Chuathbaluk confirms hydroelectric generation as the most expensive
method of providing electrical energy. The high cost of developing the
potential hydroelectric site located on Mission Creek near Chuathbaluk
makes the use of hydroelectric generation economically unrealistic.
The results of the 50-year evaluation has, however, altered the findings
of the 20-year evaluation. The extended evaluation indicates the diesel
generation plus binary cycle generation with waste heat energy plan will
provide the most economical method of supplying electrical energy for these
two villages.
a. Environmental and Technical
Results of the environmental and technical evaluations are listed in Table
1.2. These results indicate the overall environmental and technical ranking
of energy plans selected for detail study for the village of Takotna, in
order of preference to be:
1) diesel electric plus waste heat
2) diesel plus hydroelectric generation
3) diesel plus binary cycle generation with waste heat
ied
9-1 APA 28N1
EVALUATION MATRIX
Diesel + Diesel + Diesel + Waste Heat
Table 1.2 Diesel Local Hydro Binary Generation Supplemental
Electric w/wo Electric Coal and/or Wood Wind
Factor ‘+ Waste Heat Heat With Waste Heat Generation
(A) Economic (Present Worth) : B F Cc =
(B) Environmental
(1) Community Preference 9 1 4 -
(2) Infrastructure 3 4 5 -
(3) Timing 1 5 7 -
(4) Air Quality 4 1 5 -
(5) Water Quality 2 1 4 -
(6) Fish and Wildlife 2 5 4 -
(7) Land Use 2 6 4 -
(8) Terrestrial Impacts 2 6 4 a,
TOTAL 25 29 37 s
Environmental Ranking 1 3 4 =
(C) Technical
(1) Safety 2 1 2 -
(2) Reliability | 2 1 2 =
(3) Availability Zt , 5 8 -
TOTAL 5 7 12 -
TECHNICAL RANKING 1 2 3 =
OVERALL RANKING B-1 F~2 C3 =
SECTION 2
RECOMMENDATIONS
APA32*K6
SECTION 2
RECOMMENDATIONS
A. GENERAL
Analysis of the 20-year and 50-year economic, technical and environ-
mental evaluations indicate the two most promising energy plans for the
village of Chuathbaluk in order of preference to be:
1) Continued use of diesel generation supplemented with waste
heat recovery,
2) diesel plus binary cycle generation supplemented with waste
heat recovery.
B. RECOMMENDED PLAN - Diesel Generation Supplemented with Waste Heat
Recovery.
The 20 and 50-year economic, technical and environmental evaluation
indicate that diesel generation with waste heat recovery will provide the
most satisfactory method of providing electric energy for the village of
Chuathbaluk.
It is recommended, therefore, that a study be conducted to determine the
feasibility of utilizing waste heat in the village of Chuathbaluk. Such a
study should include a definitive review of the following items:
1) availability of waste heat
2) transportation of waste heat
3) end use of waste heat
C. FIRST ALTERNATIVE PLAN - Diesel Plus Binary Cycle Generation Supple-
mented With Waste Heat Recovery.
The first alternative plan, as listed above, is diesel plus binary cycle
generation with waste heat recovery. This plan averages approximately 9
percent greater costs than the recommended plan (20-year economic evalu-
ation). Because the uncertainties in the costs associated with this
alternative, such as the cost of wood fuel, equipment cost, etc., which
2-1
APA32*K7
SECTION 2
RECOMMENDATIONS
can not at present be as precisely determined as for the recommended plan,
it is conceivable that this alternative could be cost competitive with the
alternative plan (i.e., diesel generation plus waste heat recovery).
Because binary cycle generation is viewed as one of the few potentially
viable energy alternatives, suitable for future use in remote Alaska
villages such as Chuathbaluk, it is recommended that the feasibility of
binary cycle generation in Alaska be further investigated in regard to:
1) Equipment availability
2) Technical feasibility
3) Economic aspects
4) Environmental aspects
5) Constraints
Binary cycle generation equipment in unit sizes suitable for village appli-
cation is, however, not expected to be available until the late 1980's.
D. COSTS FOR’ FURTHER STUDY
Approximate costs for determining of feasibility of the two most attractive
energy resources for the village of Chuathbaluk are:
e Waste heat recovery - approximately $2500
e Binary cycle generation - approximately $2,000,000 which
would include the cost of constructing and operating
a demonstration plant in Alaska.
E. CONSERVATION MEASURES
For the village to stabilize and hopefully reduce the local cost of
energy immediate short term conservation measures could provide the
most rapid results. These conservation measures, which include added
insulation, double glazing or solar film, arctic entrances, weather
stripping, etc., can reduce current non-transportation fuel use on the
order of 15 percent over the 20-year period of this study.
2-2
APA32*K8
SECTION 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS AND ENERGY BALANCE
APA32*K9
SECTION 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS
AND ENERGY BALANCE
A. INTRODUCTION
To establish a base and understanding of energy use in the village, an
energy balance has been compiled for the year 1979. Input energy forms
are diesel, wood, propane, blazo, gasoline, and aviation gasoline.
Energy used in the village has been listed both by end use category
(i.e., heating, transportation, and quantities used for electrical
generation) and by consumer category to include residential, small
commercial, public buildings, and large users (school), in the following
table (Table numbered as in original report).
To provide background data, information related to village history,
demographic and economic conditions plus information regarding village
government, transportation, power and heating facilities is included.
a. GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION
History: Chuathbaluk is located 9.5 miles east of Aniak
on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River in the Kulbuck-
Kuskokwim Mountains. A Native settlement existed in the
area as early as 1883 and has been known as St. Sergie's
Mission, Kuskokwim Russian Mission and Little Russian
Mission. This designation led to confusion between this
community and the community of Russian Mission on the
Yukon River. As a result, within the past 20 years, the
Kuskokwim village was renamed "Chuathbaluk". The Eskimo
word for "big blueberries."
Pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of
1971, the Chuathbaluk village corporation was entitled to
92,160 acres of land. When the Chuathbaluk village
3-1
APA32*K10
APA32%K11
SECTION 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS
AND ENERGY BALANCE
corporation merged with 9 other Kuskokwim village corpora-
tions, this entitlement passed to The Kuskokwim Corporation
(TKC), for consolidated ownership and management. The
Calista Corporation is the regional corporation.
Population: There are no population data recorded for
Chuathbaluk before 1970, when the census counted 94 resi-
dents in the village. The 1979 State Revenue-Sharing
program reported 119 people - a 26 percent increase over
1970. Natives comprised 96 percent of Chuathbaluk's
population in 1970. In 1979, the average number of
members per household in the community was 4.4 persons.
Economy: Chuathbaluk's economy is heavily dependent on
subsistence activities. Employment is found primarily in
seasonal work during the summer through BLM and AVCP.
Year-round employment is limited to the clinic, the city,
the school district which employs 8 full-time employees
and the trading post. Other cash income in the community
comes in the form of public assistance and from sale of
furs caught during the trapping season. In addition, some
women in the village sel] beadwork, fur garments, etc.
they make during the winter months.
For the bulk of their livelihood, residents rely on
subsistence activities. Most residents fish in the
summer months for salmon and other. fish species and hunt
waterfowl, rabbit, moose and bear. In the fall, families
harvest several varieties of berries.
Government: Chuathbaluk was incorporated as a second-
class city in 1975. Chuathbaluk has both a mayor and
az
APA32*K12
SECTION 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS
AND ENERGY BALANCE
administrator. The mayor is selected from a 7-member
city council. For non-city programs and services,
Chuathbaluk's Native population is represented by a
7-member traditional council.
Transportation: The Kuskokwim River serves as the
Major transportation link to other villages in the
area. During the summer months, access to the community
is limited to barge, boat and float plane. Fuel and other
bulk cargo is delivered to the community by river barge.
Most passengers, mail and cargo are relayed from the regional
center at Aniak by air, barge or mail boat.
Snowmachines are used in the winter as the primary mode
of inter-village transportation. No roads connect
Chuathbaluk with surrounding villages.
ENERGY BALANCE (1979)
Approximately 80% of the residential and small commercial
heating requirements of the village are supplied by wood.
Village heating requirements account for 63.5 percent of
the total village energy usage, electric generation 17.8
percent, and transportation 18.7 percent.
Graph 3.6 illustrates by consumer category the types
and percentages of energy forms used in the village.
Table 3.5 tabularizes this data in additional detail.
EXISTING POWER AND HEATING FACILITIES
Electric Power: There is no centralized power generation
facility in Chuathbaluk. The school maintains and
323
APA32*K13
SECTION 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS
AND ENERGY BALANCE
operates its own generation facility which consists of
two 50-kW units. The school generation facility supplies
power to the school and to certain public buildings.
Plans for electrifying Chuathbaluk are in progress, and
electrification of the community is expected to be
completed in the summer of 1981.
No distribution facilities presently exist within the village.
Construction of an overhead distribution system using triplex
construction is scheduled for the summer of 1981.
Heating: Eighty percent of the heating requirements for
residential and small commercial consumers are supplied
by wood. Wood heating is supplemented by fuel oil as
necessary. Residential use averages approximately eight
cords of wood and 120 gallons of fuel oi] per year.
Public buildings and the school use fuel oil-fired
furnaces for their heating needs.
Fuel Storage: Diesel, bulk fuel oi] storage capacity in the
community is approximately 26,700 gallons (reference 27).
3-4
GRAPH 3.6 1979 ENERGY BALANCE
CHUATHBALUK
EFFICIENCIES ASSUMED: LEGEND _
HEATING — 75% ( — RESIDENTIAL
TRANSPORTATION — 25% ( — SMALL COMMERCIAL
ELECTRICAL GENERATION — 25% [7 — PUBLIC BUILDINGS
(GE) — LARGE USERS (SCHOOL)
() — WASTE HEAT
TOTAL ENERGY (100%) 4.3% — 4.4%
HEATING (63.5%)
BLAZO. — 1.7%
PROPANE— 0.6%
WOOD) — 30.9%
DIESEL — 30.3%
TOTAL — 63.5%
TRANSPORTATION (18.7%)
—— GASOLINE + AV GAS 18.7%
ELECTRICAL GENERATION (17.8%)
J—4 DIESEL 17.8%
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 BTU x 108
20,000
9-€ apa28: al
ENERGY BALANCE - 1979
CHUATHBALUK
Table 3.6
CONSUMER ENERGY FORM CONSUMED
HEATING TRANSPORTATION ELECTRICAL GENERATION
DIESEL wood PROPANE BLAZO GASOLINE AV GAL DIESEL TOTAL GAL CORDS POUNDS GAL GAL GAL GAL _10® Btu TYPE NO. 10® Btu 10° Btu 10® Btu 10° Btu 10" Btu 10® Btu 10® Btu % of Total
Residential 27 3,200 216 2,400 1,625 17,050 500 NA 6,596
442 3,672 47 206 2,165 64 55.5
Small Commercial 3 3,700 - : = a ir iT 511 511 4.3
Public Buildings 2 1,400 = - 7 = F 2,400 524
193 331 4.4
Large User (school) 1 17,800 = 1,200 12,900 4,259
7456 23 1,780 35.8
Total 33 26 ,100 189 3,600 1,625 17,050 500 25,30
3,672 3,672 70 206 2,165 64 y 2,111
11,890
% of Total Btu 30.3 30.9 0.6 1.7 18.2 0:5 17.8 100
- 2s e ee ee | u YM
Waste Heat 10° Btu 901 918 17 SZ. 1,624 48 1,583 5,143 % of Total Btu 7.6 7.7 0.1 0.4 13.7 0.4 13.3 43.2
Assumed Efficiency:
Heating - 25%
Transportation - 25%
Electric Generation - 25%
SECTION 4
APA32*K14
SECTION 4
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
FORECAST
INTRODUCTION
The following paragraphs and tables outline the planned capital
projects, economic activities forecast, and energy end use
forecasts for the village of Chuathbaluk.?
1 Tables numbered as in original report.
4-1
APA32*K15
APA 22A:F1
C. VILLAGES OF MIDDLE AND UPPER KUSKOKWIM
6. Chuathbaluk
SECTION 4
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FORECAST
(a) Planned Capital Projects and Economic Activity Forecast
Planned Capital Projects:
Scheduled developments - School classroom addition
Electrification
Airport improvements
Potential developments - Timber harvest
Peat harvest
Farewell coal field
Economic Activity Forecast: The economic activity in the area
is greatly dependent on timber, peat and Farewell coal field
development, none of which is anticipated to become opera-
tional before the late 1980's or early 1990's. It is expected
that these resource developments would provide mostly indirect
benefits to the area by providing lower cost energy to
consumers. No significant economic activity is forecast for
the immediate future.
(b) Population Forecast - Chuathbaluk
The population forecast is shown in the following Table 4.6
Table 4.6
Year 1970 1979 1982 1985 1990 2000
Population 94 119 129 146 169 228
# Residences - 27 29 32 38 ST
# Small commercial - 3 3 3 4
# Public users - 2 8
# Large users 1
Population growth rate - 3%
4-2
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15) ne apa22:al
C. End Use Forecast
The end uses of energy are shown in the following Tables 4.6a, 4.6b,
and 4.6c
Table 4.6a
CHUATHBALUK ELECTRIC POWER REQUIREMENTS?
1979 1982 1985
Population 119 129 146
Number of residential
consumers 7 25 28
Average kWh/mo/consumer = 133 160
MWh/year residential
consumers
(2) x (1) x 12 + 1000 Gs 39.9 53.8
Number of small] commer-
cial consumers - 3 3
Average kWh/mo/consumer - 848 963
MWh/year small commer-
cial consumer
(4) x (5) x 12 + 1000 = 30.5 34.7
Number of public consumers 2 3 4
Average kWh/mo/consumer 850 970 1,107
MWh/year public consumer
(7) x (8) x 12 + 1000 20.4 i 34.9 S3aL,
Large (LP) consumer 1 i al
(school)
Average kWh/mo/LP
consumer? 9,125 9,971 10,896
MWh/year LP's
(10)x(11)x12 + 1000 109.5 119.7 130.8
System MWh/year
(3)+(6)+(9)+(12) 129.9 225.0 272.4
System load factor 0.6 0.45 0.45
System demand kW
(13)+8760+(14)x1000 25 57 69
Electrification scheduled for summer 1981
School at 3% Growth Rate
Classroom addition
4.3
1990
169
32
220
84.5
1,205
57.8
1,379
82.7
12,631
151.6
376.6
0.45
96
2000
228
51
415
254.0
1,872
134.8
2,142
205.6
16,975
203.7
798.1
0.5
182
apa22:cl
Table 4.6b
CHUATHBALUK HEATING REQUIREMENTS?
RESIDENTIAL CONSUMERS
1979 1982 1985 1990 2000
(1) Population 119 129 146 169 228
(2) Number of resi-
dential users 27 29 32 38 57
(3) Diesel - Average
gal/mo/residence
(6)+(2)+12 10 10 10 9 8
(4) Propane - Average
1bs/mo/residence
(7)+(2)+12 7 7 10 19 35
(5) Wood - Average
cords/mo/res idence
(8)+(2)+12 | 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.63 0.57
(6) Diesel_ Gals 3,200 3,420 3,775 4,265 5,790 Btu x 10° 442 472 520 588 799
(7) Propane __Lbs 2,400 2,580 3,900 8,800 23,900
Btu x 10° 47 50 76 172 466
(8) Wood Cords 216 : 232 256 289 393
Btu x 106 3,672 3,944 4,352 4,913 6,681
(9) Total
Btu x 106
(6)+(7)+(8) 4,161 4,466 4,948 5,673 7,946
(10) Annual per capita
consumption
Btu x 106
(9)+(1) 35.0 34.6 33.9 33.6 34.9
Assumes a one percent per year decrease in fossil fuel requirements beginning
in 1986 due to implementation of passive solar heating and technical improve-
ments in both building design and heating equipment.
4-4
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
apa22-A:R5
Table 4.6c
CHUATHBALUK HEATING REQUIREMENTS?
Smal] Commercial
user
Diesel
Gals/Btu x 10°
Public Buildings
user
Diesel Gals
Btu x 105
Large users
(school)
Diesel equivalent
(diesel + wood)
Gals
Btu x 10°
Propane __lbs
Btu x 10°
Subtotal
Btu x 106
(16)+(17)
Total
Btu x 106
(9)+(12)+(14)+(18)
OTHER CONSUMERS
1979 1982
3 3
3700 3700
511 511
2 3
1400 1650
193 228
1 1
7,800 19,450?
2,456 2,684
1200 1200
23 23
2479 2707
7,344 7,912
1985
3
3700
511
19,450
2,684
1200
23
2707
8,549
1990
2574
9,317
2000
4606
636
1033
2331
11,510
Assumes a one percent per year decrease in fossil fuel requirements begin-
ning in 1986 due to implementation of passive solar heating and technical
improvements in both building design and heating equipment.
New classroom addition
SECTION 5
RESOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
APA32*K16
SECTION 5
RESOURCE AND
RECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
A. ENERGY RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
The energy resources which are determined to be available for the village
of Chuathbaluk are summarized in the following table. Information
concerning approximate quantity, quality, availability, cost, source of
data and important comments is included. The energy resources specif-
ically addressed include diesel generation, wind, hydroelectric potential,
waste heat utilization, timber and coal. While passive solar heating
and energy conservation are not specifically addressed in the table, it
is assumed these two energy conservation measures will be implemented in
the village. Energy resources which are not available for use in Chuathbaluk
and are therefore not addressed include geothermal, peat, solid waste,
oil and gas and tidal power.
5-1
APA32*K17
2-S APA22-A SS
Table 5.6
ENERGY
RESOURCE
Diesel fuel
Wood fuel
Coal fuel
Waste Heat!
Recovery
Hydroelectric
Potential
Wind Potential
LOCATION
Major supplier
Bethel
Middle Kuskokwim
Healy, Alaska
Mission Creek
ENERGY RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
QUANTITY/AVAILABILITY
167x10° cu ft
late 1980's
Late 1980's
30% of fuel used for
electrical generation;
upon installation
125 kW, 295 mwh/yr
estimated; Estimated
on line 1986
! Assumes, $1.44/gal diesel fuel cost, 0.45 LF
< > Saving per million Btu's recovered.
CHUATHBALUK
QUALITY
#2 diesel 138,000
Btu/gal
14.6x10® Btu/cord
8500 Btu/1b
17x10® Btu/ton
Recoverable heat
41,400 Btu/gal diesel
equivalent
8 mph average
annual wind speed.
SOURCE OF
COST __DATA
$1.44/gal United
$10.44/10® Btu Transportation
Bethel
$92/cord Appendix G
$6.30/10° Btu
$110/ton Appendix H
$6.47/10° Btu
$450/kW installed Appendix D
<$5.06/10° Btu>
diesel fuel displaced
$58, 900/kW Reference #38
installed
COMMENTS
Delivered cost
at village.
Delivered cost
at village.
Delivered cost
at village.
Cost assumes heat delivery
within a 100 ft radius
of plant. Availability
varies with generator
loading. Maintenance
at $11/kW/yr.
Average annual wind
speed insufficient for
wind generation.
SECTION 6
ENERGY PLANS
APA32*K18
SECTION 6
ENERGY PLANS
A. INTRODUCTION
The approach to the energy plans formulated for the village of
Chuathbaluk is explained in this section. Each plan is formulated to
meet the forecasted electrical energy requirements of the village plus
additional related requirements, such as space heating, where appropriate.
A base case plan using diesel generation is formulated for the village.
This plan is used as the “control case" to determine the advantage or
disadvantage of other alternatives as compared to diesel generation.
Future village diesel generation additions assume that the local school,
which has sufficient installed generation capacity, will provide its
own back-up capability. The school will, however, rely on the central-
ized village power plant for their primary supply of electrical power
and energy.
A wood-fired binary cycle generation option is presented for the village
of Chuathbaluk. It is assumed the wood required for fuel would be supplied
from timber harvested along the Kuskokwim River. Diesel fuel oil-fired
binary cycle generation is also possible, but provides no significant cost
or technical advantage over diesel engine powered generation. Fuel oil-
fired binary cycle generation is, therefore, not included in the formulated
energy plan for the village.
A waste heat capture analysis is included with all options that
use fossil fuels for electrical generation (i.e., diesel generation
employing engine jacket water cooling, and binary cycle generation).
Hydroelectric generation is investigated for the village. Any additional
benefits from these technologies, such as the use of excess hydroelectric
energy to provide electric space heat is also included.
6-1
APA32*K19
b)
APA32*K20
SECTION 6
ENERGY PLANS
Base Case Plan
1)
2)
3)
Plan components - diesel and waste heat recovery
Timing of system additions
Diesel - 1981 - 60 kW + 100 kW, 1991 - 100 kW
Waste heat equipment - 1983 - 100 kW, 1991 - 100 kW
Plan description - This plan assumes the continued
use of diesel driven generators throughout the study
and the implementation of waste heat recovery.
Alternative Plan A
1)
2)
3)
Plan components - diesel and binary cycle generation
using wood fuel and waste heat recovery
Timing of additions -
Diesel - 1981 - 60 kW + 100 kW
Binary unit - 1989 - 200 kW
Waste heat recovery - 1983 - 100 kW, 1989 - 200 kW
Plan description - This plan assumes construction
of wood-fired binary cycle generation facilities in
the late 1980's as a replacement for diesel genera-
tion and the implementation of waste heat recovery.
Alternative Plan B.
1) Plan components - diesel and waste heat recovery
and hydroelectric generation.
6-2
APA32*K21
2)
3)
SECTION 6
ENERGY PLANS
Timing of additions -
Diesel - 1981 - 60 kW + 100 kW
Waste heat equipment - 1983 - 100 kW
Hydroelectric - 1986 - 125 kW; 195 mWh/yr estimated
Plan description - This plan assumes construction of
a hydroelectric project in Mission Creek 2.5 miles
east of Chuathbaluk as partial replacement for diesel
generation (Ref. 38). Estimated 1980 construction cost
of the hydroelectric project and transmission line
is $7,360,000 (Ref. 38).
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED TECHNOLOGIES
APA32*K22
A.1 DIESEL
a. General Description
1)
2)
APA*32C35
Thermodynamic and engineering processes involved
In the diesel engine, air is compressed in a cylinder to a
high pressure. Fuel oi] is injected into the compressed air,
which is at a temperature above the fuel ignition point, and
the fuel burns, converting thermal energy to mechanical energy
by driving a piston. Pistons drive a shaft which in turn
drives the generator.
Current and future availability
Diesel engines driving electrical generators are one of the
most efficient simple cycle converters of chemical energy
(fuel) to electrical energy. Although the diesel cycle in
theory will burn any combustible matter, the practical fact of
the matter is that these engines burn only high grade liquid
petroleum or gas, except for multi-thousand horsepower engines
which can burn heated residual oi1. Diesel generating units
are usually built as an integral whole and mounted on skids
for installation at their place of use.
A.2 BINARY CYCLE FOR ELECTRICAL GENERATION
a. General Description
1)
2)
Thermodynamic and engineering processes involved
In the binary conversion process, a heated primary fluid of
insufficient quality for direct use in electrical production
passes through a heat exchanger to transfer heat to a working
fluid. The working fluid has a lower boiling point than water
and is vaporized in the heat exchanger. The vaporized working
fluid then expands through a turbine or cylinder piston arrange-
ment is condensed, and returns to the heat exchanger. The primary
fluid is returned to its heat source following heat exchange.
Current and future availability
Current commercial availability is restricted to unit sizes
in excess of village power requirements as determined in this
study. Binary cycle generation equipment in unit sizes suit-
able for village application is not expected to be available
“until the late 1980's.
APA*32C36
A-2
A.3 HYDROELECTRIC GENERATION
a. General Description
i.
APA*32C37
Thermodynamic and engineering processes involved
In the hydroelectric power development, flowing water is
directed into a hydraulic turbine where the energy in the
water is used to turn a shaft, which in turn drives a gener-
ator. In their action, turbines involve a continuous trans-
formation of the potential and/or kinetic energy of the water
into usable mechanical energy at the shaft. Water stored at
rest at an elevation above the level of the turbine (head)
possesses potential energy; when flowing, the water possesses
kinetic energy as a function of its velocity. The return of
the used water to the higher elevation necessary for funct-
joning of the hydroelectric machinery is powered by the sun
to complete the cycle - a direct, natural process using solar
energy. The ability to store water at a useful elevation makes
this energy supply predictable and dependable. i
Current and future availability
Hydroelectric developments in the United States, as of January
1978, totaled 59 million kilowatts, producing an estimated
average annual output of 276 billion kilowatt hours according
to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Hydropower provides
about 10% of Alaska's electric energy needs. Developments
range in size from over a million kilowatts down to just a few
kilowatts of installed capacity. Hydropower is a time proven
method of generation that offers unique advantages. Fuel
cost, a major contributor to thermal plant operating costs, is
eliminated.
A-3
A.4 WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS (WECS)
a. General Description
1)
2)
APA*32C38
Thermodynamic and engineering processes involved
The thermodynamic process involved stems from the sun, the
primary energy source which produces the wind. This wind
energy cannot be stored, is intermittent, somewhat unpredict-
able and thereby undependable. The process then relies
on wind flow over an air foil assembly to create differential
pressures along the air foil. This differential pressure
results in rotation of the assembly around a fixed axis to
which it is attached. Power from the wind is transmitted
through the connection shaft and accompanying gear box to an
electrical generator.
Three types of generators are presently in use with wind energy
systems. These are the DC generator, the AC induction generator
and the AC synchronous generator. Of the three types, the AC
induction generator is the most widely used because of its
simplicity and low cost. An induction generator is not a stand-
alone generator and must be connected to an external power system
of relatively constant frequency and voltage to operate properly.
Current and future availability
Availability of the wind at useful velocities require long
term records to estimate the potential energy. Lesser records
provide less credible estimates.
Availability of WECS machinery in small size units in the 1.5 kW
to 20 kW range is good. Large units in the 100-200 kW range are
currently undergoing tests in both the government and private sector
and should be available jin the near future. Demonstrations of
multi-megawatt sizes are in process.
A-4
A.5 DIESEL WASTE HEAT RECOVERY
a. General Description
1)
2)
APA*32C39
Thermodynamic and engineering processes involved
The present use of fossil fuels (coal, gas, oi1) in Alaska (as
elsewhere) to produce more useful forms of energy (heat,
electricity, motive power) is less than 100 percent efficient.
For example, if a machine burns a certain quantity of fossil
fuel and produces useful output (shaft horsepower, electrical
energy, steam, useful hot water or air for space heating)
equivalent to 30% of the fuel burned, the energy represented by
the remaining 70% of the fuel will appear as unused or "waste"
heat. Such heat most often appears as hot exhaust gas, tepid
to warm water (65°F-180°F), hot air from cooling radiators, or
direct radiation from the machine.
Diesel waste heat can be recovered from engine cooling water
and exhaust, or either source separately. The waste heat is
typically transferred to a water-glycol circulating system in
Alaskan applications. The heated circulating fluid can be used
for space, water, or process heating where temperatures of
the waste hear are suitable.
Current and future availability
Recovery of diesel waste heat in Alaska is growing as a result of
sharp increases in diesel fuel cost. Recovery of jacket water heat
only is most common in Alaska.
Diesel waste heat availability is directly related to the
location and operating cycles of the engine installations.
A.6 PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING
a. General Description
Passive solar heating makes use of solar energy (sunlight) through
energy efficient design (i.e. south facing windows, shutters, added
insulation) but without the aid of any mechanical or electrical
‘inputs. Space heating is the most common application of passive
solar heating. Because such solar heating is available only when the
sun shines its availability is intermittent (day-night cycles) and
variable (winter-summer-cloudy-clear).
A-6
APA*32C40
A.7 CONSERVATION
a. General Description
1)
2)
APA*32C41
Thermodynamic and engineering processes involved
Conservation measures considered here are mainly classified as
"passive". Passive measures are intended to conserve energy with-
out any further electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy input.
Typical passive measures are insulation, double glazing or solar
film, arctic entrances and weather stripping. Energy conservation
characteristics of some passive measures degrade with time, which
must be considered in the overall evaluation of their effectiveness
for an intended life cycle. Other conservation measures includes
improvement in efficiency of utilization devices (such as motors)
and "doing without" energy by disciplines (turning off lights,
turning down thermostats).
Current and future availability
Materials and schemes to implement passive measures are commer-
cially available and increasing in use all over the United States
due to the rapidly escalating cost of energy.