HomeMy WebLinkAboutStebbins Rnd 7 ALL FINAL 09242013Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/St. Michael Wind Energy Design and Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Application Page 1 of 26 7/2/2013
SECTION 1 – APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name (Name of utility, IPP, or government entity submitting proposal)
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Type of Entity: Not-for-profit Fiscal Year End: December 31
Tax ID # 92-0035763 Tax Status: For-profit X Non-profit Government ( check one)
Date of last financial statement audit: March 8, 2013
Mailing Address
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK. 99503
Physical Address
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK. 99503
Telephone
800.478.1818
Fax
800.478.4086
Email
sgilbert@avec.org
1.1 APPLICANT POINT OF CONTACT / GRANTS MANAGER
Name
Steve Gilbert
Title
Manager, Projects Development and Key Accounts
Mailing Address
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK. 99503
Telephone
907.565.5357
Fax
907.561.2388
Email
sgilbert@avec.org
1.2 APPLICANT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Please check as appropriate. If you do not to meet the minimum applicant requirements, your
application will be rejected.
1.2.1 As an Applicant, we are: (put an X in the appropriate box)
x An electric utility holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity under AS
42.05, or
An independent power producer in accordance with 3 AAC 107.695 (a) (1), or
A local government, or
A governmental entity (which includes tribal councils and housing authorities);
Yes
1.2.2 Attached to this application is formal approval and endorsement for the project by
the applicant’s board of directors, executive management, or other governing
authority. If the applicant is a collaborative grouping, a formal approval from each
participant’s governing authority is necessary. (Indicate Yes or No in the box )
Yes
1.2.3 As an applicant, we have administrative and financial management systems and
follow procurement standards that comply with the standards set forth in the grant
agreement (Section 3 of the RFA).
Yes
1.2.4 If awarded the grant, we can comply with all terms and conditions of the award as
identified in the Standard Grant Agreement template at
http://www.akenergyauthority.org/veep/Grant-Template.pdf. (Any exceptions
should be clearly noted and submitted with the application.)
Yes
1.2.5 We intend to own and operate any project that may be constructed with grant
funds for the benefit of the general public. If no please describe the nature of the
project and who will be the primary beneficiaries.
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 2 of 26 7/1/2013
SECTION 2 – PROJECT SUMMARY
This section is intended to be no more than a 2-3 page overview of your project.
2.1 Project Title – (Provide a 4 to 7 word title for your project). Type in space below.
Stebbins/St. Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
2.2 Project Location –
Include the physical location of your project and name(s) of the community or communities that will
benefit from your project in the subsections below.
The proposed project is located near the village of Stebbins on St. Michael Island. Stebbins is located
approximately 430 miles northwest of Anchorage, on the south side of Norton Sound. Stebbins is 8 air
miles from the village of St. Michael. This project will benefit both the communities of Stebbins and St.
Michael as an intertie to connect the two communities and a new joint power plant will be constructed
by 2015.
2.2.1 Location of Project – Latitude and longitude, street address, or community name.
Latitude and longitude coordinates may be obtained from Google Maps by finding you project’s location on the map
and then right clicking with the mouse and selecting “What is here? The coordinates will be dis played in the Google
search window above the map in a format as follows: 61.195676.-149.898663. If you would like assistance obtaining
this information please contact AEA at 907-771-3031.
The location of Stebbins is as follows: 63.51722, -162.28444. (Sec. 02, T. 23 S, R. 19 W, Kateel River
Meridian).
2.2.2 Community benefiting – Name(s) of the community or communities that will be the
beneficiaries of the project.
This project will benefit the communities of Stebbins (2010 population 585) and St. Michael (2010
population 401), which are connected by an eleven-mile gravel road.
2.3 PROJECT TYPE
Put X in boxes as appropriate
2.3.1 Renewable Resource Type
X Wind Biomass or Biofuels (excluding heat-only)
Hydro, Including Run of River Hydrokinetic
Geothermal, Excluding Heat Pumps Transmission of Renewable Energy
Solar Photovoltaic Storage of Renewable
Other (Describe) Small Natural Gas
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 3 of 26 7/1/2013
2.3.2 Proposed Grant Funded Phase(s) for this Request (Check all that apply)
Pre-Construction Construction
Reconnaissance x Final Design and Permitting
Feasibility and Conceptual Design Construction and Commissioning
2.4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Provide a brief one paragraph description of the proposed project.
Building on the results of the wind resource assessment and Homer modeling (V3 Energy LLC) and a
conceptual design report (Hattenburg Dilley and Linnell LLC), Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc.,
(AVEC) is proposing to complete the final design and permitting to install two Aeronautica AW33-225
turbines to supplement the existing diesel-fired power generation system in Stebbins. AVEC is currently
constructing a new power plant and bulk fuel facility in Stebbins, which will also power the village of St.
Michael via an 11-mile intertie that is currently funded and designed in a right-of-way along the road
that connects the two villages.
AVEC has completed the final design and obtained permits and funding for the intertie between St.
Michael and Stebbins. A new power plant is under construction to serve both communities. Once final
design and permitting of the turbines are completed as described in this grant application, AVEC will
seek funding to construct the turbines to serve both communities.
2.5 PROJECT BENEFIT
Briefly discuss the financial and public benefits that will result from this project, (such as reduced fuel
costs, lower energy costs, local jobs created, etc.)
This project will provide the following benefits, which are listed here and described in further detail in
Section 5 of this application:
The primary benefit of this project is to stabilize energy costs in Stebbins and St. Michael by providing a
renewable energy resource. This project is expected to provide 40% of the two communities’ combined
electric power needs by generating 1,360,237 kWh per year. It is estimated to generate an additional
228,699 kWh per year of excess energy available for thermal loads. Assuming 80% turbine availability,
this project could save $321,084 during its first full year of operation and $5,241,559 over the 20 year
(discounted at 3%) lifetime of the project.
In addition, the following important benefits will be realized:
Reduced diesel fuel use for power generation in Stebbins and St. Michael by about 74,443
gallons/year resulting in a $321,084 savings in the first year or $5,241,559 over twenty years (based
on ISER fuel costs; 2015).
Reduced diesel fuel use for heat in Stebbins and St. Michael by about 5,846 gallons/year or
$491,672 over twenty years (based on ISER fuel costs; 2015).
Reduced energy costs through reduced fuel use for both villages.
Reduced energy costs for non-PCE community institutions, which may allow for increased or
improved community or social services.
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 4 of 26 7/1/2013
Reduced energy costs to other non-PCE commercial energy customers such as stores that may pass
along savings to residents.
Increased opportunity for local economic development.
Income to the Stebbins Native Corporation in the approximate amount of $65,000 from gravel sales
during the project’s construction phase.
Local hire during project construction.
Increased access to subsistence areas.
Increased longevity of the PCE fund through a reduction in PCE payments for Stebbins and St.
Michael residents and PCE-eligible community facilities.
Information on a turbine type presently not used in Alaska through the installation of Aeronautica
turbines.
Reduced fossil fuel emissions, which results in improved air quality and decreased contribution to
global climate change.
Reduced fuel consumption, which reduces the volume of fuel transported and the potential for fuel
spills and contamination.
This project will take a big step forward in achieving local, state, and federal renewable energy goals in
Stebbins and St. Michael.
Please see Section 5 for detailed information on project benefits.
2.6 PROJECT BUDGET OVERVIEW
Briefly discuss the amount of funds needed, the anticipated sources of funds, and the nature and source
of other contributions to the project.
The total project cost for final design and permitting of the two Aeronautica AW33-225 turbines in
Stebbins is $360,000 of which $342,000 is requested in grant funds from AEA. The remaining $18,000
will be matched in cash by AVEC.
2.7 COST AND BENEFIT SUMARY
Include a summary of grant request and your project’s total costs and benefits below.
Grant Costs
(Summary of funds requested)
2.7.1 Grant Funds Requested in this application $342,000
2.7.2 Cash match to be provided $18,000
2.7.3 In-kind match to be provided $
2.7.4 Other grant funds to be provided $
2.7.5 Other grant applications not yet approved $
2.7.6 Total Grant Costs (sum of 2.7.1 through 2.7.4) $360,000
Project Costs & Benefits
(Summary of total project costs including work to date and future cost estimates to get to a fully
operational project)
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 5 of 26 7/1/2013
2.7.7 Total Project Cost Summary from Cost Worksheet, Section
4.4.4, including estimates through construction.
$3,946,050 (Includes turbines,
controls, transmission lines
and gravel trail)
2.7.8 Additional Performance Monitoring Equipment not co vered
by the project but required for the Grant Only applicable to
construction phase projects.
$
2.7.9 Estimated Direct Financial Benefit (Savings) $321,084 (first year)
$5,241,559(20-year life)
2.7.10 Other Public Benefit If you can calculate the benefit in terms
of dollars please provide that number here and explain how you
calculated that number in Section 5 below.
Heat saving: $491,672 (20-
year life)
$ 65,000(gravel sales)
SECTION 3 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Describe who will be responsible for managing the project and provide a plan for successfully
completing the project within the scope, schedule and budget proposed in the application.
3.1 Project Manager
Tell us who will be managing the project for the Grantee and include contact information, a
resume and references for the manager(s). In the electronic submittal, please submit resumes
as separate PDFs if the applicant would like those excluded from the web posting of this
application. If the applicant does not have a project manager indicate how you intend to solicit
project management support. If the applicant expects project management assistance from
AEA or another government entity, state that in this section.
AVEC, as the electric utility serving Stebbins and St. Michael, will provide grant administration and
project management and oversight.
Steve Gilbert, Manager, Project Development and Key Accounts
Steve Gilbert is manager of energy projects development for AVEC where he leads a team focused on
lowering the cost of energy in rural Alaskan villages through improved power plant efficiency, wind and
other renewable power and interties between villages.
Previously, Mr. Gilbert worked at Chugach Electric for 17 years managing three power plants and serving
as lead electrical engineer for a 1 MW fuel cell and micro-turbine projects and wind energy project
development.
Mr. Gilbert is recognized as an industry leader on wind energy and has been active on a national level in
operation and maintenance of wind power plants. He was Alaska’s Electrical Engineer of the Year in
2000 and for the 12 western states in 2001. He has been a regular lecturer at schools and universities
on renewables, especially wind. He also worked with BP Wind in London assessing European wind
prospects. To better evaluate investment opportunities for his employer, Mr. Gilbert recently
completed his MBA.
Meera Kohler, President and CEO of AVEC
Ms. Kohler has more than 30 years of experience in the Alaska electric utility industry. She was
appointed Manager of Administration and Finance at Cordova Electric Cooperative in 1983, General
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 6 of 26 7/1/2013
Manager of Naknek Electric Association in 1990, and General Manager of Municipal Light & Power in
Anchorage in 1997.
Since May 2000, Ms. Kohler has been the President and CEO of AVEC and in this position has ultimate
grant and project responsibilities.
3.2 Project Schedule and Milestones
Please fill out the schedule below. Be sure to identify key tasks and decision points in in your
project along with estimated start and end dates for each of the milestones and tasks. Please
clearly identify the beginning and ending of all phases of your proposed project.
The key tasks and their completion dates are:
Grant Award Announcement: May 2014
Authorization to Proceed: June 2014
Complete Permitting: February 2015
Complete Site Control: February 2015
Complete Final Design: May 2015
Complete Final Business and Operational Plan: July 2015
The schedule organized by AEA milestones is as follows:
Milestones Tasks
Start
Date
End
Date
Project Scoping and Contractor
Solicitation
The engineering contractor will be selected
and a task order will be prepared for work
planned for this phase.
June 1,
2014
Aug 1,
2014
Permit Applications Permit applications, such as FAA, wetlands,
and migratory birds/endangered species
consultations, will be prepared and
submitted.
Aug 1,
2014
Oct 31,
2014
Final Environmental Assessment
and Mitigation Plans
Working with regulatory agencies,
environmental documents will be prepared
as needed.
Aug 1,
2014
Feb 1,
2015
Resolution of Land Use, ROW
Issues (surveying)
Working with the communities and
corporations, AVEC will secure site control
for the wind turbines.
Aug 1,
2014
Feb 1,
2015
Permitting, rights-of-way, site
control
Permits will be issued from the Federal
Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
Feb 1,
2015
Final System Design The engineering contractor will complete
final design of the wind system. The design
will be reviewed by AVEC personnel prior to
final approval.
May 1,
2015
Final Cost Estimate Using the final design, the engineers will
prepare the cost estimate for the project.
June 1,
2015
Updated Economic and Financial
Analysis
Using the number developed in the cost
estimate, an updated economic assessment
July 1,
2015
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 7 of 26 7/1/2013
and financial analysis will be prepared.
Power or Heat Sales Agreements N/A N/A
Final Business and Operational
Plan
AVEC will work with the all the
communities to finalize an Operational
Plan.
July 1,
2015
3.3 Project Resources
Describe the personnel, contractors, accounting or bookkeeping personnel or firms, equipment,
and services you will use to accomplish the project. Include any partnerships or commitments
with other entities you have or anticipate will be needed to complete your project. Describe any
existing contracts and the selection process you may use for major equipment purchases or
contracts. Include brief resumes and references for known, key personnel, contractors, and
suppliers as an attachment to your application.
AVEC will use a project management strategy that it has used to successfully design and construct wind
turbines throughout rural Alaska. That strategy includes a team of AVEC staff and external consultants.
AVEC staff and their role on this project include:
Meera Kohler, President and Chief Executive Officer, will act as Project Executive and will
maintain ultimate authority programmatically and financially.
Steve Gilbert, Project Development Manager, will act as Program Manager and will lead the
project management team consisting of AVEC staff, consultants, and contractors.
Debbie Bullock, Manager of Administrative Services, will provide support in accounting,
payables, financial reporting, and capitalization of assets in accordance with AEA guidelines.
Bill Stamm, Manager of Engineering, leads AVEC’s Engineering Department which is responsible
for in-house design of power plants, distribution lines, controls and other AVEC facilities. Mr.
Stamm has worked at AVEC since 1994. Mr. Stamm was an AVEC line superintendent before he
was appointed to Manager of Engineering in 2012. Mr. Stamm’s unit will provide engineering
design and supervision.
Mark Bryan, Manager of Operations, is a Certified Journeyman Electrician and supervises the
AVEC’s line operations, generation operations and all field construction programs. He has
worked at AVEC since 1980, was appointed Manager of Construction in May 1998 and was
promoted to Manager of Operations in June 2003. Mr. Bryan’s unit will oversee operation of
this project as part of the AVEC utility system.
Anna Sattler, Community Liaison, will communicate directly with Stebbins and St. Michael
residents to ensure the community is informed.
An AVEC project manager, working under the direction of the Program Manager, will lead this project
and ensure that deliverables are on time and within budget. He or she will be responsible for site control
and community involvement, working with AVEC’s Community Liaison.
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 8 of 26 7/1/2013
The project manager will be responsible for selecting, coordinating, and managing the geotechnical,
engineering, and environmental permitting consultants listed below:
Geotechnical consultant. AVEC will select and employ an experienced geotechnical consultant
who will conduct a detailed geotechnical and natural hazards field study and report of the
project area.
Engineering consultant. AVEC currently has an on-call contract with Hattenburg Dilley and
Linnell LLC (HDL) for engineering services. HDL drafted the CDR and preliminary design for this
project and will provide final design, engineering specifications, and a cost estimate for the wind
turbines.
Environmental Consultant. HDL will consult with agencies and develop and submit permit
applications for the wind farm.
Wind Resource Consultant. Under an existing on-call contract, V3 Energy, LLC prepared the
wind resource report and provided technical assistance on previous phases of this project. V3
will continue to provide assistance on an as needed basis.
Resumes are included under Tab A.
3.4 Project Communications
Discuss how you plan to monitor the project and keep the Authority informed of the status.
Please provide an alternative contact person and their contact information.
AVEC has systems in place to accomplish reporting requirements successfully. In 2012, AVEC
successfully met reporting requirements for 56 state and federal grants. An independent financial audit
and an independent auditor’s management letter completed for AVEC for 2012 did not identify any
deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that were considered to be material weaknesses.
In addition, the letter stated that AVEC complied with specific loan and security instrument provisions.
The project will be managed out of AVEC’s Project Development Department. For financial reporting,
the Project Development Department’s accountant, supported by the Administrative Services
Department, will prepare financial reports. The accountant will be responsible for ensuring that vendor
invoices and internal labor charges are documented in accordance with AEA guidelines and are included
with financial reports. AVEC has up-to-date systems in place for accounting, payables, financial
reporting, and capitalization of assets in accordance with AEA guidelines.
AVEC will require that monthly written progress reports be provided with each invoice submitted from
contractor(s). The progress reports will include a summary of tasks completed, issues or problems
experienced, upcoming tasks, and contractor’s needs from AVEC. Project progress reports will be
collected, combined and supplemented as necessary and forwarded as one report to the AEA project
manager each month. Quarterly face-to-face meetings will occur between AVEC and AEA to discuss the
status of all projects funded through the AEA Renewable Energy Grants program. Individual project
meetings will be held, as required or requested by AEA.
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 9 of 26 7/1/2013
Meera Kohler, AVEC’s President and CEO, may be contacted as an alternative manager.
3.5 Project Risk
Discuss potential problems and how you would address them.
Site Control/Access and Environmental Permitting. Sometimes site control for the placement of turbines
is difficult; however, because Stebbins and St. Michael support the project it is expected that gaining site
control will proceed smoothly. Letters of support have been received from community leaders (see Tab
B).
Environmental Permitting. Preliminary reviews of the proposed site reveal high likelihood of receiving all
necessary permits. Field surveys have been conducted near the proposed site for both cultural resources
and bird movements. Both studies revealed little data for concern that the area posed high risk to cultural
resources or birds. HDL will continue to consult with agencies in order to flesh out location, natural and
social environment, specific species, and mitigation issues. The consultant will work in concert with the
agencies and conduct studies as appropriate.
Weather. Weather could delay getting consultants from getting into the community to conduct site visits
and/or the geotechnical survey; however, HDL is familiar with Alaskan weather conditions.
AVEC is a cooperative and follows the International Co-operative Alliance’s Seven Principles of
Cooperatives. One of the most important of those principles is titled Democratic Member Control and
refers to the men and women who serve as representatives being accountable to the membership.
AVEC’s member communities, especially the community involved in a grant program such as the REF, have
expectations for projects regarding outcomes, schedule, budget, and quality of work. AVEC member
communities and Board of Directors receive regular project status updates. When problems are
reported, either formally through status reports or informally through other communications, member
communities expect solutions.
SECTION 4 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND TASKS
The level of information will vary according to phase(s) of the project you propose to
undertake with grant funds.
If some work has already been completed on your project and you are requesting funding for
an advanced phase, submit information sufficient to demonstrate that the preceding phases
are satisfied and funding for an advanced phase is warranted.
4.1 Proposed Energy Resource
Describe the potential extent/amount of the energy resource that is available.
Discuss the pros and cons of your proposed energy resource vs. other alternatives that may be
available for the market to be served by your project. For pre-construction applications, describe
the resource to the extent known. For design and permitting or construction projects, please
provide feasibility documents, design documents, and permitting documents (if applicable) as
attachments to this application.
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 10 of 26 7/1/2013
Based on the Concept Design Report by HDL and a Wind Feasibility Study completed by V3 Energy (TAB G),
the wind resource measured at both St. Michael and Stebbins is very good. The Stebbins Site 1 area was
chosen as the best wind turbine site based on the wind modeling results and other factors such as
accessibility to roads and planned power infrastructure. The site is located in a Class 6 (outstanding) wind
resource. It is located 200 feet from the new intertie and within 1.25 miles of the new power plant in
Stebbins.
AVEC selected three wind turbine configurations for evaluation and, based on the technical analysis,
determined that two Aeronautica AW33-225 wind turbines will provide the best results as an alternative
energy resource for Stebbins and St. Michael. Aeronautica AW33-225 turbines are a 40-meter hub height,
225 kW capacity, induction generator machines. The blades are aerodynamically designed to stall during
extreme wind events (22 m/s) in order to maintain a safe operating speed. These turbines are made in
America and have a long track record of success in Europe and North America. Based on the technical
evaluation of our engineers, AVEC believes these turbines have high potential to be an effective
alternative to other models that have been used in Alaska. Installation of these turbines in Stebbins will
not only benefit the communities, but will also provide for an opportunity to compare and contrast a
turbine model, new to Alaska, against other projects around the state., New information is valuable to
future wind energy projects.
Other energy resources are not feasible for the following reasons:
The installed cost of photovoltaic solar arrays will be higher per kW produced than the installed
costs of wind.
Generating power from the ocean tidal motion is not yet an established technology or
commercially available technology.
Hydropower resources are not available in the area.
Biomass resources are limited by the lack of resources near the communities.
Wind energy as a supplement to diesel generators for electricity generation is considered the most viable
and developable source of renewable energy for St. Michael and Stebbins.
4.2 Existing Energy System
4.2.1 Basic configuration of Existing Energy System
Briefly discuss the basic configuration of the existing energy system. Include information about
the number, size, age, efficiency, and type of generation.
AVEC currently provides power to the communities of Stebbins and St. Michael with separate diesel
generators. After the communities are connected by a planned intertie, the St. Michael plant will be
closed, and a backup generator module will be installed. Currently, a new power plant in Stebbins, of
sufficient capacity to power both communities, is scheduled for completion by November 2013. Intertie
funding has been received from the Denali Commission, and it is expected to be constructed by
September 2015.
The existing diesel power plant in St. Michael consists of three generators: a 499 kW Cummins, a 314 kW
Detroit Diesel, and a 207 kW Detroit Diesel. These generators were installed or overhauled in 2005, 2006,
and 2006, respectively. St. Michael’s plant generated 1,853,882 kWh (total from 2012 PCE report) of
Renewable Energy Fund Round VII
Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 11 of 26 7/1/2013
electricity with 131,689 gallons of diesel in 2012. The plant efficiency was 14.08 kWh/gal in FY2012.
The existing diesel power plant in Stebbins consists of three generators: a 499 kW Cummins, a 350 kW
Cummins, and a 250 kW Cummins. These generators were installed or overhauled in 2007, 1992, and
2006, respectively. The Stebbins’ power plant generated a total of 1,428,234 kWh (total taken from 2012
PCE report) with 104,466 gallons of diesel in 2012. The average plant efficiency was 13.67 kWh/gal in
FY2012. A new power plant with capacity to power both Stebbins and St. Michael is now under
construction. When construction is complete in late 2013, the plant will operate four Caterpillar 3456
diesel engine generators each with the capacity of 450kW and at an expected efficiency of 15.2 kWh/gal.
4.2.2 Existing Energy Resources Used
Briefly discuss your understanding of the existing energy resources. Include a brief discussion of
any impact the project may have on existing energy infrastructure and resources.
St. Michael and Stebbins use diesel fuel for electrical power generation, heating oil for boiler (thermal)
and home heating, and diesel and gasoline fuel for transportation needs. Diesel fuel consumption for
power generation in Stebbins in FY2012 was 104,466 gallons; in St. Michael diesel fuel consumption was
131,689 gallons. The electric power generation and fuel use will change once the new power plant is
installed.
Installation of two Aeronautica AW33-225 turbines and an intertie, at the same time decommissioning the
existing St. Michael power plant, will decrease the amount of diesel fuel used for power generation.
Diesel generator load will be decreased thereby reducing generator operations and maintenance costs.
4.2.3 Existing Energy Market
Discuss existing energy use and its market. Discuss impacts your project may have on energy
customers.
Currently, both communities have stand-alone electric power systems with no intertie or connection
beyond the villages; however, funding has been acquired and construction is underway for a joint power
plant and an intertie to connect the communities in 2015. The electricity generated in FY2012 in Stebbins
was 1,428,234 kWh, and 1,853,882 kWh in St. Michael. The load is highest during the winter months,
when the communities experience high winds and extended periods of darkness. With no renewable
energy systems in place, both communities rely completely on diesel fuel to meet their energy needs. The
20-year average cost of diesel in the communities is estimated to be approximately $5.28/gal (ISER 2012,
medium projection plus social cost of carbon).
The addition of the wind turbines to the electric generation system will reduce the amount of diesel fuel
used for power generation.
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Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 12 of 26 7/1/2013
4.3 Proposed System
Include information necessary to describe the system you are intending to develop and address
potential system design, land ownership, permits, and environmental issues.
4.3.1 System Design
Provide the following information for the proposed renewable energy system:
A description of renewable energy technology specific to project location
Optimum installed capacity
Anticipated capacity factor
Anticipated annual generation
Anticipated barriers
Basic integration concept
Delivery methods
Description of renewable energy technology. Wind power is the renewable energy option of choice for
Stebbins and St. Michael. Three wind turbine configurations—Four Northern Power 100 Arctic turbines,
five Vestas V17s, and two Aeronautica AW33-225s—were evaluated by AVEC. Hattenburg Dilley Linnell,
LLC, (authors of the Conceptual Design Report) and V3 Energy (author of the Feasibility Study) have
recommended the two Aeronautica AW33-225s for this project. The Aeronautica AW33-225 is an IEC
Class III wind turbine with 225 kW rated capacity. The generator will be controlled using a simple inverter
with soft start and soft braking capabilities or a more complex variable speed drive (VFD) inverter at each
turbine. The turbine blades are designed to aerodynamically stall during high wind events (22 m/s or
greater) leading to automatic shutdown. The AW33-225 is fully arctic-climate certified to -40° C.
Optimum installed capacity. Two AW33-225 wind turbines will have a combined 450 kW generation
capacity.
Anticipated capacity factor. According to V3 Energy, the capacity factor for the Aeronautica AW33-225s
at the project site is 34.5% (80% turbine availability).
Anticipated annual generation. AVEC can expect the two Aeronautica AW33-225 wind turbines to supply
1,360,237 kWh annually (assuming 80% availability), with 228,699 kWh/yr of this as excess energy for
thermal loads.
Basic integration concept. The wind energy will be integrated into the new power plant in Stebbins,
which will be constructed to accommodate wind energy. A simple one‐line diagram of the integration
between the new power plant and the wind turbines is included in the CDR’s Sheet E.1, Appendix A.
Delivery Method. Power generated by the wind turbines will be distributed via the new intertie between
communities and the existing electrical distribution system in both communities.
4.3.2 Land Ownership
Identify potential land ownership issues, including whether site owners have agreed to the project
or how you intend to approach land ownership and access issues.
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 13 of 26 7/1/2013
The proposed turbine site is owned by the Stebbins Native Corporation. Although formal site control is
not yet in-hand, problems are not anticipated. The community of Stebbins supports this project and
supports the selection of the project site as does the leadership of the Stebbins Native Corporation.
AVEC has initiated land agreement negotiations and expects to have site control before the end of 2013.
Recent face-to-face meetings between AVEC and the Stebbins leadership confirm that site control is
forthcoming.
4.3.3 Permits
Provide the following information as it may relate to permitting and how you intend to address
outstanding permit issues.
List of applicable permits
Anticipated permitting timeline
Identify and discussion of potential barriers
FAA Air Navigation Hazard Permitting. AVEC will seek a no-hazard determination from FAA once the final
layouts of the turbines have been determined. AVEC will do this early in the process to ensure that
adequate time and resources are allocated to this effort. It is expected to take about 3 months to obtain
the FAA determination for the turbines.
Endangered Species Act/Migratory Bird Treaty Act Consultation. Consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
will be required to construct the wind turbines. A finding letter will be drafted and submitted to the
USFWS stating that the constructed project is not expected to impact threatened or endangered species
or birds. It is expected that AVEC would receive concurrence from USFWS within one month.
Clean Water Act (Section 401) Permit. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Wetlands Permit may be
needed for the placement of the turbines. The pre-construction notice (PCN) would be submitted to the
Corps once funding is assured, and the permit would be issued prior to initiating work. To permit the
turbine, an individual wetland permit would be sought from the Corps. The application would be
submitted once final design has been completed. It is expected that the permit would be issued within 3
months.
National Historic Preservation Act. Compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act through the
State Historic Preservation Officer will be conducted prior to construction of the wind turbines.
4.3.4 Environmental
Address whether the following environmental and land use issues apply, and if so how they will
be addressed:
Threatened or endangered species
Habitat issues
Wetlands and other protected areas
Archaeological and historical resources
Land development constraints
Telecommunications interference
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 14 of 26 7/1/2013
Aviation considerations
Visual, aesthetics impacts
Identify and discuss other potential barriers
Threatened or Endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be consulted to ensure that the
construction of the wind turbines will have no harmful impact on threatened or endangered species.
Construction will be timed to avoid impacts to migratory birds in compliance with the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act. A survey of avian movement was conducted by ABR, Inc. in 2006 in the area along the
proposed intertie between Stebbins and St. Michael and areas of proposed wind turbine locations. ABR
concluded the risk of injury to birds posed by turbines in the area would be low. (The intertie was
permitted without issues from the USFWS.) The proposed wind project site is also located at an elevation
above nesting areas.
Habitat issues. During permitting, the project team will work with agencies to ensure that the project will
not impact any State refuges, sanctuaries, or critical habitat areas, federal refuges or wilderness areas, or
national parks. A publication resource produced by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game was
reviewed and revealed that no Refuges, Critical Habitat Areas, or Sanctuaries are located in the area.
Wetlands and other protected areas. It is likely that the wind turbines could be placed in designated
wetland locations. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ wetlands permit likely will be needed.
Archaeological and historical resources. Cultural Resource Consultants, LLC (CRC) conducted a review of
the Alaska Heritage Resource Survey (AHRS) files for the site. According to the AHRS files there are no
known AHRS sites within the project areas at the site. However, there are known sensitive sites located
adjacent to the project areas of interest, including one site listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Per the recommendation of Cultural Resource Consultants, LLC, the undertaking will need to be
reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office, but further field surveys will likely not be required.
Land development constraints. Negotiations with the Corporation to obtain site control have been
initiated and site control is expected by the end of 2013. Since the location of the existing met tower (on
a site neighboring the proposed site for the wind turbine) was accepted by the community, and since the
community supports this project, it is expected that there will not be any land issues associated with the
project.
Aviation considerations. A finding of “Determination of No Hazard” will be sought from the FAA. The
proposed project site was already issued a “Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation” for installation
of the met tower. Based on the finding issued for the met tower at the project site, AVEC foresees no
issues with obtaining this determination for the turbines. AVEC will work with FAA to obtain the needed
determination. AVEC will do this early in the process to ensure that adequate time and resources are
allocated to this effort. It is expected to take about 3 months to obtain the determination for the
turbines. (See also FAA Air Navigation Hazard Permitting in Section 4.3.3.)
Visual, aesthetics impacts. The turbines will be constructed outside the community; therefore, it is likely
that there will be little concern for visual or aesthetic impacts. Communities often note that turbines offer
a helpful visual guide point when traveling outside the village. AVEC will conduct community meetings to
discuss visual impacts and how they could be minimized, in the unlikely event that visual issues arise.
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 15 of 26 7/1/2013
4.4 Proposed New System Costs and Projected Revenues
(Total Estimated Costs and Projected Revenues)
The level of cost information provided will vary according to the phase of funding requested and
any previous work the applicant may have done on the project. Applicants must reference the
source of their cost data. For example: Applicants records or analysis, industry standards,
consultant or manufacturer’s estimates.
4.4.1 Project Development Cost
Provide detailed project cost information based on your current knowledge and understanding of
the project. Cost information should include the following:
Total anticipated project cost, and cost for this phase
Requested grant funding
Applicant matching funds – loans, capital contributions, in-kind
Identification of other funding sources
Projected capital cost of proposed renewable energy system
Projected development cost of proposed renewable energy system
Total anticipated project cost, and cost for this phase/requested grant funding/matching funds. This
application is for the final design and permitting of two Aeronautica AW33-225 wind turbines in Stebbins.
This phase of the project will cost $360,000 to complete. AVEC is requesting $342,000 from AEA through
the REF grant program, and AVEC will provide $18,000 as a cash match for this phase.
Identification of other funding sources. AVEC expects the final construction and commissioning phase of
the project to cost $3,946,050. It is possible that the funding for this work will come from AEA’s
Renewable Energy Fund program, the USDA Rural Utility Service Program, or another grant program,
supplemented by AVEC funds.
Projected capital cost of proposed renewable energy system/projected development cost of proposed
renewable energy system. The final phase of this project will be Construction and Commissioning. AVEC
estimates this phase could cost $3,946,050. AVEC will provide a 10% cash match for the construction
project.
4.4.2 Project Operating and Maintenance Costs
Include anticipated O&M costs for new facilities constructed and how these would be funded by
the applicant.
(Note: Operational costs are not eligible for grant funds however grantees are required to meet
ongoing reporting requirements for the purpose of reporting impacts of projects on the
communities they serve.)
Once the turbines are installed, AVEC estimates the cost of operating and maintaining to be around
$55,445/yr. These estimates are based on AEA’s default cost of wind energy of $0.049/kWh. AVEC will
provide the funds for operation of the turbines.
4.4.3 Power Purchase/Sale
The power purchase/sale information should include the following:
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Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 16 of 26 7/1/2013
Identification of potential power buyer(s)/customer(s)
Potential power purchase/sales price - at a minimum indicate a price range
Proposed rate of return from grant-funded project
AVEC, the existing electric utility serving Stebbins and St. Michael, is a member-owned cooperative electric
utility and typically owns and maintains the generation, fuel storage, and distribution facilities in the
villages it serves. No power purchase or sale will be needed for this project.
4.4.4 Project Cost Worksheet
Complete the cost worksheet form which provides summary information that will be considered in
evaluating the project.
Renewable Energy Source
The Applicant should demonstrate that the renewable energy resource is available on a
sustainable basis.
Annual average resource availability. Class 6 (outstanding) by WPD; 7.13 m/s mean wind
speed, 497 W/m2 WPD at 30 meters.
Unit depends on project type (e.g. windspeed, hydropower output, biomasss fuel)
Existing Energy Generation and Usage
a) Basic configuration (if system is part of the Railbelt1 grid, leave this section blank)
i. Number of generators/boilers/other 6
ii. Rated capacity of generators/boilers/other Stebbins: 1,099 kW; St Michael: 1,020 kW
(New power plant: 1,800 kW)
iii. Generator/boilers/other type Diesel generators
iv. Age of generators/boilers/other Stebbins: 5.8 years, 21.2 years, 22.1 years
St. Michael: 7.6 years, 2.9 years, 17.5 years
v. Efficiency of generators/boilers/other Stebbins: 13.67 kWh/gal
St. Michael: 14.08 kWh/gal
b) Annual O&M cost (if system is part of the Railbelt grid, leave this section blank)
i. Annual O&M cost for labor Stebbins: $383,946 St. Michael: $429,583 labor and non-labor
(FY2012 PCE Report)
ii. Annual O&M cost for non-labor
1 The Railbelt grid connects all customers of Chugach Electric Association, Homer Electric Association, Golden Valley Electric
Association, the City of Seward Electric Department, Matanuska Electric Association and Anchorage Municipal Light and Power.
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 17 of 26 7/1/2013
c) Annual electricity production and fuel usage (fill in as applicable) (if system is part of the
Railbelt grid, leave this section blank)
i. Electricity [kWh] Stebbins: 1,428,234 kWh (2012 PCE report total); St Michael: 1,853,882
kWh (2012 PCE report total)
ii. Fuel usage
Diesel [gal] Stebbins: 104,466 gallons; St Michael: 131,689 gallons (2012 PCE report)
Other
iii. Peak Load Stebbins: 299 kW
St. Michael: 414 kW
iv. Average Load Stebbins: 164 kW
St. Michael: 209 kW
v. Minimum Load
vi. Efficiency Stebbins: 13.67 kW/gallon
St. Michael: 14.08 kW/gallon
vii. Future trends
d) Annual heating fuel usage (fill in as applicable)
i. Diesel [gal or MMBtu]
ii. Electricity [kWh]
iii. Propane [gal or MMBtu]
iv. Coal [tons or MMBtu]
v. Wood [cords, green tons, dry tons]
vi. Other
Proposed System Design Capacity and Fuel Usage
(Include any projections for continued use of non-renewable fuels)
a) Proposed renewable capacity
(Wind, Hydro, Biomass, other)
[kW or MMBtu/hr]
Wind, 450 kW capacity (two Aeronautica AW33-225
turbines)
b) Proposed annual electricity or heat production (fill in as applicable)
i. Electricity [kWh] 1,131,538 kWh (@80% availability)
ii. Heat [MMBtu] 780 MMBtu/228,699 kWh (@ 80% availability)
c) Proposed annual fuel usage (fill in as applicable)
i. Propane [gal or MMBtu]
ii. Coal [tons or MMBtu]
iii. Wood or pellets [cords, green tons,
dry tons]
iv. Other
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 18 of 26 7/1/2013
Project Cost
a) Total capital cost of new system $3,946,050
b) Development cost
c) Annual O&M cost of new system $55,445/yr. (Based on AEA’s $0.049/kWh for wind
energy)
d) Annual fuel cost
Project Benefits
a) Amount of fuel displaced for
i. Electricity 74,443 gal/yr (Based on the new power plant efficiency of 15.2kWh/gal)
ii. Heat 5,846 gal/yr
iii. Transportation
b) Current price of displaced fuel Stebbins: $4.26/gallon (2012 PCE + ISER SCC cost)
St. Michael: $4.58/gallon (2012 PCE + ISER SCC cost)
c) Other economic benefits $65,000 (purchase of gravel)
d) Alaska public benefits
Power Purchase/Sales Price
a) Price for power purchase/sale
Project Analysis
a) Basic Economic Analysis
Project benefit/cost ratio 1.50
Payback (years) 10.1
4.4.5 Impact on Rates
Briefly explain what if any effect your project will have on electrical rates in the proposed benefit
area. If the is for a PCE eligible utility please discus what the expected impact would be for both
pre and post PCE.
AVEC is a PCE-eligible utility. As a design and permitting project there will be no impact on rates;
however, upon completion of the Stebbins/St. Mary’s Wind Energy Project (post construction) there will
be a reduction of electrical rates.
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Grant Application - Standard Form
Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 19 of 26 7/1/2013
For Stebbins and St. Michael, AVEC received PCE payments of $240,161 and $281,950, respectively, for
providing power to 138 PCE-eligible Stebbins residents and 12 Stebbins community facilities customers
and 101 PCE-eligible St. Michael residents and 10 St Michael community facilities customers in
FY2012. Power sales that are eligible for PCE will see 5% of the benefit of reduced electric costs in their
electric rates, with the other 95% accruing to the state of Alaska through reduced PCE credits to end
users.
PCE customers using an excess of 500kWh per month could see a decrease in the +500 kWh per month
electrical rate, since the PCE credit does not apply.
In FY2012, Stebbins had 18 non-PCE customers and St. Michael had 22 non-PCE customers. Non-PCE
customers pay the pre-PCE rate and will receive the entire benefit of reduced power costs through their
electric rates.
SECTION 5– PROJECT BENEFIT
Explain the economic and public benefits of your project. Include direct cost savings,
and how the people of Alaska will benefit from the project.
The benefits information should include the following:
Potential annual fuel displacement (gallons and dollars) over the lifetime of the evaluated
renewable energy project
Anticipated annual revenue (based on i.e. a Proposed Power Purchase Agreement price,
RCA tariff, or cost based rate)
Potential additional annual incentives (i.e. tax credits)
Potential additional annual revenue streams (i.e. green tag sales or other renewable
energy subsidies or programs that might be available)
Discuss the non-economic public benefits to Alaskans over the lifetime of the project
Potential annual fuel displacement
Integration of wind turbine power into the proposed electrical power generation system will offset
diesel consumption in Stebbins and St. Michael by 74,443 gallons per year (based on new power plant
efficiency of 15.2 kWh/gallon and 80% turbine availability). The project will displace 5,846 gallons/year
for heat. Based on ISER’s 2015 estimated fuel costs for these communities, this project could save
$321,084 for both heat and electricity during its first full year of operation and $5,241,559 over the 20-
year lifetime of the project. (The projected fuel cost number was derived from ISER’s 2015 medium fuel
cost projection for Stebbins plus the mid-price of social cost of carbon per gallon).
Anticipated annual revenue/Potential additional annual incentives/Potential additional annual
revenue streams
Tax credits are not expected to be beneficial to the project due to AVEC’s status as a non-profit entity.
Nonetheless, in addition to saving the direct cost of fuel, AVEC could sell green tags from the project.
Additional economic benefits
Stebbins and St. Michael are traditional Yup’ik Eskimo villages with most residents supported by
subsistence activities. Local economies are a mix of commercial fisheries and local wage positions at the
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
AEA 2014-006 Grant Application Page 20 of 26 7/1/2013
schools, cities, and Native corporations. According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey
(ACS), the average unemployment rate for those years was 32.2% in Stebbins and 28.9% in St. Michael.
In Stebbins, 42.6% of the population was living below the poverty level and in St. Michael that average
percentage was 45.9%. The median household income was $33,462 in Stebbins and $34,821 in St.
Michael. A comparison demonstrating that residents of Stebbins and St. Michael pay more for power
with significantly less income than the average Alaskan is shown below.
Average Household Unemployment Household Non-PCE Rate
Income Rate Electricity Rate For Electricity
Stebbins $33,462 32.20% $0.2177/kWh $0.5945/kWh
St. Michael $34,821 28.90% $0.2177/kWh $0.5944/kWh
Alaska $69,014 9.50% $0.1805/kWh*
United States $52,762 8.70%
*June 2012 average residential rate from U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The high cost of electricity in Stebbins and St. Michael at $0.2177/kWh, even considering Power Cost
Equalization credits, is an extreme hardship for these low income families; therefore, the stabilization to
the cost of power and any other direct or indirect economic benefits associated with this project will be
very beneficial to these two communities.
It is likely that energy costs for PCE customers will be reduced. As stated in Section 4.4.5, power sales
that are eligible for PCE will see 5% of the benefit of reduced electric costs in their electric rates, with
the other 95% accruing to the state of Alaska through reduced PCE credits to end users.
It is likely that energy costs for non-PCE community institutions will be reduced allowing for better
community services. Once the wind project is constructed and wind-to-heat systems are in place, costs
to operate important community facilities (e.g. schools, health clinics, tribal offices, etc.) will be
decreased, enabling managing entities (e.g., city governments, tribe, school district) to operate more
economically. With these savings, community governments will be able to better focus on providing
important community services and functions.
It is likely that energy costs for non-PCE commercial energy customers will be reduced and savings will
be passed along to residents. Commercial enterprises in the communities are excluded from the PCE
program. Once this project is constructed, these entities will see a savings in the cost of electricity.
Local businesses, especially the stores, may pass this savings along to their customers. Two reindeer
meat companies operate in Stebbins and pay a very high cost for power to run their freezers. The
development and growth of local businesses like these are crippled by the high cost of energy.
Decreases in electricity costs make small businesses more viable in rural Alaskan communities like
Stebbins and St. Michael, which in turn makes economic development and the addition of local jobs
more likely.
Reduced commercial energy costs will benefit the entire community by increasing opportunities for
local economic development. Lower costs of energy may allow local businesses to start and flourish.
The anticipated benefits of installation of the wind turbines will be reducing the negative impact of the
cost of energy by providing a renewable energy alternative. This project could help stabilize energy
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
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costs and provide long-term, socio-economic benefits to village households. Locally produced,
affordable energy will empower community residents and could help avert rural-to-urban migration.
Project construction will benefit local businesses and residents. This project will purchase the gravel
needed as fill from the local gravel borrow source that is owned by the Stebbins Native Corporation.
The estimated amount of fill needed for this project is 2,600 cubic yards, which has an approximate
value of $65,000. Also during construction, equipment could be rented from the City and local labor will
be employed for some work. It is likely that from three to seven people from the communities will be
hired. In addition, construction workers will likely purchase goods from the local stores. The temporary
increase in local spending will provide positive short-term benefits to both communities.
The State of Alaska will pay less in PCE subsidies. The State could see 95% of the benefit of reduced
electric costs once this project is constructed.
Non-economic public benefits
The access road to the turbines will provide increased access to subsistence, especially berry picking,
areas. This is especially important for the elderly and disabled residents.
Installation of Aeronautica turbines will provide technical information. The AW33-225 is fully arctic-
climate certified to -40° C; however, this technology has not yet been installed in Alaska. This project
will provide valuable operational information for future Alaskan wind energy projects. Note: The
Aeronautica turbine’s technology has been well proven with 30 years of documentation but outside of
Alaska.
The wind turbine will provide a visual landmark for sea, air, and overland travelers, which will help
navigation in the area. Wind turbine orientation and rotor speed will provide visual wind information to
residents.
The project will also bring reduced fossil fuel emissions, which results in improved air quality and
decreased contribution to global climate change.
This project will advance state and federal renewable energy goals in both communities.
5.1.1 Public Benefit for Projects with Private Sector Sales
Projects that include sales of power to private sector businesses (sawmills, cruise ships, mines,
etc.), please provide a brief description of the direct and indirect public benefits derived from the
project as well as the private sector benefits and complete the table below. See section 1.6 in
the Request for Applications for more information.
This project will not provide power to any large private sector businesses. By reducing the cost of power
production, small businesses in Stebbins and St. Michael, including the stores (not eligible for PCE) will
see a cost savings that may be passed along to residents in the form of lower product or services prices.
Renewable energy resource availability (kWh per month) n/a
Estimated sales (kWh) n/a
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
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Revenue for displacing diesel generation for use at privet
sector businesses ($)
n/a
Estimated sales (kWh) n/a
Revenue for displacing diesel generation for use by the
Alaskan public ($)
n/a
SECTION 6– SUSTAINABILITY
Discuss your plan for operating the completed project so that it will be sustainable.
Include at a minimum:
Proposed business structure(s) and concepts that may be considered.
How you propose to finance the maintenance and operations for the life of the project
Identification of operational issues that could arise.
A description of operational costs including on-going support for any back-up or existing
systems that may be require to continue operation
Commitment to reporting the savings and benefits
AVEC has the capacity and experience to administer this grant and manage this project, if funded. As a
local utility that has been in operation since 1968, AVEC is completely able to finance, operate, and
maintain this wind energy project for its design life. It has, with financial assistance from the State of
Alaska, the Rural Utilities Service and the Denali Commission, installed 34 turbines in eleven communities
with interties to three other communities. In 2012, wind turbines generated 4.487,594 kWh (net) and
displaced an estimated 341,886 gallons of diesel fund, saving more than $1,315,000 in diesel generating
costs.
Business Plan Structures and Concepts which may be considered: The wind turbines will be incorporated
into AVEC’s power plant operation. Local plant operators provide daily servicing. AVEC technicians
provide periodic preventative or corrective maintenance and are supported by AVEC headquarters staff,
purchasing, and warehousing.
How O&M will be financed for the life of the project: The costs of operations and maintenance will be
funded through ongoing energy sales to AVEC’s member-owners in the villages.
Operational issues which could arise: Integration of the wind power into the new diesel power plant will
require a large secondary load controller to prevent overloading the grid with excess energy and tripping
the wind generator offline. This will be incorporated into the new power plant in Stebbins.
Operating costs: Using AEA’s default cost of wind energy, estimated O&M will cost $55,445 (based on
AEA’s $0.049/kWh for wind energy).
Commitment to reporting the savings and benefits: AVEC is fully committed to sharing the savings and
benefits accrued from this project information with its members and sharing information regarding
savings and benefits with AEA.
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
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SECTION 7 – READINESS & COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER GRANTS
Discuss what you have done to prepare for this award and how quickly you intend to proceed
with work once your grant is approved.
Tell us what you may have already accomplished on the project to date and identify other grants
that may have been previously awarded for this project and the degree you have been able to
meet the requirements of previous grants.
AVEC is ready to move ahead with this project. The wind resource report, conceptual design, analysis of
current cost of energy and future markets, and the economic and financial analyses are complete. HDL
prepared the Stebbins Wind Project Concept Design Report and it was provided to AEA (Tab G). AVEC
and HDL addressed AEA’s comments on the document and are ready to move forward with final design
and permitting.
SECTION 8 – LOCAL SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION
Discuss local support and opposition, known or anticipated, for the project. Include letters of
support or other documentation of local support from the community that would benefit from this
project. The Documentation of support must be dated within one year of the RFA date of July 2,
2013.
Both Stebbins and St. Michael support this project and are interested in moving forward with the
installation of the turbine. Letters of support have been received by all governing entities. Please see
Tab B.
Another important demonstration of support is the real commitment of the communities through their
contributions of their land to past and future AVEC capital projects. Stebbins Native Corporation
contributed the land necessary for the power plant, bulk fuel farm, and intertie. It intends to contribute
the land for the wind turbines as an in-kind match for the project construction phase.
A joint resolution (attached) from the cities, Native corporations, and tribes involved in this project
demonstrates a willingness to go well beyond a letter of support. These entities committed to assist
AVEC in the serious and difficult work of obtaining project funding in the past as they worked with the
Denali Commission for intertie design funds. They are willing to cooperatively seek construction funding
from the Denali Commission and their regional CDQ group.
SECTION 9 – GRANT BUDGET
Tell us how much you are seeking in grant funds. Include any investments to date and funding
sources, how much is being requested in grant funds, and additional investments you will make
as an applicant.
AVEC plans to complete final design and permitting of a new wind project in Stebbins/St. Michael. This
work will cost $360,000. AVEC requests $342,000 from AEA and will provide $18,000 as a cash
contribution. A detail of the grant budget follows.
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Stebbins/Saint Michael Wind Energy Final Design/Permitting
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AVEC received $137,750 through a Round 4 REF grant award for feasibility and conceptual design report
work (Tab G).
AVEC expects the final construction and commissioning phase of the project will cost $3,946,050. AVEC
will seek outside funding for this project after it is designed and permitted. AVEC will likely provide a
10% cash match for construction of the project.
Milestone or Task
Anticipated
Completion
Date
RE- Fund
Grant Funds
Grantee
Matching
Funds
Source of
Matching
Funds:
Cash/In-
kind/Federal
Grants/Other
State
Grants/Other
TOTALS
Project Scoping and
Contractor Solicitation Aug 1, 2014 $2,375 $125 Cash $2,500
Permit Applications Oct 31, 2014 $14,250 $750 Cash $15,000
Final Environmental
Assessment and Mitigation
Plans
Feb 1, 2015 $6,650 $350 Cash $7,000
Resolution of Land Use, ROW
Issues (surveying) Feb 1, 2015 $36,575 $1,925 Cash $38,500
Permitting, rights-of-way, site
control Feb 1, 2015 $11,875 $625 Cash $12,500
Final System Design May 1, 2015 $ $ Cash $
Turbine Layout, Wind
Resource Assistance $17,242 $908 Cash $18,150
Geotech Study $86,212 $4,538 Cash $90,750
Geotech Engineering $26,125 $1,375 Cash $27,500
Civil Design $47,975 $2,525 Cash $50,500
Structural Design $28,738 $1,513 Cash $30,250
Electrical Design $40,233 $2,118 Cash $42,350
Final Cost Estimate June 1, 2015 $9,500 $500 Cash $10,000
Updated Economic and
Financial Analysis July 1, 2015 $7,125 $375 Cash $7,500
Power or Heat Sales
Agreements N/A
Final Business and
Operational Plan July 1, 2015 $7,125 $375 Cash $7,500
TOTALS $342,000 $18,000 $360,000
Budget Categories:
Direct Labor & Benefits $47,500 $2,500 Cash $50,000
Travel & Per Diem $9,500 $500 Cash $10,000
Equipment $ $ $
Materials & Supplies $ $ $
Contractual Services $285,000 $15,000 Cash $300,000
Construction Services $ $ $
Other $ $ $
TOTALS $342,000 $18,000 $360,000
Tab A
Resumes
V3 Energy, LLC Douglas Vaught, P.E. 19211 Babrof Drive Eagle River, AK 99577 USA tel 907.350.5047 email dvaught@mtaonline.net Consulting Services : • Wind resource analysis and assessment, including IEC 61400-1 3 rd ed. protocols • Wind turbine siting, FAA permitting, and power generation prediction • Wind-diesel power plant modeling and configuration design • Cold climate and rime icing environment analysis of wind turbine operations • Met tower/sensor/logger installation and removal (tubular towers 10 to 60 meters in height) Partial List of Clients: • Alaska Village Electric Cooperative • NANA Pacific, LLC • enXco Development Corp. • Bristol Bay Native Corp. • Naknek Electric Association • Kodiak Electric Association • Barrick Gold • Alaska Energy Authority • North Slope Borough • Manokotak Natives Ltd. Representative Projects: • Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. Site selection, FAA permitting, met tower installation, data analysis/wind resource assessment, turbine energy recovery analysis, rime icing/turbine effects analysis, powerplant system modeling. Contact information: Brent Petrie, Key Accounts Mgr, 907-565-5358 • Kodiak Electric Association. Met tower installation, data analysis and modeling for Alaska’s first utility scale turbines (GE 1.5sle) on -line July 2009. Contact information: Darron Scott, CEO, 907 -486-7690. • NANA Pacific, LLC. Site reconnaissance and selection, permitting, met tower installation, wind resource assessment and preliminary power system modeling for Northwest Arctic Borough villages and Red Dog Mine. Contact information: Jay Hermanson, Program Manager, 907-339-6514 • enXco Development Corp. Met tower installation documentation, site reconnaissance , analysis equipment management for utility-sca le wind projects, including Fire Island near Anchorage. Contact information: Steve Gilbert, Alaska Projects Manager, 907-333-0810. • Naknek Electric Association. Long -term wind resource assessment at two sites (sequentially), including site selection, met tower installation, data analysis, turbine research, performance modeling, and project economic analysis. Contact information: Donna Vukich, General Manager, 907-246-4261 • North Slope Borough (with Powercorp Alaska, LLC). Power system modeling, site reconnaissance and selection, FAA permitting, wind turbine cold climate and icing effects white paper. Contact information: Kent Grinage, Public Works Dept., 907-852-0285 Recent Presentations: • Wind Power Icing Challenges in Alaska: a Case Study of the Native Village of Saint Mary’s, presented at Winterwind 2008, Norrköping, Sweden, Dec. 8, 2008.
Tab B
Letters of Support
Tab C
Heat Project
Information
No information provided in this section.
Not applicable to this project.
Tab D
Authority
Tab E
Electronic Version
of Application
Tab F
Certification
Tab G
Additional Materials
STEBBINS WIND PROJECT
CONCEPT DESIGN REPORT
Prepared For:
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Prepared By:
Mark Swenson, P.E.
3335 Arctic Blvd., Ste. 100
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907.564.2120
Fax: 907.564.2122
September 6, 2013
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September 6, 2013 i
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report has been prepared for the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) to provide a
conceptual design and cost analysis for the development of wind power generation in the
community Stebbins, Alaska. Stebbins is a rural, coastal community of approximately 585
residents located on St. Michael Island, 125 air miles south of Nome. AVEC is currently
constructing a new power plant and bulk fuel facility in Stebbins to accommodate the combined
electrical loading for Stebbins and the neighboring community of St. Michael. An 11‐mile long
electrical intertie is planned along the road that connects the two villages. Integration of wind
turbine power into the proposed electrical power generation system will offset diesel
consumption and provide a renewable energy resource for the two rural communities. A
Project Layout Plan (Sheet G1.03 of Appendix A) shows the project location, components, and
proposed intertie route.
On July 11, 2010, a meteorological (met) tower was installed on a steep volcanic rock outcrop,
or cinder cone, approximately midway along the intertie route between Stebbins and St.
Michael. The met tower was equipped with instrumentation and data loggers to evaluate and
record the wind resource on St. Michael Island. The met tower was functional until September
19, 2011. In the winter of 2011, the met tower was relocated to a potential wind tower
location closer to Stebbins, near the intersection of the Stebbins Landfill Access Road and the
Stebbins‐St. Michael Road. The tower was relocated to better correlate the recorded wind data
on the cinder cone site to the potential wind tower location near Stebbins. The met tower is
still recording data at the new location at the time of this report. The results of the data
acquisition and analysis of the wind resource are included in the Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐
Diesel Feasibility Analysis dated September 2013 (Appendix B).
On September 19, 2011, AVEC, Hattenburg Dilley & Linnell (HDL), and V3 Energy performed a
site visit to St. Michael Island to identify possible wind turbine locations. Multiple wind turbine
sites were investigated along the intertie route and one site was selected for evaluation for this
report. The site (Stebbins Site 1) is located north of Stebbins on a ridgeline near the
intersection of the Stebbins landfill access road (near the Stebbins met tower). The site is
located in a Class 6 wind resource and is approximately 1.25 miles from the new power plant in
Stebbins.
For this report, AVEC selected three wind turbine configurations for evaluation.
• The first configuration includes (4) Northern Power 100 Arctic turbines (NP100), formerly
known as the Northwind 100. The Northern Power 100 Arctic turbine is a 37 meter (121‐
foot), 100 kW permanent magnet, direct drive wind power generator that AVEC previously
installed in 10 other villages in rural Alaska. The (4) Northern Power 100 Arctic tower array
has a maximum power generation output of 400 kW.
• The second turbine configuration consists of (5) Vestas V17 turbines. The Vestas V17
turbine is a 26 meter (85‐foot), 90 kW, induction generator. This configuration has a
maximum power generation output of 450 kW and requires a cold weather kit modification
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September 6, 2013 ii
for use in Stebbins. The generators will be controlled using a simple inverter with soft start
and soft breaking capabilities or a more complex variable speed drive (VSD) inverter at each
turbine. The turbine blades are fixed pitch.
• The third turbine configuration consists of (2) Aeronautica AW33‐225 turbines. The
AW33‐225 turbine is a 40 meter (131‐foot), 225 kW, induction generator. This configuration
has a maximum power generation output of 450 kW. The generators will be controlled
using a simple inverter with soft start and soft breaking capabilities or a more complex
variable speed drive (VSD) inverter at each turbine. The turbine blades are stall
regulated to limit rotation in extreme wind events.
Each turbine would be installed on a monopole tower with precast concrete and rock anchor
foundation. A comparison of the three turbine configurations installed at Stebbins Site 1
presented in Tables EX‐1 and EX‐2 below.
Table EX‐1: Turbine Alternative Comparison Summary
Alt
Turbine Selection
Site
Generation
Capacity (kW)
Estimated
Capital Cost
Estimated
Capital Cost
per Installed
kW
Estimated
Annual Energy
Production
@ 100 %
Availability
1
(4) NP100s
Stebbins 1 400 $4.03 M $10,077
1,383 MWh
2
(5) V17s
Stebbins 1 450 $3.79 M $8,420
1,178 MWh
3
(2) AW33‐225s
Stebbins 1 450 $3.95 M $8,769
1,700 MWh
Source: Annual Energy Production data taken from V3 Energy’s September 2013 Draft Stebbins‐St. Michael
Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis
Table EX‐2: Economic Analysis Summary
Alt
Annual Wind
Generation @
80% Availability
(kWh)
Wind Energy For
Power (kWh/yr)
Wind
Energy For
Heat
(kWh/yr)
Wind as %
Total Power
Production (%)
Wind as %
Total Thermal
Production (%)
Heating Fuel
Displaced By
Wind Energy
(gal/yr)
1
1,106,920 1,009,590 97,330 33 2.9
2,488
2
942,572 855,585 86,987 29 2.6
2,224
3
1,360,237 1,131,538 228,699 40 6.6
5,846
Source: Annual Energy Production data taken from V3 Energy’s September 2013 Draft Stebbins‐St. Michael
Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis
Based on the analysis presented above, we recommend AVEC proceed with design and
permitting for installation of two AW33‐225 turbines at Stebbins Site 1.
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September 6, 2013 iii
Table of Contents
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ i
2.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1
2.1 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 1
2.2 LOCATION ........................................................................................................................ 2
2.3 CLIMATE ........................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 EXISTING ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS ............................................................................ 3
2.5 NEW ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS .................................................................................. 4
2.6 ELECTRICAL DEMAND ....................................................................................................... 5
2.7 STEBBINS RECOVERED HEAT POTENTIAL ........................................................................... 6
2.8 CONTRIBUTORS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION ............................................................ 7
2.9 LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................................... 7
3.0 WIND DATA ACQUISITION AND MODELING ............................................................................ 7
3.1 DATA ACQUISITION .......................................................................................................... 7
3.2 WIND MODELING RESULTS ............................................................................................... 8
4.0 STEBBINS WIND SITE ANALYSIS ............................................................................................... 9
4.1 WIND SITE INVESTIGATION ............................................................................................... 9
4.1.1 St. Michael Site 1 .................................................................................................. 10
4.1.2 St. Michael Site 2 .................................................................................................. 10
4.1.3 Stebbins Site 1 ...................................................................................................... 11
4.1.4 Stebbins Site 2 ...................................................................................................... 12
5.0 WIND TURBINE SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................... 13
5.1 STEBBINS WIND TURBINE ANALYSIS ............................................................................... 13
5.1.1 Northern Power 100 Arctic ................................................................................... 13
5.1.2 Vestas V17 ........................................................................................................... 14
5.1.3 Aeronautica AW33‐225 ........................................................................................ 15
5.2 ALTERNATIVE 1 ‐ (4) NP100 TURBINES INSTALLED AT STEBBINS SITE 1 ........................... 15
5.3 ALTERNATIVE 2 ‐ (5) V17 TURBINES INSTALLED AT STEBBINS SITE 1 .............................. 15
5.4 ALTERNATIVE 3 ‐ (2) AW33‐225 TURBINES INSTALLED AT STEBBINS SITE 1 .................... 16
5.5 ALTERNATIVE COMPARISON SUMMARY ......................................................................... 16
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September 6, 2013 iv
6.0 ECONOMIC EVALUATION ..................................................................................................... 17
6.1 METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH ................................................................................... 17
6.2 ECONOMIC EVALUATION RESULTS .................................................................................. 17
7.0 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE .................................................................................................... 17
8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................... 18
8.1 HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL: ALASKA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
(SHPO)............................................................................................................................ 18
8.2 WETLANDS: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (DA) ............................................................... 18
8.3 FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) .................................................................. 19
8.4 BIOTIC RESOURCES AND FEDERALLY LISTED THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES:
UNITED STATES FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) ........................................................ 19
8.5 CONTAMINATED SITES, SPILLS, AND UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS .......................... 20
8.6 ANADROMOUS FISH STREAMS ....................................................................................... 20
8.7 STATE REFUGES, CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS AND SANCTUARIES ....................................... 20
8.8 LAND OWNERSHIP .......................................................................................................... 20
8.9 SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................ 21
8.10 AIR QUALITY ................................................................................................................... 21
8.11 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT REVIEW (NEPA) .............................................. 21
8.12 ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................. 21
9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................ 23
10.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 24
Figures
Figure 1: AEA Wind Resource Map ................................................................................................................... 1
Figure 2: Site Map ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Figure 3: Stebbins Met Tower ........................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 4: Alternative Site Locations................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 5: St. Michael Site 1 .............................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 6: St. Michael Site 2 .............................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 7: Stebbins Site 1 (Stebbins Met Tower) .............................................................................................. 12
Figure 8: Stebbins Site 2 .................................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 9: NP100 Turbine Installed in Emmonak .............................................................................................. 14
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September 6, 2013 v
Tables
Table 1: Energy Consumption Data FY 2012 ..................................................................................................... 6
Table 2: Alternative Comparison Summary .................................................................................................... 16
Table 3: Economic Evaluation Summary ......................................................................................................... 17
Table 4: Environmental Summary Table ......................................................................................................... 22
Appendices
Appendix A: Wind Project Conceptual Design Drawings (12 sheets)
Appendix B: V3 Energy’s September 2013 Draft Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility
Analysis
Appendix C: Stebbins, Alaska Heat Recovery Study
Appendix D: Preliminary Office Research Memo and Site Investigation Trip Report
Appendix E: Capital Cost Estimates
Appendix F: CRC Memo titled “Known Archaeological and Historical Sites in the Stebbins Area”
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September 6, 2013 vi
ABBREVIATIONS
AAC Alaska Administrative Code
ADEC Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
ADF&G Alaska Department of Fish and Game
ADNR Alaska Department of Natural Resources
AEA Alaska Energy Authority
AVEC Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
B/C Benefit‐to‐Cost Ratio
CRC Cultural Resource Consultants, LLC
DA Department of Army
EA Environmental Assessment
ER Environmental Review
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FY Fiscal Year
FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact
°F Degrees Fahrenheit
HDL Hattenburg Dilley & Linnell
ISER Institute for Social and Economic Research
kW Kilowatt
kWh Kilowatt Hour
M Million
Met Meteorological
Mph Miles per hour
MWh Megawatt hour
NLUR Northern Land Use Research
NP100 Northern Power 100 Arctic
NWI National Wetlands Inventory
NWP Nationwide Permit
OEAAA Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis
PCE Power Cost Equalization
PCN Pre‐Construction Notification
PLC Programmable Logic Controller
PM Particular Matter
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
Sec Section
SMNC St. Michael Native Corporation
USFWS United States Fish & Wildlife Services
USGS United States Geological Services
WAsP Wind Atlas and Application Program
Yr Year
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 1
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 BACKGROUND
This report has been prepared for the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) to evaluate
alternatives for incorporating wind power into the new power generation system in Stebbins,
Alaska.
Upgrades to AVEC’s power generation facilities are currently underway in Stebbins. The
upgrades include construction of a new tank farm and power plant with sufficient storage and
capacity to accommodate electrical loading from Stebbins and the neighboring community of
St. Michael. An electrical intertie between Stebbins and St. Michael is planned to follow the
alignment of the 11‐mile long road connecting the two villages. The new power plant and tank
farm will be collocated in Stebbins and configured to accommodate future wind turbine
generators installed in the preferred location along the intertie route. The wind turbines are
necessary to reduce AVEC’s dependence on imported diesel fuel and provide an alternate
source of renewable energy to rural communities. Preliminary findings included in the Alaska
Energy Authority (AEA) Alaska high resolution wind resource map (Figure 1) indicate that the
Stebbins region has a Class 3 wind regime suitable for wind power development.
The purpose of this report is to provide AVEC with alternative conceptual design and cost
information for developing the wind energy resource in Stebbins. This report includes an
assessment of the wind resource, investigation of potential wind turbine locations, wind
turbine generator comparison, and economic analysis of the turbine alternatives.
Figure 1: AEA Wind Resource Map
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 2
2.2 LOCATION
The proposed wind turbine project is located near the village of Stebbins on St. Michael Island.
Stebbins is located approximately 430 miles northwest of Anchorage, on the south side of
Norton Sound on Alaska’s west coast. It lies 8 air miles northwest of the village of St. Michael
and approximately 125 air miles southeast of Nome. Stebbins is situated at approximately
63°31’02.16” North Latitude and ‐162°17’04.57 West Longitude (Sec. 02, T023S, R019W, Kateel
River Meridian). Year‐round access between Stebbins and St. Michael is provided by an 11‐mile
long gravel road (See Figure 2). Stebbins is accessible by barge service between June and
October. Year‐round aircraft access is also available via a 3,000‐foot long by 60‐foot wide
gravel runway in Stebbins and a 4,000‐foot long by 75‐foot wide gravel runway in St. Michael.
Both runways are owned and maintained by the Alaska Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (ADOT&PF).
Stebbins has a population of 585 residents (2010 U.S. Census Population), with 95.3% being
Alaska Native or American Indian. St. Michael has a slightly smaller population of 401 residents
(2010 U.S. Census Population). The local residents of both communities depend heavily on the
subsistence harvest of fish, seals, beluga whales, walrus, and reindeer. Local economies are
based on a mix of commercial fisheries and local wage positions at school, City, and Native
Cooperation facilities.
Figure 2: Site Map
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 3
2.3 CLIMATE
Stebbins and St. Michael have a maritime‐influenced subarctic climate. Norton Sound is ice‐free
from June to November and average summer temperatures range from 40 to 60°F. The record
high temperature for the region is 77°F. Winters are typically cold and dry; however, wind and
blowing snow can create the potential for icing conditions at higher elevations. Average winter
temperatures range from ‐4 to 16°F, with an extreme low temperature of ‐55°F. Annual
precipitation averages 12 inches, with 38 inches of snowfall.
2.4 EXISTING ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS
Existing Stebbins Power Plant
AVEC’s existing Stebbins power plant is located south of the community on the Stebbins
Airport. The Stebbins airport is owned and maintained by ADOT&PF. The plant was first
energized in 1970 and consists of a 15‐foot by 36‐foot “Butler Building”, wood dock, control
module, storage van, crew module, and three pad‐mounted transformers. The building and
modules are constructed on a mixture of elevated timber post, grade beam, and crib
foundations. The “Butler Building” contains the following Cummins generator sets:
(1) Cummins 499 kW diesel generator ‐ (Overhauled in 2007)
(1) Cummins 350 kW diesel generator ‐ (Age unknown)
(1) Cummins 250 kW diesel generator ‐ (Overhauled in 2000)
1,099 kW Total Generation Capacity
The power plant also includes generator appurtenances, day tank, miscellaneous tools and
equipment, transfer pump, starting batteries, and station service equipment. The building
contains an exhaust hood and radiator stand for each generator. The control module contains
switch gear, generator controls, desk, and file storage. According to historic AVEC records and
Power Cost Equalization (PCE) data, the power plant generated a total of 1,316,100 kWh in
2011 with an average efficiency of 13.75 kWh per gallon of diesel consumed.
The existing power plant is old, out‐dated, and located on airport property. ADOT&PF is
planning an expansion of the existing Stebbins airport and requires the AVEC power plant to be
removed from the airport as soon as possible. AVEC has begun construction of a new power
plant adjacent to their newly constructed tank farm on the eastern edge of the community.
The old power plant and tank farm are scheduled to be decommissioned in the fall of 2013.
Existing St. Michael Power Plant
The St. Michael power plant is centrally located in the community along Baker Street and the
coast of St. Michael’s Bay. The plant consists of three modular power generators, separate
crew quarters module, and a storage module constructed on wooden sleeper foundations. The
power plant generators consist of the following:
(1) Cummins 499 kW diesel generator ‐ (7 years old)
(1) Detroit Diesel 314 kW diesel generator ‐ (Overhauled in 2006)
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 4
(1) Detroit Diesel 207 kW diesel generator ‐ (Overhauled in 2006)
1,020 kW Total Generation Capacity
The power plant was first energized in 1970, and the last major generator upgrade occurred
when the generators were overhauled in 2006. The power plant generated 1,683,181 kWh of
electricity in 2011 with an average efficiency of 14.26 kWh per gallon of diesel consumed. There
is no recovered heat loop associated with this power plant.
The St. Michael power plant was inspected by Hattenburg Dilley & Linnell (HDL) and AVEC
representatives on July 11, 2012. The exterior metal surfaces of the modules, pipes, and tanks
were aged, pitted, and showed signs of corrosion. The existing power plant and associated tank
farm are planned for decommissioning in 2014 once the new Stebbins power plant and
electrical intertie are operational. A new standby module will be installed near the existing
school to provide temporary power generation for St. Michael in the event of a disruption in
the Stebbins power intertie.
2.5 NEW ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS
New Stebbins Power Plant
The new Stebbins power plant will consist of a 30‐foot by 72‐foot prefabricated metal building
on an elevated steel pipe pile foundation with a concrete slab‐on‐deck floor system. The plant
will be initially equipped with four Caterpillar 3456 diesel generators. The engines are rated at
450kW for prime power and have the highest fuel efficiency in their class. Two of the engines
will be retrofit with a marine manifold and turbocharger. The marine conversion approximately
doubles the amount of recoverable jacket water heat. The system will be configured to run the
marine conversion engines in the winter and the other two engines in the summer. The plant
structure has been designed to allow future replacement of up to two of the 3456 engines with
1,050kW rated Caterpillar 3512 units. The power plant is under construction and is scheduled to
come online in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The new switchgear will have a total of six sections ‐ one for each diesel generator; one for
master control; and one for distribution feeder breakers. The switchgear will be fully automatic
with paralleling capability and will utilize a programmable logic controller (PLC) to automatically
match the running generator(s) to the community load, including monitoring the wind
generation. The new switchgear will include a SCADA system for remote monitoring of the
generation and distribution systems. A fiber optic data communication cable from the remote
wind turbine will allow monitoring and control of the power generation.
The new switchgear will provide automatic paralleling and load control of the four generating
units. The load control system will monitor the electrical demand on the generators along with
wind generation output and automatically select the number of generating units required to
meet the demand. The switchgear will automatically start the most efficient combination of
engines, bring them up to speed, automatically synchronize the units, and close the generator
circuit breakers. When a unit is taken off line, either for maintenance or due to a reduction in
electric load, the switchgear will automatically remove the unit from the bus and allow the
engine to cool down before shutdown. Generator controls and relaying will provide complete
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 5
protection and monitoring of each engine‐generator and the feeders. A simplistic one‐line
diagram of the integration between the new power plant and the wind turbines is included
on Sheet E.1, Appendix A.
Intertie
The proposed electrical intertie between Stebbins and St. Michael consists of approximately 11
miles of new overhead installed parallel to the existing road alignment. The line will be
designed and built to 24.9 / 14.4 kV standards and energized at 12.47 / 7.2 kV as is
standard for AVEC operations. Approximately 170 new direct‐set power poles will be
constructed along 6 miles of the road from the new Stebbins power plant to the existing fresh
water pump house located at the St. Michael water source, approximately 1.9 miles west of
the St. Michael Airport. The intertie will connect to the existing power poles at the pump
house that extend to the St. Michael power grid. New line poles are anticipated to be
40‐foot high, Class 1, timber poles embedded 8 feet below grade to resist movement from
seasonal frost jacking. New dead‐end or riser poles are anticipated to be 45‐foot high, Class 1,
timber poles embedded to a depth of 9 feet below grade. The poles will be spaced
approximately 200 feet apart and will be equipped with 8‐foot cross arms to accommodate
the new conductors. The existing power poles extending from the pump house to the St.
Michael power grid will be retrofitted with new cross arms and braced as required to carry the
new conductors. The intertie design is currently 95% complete and construction grant funding
has been dedicated by the Denali Commission. The project is anticipated to be bid in fall 2013
with construction beginning in the spring 2014.
St. Michael Stand‐by Generator
The proposed intertie project also includes installation of a new standby generator adjacent to
the existing St. Michael School tank farm. The standby unit will provide temporary power to St.
Michael in the event of a disruption in power through the Stebbins intertie. The proposed
generator is anticipated to be a 750 kW, 1020 Hp genset with appropriate switch gear, heat
exchanger, radiator, and exhaust system. The generator will connect to an existing 30,000
gallon diesel, double‐walled, skid‐mounted tank located in the school district’s tank farm. Use
of this tank is shared between the Bering Strait School District (BSSD) and AVEC per a 2008
Memorandum of Understanding. The memorandum stipulates that 15,000 gallons of diesel in
the tank is available for AVEC’s stand‐by generator.
2.6 ELECTRICAL DEMAND
Historical data from AVEC and the AEA Alaska Power Cost Equalization Program (PCE) report
was analyzed to determine trends in the Stebbins and St. Michael energy consumption. The PCE
program is a reliable source of historic power, fuel consumption, and energy cost information
for rural communities throughout the state. The PCE program provides funding subsidies to
electric utilities in rural Alaskan communities in order to lower energy costs to customers. This
program pays for a portion of the kilowatt hours sold by the participating utility. The exact
amount paid varies per location and is determined by the amount of energy generated and
sold, the amount of fuel used to generate electricity, and fuel costs.
Each year, AEA publishes PCE program information including fuel consumption, power
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 6
generation and sales, and electricity rates for eligible communities. During the fiscal year 2012
(July 1, 2011 to June 30 2012), 150 residential and community facilities in Stebbins were eligible
to receive PCE assistance. Stebbins customers received funding for 46.5% of kilowatt hours
sold and had electricity rates reduced from an average of $0.62 per kilowatt hour to $0.22 per
kilowatt hour. St. Michael customers received funding for 40.9% of kilowatt hours sold and had
electricity rates reduced from an average of $0.65 per kilowatt hour to $0.22 per kilowatt hour.
V3 Energy further analyzed the electrical loading in their Stebbins‐Saint Michael Wind‐Diesel
Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B). The analysis included review of AVEC’s 15 minute interval
loading data for Stebbins and St. Michael from January 2012 to August 2013. See Appendix B
for loading profiles. The calculated average load was 367 kW, with a peak recorded load of 662
kW, and an average daily demand of 8,806 kWh. Table 1 provides additional energy
consumption data for both communities. Assuming that the combined community demand for
power will increase linearly with a 2% average population growth rate, it is estimated that the
power generation system will experience an average power demand of 547 kW, a peak power
demand of 983 kW, and an average daily energy demand of 13,086 kWh in the year 2032.
Table 1: Energy Consumption Data FY 2012
Community
Gross
KWhs
Generated
Diesel Fuel Used Average
kWh Load
Peak kWh
Load
Customers
(Residential
and
Community
Facilities)
Gallons
Cost ($) Average
Fuel Price
($/gallon)
Diesel
Efficiency
(kWh/gallon)
Stebbins
1,428,234
104,466
403,015 3.86 13.67 165
299
150
St. Michael
1,853,882
131,689
515,108 4.18 14.08 210
414
111
*Source: 2012 AVEC Annual Generation Report, AVEC Operations Personnel,and Annual PCE Report FY 2012
2.7 STEBBINS RECOVERED HEAT POTENTIAL
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), in cooperation with AVEC, has
investigated the existing and proposed thermal loads for community facilities within 600 feet of
the new Stebbins power plant. ANTHC modeled the thermal loads and prepared a study for
heat recovery from the new power plant. ANTHC’s Heat Recovery Study is included in Appendix
C. A summary of the average, minimum, and maximum thermal loads is included in V3 Energy’s
Stebbins‐Saint Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) and is used as the basis for
the cost projections included in the economic modeling. Below is a summary description of the
proposed heat recovery system.
• The heat recovery system will capture jacket water heat generated by the AVEC diesel
generators that would otherwise be rejected to the atmosphere by the radiators. The
heat will be used to offset heating fuel consumption at community facilities, referred to
as end‐user buildings.
• The proposed system will provide recovered heat to a total of six end‐user buildings,
including the existing water treatment plant, new water treatment plant, washeteria,
clinic, headstart building, and school.
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• Hot engine coolant will be pumped through heat exchangers located at the power plant.
Heat will then be transferred to the recovered glycol heat loop.
• Heat recovery supply and return arctic pipe will be routed above and below grade as
required to reach the end user buildings. The arctic pipe will have a 4‐inch diameter
fluid pipe while the branch piping will have a 2‐inch diameter fluid pipe. Arctic pipe will
consist of steel fluid pipes insulated with polyurethane foam and covered with an HDPE
or corrugated steel jacket.
• The connection at each end user building will consist of a heat exchanger between the
recovered heat loop and the building hydronic system. The connection point will be at
the heating return main, upstream of the boiler, to allow the system to “pre‐heat” boiler
return water. Each end user connection will also include isolation valves, controls,
instrumentation, and an energy meter to measure and record the heat transfer.
Based on the analysis performed by ANTHC, the six end‐user buildings have a total estimated
fuel consumption of approximately 69,000 gallons per year and it is estimated the proposed
heat recovery system can offset approximately 57,000 gallons of fuel per year.
2.8 CONTRIBUTORS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Physical site information contained in this report was gathered by HDL during field
investigations and through the use of GPS data, United States Geological Survey (USGS)
topographic maps, and aerial imagery. Power plant controls, integration assistance, and
historical electrical load data was provided by AVEC Engineering and Operations departments.
V3 Energy provided the Stebbins‐Saint Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis. ANTHC
provided the Stebbins, Alaska Recovered Heat Study. Thermal load conversions and power
plant engineering assistance was provided by Alaska Energy and Engineering. Economic analysis
was provided by V3 Energy. St. Michael and Stebbins Community data was obtained from the
Alaska Community Database available at www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_CIS.htm
2.9 LIMITATIONS
This report, titled Stebbins Wind Project Concept Design Report, was prepared in support of
a grant funding request for design and permitting a wind tower project in Stebbins, Alaska.
Design information contained herein is conceptual for planning and budgetary cost estimation
purposes only.
3.0 WIND DATA ACQUISITION AND MODELING
3.1 DATA ACQUISITION
On July 21, 2010, AVEC installed a 30 meter tall meteorological (met) tower on top of a steep
volcanic rock outcrop, or cinder cone, located adjacent to the road at the approximate midpoint
between Stebbins and St. Michael (See Sheet G1.03, Appendix A). The met tower location is
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owned by St. Michael Native Corporation (SMNC) and is used as a gravel source for St. Michael.
The tower collected wind data at this location until September 19, 2011 (14 months). The met
tower was equipped with three separate anemometers, a wind vane, and a temperature
sensor. Two of the anemometers were installed 28.4 meters above ground level and one was
installed 18.6 meters above ground level. The collected data was stored on a data logger
mounted to the base of the met tower. Stored data was downloaded every 3 to 6 months
during site visits to inspect the equipment. The quality of the data was generally good with
above 95% data recovery. AVEC contracted with V3 Energy to analyze the collected wind and
temperature data and calculate wind speed, air density, prevailing wind direction, wind shear,
and other factors effecting wind energy production.
In January 2012, the met tower was reinstalled at the potential turbine location at the
intersection of the Stebbins‐St. Michael Road and the Stebbins Landfill Access Road (Stebbins
Site 1). The met tower was relocated because the St. Michael met tower site is used as a gravel
source by SMNC and the corporation is unwilling to release the land for wind farm
development. At the time of this report, the met tower is still recording data. The quality of the
data was generally good with above 95% data recovery. The data collection process and
modeling results are further defined in V3 Energy’s September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael
Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B).
Figure 3: Stebbins Met Tower
3.2 WIND MODELING RESULTS
The results of V3’s wind modeling are presented in the Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel
Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B). The collected wind data depicted a Class 6 (outstanding) wind
resource at the Stebbins met tower site. The modeling was done with WAsP modeling software
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to predict the quality of the wind resource at other nearby locations on St. Michael Island by
analyzing the characteristics of the topography and terrain. This information is used to identify
optimal locations for wind tower construction and to analyze the effectiveness of wind turbine
alternatives on the proposed power generation system.
4.0 STEBBINS WIND SITE ANALYSIS
4.1 WIND SITE INVESTIGATION
On September 19, 2011, Mark Swenson (HDL), John Thornley (HDL), Matt Metcalf (AVEC), and
Doug Vaught (V3 Energy) traveled to Stebbins to investigate alternative wind tower sites for
turbine installation. The purpose of the site visit was to investigate potential wind sites
identified through an office evaluation of site access, permit requirements, land ownership, and
the potential strength of the wind resource using aerial imagery and topographic maps. During
the reconnaissance, three sites were preliminarily evaluated for access, terrain, surface
geology, and wind patterns. The three sites investigated include St. Michael Site 1, St. Michael
Site 2, and Stebbins Site 1, as shown on Sheet G1.03, Appendix A. A memo summarizing the
preliminary office research and the trip report for the site investigation is included in Appendix
D.
Following the field investigation, a fourth site was identified by the wind modeling as having a
strong potential wind resource. This site is located on the Cape Stephens Bluff north of
Stebbins and is shown as Stebbins Site 2 on Sheet G1.03, Appendix A. An office evaluation of
this site was performed to identify the wind turbine construction, permitting, and site control
feasibility, but no field investigation was performed. Below is a summary of the investigation at
each potential wind turbine site.
Figure 4: Alternative Site Locations
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4.1.1 St. Michael Site 1
St. Michael Site 1 is located at 63˚30’09.56” north latitude, 162˚11’23.81’ west longitude, at an
elevation of approximately 130 feet. This site is located on a rise of land to the south of the
Stebbins–St. Michael Road, approximately 0.70 miles southeast of the St. Michael met tower.
Ground cover consists of tundra and sparse low alders on dry ground. Subsurface conditions
may include shallow to significant soil deposits with warm permafrost. Any rock encountered
would likely be frost fractures to varying depths below the surface and may be weathered and
friable to depth. Possible foundation types for wind towers at this site include mass gravity mat
foundations. Rock anchors may be necessary if volcanics are encountered at shallow depths.
Access to the site from the Stebbins‐St. Michael road could be easily constructed with no deep
fills or significant terrain features to overcome. Wind modeling depicts a potential Class 2/3
wind resource at this site. See V3 Energy’s September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel
Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) for wind modeling information. The relatively low potential
wind resource at this site makes it an undesirable wind farm location. Therefore, no
construction alternatives were analyzed for St. Michael Site 1.
Figure 5: St. Michael Site 1
4.1.2 St. Michael Site 2
St. Michael Site 2 is located at 63˚30’46.54” north latitude, 162˚10’56.31’ west longitude, at an
elevation of approximately 175 feet. The site is located on a ridge line extending northeast from
the cinder cone (St. Michael original met tower location). The ridge was likely formed by a
basalt flow from past volcanic events. The reconnaissance group viewed the site from the
SMNC gravel source at the top of the cinder cone. The ridge is likely composed of shallow
organics and soils above basalt and other volcanics. The underlying rock may be frost fractured
at varying depths below the surface and may be weathered and friable to depth. A possible
foundation for wind towers at this site includes a mass gravity mat foundation. Rock anchors
may be needed if volcanics are encountered at shallow depths. Construction at this site also
includes clearing dense patches of alders and constructing a 0.5 mile access trail from the top of
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the cinder cone to the proposed site. Access trail development requires filling a 20‐foot deep
ravine between the cinder cone and the ridge line. Also, access easements are required with
SMNC for shared use of the existing road to the SMNC material source to the top of the cinder
cone.
Figure 6: St. Michael Site 2
Wind modeling depicts a potential Class 4/5 wind resource at this site. See V3 Energy’s
September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) for wind
modeling information. The wind resource was sufficient for power generation. This site is not a
preferred wind farm location due to the variable terrain and the additional fill volumes required
for access trail construction. Therefore, no construction alternatives were analyzed for this site.
4.1.3 Stebbins Site 1
Stebbins Site 1 is located at 63˚31’56.58” north latitude, 162˚16’50.64” west longitude, at an
elevation of approximately 155 feet. The site is located on a ridgeline adjacent to the existing
Stebbins‐St. Michael Road, near the intersection of the Stebbins‐St. Michael Road and the
Stebbins Landfill Access Road. Gravel for wind tower road and pad construction is readily
available at the Stebbins Native Corporation gravel source, approximately 0.85 miles west of
the proposed site. The reconnaissance group walked the terrain and inspected the site. The
ground cover at the site is composed of tundra and no ponding or excess moisture was
observed. The subsurface conditions may consist of organics and shallow soils overlying basalt
and other volcanics. Frost‐fractured rock could be encountered at varying depths below the
surface and may be weathered and friable to depth. A mass gravity mat foundation may be a
viable alternative at this site. Rock anchors may be necessary if the volcanics are encountered
at shallow depths.
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Figure 7: Stebbins Site 1 (Stebbins Met Tower)
Stebbins Site 1 was selected as the preferred site for wind farm construction due to the even,
dry terrain, close proximity to the power plant and gravel source, and easy access trail
construction. Alternatives 1 through 3 presented in Section 5.0 below include wind turbine
options installed at this site. The extrapolated wind data from the St. Michael Met Tower
depicted a potential Class 3/4 wind resource at Stebbins Site 1, which is sufficient for power
generation. The new met tower erected at the sited data measured a Class 5/6 wind
resource at this location which exceeded the modeled results. See V3 Energy’s
September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) for wind
modeling information.
4.1.4 Stebbins Site 2
Following the site visit, Stebbins Site 2 was selected as another potential wind turbine location
based on the findings of the preliminary wind modeling. The site is located at 63˚32’10.43”
north latitude, 162˚18’14.52” west longitude, and at an approximate elevation of 140 feet. The
site is located along the Cape Stephens Bluff on the northwestern tip of St. Michael Island,
approximately 0.20 miles west of the Stebbins Gravel Source. Access to the site is from an
existing gravel trail extending from the Stebbins Gravel Source to the bluff. An easement or
lease will be required from the landowner, the Stebbins Native Corporation.
The wind modeling results show that Stebbins Site 2 is an optimal wind turbine location to
maximize the available wind resource. The extrapolated wind data from the St. Michael Met
Tower depicted a potential Class 5 wind resource for the Stebbins Site 2. No site investigation
has occurred and there has been no preliminary geotechnical analysis of the area. Aerial
photography depicts the site as dry with tundra and low brush ground cover. The site appears
feasible for wind farm construction due to the dry terrain, close proximity to the power plant
and gravel source, and easy access trail construction. However, discussions with Alaska Region
of United States Fish and Wildlife (USFW) indicated that a avian study would be required prior
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to development in this location and the turbines would likely be required to shutdown during
Stellar Eider migration periods. Since the migration periods coincide with some of the typically
windy times of the year, the seasonal shutdown would have a large affect on wind energy
production. Therefore, no construction alternatives were analyzed for this site.
Figure 8: Stebbins Site 2
5.0 WIND TURBINE SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES
5.1 STEBBINS WIND TURBINE ANALYSIS
AVEC selected the following three turbine alternatives for evaluation at Stebbins Site 1:
Northern Power 100 Arctic, Vestas V17, and Aeronautica AW33‐225. These configurations are
classified as medium wind‐diesel penetration systems having a goal to offset 20% to 50% of the
community’s energy demand with wind power. A medium penetration system provides a
balance between the amount of energy provided and the complexity of the wind generation
and integration systems.
5.1.1 Northern Power 100 Arctic
The first turbine configuration consists of (4) Northern Power 100 Arctic (NP100) turbines. The
NP100’s are manufactured by Northern Power Systems in Barre, Vermont. The NP100 is a
37‐meter high, 100 kW, permanent magnet, synchronous, direct drive wind power generator,
with a 21‐meter rotor diameter and 3 blades that AVEC has previously installed in the following
rural Alaska villages:
• Chevak ‐400 kW
• Emmonak – 400 kW
• Gambell – 300 kW
• Hooper Bay – 300 kW
• Kasigluk – 300 kW
• Mekoryuk – 200 kW
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• Quinhagak – 300 kW
• Savoonga – 200 kW
• Shaktoolik – 200 kW
• Toksook Bay – 400 kW
AVEC Total = 3,000 kW
Each turbine is equipped with active yaw control, but does not have blade pitch control
capability. The (4) proposed Northern Power100 Arctic generators have a maximum cumulative
power generation output of 400 kW at a wind speed of 32.4 mph. The turbines are equipped
with a 21‐meter diameter rotor.
Figure 9: NP100 Turbine Installed in Emmonak
5.1.2 Vestas V17
The second option is installing (5) remanufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S V17 turbines. The
V17 is a 90 kW, fixed pitch turbine with active yaw and a high speed rotor with three blades.
Vestas is an international turbine manufacturer based in Denmark, with their American
operations based in Portland, Oregon. The V17’s were commonly used as small scale industrial
wind turbines in the 1980’s and 1990’s. More recently, these turbines have been replaced in
wind farms with new large scale turbines with 1 megawatt capacity or greater. The
decommissioned V17s were sold to independent contractors, such as Halus Power Systems in
San Leandro, CA, for refurbishment and resale. The V17 is a 26‐meter (85‐foot) high, 90 kW,
induction generator. The turbines are equipped with a 17‐meter diameter rotor. Installing five
V17s in Stebbins would produce a maximum output of 450 kW at a wind speed of 15 mph. The
generator power output can be controlled using a simple inverter and soft breaking or a
variable speed drive (VSD) complex inverter. V17 turbines have been previously installed in
Alaska at Kokhanok.
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5.1.3 Aeronautica AW33‐225
The third turbine option is installing two Aeronautica AW33‐225 turbines. Aeronautica
Windpower Inc. started in 2008 as a turbine refurbishment company. In 2010 they purchased
the rights to manufacture and sell the Norwin 225 and Norwin 750 turbines under their name.
The AW33‐225 turbine is a 40‐meter (131‐foot) high, 225 kW, induction generator. The
turbines are equipped with a 33‐meter diameter rotor. This configuration has a
maximumpower generation output of 450 kW. The blades are fixed pitch and stall regulated at
high wind speeds. The blades are aerodynamically designed to stall during extreme wind
events in order to maintain a safe operating speed. This method of control eliminates the
mechanical and electric blade control systems involved with pitch controlled turbines.
There are no Aeronautica turbines installed in Alaska at this time.
5.2 ALTERNATIVE 1 ‐ (4) NP100 TURBINES INSTALLED AT STEBBINS SITE 1
This alternative proposes installation of (4) NP100 turbines at Stebbins Site 1 for a total
cumulative generation capacity of 400 kW. The project includes construction of 1,300 feet of
16‐foot wide gravel access trail and (4) 2,600 square foot gravel pads at the wind tower
locations. The proposed trail and wind tower pads are anticipated to be 4 feet thick and consist
of locally available sands and gravels compacted to 90% maximum density. The drivable surface
of the embankment is constructed with 6‐inches of crushed aggregate surface course. Topsoil
and seed is planned for the embankment slopes to minimize erosion of the placed fill. The
turbines are installed on a 37‐meter high, conical, monopole tower. The tower foundation is
anticipated to include precast concrete gravity above shallow volcanic bedrock. Power from
the wind turbines will be connected to the grid through the new Stebbins‐St. Michaels intertie
which is scheduled for construction in 2014. Reference Sheet C1.02, Appendix A for a site plan of
Alternative 1.
The wind farm modeling included V3 Energy’s September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐
Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) predicts that this alternative will add 1,106 MWh/year
of annual energy production to the Stebbins and St. Michael power generation system at 80%
turbine availability. The construction cost for this alternative is estimated to be $10,077 per
installed kW assuming the new power plant is complete and operational. See Capital Cost
Estimate included in Appendix E.
5.3 ALTERNATIVE 2 ‐ (5) V17 TURBINES INSTALLED AT STEBBINS SITE 1
This alternative proposes installation of (5) V17 turbines at Stebbins Site 1 for a total cumulative
generation capacity of 450 kW. The project includes construction of 1,600 feet of 16‐foot wide
gravel access trail and (5) 2,600 square foot gravel pads at the wind tower locations. The
proposed trail and wind tower pads are anticipated to be 4 feet thick and consist of locally
available sands and gravels compacted to 90% maximum density. The drivable surface of the
embankment is constructed with 6‐inches of crushed aggregate surface course. Embankments
and foundations are anticipated to be the same as previously described in Alternative 1. The
turbines are anticipated to be installed on monopole towers. Lattice towers will also be
considered for these turbines if this alternative is advanced to final design. Reference
Sheet C1.03, Appendix A for a site plan of Alternative 2.
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The wind farm modeling included V3 Energy’s September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐
Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) and predicts that this alternative will add 943 MWh/year
of annual energy production to the Stebbins and St. Michael power generation system at 80%
turbine availability. The construction cost for this alternative is estimated to be $8,419 per
installed KW assuming the new power plant is complete and operational. See Capital Cost
Estimate included in Appendix E.
5.4 ALTERNATIVE 3 ‐ (2) AW33‐225 TURBINES INSTALLED AT STEBBINS SITE 1
This alternative proposes installation of (2) AW33‐225 turbines at Stebbins Site 1 for a potential
generation capacity of 450 kW. The project includes construction of a 750‐foot gravel access
trail and (2) 2,600 square foot wind tower pads. The proposed trail and wind tower pads are
anticipated to be 4 feet thick and consist of locally available sands and gravels compacted to
90% maximum density. The drivable surface of the embankment is constructed with 6‐inches of
crushed aggregate surface course. Topsoil and seed is planned for the embankment slopes to
minimize erosion of the placed fill. The turbine is installed on a 40‐meter high, conical,
monopole tower. The tower foundation is anticipated to include precast concrete gravity mats
with rock anchors to resist the increased overturning moment. The AW33‐225 towers are
anticipated to require larger foundations than the NP100 turbines due to larger reaction forces
from the increased tower weight, longer blade diameters, and increased swept area.
Reference Sheet C1.05, Appendix A, for a site plan of Alternative 3.
The wind farm modeling included V3 Energy’s September 2013 Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐
Diesel Feasibility Analysis (Appendix B) and predicts that this alternative will add 1,360
MWh/year of annual energy production to the Stebbins and St. Michael power generation
system at 80% turbine availability. The construction cost for this alternative is estimated to be
$8,769 per installed KW assuming the new power plant is complete and operational and 450
kW of power is delivered from the new turbine. See Capital Cost Estimate included in Appendix
E.
5.5 ALTERNATIVE COMPARISON SUMMARY
Table 2 below summarizes the capital costs and estimated annual energy production for each
turbine alternative.
Table 2: Alternative Comparison Summary
Alt
Turbine Selection
Site
Generation
Capacity (kW)
Estimated
Capital Cost
Estimated Capital
Cost per Installed
kW
Estimated Annual
Energy Production
@ 80 %
Availability
1
(4) NP 100s
Stebbins 1 400 $ 4.03 M $10,077
1,107 MWh
2
(5) V17s
Stebbins 1 450 $ 3.79 M $8,420
943 MWh
3
(2) AW33‐225
Stebbins 1 450 $3.95 M $8,769
1,360 MWh
*Source: Annual Energy Production data taken from V3 Energy’s September 2013 Draft Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel
Feasibility Analysis
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6.0 ECONOMIC EVALUATION
6.1 METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH
The Stebbins‐St. Michaels Wind Diesel Feasibility Analysis prepared by V3 Energy (Appendix B)
includes a wind power analysis of the combined Stebbins‐St. Michael power generation system
using HOMER energy modeling software with the previously described wind turbine
alternatives. The software was configured for a medium to high penetration system, with the
first priority to meet the community’s electrical demands and the second priority to serve the
recovered heat system through a secondary load controller (electric boiler). The analysis
considered an average diesel fuel price of $5.23 per gallon for the projected 20‐year project life.
The modeling assumptions and results of V3’s analysis are presented in Appendix B.
V3 inserted the power generation and fuel consumption results from the HOMER modeling into
the economic modeling program developed by the Institute for Social and Economic Research
(ISER). AEA uses the ISER economic model as the standard approach for scoring wind project
design and construction grant applications. The ISER model considers the capital cost of
construction and annual cost of operating and maintaining the wind turbines and weighs them
against the benefit cost savings realized from the volume of displaced diesel fuel required for
power generation and heating public facilities. The analysis develops a benefit/cost ratio that
can be used to compare wind turbine alternatives. See V3’s economic analysis results in
Appendix B.
6.2 ECONOMIC EVALUATION RESULTS
Table 3 below summarizes the findings of the V3’s economic evaluation for each turbine
alternative.
Table 3: Economic Evaluation Summary
Alt
Annual
Wind
Generation
@ 80%
Availability
(kWh)
Wind
Energy
For Power
(kWh/yr)
Wind
Energy
For Heat
(kWh/yr)
Wind as %
Total
Power
Production
(%)
Wind as %
Total
Thermal
Production
(%)
Power
Generation:
Fuel
Displaced by
Wind Energy
(gal/yr)
Thermal
Generation:
Heating Fuel
Displaced by
Wind Energy
(gal/yr)
Benefit/ Cost
Ratio
1
1,106,920
1,009,590
97,330 33 2.9 68,908 2,488
1.24
2 942,572
855,585
86,987 29 2.6 58,512 2,224
1.12
3
1,360,237
1,131,538
228,699 40 6.6 80,289 5,846
1.50
*Source: V3 Energy’s September 2013 Draft Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Analysis
7.0 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Based on the findings of the site analysis, wind modeling, and economic evaluation, Alternative
3 is the preferred alternative for Stebbins wind turbine development. This alternative consists
of construction of (2) AW33‐225 turbines at Stebbins Site 1. Each turbine has the potential to
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generate 225 kW, for an aggregate total power generation of 450 kW. The AW33‐225 turbine is
the preferred alternative because it maximizes power output while minimizing the amount of
turbines that need to be operated and maintained. Also, the larger swept area of the turbine
allows for efficient power generation through a wide range of wind speeds. The two turbine
installation would allow for redundancy in the system and the ability to perform turbine
maintenance without eliminating wind power generation from the system. The economic
evaluation above assumes that the turbine array operates at the 450 kW energy output level.
However, for better system performance, the turbine should be modulated using a VSD down
to an energy output level that provides medium penetration to the Stebbins‐St. Michael grid
and adequate excess energy to meet recovered heat demands. The recommended energy
output level will be determined during final design of the control system.
8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
8.1 HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL: ALASKA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
(SHPO)
Cultural Resource Consultants, LLC (CRC) conducted a review of the Alaska Heritage Resource
Survey (AHRS) files at Stebbins Site 1 (Ridge Site). According to the AHRS files there are no
known AHRS sites within the project areas for these sites. However, there are known sensitive
sites located adjacent to the project areas of interest, including one site listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. In 2009 Northern Land Use Research (NLUR) completed an
archaeological survey of potential materials sources in Stebbins and St. Michael. Their research
included two sites located north of Stebbins in the immediate vicinity of the project areas of
interest. According to NLUR’s findings, no known cultural resources were found in the sites
investigated. Based on existing AHRS information and the findings of NLUR’s site investigation,
there is a relatively low probability of undiscovered archaeological and historic sites within the
actual project areas of interest. Per the recommendation of Cultural Resource Consultants, LLC,
the undertaking would need to be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office, but
further field surveys will likely not be required at either of these two sites. CRC Analysis is
included in Appendix F.
8.2 WETLANDS: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (DA)
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires a permit for placement of fill in wetlands and
waters of the United States. The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) database does not have
data for the Stebbins area.
Satellite imagery and notes from field reconnaissance of three sites (Stebbins Site 1 and St.
Michael Sites 1 & 2) in September, 2011 indicate those sites are drier than surrounding tundra.
Stebbins Site 2 was not investigated at that time, but topography and satellite imagery suggest
relatively dry conditions. However, the DA will likely require a wetlands delineation with
current wetland data before providing a Jurisdictional Determination. If the DA concludes the
project site contains wetlands under their jurisdiction, a new Nationwide Permit (NWP) issued
in 2012 for Land Based Renewable Energy Generation Facilities (NWP 51) authorizes discharge
of fill for wind tower construction if loss of wetlands does not exceed 1/2 acre. Submittal
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requirements for NWP 51 include a Pre‐Construction Notification (PCN) and wetland
delineation report documenting project impacts. NWP 51 also covers utility lines, roads, and
parking lots within the wind generation facility. Access roads and transmission lines not within
the facility and used to connect the facility to existing infrastructure require separate
permitting. NWP 12 (Utility lines) and 14 (Linear transportation) may be used for this purpose if
loss of wetlands does not exceed one‐half acre for each permit type.
If a wetlands delineation is required, the DA recommends that it is completed within the
designated growing season for specific regions. Stebbins is located within Alaska’s Subarctic
Coastal Plains Eco‐region, which has a growing season that begins on May 23rd and ends on
October 3rd.
8.3 FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)
Based on preliminary review of the online Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis
(OEAAA) tool, all sites under consideration exceed CFR Title 14 Part 77 Notice Criteria for slope
ratio. Part 77 regulations require an airspace study and filing form 7460‐1 for the proposed
tower locations to determine that there is no hazard to air navigation. Preliminary coordination
has already occurred with the FAA concerning the met tower at Stebbins Site 1. The FAA issued
a “Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation for a Temporary Structure” on October 27,
2011 for the Stebbins met tower. Further coordination will be required and may include
modifications to the published traffic procedures at the Stebbins Airport to keep patterning
aircraft south of the airport and away from the proposed tower locations.
8.4 BIOTIC RESOURCES AND FEDERALLY LISTED THREATENED AND ENDANGERED
SPECIES: UNITED STATES FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS)
The USFWS lists the spectacled eider as a threatened species. Review of the USFWS Endangered
Species Act Consultation Guide indicates all wind tower sites under consideration are located in
a zone designated as spectacled eider breeding habitat; however, no sites are within the zone
designated as Critical Habitat. Spectacled eiders typically nest on coastal tundra near shallow
ponds or lakes, usually within 10 feet of the water. Stebbins Site 1 and 2 are located in upland
habitat at elevations above nesting areas. A 2006 report prepared by ABR for AVEC studied bird
movements along a proposed powerline intertie corridor between the villages of Stebbins and
St. Michael and potential wind turbine locations. The report concluded low risk of injury or
death to birds at the Stebbins Site 1 (Ridge Site), which is approximately one mile southeast of
Stebbins Site 2 (Bluff Site). Bird movement in this area consists primarily of low flying (<20
meters above ground) passerines and high flying (>50 meters above ground level) cranes and
swans, which is above and below the proposed tower height. Tower construction at St. Michael
Site 1 and 2 are not recommended due to their proximity to eider habitat in Clear Lakes area.
Tower construction at Stebbins Site 2 is not recommended due to the proximity to the St.
Stephens Bluff and possible eider fly ways.
Tower construction at Stebbins Site 1 would require informal consultation with USFWS to
identify potential effects to listed species and determine whether measures to avoid and
minimize effects are necessary. Because an avian survey has been completed for the Stebbins‐
St. Michael intertie route area it is unlikely USFWS will request additional surveys documenting
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September, 6 2013 20
avian species presence and flight patterns at Stebbins Site 1.
St. Michael Site 1, St. Michael Site 2, and Stebbins Site 2 would require formal consultation,
which may include a Biological Assessment and Biological Opinion from the USFWS. Preliminary
discussions with USFW indicated that the existing avian survey that has been completed for the
Stebbins‐St. Michael Intertie does not provide sufficient information for bird activity in these
areas. Additional avian surveys would be required at these sites.
The proposed Stebbins wind tower locations are also adjacent to polar bear critical habitat. The
probability of encountering polar bear is low, but the USFWS would likely advise maintaining a
voluntary polar bear monitoring plan.
USFWS recommends avoiding vegetation clearing for regions throughout the state of Alaska.
For the Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta region the following avoidance periods apply:
• Shrub and Open Habitat – May 5th through July 25th (except in habitat that supports
Canada geese, swan, and black scoter)
• Canada geese and swan habitat – April 20th through July 25th
• Black scoter habitat – May 5th through August 10th
8.5 CONTAMINATED SITES, SPILLS, AND UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
A search of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s (ADEC) contaminated sites
database revealed no contaminated sites within any of the sites considered.
8.6 ANADROMOUS FISH STREAMS
There are no cataloged anadromous streams located between the villages of Stebbins and St.
Michael, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Anadromous Waters
Catalog.
8.7 STATE REFUGES, CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS AND SANCTUARIES
A review of the ADF&G’s publication regarding State of Alaska Refuges, Critical Habitat
Areas, and Sanctuaries, found that no such areas are located in the vicinity of any of the sites
considered.
8.8 LAND OWNERSHIP
The Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs Stebbins Area Use Map and Alaska
Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) Special Management Lands Division indicate Stebbins
Site 1 and 2 are located on land owned by the Stebbins Native Corporation within the Stebbins
City boundary. St. Michael Site 1 and 2 are located on land owned by St. Michaels Native
Corporation. AVEC has negotiated a draft lease agreement with the Stebbins Native Corporation
for wind tower construction on Stebbins Site 1. The lease agreement is being circulated for both
party’s signature and is anticipated to be recorded by the end of 2013.
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8.9 SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES
Coordination with Stebbins community members will be needed to ensure there is little to no
disruption of hunting and harvesting activities from wind farm development. Preliminary
discussions with community members indicate that Stebbins Site 1 is not used for subsistence
activities. There is reported berry picking activities in the area of Stebbins Site 2. The final
location of the towers will be coordinated with the community during design to minimize
impacts to subsistence activities.
8.10 AIR QUALITY
According to Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 18 AAC 50, the communities of Stebbins and St.
Michael are considered Class II areas. As such, there are designated maximum allowable
increases for particulate matter 10 (PM‐10) micrometers or less in size, nitrogen dioxide, and
sulfur dioxide. Activities in these areas must operate in such a way that they do not exceed
listed air quality controls for these compounds. The nature and extent of the proposed project
is not likely to increase emissions or contribute to a violation of an ambient air quality standard
or cause a maximum allowable increase for a Class II area.
8.11 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT REVIEW (NEPA)
An Environmental Review (ER) document will be required if federal funding is used for
construction of the wind turbine project. Similar to an Environmental Assessment (EA), an ER
will provide an assessment of potential environmental impacts and identify avoidance,
minimization, and mitigation measures. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
determination by the funding agency will be needed.
8.12 ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Table 4 below summarizes environmental data and permit requirements for development of
wind turbines on each site investigated.
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Table 4: Environmental Summary Table
Stebbins Site 1
(Ridge)
Stebbins Site 2
(Bluff)
St. Michael Site 1
St. Michael Site 2
Historic and Archaeological
Low potential for impact;
SHPO review required
No AHRS info;
SHPO review required
Wetlands
Wetland delineation and Jurisdictional Determination needed;
NWP 12, 14, & 51 if wetlands impacted and impacts less than ½ acre. An individual
permit will be required for impacts greater than ½ acre.
Federal Aviation Administration
Form 7460‐1;
Traffic patterned altered to
accommodate MET tower
Form 7460‐1
Threatened & Endangered Species
Low risk to flying
birds; Informal
consultation
required
Moderate to high risk to birds;
Will require formal consultation
Contaminated Sites
None located within project areas
Anadromous Fish Streams
None between villages of Stebbins and St. Michael
State Refuges, Critical Habitat, and
Sanctuaries
None located near project areas
Land Ownership
Stebbins Native Corporation St. Michael Native Corporation
Subsistence
AVEC will coordinate with communities to identify areas important to subsistence
activities.
Air Quality
Class II area; Project not likely to increase emissions, contribute to a violation of
ambient air quality standards, or cause maximum allowable increases for Pm‐10 and
nitrogen and sulfur dioxide.
National Environmental Policy Act
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact needed from
funding agency
Permit Recommendations
1. Initiate Section 106 consultation for preferred site, in accordance with the National
Historic Preservation Act, as soon as possible.
2. File FAA form 7460‐1 for wind towers at least 45 days prior to construction.
3. Perform wetlands delineation and obtain Jurisdictional Determination for the preferred
site to determine whether Section 404 permitting is necessary.
4. Initiate consultation with USFWS to identify potential effects at the preferred site to
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September, 6 2013 23
threatened or endangered species and possible mitigation.
5. Schedule vegetation clearing activities outside appropriate time periods of avoidance,
per the USFWS’s recommendations.
9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The high cost of diesel fuel and strong wind resource on St. Michael Island makes wind power
an attractive component of AVEC’s new combined electrical power generation system for
Stebbins and St. Michael. The wind site investigation and subsequent wind modeling analysis
determined that Stebbins Site 1 has a Class 6 wind resource and is well‐suited for wind power
generation. Economic evaluation of the turbine alternatives presented in this report and
discussions with AVEC Operations personnel resulted in a preferred turbine configuration of (2)
AW33‐225 turbines installed at Stebbins Site 1. The economic evaluation projected that this
preferred alternative will contribute to approximately 40% of total power production and will
offset approximately 80,000 gallons of fuel for power generation and 6,000 gallons of heating
oil per year. Wind power could provide approximately 6.6% of the energy needed for heat
recovery.
The following actions are recommended to continue the progress of wind turbine development
in Stebbins:
Recommendations
1. Consult with Stebbins community leaders to minimize the impacts to subsistence activities
from wind project development at Stebbins Site 1.
2. Proceed with permitting per the permitting recommendations included in Section 8.
3. Perform a site specific geotechnical investigation of the proposed turbine location.
4. Design should include VSDs at each turbine along with a secondary load controller and
associated controls at the new Stebbins Power plant.
5. If complications resulting from site control, permitting, or the geotechnical investigation
make development of Stebbins Site 1 not feasible, relocate the proposed wind turbine
project to Stebbins Site 2 and reinitiate the actions stated above.
6. Coordinate with wind tower manufacturer for site specific environmental, power control,
and power quality requirements to ensure selected wind turbines are warranteed to
perform as anticipated.
7. Perform final design of the preferred alternative and apply for construction grant funds.
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September, 6 2013 24
10.0 REFERENCES
Alaska Community Database, Community Information Summaries (CIS)
http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_Name=Stebbins,
accessed on 11/15/2011
Western Regional Climate Center, http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/CLIMATEDATA.html, accessed on
12/5/2011
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). 2012. Statistical Report of the Power Cost Equalization Program,
Fiscal Year 2011. Twenty Third Edition. April 2012.
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). 18 AAC 50 Air Quality Control: As
Amended through August 1, 2012.
http://dec.alaska.gov/commish/regulations/pdfs/18%20AAC%2050.pdf. Last accessed
on September 8, 2012.
ADEC. Division of Spill Prevention and Response. Last accessed on September 6, 2012.
http://dec.alaska.gov/applications/spar/CSPSearch/results.asp.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Division of Environmental Health and
Engineering. Stebbins, Alaska Heat Recovery Study. September 10, 2012.
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). Wildlife Action Plan Section IIIB: Alaska’s 32 Eco‐
regions http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/species/wildlife_action_plan/section3b.pdf.
Last accessed on September 6, 2012.
ADF&G. Anadromous Waters Catalog. http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/SARR/AWC/. Last
accessed on September 6, 2012.
ADF&G. Refuges, Sanctuaries, Critical Habitat Areas and Wildlife Refuges.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=protectedareas.locator. Last accessed on
September 7, 2012.
ADNR. Division of Special Management Lands.
http://www.navmaps.alaska.gov/specialmanagementlands/. Last accessed on
September 7, 2012.
CRC. Known Archaeological and Historical Sites in the Stebbins Area. August 28, 2012.
FAA. Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA).
https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/portal.jsp012. Last accessed on August 26, 2012.
USACE. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Alaska
Region (Version 2.0).
http://www.usace.army.mil/Portals/2/docs/civilworks/regulatory/reg_supp/erdc‐el_tr‐
07‐24.pdf. Last accessed on September 6, 2012.
USFWS. United States Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species: Listed and Candidate
Species in Alaska, Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri).
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/endangered/species/spectacled_eider.htm. Last
accessed on September 6, 2012.
Stebbins Wind Project
Concept Design Report
Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative
September, 6 2013 25
USFWS. Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=74540. Last accessed on September
6, 2012.
USFWS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Land Clearing Guidance for Alaska: Recommended Time
Periods to Avoid Vegetation Clearing.
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/fieldoffice/anchorage/pdf/vegetation_clearing.pdf. Last
accessed on September 7, 2012.
USFWS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory.
http://107.20.228.18/Wetlands/WetlandsMapper.html#. Last accessed on September 6,
2012.
V3 Energy. Stebbins‐St. Michael Wind Diesel Feasibility Analysis. September 6, 2013.
Appendix A
Stebbins Wind Project Concept Design Drawings
STEBBINS WIND PROJECTCONCEPT DESIGN DRAWINGSSTEBBINS, ALASKA4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
EXISTINGLANDFILLEXISTINGSEWAGELAGOONNORTONSOUNDNORTONSOUNDEXISTINGSTEBBINS / ST.MICHAEL ROADST. MICHAEL MET TOWER(CINDER CONE)ST. MICHAELSITE 2ST. MICHAELSITE 1PROPOSEDELECTRICALINTERTIEST. MICHAELAIRPORTN O R T O N S O U N DNORTONSOUNDST. MICHAELBAYSTEBBINSAIRPORTEXISTINGSTEBBINSPOWER PLANTNEW STEBBINSPOWER PLANTSTEBBINS LANDFILLACCESS ROADSTEBBINSGRAVELSOURCESTEBBINSSITE 1STEBBINSMET TOWEREXISTING ST.MICHAELPOWER PLANTNEW ST. MICHAELSTAND BYGENERATORST. MICHAELWATER SOURCEPUMP HOUSEN O
R
T
O
N
S
O
U
N
DSTEBBINSSITE 24831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
WIND ACCESS TRAILEXISTINGSEWAGELAGOONNP 100WIND TOWER 2NP 100WIND TOWER 4NP 100WIND TOWER 3ALTERNATIVE 1:NP 100'sSITE 1BLUFF ACCESS TRAILNP 100WIND TOWER 14831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
WIND ACCESS TRAILEXISTINGSEWAGELAGOONBLUFF ACCESS TRAILALTERNATIVE 2:V-17'sV-17WIND TOWER 1V-17WIND TOWER 2V-17WIND TOWER 3V-17WIND TOWER 4V-17WIND TOWER 54831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
EXISTINGSTEBBINSLANDFILLTO STEBBINSTO SAINT MICHAELSN O R T O N S O U N DN O R T O N S O U N DWIND ACCESS TRAILEXISTINGSEWAGELAGOONAW33-225WIND TOWER #2ALTERNATIVE 3:AW33-225STEBBINS SITE 1STEBBINS LANDFILLACCESS ROADEXISTINGSTEBBINSGRAVELSOURCESTEBBINSMET TOWERSITE BBLUFF ACCESS TRAILAW33-225WIND TOWER #14831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
4831 Eagle Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Appendix B
Stebbins‐Saint Michael Wind‐Diesel Feasibility Study
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis
AVEC Photo
September 6, 2013
Douglas Vaught, P.E.
dvaught@v3energy.com
V3 Energy, LLC
Eagle River, Alaska
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | i
This report was prepared by V3 Energy, LLC under contract to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. to
assess the technical and economic feasibility of installing wind turbines in the village of Stebbins to serve
a combined Stebbins-St. Michael load. This analysis is part of a conceptual design report funded by the
Renewable Energy Fund, which is administered by the Alaska Energy Authority.
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Stebbins and Saint Michael ....................................................................................................................... 1
Stebbins Wind Resource ............................................................................................................................... 2
Measured Wind Speeds ............................................................................................................................ 3
Temperature and Density ......................................................................................................................... 4
Wind Roses ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Extreme Winds .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Wind-Diesel Hybrid System Overview .......................................................................................................... 6
Low Penetration Configuration ................................................................................................................. 7
Medium Penetration Configuration .......................................................................................................... 7
High Penetration Configuration ................................................................................................................ 8
Wind-Diesel System Components ............................................................................................................. 9
Wind Turbine(s) .................................................................................................................................... 9
Supervisory Control System .................................................................................................................. 9
Synchronous Condenser ....................................................................................................................... 9
Secondary Load ................................................................................................................................... 10
Deferrable Load .................................................................................................................................. 10
Interruptible Load ............................................................................................................................... 11
Storage Options .................................................................................................................................. 11
Wind Turbine Options ................................................................................................................................. 12
Northern Power Systems 100 ARCTIC..................................................................................................... 12
Vestas V17 ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Aeronautica 33-225 ................................................................................................................................ 13
Homer Software Wind-Diesel Model .............................................................................................................. 14
Diesel Power Plant .................................................................................................................................. 14
Wind Turbines ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | ii
Electric Load ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Thermal Load .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Diesel Generators ................................................................................................................................... 16
Economic Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Wind Turbine Costs ................................................................................................................................. 17
Fuel Cost .................................................................................................................................................. 17
Modeling Assumptions ........................................................................................................................... 18
Economic Valuation ................................................................................................................................ 19
Sensitivity Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 22
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 1
Introduction
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) is the electric utility for the City of Stebbins and the City of
Saint Michael. AVEC was awarded a grant from the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to complete
conceptual design work for installation of wind turbines, with planned construction in 2015.
Stebbins and Saint Michael
Stebbins has a population of 585 people while Saint Michael has a population of 401 people (2010
census). Both villages are located on Saint Michael Island in Norton Sound, 125 miles southeast of
Nome and 48 miles southwest of Unalakleet. The villages have a subarctic climate with maritime
influences during the summer. Summer temperatures average 40° to 60 °F; winters average -4° to 16 °F.
Extremes from -55° to 70 °F have been recorded. Annual precipitation averages 12 inches, with 38
inches of snow. Summers are rainy and fog is common. Norton Sound is typically ice free from early
June to mid-November.
A fortified trading post called "Redoubt St. Michael" was built by the Russian-American Company at
Saint Michael in 1833; it was the northernmost Russian settlement in Alaska. The Native village of
"Tachik" stood to the northeast. When the Russians left Alaska in 1867, several of the post's traders
remained. "Fort St. Michael," a U.S. military post, was established in 1897. During the gold rush of 1897,
it was a major gateway to the interior via the Yukon River. As many as 10,000 persons were said to live
in Saint Michael during the gold rush. Saint Michael was also a popular trading post for Eskimos to trade
their goods for Western supplies. Centralization of many Yup'iks from the surrounding villages
intensified after the measles epidemic of 1900 and the influenza epidemic of 1918. The village remained
an important trans-shipment point until the Alaska Railroad was built. The city government was
incorporated in 1969.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in Saint Michael, the Native Village of Saint Michael. In Stebbins,
the analogous entity is the Stebbins Community Association. Stebbins’ and Saint Michael's population is
largely Yup'ik Eskimo and many residents are descendants of Russian traders. Seal, beluga whale,
moose, caribou, fish, and berries are important staples. The sale and importation of alcohol is banned in
both villages.
Stebbins and Saint Michael are accessible only be air and sea but are connected to each other with a
10.5 mile road. Both villages have airports and a seaplane base is available. Regular and charter flights
are available from Nome and Unalakleet. Saint Michael is near the Yukon River Delta and has a good
natural harbor but no dock. Lighterage service is provided on a frequent basis from Nome. Both villages
receive at least one annual shipment of bulk cargo. At present Saint Michael and Stebbins are not
connected electrically with a power distribution intertie, but a project to do so is planned for the near
future. The electrical intertie will follow the road connecting the two villages.
Note: Information above obtained from Alaska Community Database Community Information
Summaries at www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_CIS.htm.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 2
Stebbins Wind Resource
A met tower was installed on a plateau area located on Stebbins Native Corporation land near the road
that connects Stebbins to the village of Saint Michael to the east. The site is large enough to
accommodate several or more wind turbines and in many respects is ideal for wind power development
with close proximity to an existing road and planned new electrical distribution connecting Stebbins to
Saint Michael. Additionally, geotechnical conditions at the site appear to be highly suitable for turbine
foundation construction.
Note that the Stebbins met tower is the second wind site in the Stebbins-Saint Michael area studied. A
met tower had been in service from July 2010 to September 2011 on the summit of an old, eroded
cinder cone nearer Saint Michael. This met tower was removed in September 2011 and re-located to
the Stebbins site where it has been in service since January 2012.
A synopsis of Stebbins met tower data is presented below. The wind project site will be at or very near
this location. For reference, a synopsis of the Saint Michael met tower data is also presented below.
Both sites exhibit outstanding potential for wind power development.
Stebbins (Site 0070) met tower data synopsis
Data dates 1/19/2012 to 8/13/2013(19 months; in service)
Wind power class Class 6 (outstanding)
Power density mean (MoMM), 30 m 490 W/m2
Wind speed mean (MoMM), 30 m 7.08 m/s
Max. 10-min wind speed average 25.9 m/s
Maximum wind gust 30.6 m/s (Feb. 2012)
Weibull distribution parameters k = 1.77, c = 7.55 m/s
Wind shear power law exponent 0.236 (moderate)
Roughness class 3.02 (many trees)
IEC 61400-1, 3rd ed. classification Class III-C
Turbulence intensity, mean 0.081 (at 15 m/s)
Calm wind frequency, 30 m 26% (wind speeds <4 m/s)
Saint Michael (Site 0021) met tower data synopsis (for reference)
Data dates 07/21/2010 to 09/19/2011 (14 months)
Wind power class Class 5 (excellent)
Power density mean (MoMM), 30 m 435 W/m2
Wind speed mean (MoMM), 30 m 6.73 m/s
Max. 10-min wind speed average 24.7 m/s
Maximum wind gust 29.8 m/s (Feb. 2011)
Weibull distribution parameters k = 2.03, c = 7.70 m/s
Wind shear power law exponent 0.116 (low)
Roughness class 0.60 (snow surface)
IEC 61400-1, 3rd ed. classification Class III-C
Turbulence intensity, mean 0.081 (at 15 m/s)
Calm wind frequency, 30 m 26% (wind speeds <4 m/s)
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 3
Topographic map
Google Earth image
Measured Wind Speeds
Anemometer data collected from the Stebbins met tower, from the perspectives of mean wind speed
and mean wind power density, indicates an outstanding wind resource. Note that cold temperatures
contributed to a higher wind power density than otherwise might have been expected for the mean
wind speeds.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 4
Anemometer data summary
Variable Speed 30 m A Speed 30 m B Speed 21 m
Measurement height (m) 30 30 21
Mean wind speed (m/s) 6.73 6.72 6.19
MoMM wind speed (m/s) 7.08 7.06 6.51
Max 10 min avg wind speed (m/s) 25.9 25.9 25.0
Max gust (m/s) 30.2 30.6 29.8
Weibull k 1.77 1.80 1.79
Weibull c (m/s) 7.55 7.56 6.97
Mean power density (W/m²) 428 425 343
MoMM power density (W/m²) 490 487 396
Mean energy content (kWh/m²/yr) 3,747 3,724 3,005
MoMM energy content (kWh/m²/yr) 4,291 4,264 3,469
Energy pattern factor 2.16 2.16 2.22
Frequency of calms (%) 27.4 27.7 32.2
Time series graph
Temperature and Density
The Stebbins met tower site experiences cool summers and cold winters with a resulting air density that
is higher than standard for that altitude. Calculated air density during the met tower test period
exceeds standard air density at 46 meters elevation (1.220 Kg/m3) by 6.0 percent. The winter of
2012/2013 was colder than average, however, and it’s likely that long term average air density at the
Stebbins met tower site is slightly less than measured.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 5
Temperature and density table
Temperature Density
Month Mean Min Max Mean Min Max
(°C) (°C) (°C) (kg/m³) (kg/m³) (kg/m³)
Jan -13.1 -34.1 5.2 1.350 1.219 1.468
Feb -12.2 -33.3 5.1 1.346 1.261 1.463
Mar -12.7 -31.0 4.6 1.349 1.264 1.449
Apr -5.5 -21.2 6.7 1.312 1.254 1.393
May 1.3 -14.3 18.0 1.280 1.206 1.356
Jun 10.2 -0.6 28.6 1.239 1.163 1.288
Jul 13.7 6.4 23.0 1.224 1.185 1.256
Aug 13.8 5.1 21.3 1.223 1.176 1.261
Sep 7.5 -1.6 14.9 1.251 1.218 1.293
Oct 2.4 -4.9 13.1 1.274 1.226 1.308
Nov -8.1 -18.3 -1.1 1.325 1.290 1.377
Dec -13.4 -30.6 2.8 1.352 1.272 1.447
-1.3 -34.1 28.6 1.294 1.163 1.468
Wind Roses
Wind frequency rose data indicates highly directional northeasterly winds at the project site with a
minor occurrence of southwesterly winds. The wind energy rose indicates that for wind turbine
operations the majority of power-producing winds will be north-northeast to northeast. Calm frequency
(percent of time that winds at the 30 meter level are less than 4 m/s) was 26 percent during the met
tower test period.
Wind Frequency Rose Total Value (power density) Rose
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 6
Extreme Winds
The relatively short duration of Stebbins met tower data should be considered minimal for calculation of
extreme wind probability, but nevertheless it can be estimated with a Gumbel distribution analysis
modified for entry of monthly versus annual data. Analysis indicates that the Stebbins met tower site
experiences relatively low extreme wind events and by reference to International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) 61400-1, 3rd edition (2005), classifies as IEC Class III for extreme wind probability, the
lowest defined. All wind turbines are designed to meet this criterion.
Extreme wind speed probability table
Vref Gust IEC 61400-1, 3rd ed.
Period (years) (m/s) (m/s) Class Vref, m/s
2 25.8 30.9 I 50.0
10 30.8 36.9 II 42.5
15 32.0 38.4 III 37.5
30 34.2 40.9 S designer-
specified 50 35.8 42.8
100 37.9 45.4
average gust factor: 1.20
Wind-Diesel Hybrid System Overview
Wind-diesel power systems are categorized based on their average penetration levels, or the overall
proportion of wind-generated electricity compared to the total amount of electrical energy generated.
Commonly used categories of wind-diesel penetration levels are low penetration, medium penetration,
and high penetration. The wind penetration level is roughly equivalent to the amount of diesel fuel
displaced by wind power. Note however that the higher the level of wind penetration, the more
complex and expensive a control system and demand-management strategy is required.
Categories of wind-diesel penetration levels
Penetration
Penetration Level Operating characteristics and system requirements
Instantaneous Average
Low 0% to 50% Less than
20%
Diesel generator(s) run full time at greater than minimum
loading level. Requires minimal changes to existing diesel
control system. All wind energy generated supplies the
village electric load; wind turbines function as “negative
load” with respect to diesel generator governor response.
Medium 0% to 100+% 20% to
50%
Diesel generator(s) run full time at greater than minimum
loading level. Requires control system capable of
automatic generator start, stop and paralleling. To control
system frequency during periods of high wind power input,
system requires fast acting secondary load controller
matched to a secondary load such as an electric boiler
augmenting a generator heat recovery loop. At high wind
power levels, secondary (thermal) loads are dispatched to
absorb energy not used by the primary (electric) load.
Without secondary loads, wind turbines must be curtailed
to control frequency.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 7
Penetration
Penetration Level Operating characteristics and system requirements
Instantaneous Average
High
(Diesels-off
Capable)
0% to 150+% Greater
than 50%
Diesel generator(s) can be turned off during periods of
high wind power levels. Requires sophisticated new
control system, significant wind turbine capacity, secondary
(thermal) load, energy storage such as batteries or a flywheel,
and possibly additional components such as demand-
managed devices.
Low Penetration Configuration
Low-penetration wind-diesel systems require the fewest modifications to a new or existing power
system in that maximum wind penetration is never sufficient to present potential electrical stability
problems. But, low penetration wind systems tend to be less economical than higher penetration
systems due to the limited annual fuel savings compared to a relatively high total wind system
installation costs. This latter point is because all of the fixed costs of a wind power project – equipment
mobilization and demobilization, distribution connection, new road access, permitting, land acquisition,
etc. – are spread across fewer turbines, resulting in relatively high per kW installed costs.
Medium Penetration Configuration
Medium penetration mode is very similar to high penetration mode except that no electrical storage is
employed in the system and wind capacity is designed for a moderate and usable amount of excess wind
energy that must be diverted to thermal loads. All of AVEC’s modern wind power systems are designed
as medium penetration systems.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 8
High Penetration Configuration
Other communities, such as Kokhanok, are more aggressively seeking to offset diesel used for thermal
and electrical energy. They are using configurations which will allow for the generator sets to be turned
off and use a significant portion of the wind energy for various heating loads. The potential benefit of
these systems is the highest, however currently the commissioning for these system types due to the
increased complexity, can take longer.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 9
Wind-Diesel System Components
Listed below are the main components of a medium to high-penetration wind-diesel system:
• Wind turbine , plus tower and foundation
• Supervisory control system
• Synchronous condenser
• Secondary load
• Deferrable load
• Interruptible load
• Storage
Wind Turbine(s)
Village-scale wind turbines are generally considered as 50 kW to 250 kW rated output. This turbine size
once dominated with worldwide wind power industry but has been left behind in favor of much larger
1,000 kW plus capacity turbines for utility grid-connected projects. Conversely, many turbines are
manufactured for home or farm application, but generally these are 10 kW or smaller. Consequently,
few new manufacture village size-class turbines are on the market, although a large supply of used
and/or remanufactured turbines are available. The latter typically result from the repower of older wind
farms in the Continental United States and Europe with new, larger wind turbines.
Supervisory Control System
Medium- and high-penetration wind-diesel systems require fast-acting real and reactive power
management to compensate for rapid variation in village load and wind turbine power output. The new
Stebbins power plant, designed to serve both Stebbins and Saint Michael, will be equipped with a new,
wind-ready supervisory control system (per Brian Gray of Gray Stassel Engineering).
Synchronous Condenser
A synchronous condenser, sometimes called a synchronous compensator, is a specialized synchronous
electric motor with an output shaft that spins freely. Its excitation field is controlled by a voltage
regulator to either generate or absorb reactive power as needed to support the grid voltage or to
maintain the grid power factor at a specified level. This is necessary for diesels-off wind turbine
operations, but generally not required for wind systems that maintain a relatively large output diesel
generator online at all times.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 10
Synchronous condenser in Kokhanok
Secondary Load
To avoid curtailing wind turbines during periods of high wind/low load demand, a secondary or “dump”
load is installed to absorb excess system (principally wind) power beyond that required to meet the
electrical load. The secondary load converts excess wind energy into heat via an electric boiler typically
installed in the diesel generator heat recovery loop. This heat can be for use in space and water heating
through the extremely rapid (sub-cycle) switching of heating elements, such as an electric boiler
imbedded in the diesel generator jacket water heat recovery loop. As seen in Figure 16, a secondary
load controller serves to stabilize system frequency by providing a fast responding load when gusting
wind creates system instability.
An electric boiler is a common secondary load device used in wind-diesel power systems. An electric
boiler (or boilers), coupled with a boiler grid interface control system, inside the new Stebbins power
plant building, would need to be able to absorb up to 450 kW of instantaneous energy (full output of the
wind turbines). The grid interface monitors and maintains the temperature of the electric hot water
tank and establishes a power setpoint. The wind-diesel system master controller assigns the setpoint
based on the amount of unused wind power available in the system. Frequency stabilization is another
advantage that can be controlled with an electric boiler load. The boiler grid interface will automatically
adjust the amount of power it is drawing to maintain system frequency within acceptable limits.
Deferrable Load
A deferrable load is electric load that must be met within some time period, but exact timing is not
important. Loads are normally classified as deferrable because they have some storage associated with
them. Water pumping is a common example - there is some flexibility as to when the pump actually
operates, provided the water tank does not run dry. Other examples include ice making and battery
charging. A deferrable load operates second in priority to the primary load and has priority over
charging batteries, should the system employ batteries as a storage option.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 11
Interruptible Load
Electric heating either in the form of electric space heaters or electric water boilers should be explored
as a means of displacing stove oil with wind-generated electricity. It must be emphasized that electric
heating is only economically viable with excess electricity generated by a renewable energy source such
as wind and not from diesel-generated power. It is typically assumed that 41 kWh of electric heat is
equivalent to one gallon of heating fuel oil.
Storage Options
Electrical energy storage provides a means of storing wind generated power during periods of high
winds and then releasing the power as winds subside. Energy storage has a similar function to a
secondary load but the stored, excess wind energy can be converted back to electric power at a later
time. There is an efficiency loss with the conversion of power to storage and out of storage. The
descriptions below are informative but are not currently part of the planned design.
Flywheels
A flywheel energy system has the capability of short-term energy storage to further smooth out short-
term variability of wind power, and has the additional advantage of frequency regulation. However, the
flywheel system is designed for much larger load systems and would not be economical for Stebbins.
Batteries
Battery storage is a generally well-proven technology and has been used in Alaskan power systems
including Fairbanks (Golden Valley Electric Association), Wales and Kokhanok, but with mixed results in
the smaller communities. Batteries are most appropriate for providing medium-term energy storage to
allow a transition, or bridge, between the variable output of wind turbines and diesel generation. This
“bridging” period is typically 5 to 15 minutes long. Storage for several hours or days is also possible with
batteries, but this requires higher capacity and cost. In general, the disadvantages of batteries for utility-
scale energy storage, even for small utility systems, are high capital and maintenance costs and limited
lifetime. Of particular concern to rural Alaska communities is that batteries are heavy and expensive ship
and most contain hazardous substances that require special removal from the village at end of service
life and disposal in specially-equipped recycling centers.
There are a wide variety of battery types with different operating characteristics. Advanced lead acid
and zinc-bromide flow batteries were identified as “technologically simple” energy storage options
appropriate for rural Alaska in an Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) July, 2009 report on
energy storage. Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries have been used in rural Alaska applications such as
the Wales wind-diesel system. Advantages of NiCad batteries compared to lead-acid batteries include a
deeper discharge capability, lighter weight, higher energy density, a constant output voltage, and much
better performance during cold temperatures. However, NiCads are considerably more expensive than
lead-acid batteries and one must note that the Wales wind-diesel system had a poor operational history
and has not been functional for over ten years.
Because batteries operate on direct current (DC), a converter is required to charge or discharge when
connected to an alternating current (AC) system. A typical battery storage system would include a bank
of batteries and a power conversion device. The batteries would be wired for a nominal voltage of
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 12
roughly 300 volts. Individual battery voltages on a large scale system are typically 1.2 volts DC. Recent
advances in power electronics have made solid state inverter/converter systems cost effective and
preferable a power conversion device. The Kokhanok wind-diesel system is designed with a 300 volts DC
battery bank coupled to a grid-forming power converter for production of utility-grade real and reactive
power. Following some design and commissioning delays, the solid state converter system in Kokhanok
should be operational by late 2013 and will be monitored closely for reliability and effectiveness.
Wind Turbine Options
Several village-scale wind turbines are considered suitable for Stebbins/St. Michael. The guiding criteria
are turbine output rating in relation to electric load, simplicity of design, AVEC Operations department
preferences, redundancy, and cost considerations. The turbines chose for review in this CDR are the
Northern Power Systems NPS 100, the Vestas V17, and the Windmatic WM17S.
Northern Power Systems 100 ARCTIC
The Northern Power 100 ARCTIC (NPS100), formerly known as the Northwind 100 (NW100) Arctic, is
rated at 100 kW and is equipped with a permanent magnet, synchronous generator, is direct drive (no
gearbox), and is equipped with heaters and has been tested to ensure operation in extreme cold
climates. The turbine has a 21 meter diameter rotor and is available with a 30 meter or 37 meter
monopole tower. The rotor blades are fixed pitch for stall control but the turbine is also and inverter
regulated for maximum 100 kW power output. For Stebbins, the NPS100 will be equipped with an arctic
package enabling a minimum operating temperature of -40° C. The Northern Power 100 ARCTIC is the
most widely represented village-scale wind turbine in Alaska with a significant number of installations in
the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and on St. Lawrence Island. The Northern Power 100 ARCTIC wind turbine
is manufactured in Barre, Vermont, USA. More information can be found at
http://www.northernpower.com/.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 13
Vestas V17
The Vestas V17 was originally manufactured by Vestas Wind Systems A/S in Denmark and is no longer in
production. It is, however, available as a remanufactured unit from Halus Power Systems in California
(represented in Alaska by Marsh Creek, LLC) and from Talk, Inc. in Minnesota. The V17 is a higher
output version of the two Vestas V17 wind turbines installed in Kokhanok in 2011. The V17 has a fixed-
pitch, stall-regulated rotor coupled to an asynchronous (induction) generator via a gearbox drive. The
original turbine design included low speed and high speed generators in order to optimize performance
at low and high wind speeds. The two generators are connected to the gearbox with belt drives and a
clutch mechanism. In some installations though – especially sites with a high mean wind speeds – the
low speed generator is removed to eliminate a potential failure point.
Vestas V17 wind turbines in Kokhanok
Aeronautica 33-225
The Aeronautica AW33-225 wind turbine is manufactured new by Aeronautica in Durham, New
Hampshire. This turbine was originally designed by the Danish-manufacturer Norwin in the 1980’s with
a 29 meter rotor diameter and had a long and successful history in the wind industry before being
replaced by larger capacity turbines for utility-scale grid-connect installations. The original 29 meter
rotor diameter design is available as the AW29-225 for IEC Class IA wind regimes, which the AW33-225 is
a new variant designed for IEC Class II and III winds. The AW225 turbine is stall-regulated, has a
synchronous (induction) generator, active yaw control, is rated at 225 kW power output, and is available
with 30, 40, or 50 meter tubular steel towers. The AW33-225 is fully arctic-climate certified to -40° C
and is new to the Alaska market with no in-state installations at present. While the AW29-225 has a
typical cut-out wind speed of 25 m/s, the larger rotor diameter AW33-225 is designed for a cut-out
speed of 22 m/s. More information can be found at http://aeronauticawind.com/aw/index.html and in
Appendix D of this report.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 14
Aeronautica AW 33-225 wind turbine (29-225 version shown)
Homer Software Wind-Diesel Model
Homer energy modeling software was used to analyze the new Stebbins powerplant presently under
construction, serving a combined Stebbins and Saint Michael load which will be realized when an
electrical intertie connecting the two villages is complete. Homer software was designed to analyze
hybrid power systems that contain a mix of conventional and renewable energy sources, such as diesel
generators, wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, etc. and is widely used to aid development of Alaska
village wind power projects. It is a static energy balance model, however, and is not designed to model
the dynamic stability of a wind-diesel power system, although it will provide a warning that renewable
energy input is potential sufficient to result in system instability.
Diesel Power Plant
Electric power (comprised of the diesel power plant and the electric power distribution system) in
Stebbins is provided by Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. A new powerplant is presently under
construction in Stebbins with four identically configured Caterpillar 3456 diesel generators, rated at 450
kW each maximum electrical power output. The new generators will be equipped with wet
turbochargers and after-coolers for a high efficiency co-generation power system.
The new powerplant is considered “wind ready” in that it will be equipped with a new Kohler SCADA
that can be readily programmed to accommodate wind turbines. Also, the powerplant heat recovery
system was designed for eventual installation of an electric boiler to absorb excess wind energy.
Wind Turbines
This CDR evaluates installation of four new Northern Power Systems Northern Power 100 ARCTIC
turbines for 400 kW installed capacity, five remanufactured Vestas V17 turbines for 450 kW installed
capacity, or five remanufactured Windmatic WM17S turbines for 450 KW installed capacity. Standard
temperature and pressure (STP) power curves are shown below. Note that for the Homer analysis,
power curves were adjusted to reflect the measured site mean annual air density of 1.294 kg/m3.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 15
Northern Power 100 ARCTIC power curve Vestas V17 Power Curve
Aeronautica AW33-225
Electric Load
Stebbins and Saint Michael load data, collected from December 2010 to December 2011, was received
from Mr. Bill Thompson of AVEC. These data are in 15 minute increments and represent total electric
load demand during each time step. The data were processed by adjusting the date/time stamps nine
hours from GMT to Yukon/Alaska time, multiplying each value by four to translate kWh to kW (similar to
processing of the wind turbine data), and creating a January 1 to December 31 hourly list for export to
HOMER software. The resulting load is shown graphically below. Average load is 367 kW with a 662 kW
peak load and an average daily load demand of 8,806 kWh.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 16
Electric load
Thermal Load
The new Stebbins power plant will include recovered heat to serve thermal loads which will include the
village water plant. The thermal load was described by Brian Gray of Alaska Energy and Engineering, Inc.
in the table below and incorporated into the Homer model.
Stebbins thermal load (planned)
Month
Max
Avg
Temp,
°F
Min Avg
Load,
kW
Mean
Temp,
°F
Mean
Load,
kW
Min Avg
Temp,
°F
Max
Avg
Load,
kW
Jan 9.9 323 3.1 363 -3.7 403
Feb 10.3 321 2.9 364 -5.1 411
Mar 16.9 282 8.2 333 -0.5 384
Apr 29.3 209 21 258 12.7 307
May 45.8 113 38.1 158 30.4 203
Jun 54.6 61 48 100 41.4 138
Jul 61 23 54.3 63 47.6 102
Aug 59.8 30 52.9 71 46.1 111
Sep 51.2 81 43.9 124 36.7 166
Oct 33 188 26.9 223 20.8 259
Nov 19.1 269 13.2 304 7.3 338
Dec 8.4 332 1.8 370 -4.8 409
Diesel Generators
The HOMER model was constructed with the four new Stebbins generators that will eventually power
both Stebbins and Saint Michaels once the intertie connecting the two villages is complete. Diesel
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 17
generator information pertinent to the HOMER model is shown below. Cat 3456 fuel curve information
from Alaska Energy Authority was used in the Homer model.
Diesel generator HOMER modeling information
Diesel generator Caterpillar 3456
Power output (kW) 450
Intercept coeff. (L/hr/kW rated) 0.007307
Slope (L/hr/kW output) 0.2382
Minimum electric
load (%)
11.0%
(50 kW)
Heat recovery ratio (percent of
waste heat that can serve the
thermal load); data point from
Brian Gray of Gray Stassel
Engineering, Inc.
40%
Intercept coefficient – the no-load fuel consumption of the generator divided by its capacity
Slope – the marginal fuel consumption of the generator
Economic Analysis
Installation of four Northern Power Systems NPS100 ARCTIC wind turbines, five remanufactured Vestas
V17 wind turbines, or two Aeronautica AW33-225 wind turbines in medium-to-high penetration mode
without electrical storage are evaluated to demonstrate the economic benefit of the project options.
Note that in the analyses turbines are connected to the electrical distribution system with first priority
to serve the electrical load, and second priority to serve the thermal load via a secondary load controller
and electric boiler. For this CDR, Homer modeling is used to determine system performance and energy
balance, but economic valuation is accomplished with use of the Renewable Energy Fund Round 7
economic valuation spreadsheet developed by University of Alaska’s Institute for Social and Economic
Research (ISER) for use by the Alaska Energy Authority.
Wind Turbine Costs
Project capital and construction costs for the three evaluated wind turbines were obtained from HDL,
Inc. and are presented below. Detailed information regarding HDL’s cost estimates is available in their
portion of this conceptual design report.
Project cost estimates
Turbine Project Cost
Installed
kW
Cost per kW
Capacity Tower Type
Tower Height
(meters)
Northern Power
NPS100 ARCTIC $4,030,650 400 $10,076 Monopole 37
Vestas V17 $3,788,750 450 $8,419 Monopole 26
Aeronautica AW33-225 $3,946,050 450 $8,769 Monopole 40
Fuel Cost
A fuel price of $5.23/gallon ($1.40/Liter) was chosen for the initial HOMER analysis by reference to
Alaska Fuel Price Projections 2013-2035, prepared for Alaska Energy Authority by the Institute for Social
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 18
and Economic Research (ISER), dated June 30, 2103 and the 2013_06_R7Prototype_final_07012013
Excel spreadsheet, also written by ISER. The $5.23/gallon price reflects the average value of all fuel
prices between the 2015 (the assumed project start year) fuel price of $4.34/gallon and the 2034 (20
year project end year) fuel price of $6.36/gallon using the medium price projection analysis with an
average social cost of carbon (SCC) of $0.61/gallon included.
By comparison, the fuel price for Stebbins (without social cost of carbon) reported to Regulatory
Commission of Alaska for the 2012 PCE report is $3.86/gallon ($1.02/Liter), without inclusion of the SCC.
Assuming an SCC of $0.40/gallon (ISER Prototype spreadsheet, 2013 value), the 2012 Stebbins fuel price
was $4.26/gallon ($1.13/Liter).
Heating fuel displacement by excess energy diverted to thermal loads is valued at $6.32/gallon
($1.67/Liter) as an average price for the 20 year project period. This price was determined by reference
to the 2013_06_R7Prototype_final_07012013 Excel spreadsheet where heating oil is valued at the cost
of diesel fuel (with SCC) plus $1.05/gallon, assuming heating oil displacement between 1,000 and 25,000
gallons per year.
Fuel cost table (SCC included)
ISER medium
cost projection
2015
(/gal) 2034 (/gal)
Average
(/gallon)
Average
(/Liter)
Diesel fuel $4.34 $6.29 $5.23 $1.38
Heating oil $5.39 $7.34 $6.28 $1.66
Modeling Assumptions
As noted previously, HOMER energy modeling software was used to analyze a combined the Stebbins
wind-diesel hybrid power plant that will also serve the nearby village of Saint Michael. HOMER is
designed to analyze hybrid power systems that contain a mix of conventional and renewable energy
sources, such as diesel generators, wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, etc. and is widely used to aid
development of Alaska village wind power projects.
Modeling assumptions are detailed in the table below. Assumptions such as project life, discount rate,
operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, etc. are AEA default values and contained in the ISER
spreadsheet model. Other assumptions, such as diesel overhaul cost and time between overhaul are
based on general rural Alaska power generation experience.
The base or comparison scenario is the new Stebbins power plant presently under construction that will
be equipped with four identically configured Caterpillar 3456 diesel engines with 450 kW generators.
Although the existing Stebbins does not have a heat recovery loop to offset thermal loads in the village,
the new powerplant will have this capability.
Note that wind turbines installed in Stebbins will operate in parallel with the diesel generators. Excess
energy will serve thermal loads via a secondary load controller and electric boiler. Installation cost of
wind turbines assumes construction of three phase power distribution to the selected site, plus civil,
permitting, integration and other related project costs.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 19
Homer and ISER modeling assumptions
Economic Assumptions
Project life 20 years (2015 to 2034)
Discount rate 3% (reference: ISER 2013 Prototype spreadsheet)
Operating Reserves
Load in current time step 10%
Wind power output 100% (Homer setting to force diesels on)
Fuel Properties (no. 2 diesel for
powerplant)
Heating value 46.8 MJ/kg (140,000 BTU/gal)
Density 830 kg/m3 (6.93 lb./gal)
Price (20 year average; ISER 2013,
medium projection plus social cost of
carbon)
$5.23/gal ($1.38/Liter)
Fuel Properties (no. 1 diesel to serve
thermal loads)
Heating value 44.8 MJ/kg (134,000 BTU/gal)
Density 830 kg/m3 (6.93 lb./gal)
Price (20 year average; ISER 2013,
medium projection plus social cost of
carbon)
$6.28/gal ($1.66/Liter)
Diesel Generators
Generator capital cost $0 (new generators already funded)
O&M cost $0.02/kWh (reference: ISER 2013 Prototype spreadsheet)
Minimum load 50 kW; based on AVEC’s operational criteria of 50 kW
minimum diesel loading with their wind-diesel systems
Schedule Optimized
Wind Turbines
Availability 80%
O&M cost $0.049/kWh (reference: ISER 2013 Prototype spreadsheet)
Wind speed 7.08 m/s at 30 m, 100% turbine availability
6.22 m/s at 30 m, 80% turbine availability
Density adjustment 1.293 kg/m^3 (mean of monthly means of 19 months of
Stebbins met tower data); note that standard air density is
1.225 kg/m^3; Homer wind resource elevation set at -590
meters to simulate the Stebbins air density
Energy Loads
Electric 8.80 MWh/day average combined Stebbins-Saint Michael
power plant load
Thermal 5.44 MWh/day average new Stebbins thermal load
Economic Valuation
Homer software was used in this feasibility analysis to model the wind resource, wind turbine energy
production, effect on the diesel engines when operated with wind turbines, and excess wind energy that
could be used to serve thermal loads. Although Homer software is designed to evaluate economic
valuation by ranking alternatives, including a base or “do nothing” alternative by net present cost, AEA
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 20
economic valuation methodology differs somewhat in its assumptions of O&M costs, fuel costs each
year of the project life, and disposition of excess energy.
In an effort to align economic valuation of project alternatives with Alaska Energy Authority methods,
this feasibility analysis uses AEA’s economic evaluation methods. Although ISER developed the cost
evaluation spreadsheet, AEA determined the assumptions and methods of the model. The model is
updated every July in preparation for the next round of Renewable Energy Fund requests for proposals
in the form of an explanation report and an Excel spreadsheet. The latest version of the spreadsheet
has a file name of 2013_06-R7Prototype_final_07012013 and is available on ISER’s website.
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 21
Project Economic Valuation
Homer Model Input ISER Model Results
Turbine
Type
Wind
Capacity
(kW)
Diesel
Efficiency
(kWh/gal)
Wind
Energy
(kWh/yr)
Excess
Electricity
(kWh/yr
Net Wind
Energy
(kWh/yr)
Project
Capital
Cost
NPV
Benefits
NPV
Capital
Costs
Diesel #2
Displaced
(gal/yr)
B/C
Ratio
NPV Net
Benefit
NPS100 400 15.2 1,106,920 97,330 1,009,590 $4,030,650 $4,447,229 $3,581,180
68,908 1.24 $866,049
V17 450 15.2 942,572 86,987 855,585 $3,788,750 $3,778,522 $3,366,255
58,512 1.12 $412,267
AW33 450 15.2 1,360,237 228,699 1,131,538 $3,946,050 $5,241,559 $3,506,014
80,289 1.50 $1,735,545
Note: wind energy at 80% availability
Note: NPV benefits and capital costs at 3% discount rate; base year is 2012 (ISER spreadsheet)
Additional Information
Turbine
Type
Hub
Height
(m)
No.
Turbines
Wind
Energy
to
Thermal
(kWh/yr)
Heating
Fuel
Equiv.
(gal)
Wind
Penetration
(%
electrical)
Wind
Penetration
(% thermal)
Excess
thermal
(%)
NPS100 37 4 97,330
2,488 33.0 2.9 0.5
V17 26 5 86,987
2,224 29.0 2.6 0.5
AW33 40 2 228,699
5,846 40.0 6.6 1.9
Note: wind energy at 80% availability
Stebbins-Saint Michael Wind-Diesel Feasibility Analysis Page | 22
Sensitivity Analysis
In general, the economic valuation (benefit-to-cost ratio) of a project increases when, all other things
being equal, project capital cost decreases, fuel price increases, fuel displacment increases, or wind
turbine annual energy production (AEP) increases.
Wind energy projects in rural Alaska are expensive compared to Lower 48 or urban Alaska projects for
several reasons, principally difficult logistics, isolation of the project villages, relatively high expense of
small compared to large wind turbines, and complex powerplant integration requirements. The reality
is that project costs are high and opportunities for significant reduction are constrained.
The amount of fuel displaced by wind energy and the value of that fuel significantly impacts the
economic valuation of a project. For Stebbins, the wind resource was measured at the proposed turbine
site and hence accurate within the confines of the relatively short study timeframe of 19 months. The
wind resource dictates, for a given type and number of turbines, the annual energy production of the
turbines and this energy displaces fuel that otherwise would be burned by the diesel engines to meet
the load demand. Wind turbine energy production cannot of course be higher than 100 percent
availability (wind turbines on-line and available to produce power 100 percent of the time), but
adoption of a historic turbine availability is problematic as comprehensive data from existing rural
Alaska projects is difficult to obtain. For this reason, this feasibility analysis adopts the Alaska Energy
Authority’s default 80 percent wind turbine availability assumption. If wind turbine availability greater
than 80 percent is accomplished, then the economic value of the project will increase.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Three wind turbine project alternatives were presented in this feasibility analysis: four Northern Power
Systems NPS100-21 wind turbines, five Vestas V17 wind turbines, or two Aeronautica AW33-225 wind
turbines. Modeling shows that over a 20 year project life all three alternatives would have a benefit-to-
cost ratio greater than unity. Of the three, however, clearly the Aeronautica AW33-225 alternative
presents the superior economic benefit as reflected by a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.50 and a net present
value net benefit over the 20 year project life that exceeds $1.7 million. The AW33-225 is a solid turbine
based on a proven design with a long track record in Europe and North America and should perform well
at Stebbins. For this reason, a two turbine Aeronautica AW33-225 configuration is the recommended
project alternative for Stebbins and Saint Michaels.
Appendix C
Heat Recovery Study
STEBBINS, ALASKA HEAT RECOVERY STUDY
PREPARED BY:
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Division of Environmental Health and Engineering
1901 Bragaw St, Ste 200, Anchorage AK 99508
Phone (907) 729-3600 / Fax (907) 729-4090
September 10, 2012
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The future Stebbins power plant, new water treatment plant (WTP), existing WTP,
washeteria, clinic, and head start building and School were evaluated for heat recovery
potential. The total estimated annual heating fuel used by all six buildings is approximately
57,000 gallons. The expected annual savings is $240,000 in fuel costs.
The payback is based on a 2011 fuel price of $4.21/gallon and an estimated 2011 project cost
of $1,243,000.
Assuming construction in 2014, the design and construction cost with 2 years of 3%
escalation is $1,319,000.
The AVEC power plant is currently in design with site work already started. It is expected to
provide most of the recovered heat necessary to serve the nearby public buildings. An
expected intertie to St. Michael is currently in planning. AVEC is considering integration of
wind power generation into its new power plant at some point in the future. The impact of the
wind power is unknown at this point, but with an intertie to St. Michael (necessary for wind
power), it is expected that there will still be substantial recoverable heat available.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) reviewed the feasibility of providing
recovered heat from the future AVEC power plant (construction beginning in 2012) to the new
WTP (construction beginning in 2013), existing WTP, community school, and adjacent
community buildings in Stebbins. ANTHC also developed a budgetary project cost estimate
based on Force Account Construction, including Engineering and Construction
Administration.
The new WTP is designed to integrate recovered heat to heat the building, preheat the
incoming raw water, and heat two water storage tanks (WSTs). Space has been allocated for
a heat recovery heat exchanger and pumps, piping connections have been provided, and the
control system is designed for easy integration.
The existing WTP provides heat to the circulating water lines and heat to one of the WSTs.
The system was not designed for waste heat and will require controls and installation of new
heat transfer equipment, including a new heat exchanger and new circulating pumps. Once
the water treatment functions have been moved to the new WTP, space will be available for
new equipment to be added.
The existing washeteria building is hydronically heated. The city reports fuel consumption of
7,400 gallons/year and importantly, much of this load is present in the summer as well as
winter. New equipment will include a large brazed plate heat exchanger, a new circulator
pump, and controls to prevent back feeding of heat to the generator facility.
The existing head start building and community clinic also are hydronically heated. It is
anticipated that recovered heat could also be used in these buildings as well.
The existing school has a reported fuel consumption of approximately 46,500 gal / year and is
hydronically heated with oil fired boilers. A site investigation of the facility has not been done
at this time, but it is anticipated that space can be found for a heat recovery heat exchanger,
associated pumps and controls.
This report assumes that space for heat recovery equipment at the power plant will be
included in the construction of the power plant, with necessary controls and heat exchangers
in place.
Additional assumptions have been made in the development of this report, including, but not
limited to, the proposed arctic piping route, building heating loads, and flow rates and
pressure drops of the power plant heat recovery system. It is anticipated that refinements in
arctic pipe size and routing, pump and heat exchanger sizing, and other design elements will
be required as the project progresses to final design.
Available as-built information was obtained from AVEC regarding the 2011 power plant
electrical loads. End-user annual fuel use was obtained from a variety of sources, including
the City, Alaska Rural Utility Cooperative (ARUC), and engineering estimates. Where
possible, reported fuel consumption was used to validate engineering estimates. Site visits
were made to the existing WTP and washeteria to confirm accuracy of information obtained.
2.0 OVERVIEW
The purpose of this study is to provide an estimate of the heat that can be recovered from the
AVEC power plant diesel engines and used to offset heating oil consumption at the nearby
public buildings. Useable recovered heat is quantified in gallons of heating fuel saved using a
gross heating value of 134,000 BTU per gallon of #1 arctic diesel fuel and an overall boiler
efficiency of 75% for a net heating value of 100,000 BTU per gallon.
The public buildings eligible for heat recovery are located within 600-foot radius of the AVEC
power plant. This analysis evaluates the potential to provide recovered heat to the nearby
public buildings. The estimated average annual heating fuel consumption for the nearby
public buildings is 22,800 gallons.
3.0 ESTIMATED RECOVERED HEAT UTILIZATION
A heat recovery utilization spreadsheet has been developed to estimate the recoverable heat
based on monthly total electric power production, engine heat rates, building heating
demand, washeteria loads, heating degree days, passive losses for power plant heat and
piping, and arctic piping losses. The spreadsheet utilizes assumed time-of-day variations for
electric power production and heat demand. Power generation data from AVEC for fiscal year
2011 is used in the spreadsheet. The estimated heat rejection rate for the power plant
gensets, Caterpillar 3456 series with marine jackets, were used to estimate available
recovered heat. Heating degree-days for Stebbins were utilized for this site. All arctic piping is
assumed to be routed below grade. All power plant hydronic piping is assumed to be
insulated with 2 in of insulation. The proposed conceptual generator plant design was used to
estimate the heating load for the power plant, which includes the power house, an insulated
storage module, and one living quarters module.
The spreadsheet uses monthly heating degree-days to distribute annual fuel consumption by
month. The washeteria commercial heating loads are field verified as approximately 80% of
maximum utilization for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The end-user hourly heat load is
compared to the hourly available heat from the power plant, less power plant heating loads
and parasitic piping losses, and the net delivered heat to the end-user is determined.
Following is a summary of annual fuel use and estimated heat utilization in equivalent gallons
of fuel for each building:
Facility Estimated
Annual Fuel
Use (Gallons)
Estimated Heat
Delivered W/ Intertie
(Gallons)
Old Water Treatment Plant 4,815 4,815
New Water Treatment Plant 5,318 5,318
Washeteria 7,452 2,653
Stebbins School 46,474 39,437
Clinic 2,353 2,353
Head Start Building 2,353 2,353
Total 68,765 56,929
4.0 HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:
The heat recovery system captures jacket water heat generated by the AVEC power plant
that is typically rejected to the atmosphere by the radiators. The recovered heat is transferred
via below-grade arctic piping to the end users. The objective is to reduce the consumption of
expensive heating fuel by utilizing available recovered heat.
Although heat recovery is an excellent method of reducing heating fuel costs,
recovered heat is a supplementary heat source and it is imperative that the end-user
facility heating systems are operational at all times.
Hot engine coolant is piped through a plate heat exchanger located at the power plant. Heat is
transferred from the engine coolant to the recovered heat loop without mixing the fluids.
Controls at the power plant are used to prevent subcooling of the generator engines and
reducing electric power production efficiency. The recovered heat fluid is pumped through
buried insulated pipe to the end-user facilities, and is typically tied into the end-user heating
system using a plate heat exchanger.
4.1 AVEC PLANT TIE-IN
Because the AVEC plant is being designed for recovered heat, no modifications to the AVEC
power plant cooling system are included or anticipated, except those required to connect the
arctic piping to the power plant heat exchangers.
All heat recovery piping will be insulated with a minimum of 2-in insulation and have an
aluminum jacket where exposed to the weather. All valves will be either bronze ball valves or
lug style butterfly valves with seals compatible with 50/50 glycol/water mixtures at 200F. Air
vents, thermometers, pressure gauges, drain valves, and pressure relief valves will also be
provided.
4.2 ARCTIC PIPING (Recovered Heat Loop)
The proposed arctic piping is based on Rovanco’s Rhinoflex preinsulated pipe design with a
4-in PEX-A carrier pipe, 1-in polyurethane foam insulation, and HDPE outer jacket. The
piping will be buried approximately 2 ft deep and run from the AVEC plant within existing
rights-of-way to the end-user buildings.
Because multiple users are connected to the system, a variable speed pump located at the
new power plant will circulate heating fluid to each user from the AVEC facility. When users
are not actively consuming recovered heat, their systems will throttle down heating fluid flow
to minimize power consumption. Electric charges for the circulation pump will be shared
based on use of recovered heat.
The recovered heat fluid will be a 50/50 Propylene Glycol/Water solution to provide freeze
protection to the piping.
4.3 END-USER BUILDING TIE-INS
End-user building tie-ins typically consist of brazed plate heat exchangers with motorized
bypass valves to prevent back feeding heat to AVEC or other users. Plate heat exchangers
located in the end-user mechanical rooms will be tied into the boiler return piping to preheat
the boiler water prior to entering the boiler. Where required, a heat injection pump will be used
to avoid introducing excessive pressure drop in the building heating system. The maximum
anticipated delivered recovered heat supply temperature is about 190F. When there is
insufficient recovered heat to meet the building heating load, the building heating system
(boiler or heater) will fire and add heat. Off the shelf controls will lock out the recovered heat
system when there is insufficient recovered heat available.
Typical indoor piping will be type L copper tube with solder joints. Isolation valves will be
solder end bronze ball valves or flanged butterfly valves. All piping will be insulated with a
minimum of 1-in insulation with an all-service jacket. Flexibility will be provided where
required for thermal expansion and differential movement. Air vents, thermometers, pressure
gauges, drain valves, and pressure relief valves will also be provided.
Each facility will also receive a BTU meter to provide recovered heat use totalization and
instantaneous use.
4.4 PRIORITIZATION OF RECOVERED HEAT
Recovered heat prioritization is accomplished by setting the minimum recovered heat
temperature for each user, with successive load shedding as the recovered heat loop
temperature falls. The user with the highest allowable recovered heat temperature will be
removed from the system first. The user with the lowest allowable recovered heat
temperature will be removed from the system last.
The system will also provide freeze protection in the event a user’s boiler system temperature
falls below a minimum temperature, typically 50-100 degrees F.
4.5 RIGHTS-OF-WAY ISSUES
There are no apparent conflicts with rights-of-ways for the arctic piping between the power
plant and the end-user buildings, as the route is entirely within existing road rights-of-ways
and on city, school and AVEC property.
A Heat Sales/Right-of-Entry Agreement will be required between AVEC and the end users to
define the parties’ responsibilities, detail the cost of recovered heat, and authorize the
connection to the power plant heat recovery equipment.
4.1 POTENTIAL RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
The location of heating pumps and organization of the piping system is dependent on
community, school and AVEC negotiating maintenance and rate structures. The cost
estimate included in this feasibility study assumes that there will be two independent heating
loops, one for the school and one for the community buildings. This is a conservative
approach since a single district heating system would be preferred. If a single heating
system can be agreed upon, the benefit would be substantially better than reflected by the
costs and fuel savings used in this feasibility study.
The AVEC power plant may incorporate wind power but a final determination has not been
made.
Incorporation of wind turbines to reduce generator power consumption would most likely
reduce the amount of recovered heat available, though if marine jacketed engines are used,
there is still likely to be sufficient recovered heat available to provide a benefit for the facilities
proposed in this study.
5.0 PRELIMINARY EQUIPMENT SELECTIONS
The following initial equipment selections are sized and selected based on preliminary data
and will require minor modifications to reflect final design.
5.1 Heat Exchangers
Based on initial selected flow rates, brazed plate heat exchangers appear to be adequate for
all locations. Initial heat exchanger selections are as follows.
HX-1: (Power Plant). 1800 MBH capacity
Primary: 200 GPM 195F EWT (50% ethylene glycol), 2.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 200 GPM 190F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 2.0 PSI max WPD
HX-2: (Old WTP). 150 MBH capacity.
Primary: 17 GPM 185F EWT (50% propylene glycol), 1.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 17 GPM 180F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 1.5 PSI max WPD
HX-3: (New WTP). 150 MBH capacity.
Primary: 17 GPM 185F EWT (50% propylene glycol), 1.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 17 GPM 180F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 1.5 PSI max WPD
HX-4: (Washeteria). 500 MBH capacity.
Primary: 55 GPM 185F EWT (50% propylene glycol), 1.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 55 GPM 180F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 1.5 PSI max WPD
HX-5: (Clinic). 100 MBH capacity.
Primary: 11 GPM 185F EWT (50% propylene glycol), 1.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 11 GPM 180F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 1.5 PSI max WPD
HX-6: (Head Start Building). 100 MBH capacity.
Primary: 11 GPM 185F EWT (50% propylene glycol), 1.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 11 GPM 180F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 1.5 PSI max WPD
HX-7: (Stebbins School). 850 MBH capacity.
Primary: 95 GPM 185F EWT (50% propylene glycol), 1.0 PSI max WPD
Secondary: 95 GPM 180F LWT (50% propylene glycol) 1.5 PSI max WPD
5.2 Arctic Piping
The round trip length of heat recovery loop piping between the power plant and most distant
facility is approximately 1,100 ft. The arctic piping utilizes 4-in carrier pipe to minimize
pressure drop and reduce pumping energy. The pipe itself consists of a 4-in PEX-A carrier
pipe with 1-in polyurethane foam insulation and an HDPE outer jacket. The specified product
is durable enough for direct bury. The piping and excavated soil will be will be wrapped in
geotextile fabric to hold the pipe in the ground in the event of flooding (a big concern in
Stebbins).
5.3 Circulating Pumps
P-HR1A & 1B: Heat recovery loop to end-user buildings
Flow = 200 GPM, Head = 45 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos TPE series with integrated VFD and differential pressure
controller. Approximately 3 HP
P-HR2: Heat injection loop in Old WTP
Flow = 17 GPM, Head = 15 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos UPS 26-99.
P-HR3: Heat injection loop in New WTP
Flow = 17 GPM, Head = 15 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos UPS 26-99
P-HR4: Heat injection loop in Washeteria
Flow = 55 GPM, Head = 15 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos Magna.
P-HR5: Heat injection loop in Clinic
Flow = 11 GPM, Head = 15 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos UPS 26-99
P-HR6: Heat injection loop in Head Start Building
Flow = 11 GPM, Head = 15 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos UPS 26-99
P-HR7: Heat injection loop in School Building
Flow = 95 GPM, Head = 15 ft
Initial Selection: Grundfos Magna series
5.4 Expansion Tanks
Total heat recovery loop volume is approximately 1000 gallons. Pressure relief at the power
plant heat exchanger will be 45 PSIG and the maximum normal operating pressure will be 40
PSIG.
ET-1, ET-2, ET-3: System requirements: 200 gallon tank and 100 gallon acceptance
Select: three Extrol AX-144V, 77 gallon tank and 34 gallon acceptance
5.5 GLYCOL MAKEUP
A glycol make-up system at the new power house will be provided to accommodate filling the
system and adding additional glycol.
GT-1: Select AXIOM SF100 55 Gal Glycol make-up tank.
5.6 CONTROLS
Heat recovery system in each building will use an off the shelf differential temperature
controller to actuate a 3-way valve and start/stop heat injection pump (if used). Control will
provide load shedding, freeze protection, and prevent backfeeding of boiler heat into heat
recovery system. In addition, A BTU meter will be provided at each facility using recovered,
displaying instantaneous temperatures and heat transfer, as well as totalizing BTUs used.
Differential Controllers: 6 required Tekmar Model 155 differential temperature control
Control Valves:
CV-1, CV-2: Old & New WTP-: 1-1/2” 3-way motorized control valve with 24v Actuator
CV-3: Washeteria 2-1/2” 3 way motorized control valve with 24v Actuator.
CV-4, CV-5: Clinic & Head Start-: 1-1/4” 3-way motorized control valve with 24v Actuator
CV-6: School Building: 3” 3 way motorized control valve with 24v Actuator
BTU Meters:
BTU-1,2 Old & New WTP,: KEP BTU meter with 1-1/2” magnetic flow meter and matching
temperature elements.
BTU-3 Washeteria: KEP BTU meter with 2-1/2” magnetic flow meter and matching
temperature elements.
BTU-4,5 Clinic & Head Start: KEP BTU meter with 1-1/4” magnetic flow meter and matching
temperature elements.
BTU-6 School: KEP BTU meter with 3” magnetic flow meter and matching temperature
elements.
6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Estimated construction costs were determined based on prior recent heat recovery project
experience, and include materials, equipment, freight, labor, design, construction
management, and startup and testing. All work at the power plant and WTP, along with
design and construction management/administration for the complete project, is included in
the Base Project cost. Incremental costs for arctic pipe, end-user building renovations, and
overhead and freight are estimated individually for each of the other end-user buildings (refer
to attached cost estimate).
The estimated project cost is $1,243,000. Estimated fuel savings are:
56,900 gallons ($237,700) for a simple payback of 5.2 years.
Payback is based on a 2011 fuel price of $4.21/gallon. Funding for design and construction
isn’t expected before fall 2013, with construction occurring summer of 2014.
With 2 years of escalation at 3%, the estimated project cost in 2014 is $1,319,000.
6008001000120014001600MBTU/HRStebbins Recovered Heat Utilization W/ Intertie0200400January February March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecMONTHWasheteria Commercial Load (MBH)Washeteria Seasonal Heating Demand (MBH)Head Start Heating Demand (MBH)Clinic Heating Demand (MBH)New WTP Heating Demand (MBH)Old WTP Heating Demand (MBH)School load (MBH)Available Recovered Heat
50006000700080009000LStebbins Recovered Heat Utilization W/ IntertieGal avoided fuel useGal fuel use01000200030004000January February March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecGALMONTH
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ANTHC DEHEDivision of Environmental Health & EngineeringAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 200oject Name:Stebbins Heat Recovery ProjectANCHORAGE, AK 99503ct Number:TBD(907) 729-3609Engineer:WLFChecked:________FAX (907) 729-3729vision Date:e-mail: william.fraser@anthc.orgPrint:File: C:\Documents and Settings\william.fraser\Application Data\OpenText\DM\Temp\[DEHE-#199326-v1-Stebbins_Heat_Recovery_Feasibility_Calcs.XLSX]Sheet1Find:Feasibility of Heat Recovery from Stebbins Generator Facility to existing WTP, new WTP, Clinic, Washeteria, and Head Start residenceGiven:Monthly KWH produced by existing Stebbins generator plant in 2011Washeteria reported Fuel consumption 7,400 Gal / YearSchool reported fuel consumptioin46,500 Gal / YearHeating Degree days for StebbinsAssumptions:Estimated Peak heat loss for 3 WSTs: 90,000BTU/Hr Estimated peak Heat loss for Clinic80,000BTU/HrEstimated Peak heat loss for Old WTP120,000BTU/HrEstimated peak heat loss for Washeteria80,000BTU/HrEstimated Peak heat loss for New WTP80,000Btu/Hr Estimated peak heat loss for School1,580,000BTU/HrDesign Air Temperature:-40Deg FEstimated peak Washeteria Dryer Airflow1,200CFMDesign Water Temperature40Deg FEstimated Dryer Air Temperature180Deg FWTP Space Temperature60Deg FEstimated peak Washeteria Hot water load110,000BTU/Hr (40 GPH x 4)Public Bldg Space Temperature72Deg FClinic Space Temperature72Deg F3000 BTU to radiators / KW Power Generated (Based on Marine Deisel jackets)Estimated Boiler AFUE:75%(Optimistic)New power Plant will serve Stebbins (St. Micheal in future)Community Estimated Fuel Price:$4.21per galHeat loss per below calculationsAVEC Estimated Fuel Price$4.21per galHeat loads per below calculationsAVEC Heat Sales Agreement:30%Avoided fuel cost at AVEC's PriceRaw water production occuring in summer months only (seasonal water supply)Frozen Soil Conductivity0.12(Between 0.05 & 0.15 BTUH/Ft)Above Ground Heat Recovery System in Arctic PipeCalculations:Existing Water Plant Heat Loss:Generator Module Heat LoadsBuilding design heating loss:120,000 BTU/HHeat loss / degree of OSA temp1,200.0 BTH/H* Deg FNew Water Plant Heat Loss:Building design heating loss:80,000 BTU/HHeat loss / degree of OSA temp800.0 BTH/H* Deg FLiving quarters design heat loss 30000BTU/HrControl module Heat Loss0BTU/HrExisting Washeteria Heat Loss:Storage modules Heat Loss30000BTU/HrBuilding design heating loss:80,000 BTU/HGenerator Modules Heat Loss0BTU/HrHeat loss / degree of OSA temp714.3 BTH/H* Deg FTotal 60000 BTU/HrHeat loss / degree of OSA temp:545 BTU/Hr* deg FExisting Clinic Heat Loss:Building design heating loss:80,000 BTU/HHeat loss / degree of OSA temp714.3 BTH/H* Deg FExisting Head Start Heat Loss:Building design heating loss:80,000 BTU/HExisting School Heat Loss:Heat loss / degree of OSA temp714.3 BTH/H* Deg FBuilding design heating loss:1,580,000 BTU/HHeat loss / degree of OSA temp14,107.1 BTH/H* Deg F09-Sep-129-Sep-12The heating load from storage buildings is approximate. A design load of approximately 50 BTU / SF at design conditions was assumed based on small footprint buildings with poor insulation and high infiltration. Design conditions were based on OSA temp of ‐50F
ANTHC DEHEDivision of Environmental Health & EngineeringAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 200oject Name:Stebbins Heat Recovery ProjectANCHORAGE, AK 99503ct Number:TBD(907) 729-3609Engineer:WLFChecked:________FAX (907) 729-3729vision Date:e-mail: william.fraser@anthc.orgPrint:File: C:\Documents and Settings\william.fraser\Application Data\OpenText\DM\Temp\[DEHE-#199326-v1-Stebbins_Heat_Recovery_Feasibility_Calcs.XLSX]Sheet109-Sep-129-Sep-12Calculations (Continued) Buried Water Main Heat Loss:Parasitic Generator Cooling System LossesDesign Air Temperature‐40Degrees FDesign Air Temperature:‐40Deg FDesign Ground Surface Temperature‐10Degrees FAMOT valve leak Rate (average) May not apply0GPMDesign Circulating Water Loop Temp40Degrees FHot CoolantTemperature180Deg FInsulation:4Inch foam ins.Design Heat Loss:0 BTU/HrCarrier Pipe:6Pipe OD (Inches)Heat loss / Degree of OSA temp:0.0Insulation K value0.0133BTUH / (ft x Deg F)Ground K value0.12BTUH / (ft x Deg F)Above Ground Heat Recovery Pipe Heat Loss:R value =10.140 Ft x hr x Deg F Depth of Bury =2.0feetDesign Heat Recovery loop Temperature180Degrees FBuried Pipe2000FtDesign Air Temperature:‐40Degrees FDesign Heat Loss:10,515 BTU/hrInsulation:4Inch foam ins.Heat Loss / Degree OSA temp131 BTU/hrPipe:4Pipe OD (Inches)Insulation K value0.16BTU x in / (ft^2 x hr x Deg F)R value =13.114 Ft^2 x hr x Deg F Peak Storage Tank Heat Loss (3 storage Tanks): 90,000BTU / HrLength of Above ground Pipe200FtHeat Loss / degree of OSA temp:1125 BTU / HrDesign Heat Loss:10,540 BTU/hrHeat Loss / Foot52.70 BTUH / FtRaw Water Heating Load (June through September Only)Heat Loss / Degree OSA temp47.9 BTUH / Deg FRaw water anticipated flow rate19.3GPMRaw water temperature:35Deg FBuried Heat Recovery Pipe Heat Loss:Treatment Process Temperature40Deg FDesign Air Temperature‐40Degrees FRaw water heating load:48250 BTU /HrDesign Ground Surface Temperature‐10Degrees FInsulation:1.05Inch foam ins.Washeteria Commercial LoadsCarrier Pipe:4Pipe OD (Inches)Washeteria Loads reflect operation for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, with average load atInsulation K value0.017BTUH / (ft x Deg F)80% of design. It's worth noting that loads will approach 100% of design if usersGround K value0.12BTUH / (ft x Deg F)from St. Michael come to Stebbins for cheaper laundry use.Pipe R value =3.951 Ft x hr x Deg F Peak Washer Load (for waste heat capacity estimation:Depth of Bury =2.0feetPeak Dryer load (for waste heat capacity estimation):286,440 BTUHBuried Pipe3000FtService Factor75%Design Heat Loss:138,936 BTU/hrDryer load per Design degree day (with service Factor)1074 BTUH/DegFHeat Loss / Foot46.31 BTU/hrHot water load (with service factor)82500 BTUHHeat Loss / Degree OSA temp632 Average hours per month (for fuel savings estimation:160
ANTHC DEHEDivision of Environmental Health & EngineeringAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 200oject Name:Stebbins Heat Recovery ProjectANCHORAGE, AK 99503ct Number:TBD(907) 729-3609Engineer:WLFChecked:________FAX (907) 729-3729vision Date:e-mail: william.fraser@anthc.orgPrint:File: C:\Documents and Settings\william.fraser\Application Data\OpenText\DM\Temp\[DEHE-#199326-v1-Stebbins_Heat_Recovery_Feasibility_Calcs.XLSX]Sheet109-Sep-129-Sep-12Calculations (Continued)MonthKWH / Month (Stebbins)KWH / Month (St Michael) Days / Month Av KWHtg Degree Days / Month (40F)Htg Degree Days / Month (60F)Htg Degree Days / Month (180F)Heat rejected W/O intertie (MBH)Heat rejected W/ intertie (MBH)Parasitic Cooling System Losses (MBH)Available Heat W/O Intertie (MBH)Available Heat W/ Intertie (MBH)January136550 19245731442 1,243 1,863 5,583 551 1327‐ 551 1,327 February 132756 16788029404 1,148 1,728 5,208 535 1212‐ 535 1,212 March 118303 17055430388 1,077 1,677 5,277 477 1165‐ 477 1,165 April 119721 14774430359 711 1,311 4,911 483 1078‐ 483 1,078 May 107014 13715031328 205 825 4,545 432 985‐ 432 985 June83575 11054930261‐ 513 4,113 337 783‐ 337 783 July97029 11515431285‐ 320 4,040 391 856‐ 391 856 Aug99037 12157231297‐ 373 4,093 399 890‐ 399 890 Sept 109701 1319713032524 624 4,224 442 974‐ 442 974 Oct119668 14258931352 558 1,178 4,898 483 1057‐ 483 1,057 Nov 130086 16767730400 945 1,545 5,145 525 1201‐ 525 1,201 Dec134112 17547731416 1,218 1,838 5,558 541 1248‐ 541 1,248 MonthAVEC Facility Heating load (MBH/Hr)Buried Pipe Loss (MBTUH)Above Ground Pipe Loss (MBTUH)Sum Transmission Losses (MBTUH)New WTP Building Heat Loss (MBH/Hr)Old WTP Building Heat Loss (MBH/Hr)WST Heat Loss (MBH / Hr)Raw Water Heat Add (MBH /Hr)Circ Loop Heat Add (MBTU/H)Sum Heat DemandJanuary33 114 9 155 4872 45 05171 February33 113 9 155 4872 45 05169 March30 111 8 150 4567 40 05157 April24 103 8 135 3552 27 03117 May15 93 7 114 21327 0162 June9 87 7 102 1421‐ 48.25082 July6 82 6 94 812‐ 48.25069 Aug7 83 6 96 1014‐ 48.25072 Sept11 89 7 107 17251 48.25091 Oct21 100 8 128 3046 20 0299 Nov28 108 8 145 4162 35 04143 Dec32 113 9 154 4771 44 05168 Recovered Heat Transmission Losses:AVEC Available Recovered Heat EstimateWTP Heating Demand
ANTHC DEHEDivision of Environmental Health & EngineeringAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 200oject Name:Stebbins Heat Recovery ProjectANCHORAGE, AK 99503ct Number:TBD(907) 729-3609Engineer:WLFChecked:________FAX (907) 729-3729vision Date:e-mail: william.fraser@anthc.orgPrint:File: C:\Documents and Settings\william.fraser\Application Data\OpenText\DM\Temp\[DEHE-#199326-v1-Stebbins_Heat_Recovery_Feasibility_Calcs.XLSX]Sheet109-Sep-129-Sep-12Calculations (Continued)MonthBuilding Heat LossDryer Load (MBH)Washer Load (MBH) Total (MBH)January48 193 82.5324 February48 193 82.5323 March45 189 82.5316 April35 176 82.5293 May21 157 82.5261 June14 147 82.5243 July8 140 82.5231 Aug10 142 82.5234 Sept17 151 82.5250 Oct30 170 82.5283 Nov41 184 82.5308 Dec47 193 82.5323 MonthAvailable Heat W/O Intertie (MBH/ Hr)Available Heat W/ Intertie (MBH/ Hr)Old WTP Heating Demand (MBH)New WTP Heating Demand (MBH)Clinic Heating Demand (MBH)Head Start Heating Demand (MBH)School Heating Demand (MBH)Washeteria Seasonal Heating Demand (MBH)Washeteria Commercial Load (MBH)Total Heat Demand (MBH)Recovered Heat Benefit W/O Intertie (MBH)Recovered Heat Benefit W/ Intertie (MBH)January 395 1,171 92784343 848 48 2761428 395 1171February 381 1,058 92774343 841 48 2751418 381 1058March327 1,015 85724040 789 45 2711342 327 1015April348 943 64533131 616 35 2581089 348 943May317 870 35261919 375 21 240736 317 736June235 680 21621212 241 14 230592 235 592July297 761 125777 1468 222460 297 460Aug303 793 145899 170 10 224493 303 493Sept335 867 25651515 293 17 234664 335 664Oct354 929 55442727 536 30 252972 354 929Nov380 1,056 78653737 727 41 2671251 380 1056Dec387 1,094 91774242 836 47 2751412 387 1094Total:Washeteria Commercial LoadsAvailable Recovered Heat
ANTHC DEHEDivision of Environmental Health & EngineeringAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 200oject Name:Stebbins Heat Recovery ProjectANCHORAGE, AK 99503ct Number:TBD(907) 729-3609Engineer:WLFChecked:________FAX (907) 729-3729vision Date:e-mail: william.fraser@anthc.orgPrint:File: C:\Documents and Settings\william.fraser\Application Data\OpenText\DM\Temp\[DEHE-#199326-v1-Stebbins_Heat_Recovery_Feasibility_Calcs.XLSX]Sheet109-Sep-129-Sep-12Calculations (Continued)MonthOld WTP (Gal)New WTP (Gal) Clinic (Gal)Head Start (Gal) School (Gal)Washeteria (Gal)Total Fuel Demand (gal)Recovered Heat Fuel Savings (Gal)Recovered Heat Fuel Savings (Dollars)Recovered Heat Charges (Dollars)Savings to Community (Dollars)Recovered Heat Fuel Savings (Gal)Recovered Heat Fuel Savings (Dollars)Recovered Heat Charges (Dollars)Savings to Community (Dollars)January684 579318 318 6,276 7958970 7069$29,761 $8,928 $20,8321324$5,574$1,672 $3,902February634 536295 295 5,821 7698349 5856$24,655 $7,397 $17,2591168$4,918 $1,476 $3,443March611 513286 286 5,650 7538098 5757$24,238 $7,271 $16,967830$3,496 $1,049 $2,447April462 378224 224 4,417 6626365 5319$22,395 $6,718 $15,6761051$4,426 $1,328 $3,098May261 194141 141 2,779 5404056 4056$17,076 $5,123 $11,953955$4,021 $1,206 $2,814June147 4448888 1,728 4642958 2958$12,452 $3,736 $8,716400$1,683 $505 $1,178July92 4185555 1,078 4152113 2113$8,894 $2,668 $6,226906$3,816 $1,145 $2,671Aug107 4286464 1,257 4282348 2348$9,883 $2,965 $6,918940$3,958 $1,187 $2,771Sept182 469106 106 2,102 4913457 3457$14,555 $4,367 $10,1891100$4,631 $1,389 $3,242Oct405 325201 201 3,969 6275727 5415$22,796 $6,839 $15,9571158$4,877 $1,463 $3,414Nov557 464264 264 5,205 7207473 6079$25,595 $7,678 $17,9161236$5,202 $1,561 $3,642Dec674 569314 314 6,192 7898851 6502$27,372 $8,212 $19,1611264$5,320 $1,596 $3,7244815 5318 2353 2353 46474 7452 68765 56929 $239,672 $71,902 $167,770 12333 $51,922 $15,577 $36,345Fuel Savings With IntertieFuel Savings Without IntertieEstimated Fuel SavingsEstimated Fuel Demand
Qty Rate130 106 117 115 127 126 85 108 35 35 35 Labor Civil200 8 25.020,000$ Site Visit 1 1,100$ 1,100$ Mechanical500 8 62.550,000$ Site Visit 2 1,100$ 2,200$ Electrical200 8 25.020,000$ Site Visit 1 1,100$ 1,100$ DesignTotal hours 771.7 628.3 196.2 76.5 155.0 608.8 34.0 0.0 #### 195.7 613.3MobilizationEquipment Shipping0.0 1-$ -$ -$ Camp set up1 0.2 5.0 16,500$ -$ -$ Shop Set up1 1 1.0 11,300$ -$ -$ Takeoffs1 1 1.0 11,300$ -$ -$ Training1 1 1.01350$ -$ -$ Materials Receiving and Inventory 2 1 2.0 0.50.2 0.5 0.5 0.24,630$ -$ -$ Set up Materials Storage/Yard 2 1 2.0 0.510.225,380$ -$ -$ Expediting to Const Site 0.0-$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 0.0-$ -$ -$ ## of feet200 200 1.0 11 0.1213,695$ Pipe 200 50$ 10,000$ 2,000$ 12,000.00$ Bridge Crossing0.0-$ Fittings 20 200$ 4,000$ 600$ 4,600.00$ Supports200 200 1.0 10.122,085$ Materials-$ -$ Road Crossings0.0-$ Clamps/ Ins 20 75$ 1,500$ 1,000$ 2,500.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ ## of feet2000 300 6.7 1 0.2 11 122,547$ -$ -$ Bridge Crossing0.0-$ -$ -$ Bedding Material 0.0-$ Gravel-$ -$ Road Crossings6 2.5 2.4 0.5 0.51 14,644$ -$ -$ Geo-textile2000 400 5.02 15,250$ Geotextile 5000 5$ 25,000$ 1,000$ 26,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$ ## of feet2200 400 5.5 11 1 0.1 0.12 0.525,883$ Pipe 2200 38$ 83,600$ 8,000$ 91,600.00$ Bridge Crossing0.0-$ Fittings 100 100$ 10,000$ 1,500$ 11,500.00$ Bedding Material 0.0-$ -$ -$ Road Crossings4 2 2.0 0.3124,520$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ ## of feet1000 400 2.5 1 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.10.57,513$ Pipe 1000 30$ 30,000$ 500$ 30,500.00$ Bridge Crossing0.0-$ Materials 80 75$ 6,000$ 500$ 6,500.00$ Bedding Material 0.0-$ Road Crossings2 2 1.0 0.3122,260$ -$ -$ -$ -$ ## of feet2000 400 5.0 0.10.12 16,325$ Insulation 5000 4$ 20,000$ 2,000$ 22,000.00$ No. Cost Ea Total Cost90,000$ Fixed estimate @ 100 /hr.FreightMaterials+ FreightFixed estimate @ 100 /hr.Production Rate*Note2" Rino-flex (buried)PlumbershippingELEMENTTrench Excavation and BackfillEngineerDesignOperatorAbove Ground Arctic PipeFixed estimate @ 100 /hr.Local PlumberTotalLocalLabor Local OperatorInsulation "Blueboard layer"4" Rino-flex (buried)Crew LeadStebbins Heat Recovery Cost EstimateMechanicItemElectricianStebbins Heat Recovery Cost EstimateMATERIALSLABORDays(60hr. Week)Super
-$ -$ -$ Cooling sys modifications2 0.15 13.3 0.2 0.21127,760$ Pipe & Fittin 1 20,000$ 20,000$ 1,500$ 21,500.00$ HX installation0.01-$ HX2 7,000$ 14,000$ 3,000$ 17,000.00$ Controls2 1 2.00.50.52,330$ Controls 2 10,000$ 20,000$ 200$ 20,200.00$ Make-up / Expansion Tanks2 1 2.0113,220$ Tank4 3,500$ 14,000$ 800$ 14,800.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 0.3 3.30.2512,050$ Insulation 500 5$ 2,500$ 100$ 2,600.00$ Pump4 2,000$ 8,000$ 400$ 8,400.00$ Air Sep 2 3,500$ 7,000$ 300$ 7,300.00$ -$ -$ -$ Heating sys modifications1 0.1 5.0 0.51111,300$ Pipe & Fittin 1 6,500$ 6,500$ 1,000$ 7,500.00$ HX installation1 1 1.01 0.111,695$ HX1 4,000$ 4,000$ 400$ 4,400.00$ Controls1 0.5 2.0113,240$ Controls 1 2,000$ 2,000$ 350$ 2,350.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 1 1.02700$ Pump3 2,000$ 6,000$ 900$ 6,900.00$ -$ Insulation 600 3$ 1,800$ 150$ 1,950.00$ -$ -$ Heating sys modifications1 0.25 4.0 0.511110,440$ Pipe & Fittin 1 8,000$ 8,000$ 1,000$ 9,000.00$ HX installation1 1 1.01 0.111,695$ HX1 4,000$ 4,000$ 400$ 4,400.00$ Controls1 0.5 2.0113,240$ Controls 1 2,000$ 2,000$ 350$ 2,350.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 1 1.01350$ Pump1 1,000$ 1,000$ 150$ 1,150.00$ -$ Insulation 200 3$ 600$ 50$ 650.00$ -$ -$ Heating sys modifications1 0.25 4.0 0.511110,440$ Pipe & Fittin 1 10,000$ 10,000$ 1,000$ 11,000.00$ HX installation1 1 1.01 0.111,695$ HX1 3,000$ 3,000$ 400$ 3,400.00$ Controls1 0.5 2.0113,240$ Controls 1 2,000$ 2,000$ 350$ 2,350.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 1 1.01350$ Pump1 1,000$ 1,000$ 150$ 1,150.00$ -$ Insulation 100 3$ 300$ 50$ 350.00$ -$ -$ Heating sys modifications1 0.25 4.0 0.511110,440$ Pipe & Fittin 1 10,000$ 10,000$ 1,000$ 11,000.00$ HX installation1 1 1.01 0.111,695$ HX1 3,000$ 3,000$ 400$ 3,400.00$ Controls1 0.5 2.0113,240$ Controls 1 2,000$ 2,000$ 350$ 2,350.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 1 1.01350$ Pump1 1,000$ 1,000$ 150$ 1,150.00$ -$ Insulation 100 3$ 300$ 50$ 350.00$ -$ -$ Heating sys modifications1 0.2 5.0 0.511113,050$ Pipe & Fittin 1 15,000$ 15,000$ 2,000$ 17,000.00$ HX installation1 1 1.01 0.111,695$ HX1 6,000$ 6,000$ 400$ 6,400.00$ Controls1 0.5 2.0113,240$ Controls 1 2,000$ 2,000$ 350$ 2,350.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 0.5 2.01700$ Pump1 1,500$ 1,500$ 150$ 1,650.00$ -$ Insulation 200 5$ 1,000$ 100$ 1,100.00$ -$ -$ Heating sys modifications1 0.1 10.0 0.511126,100$ Pipe & Fittin 1 20,000$ 20,000$ 2,000$ 22,000.00$ HX installation1 1 1.01 0.111,695$ HX1 6,000$ 6,000$ 400$ 6,400.00$ Controls1 0.5 2.0113,240$ Controls 1 2,000$ 2,000$ 350$ 2,350.00$ Insulation Upgrades1 0.5 2.01700$ Pump3 2,000$ 6,000$ 900$ 6,900.00$ -$ Insulation 500 5$ 2,500$ 150$ 2,650.00$ -$ -$ Connection and install6 2 3.0 0.20.5 0.5 0.1116,930$ BTU Meter 6 3,500$ 21,000$ 500$ 21,500.00$ Programming and interface6 2 3.0 0.1 13,570$ Flow meter 7 1,700$ 11,900$ 500$ 12,400.00$ AVEC Link 6 3,000$ 18,000$ 300$ 18,300.00$ -$ -$ Surveying / SHIPO1 0.1 10.0110,600$ -$ -$ Glycol1 1 1.00.2170$ Glycol 30 1,100$ 33,000$ 33,000.00$ Old WTP ConnectionHead Start ConnectionSchool Building ConnectionWasheteria Building ConnectionWTP ConnectionSupport ActivitiesClinic ConnectionBTU Meter installPower Plant connections
Equipment Maintenance5 2 2.50.41,150$ -$ -$ Fuel and Lubricants5 10 0.50.51 1638$ Fuel 1500 6$ 9,000$ 9,000.00$ Fusing Machine5 8 0.61219$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Literature and References6 0.25 24.0125,440$ Publishing 4 500$ 2,000$ 100$ 2,100.00$ Training1 0.25 4.0 1 1212,240$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Preliminary Clean Up1 0.2 5.0 0.20.2526,375$ -$ -$ Final Inspection Punch List1 0.3 3.3 1 3217,267$ -$ -$ Final Clean Up1 0.2 5.0 1210,000$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Pack Up and Crate1 0.1 10.0 1220,000$ 1 1 5,000$ 5,000$ 5,000.00$ Shipping1 0.5 2.0 124,000$ -$ 10,000$ 10,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Financial Close out/ Auditing1 0.5 2.012,120$ -$ -$ As builting1 0.25 4.0 1 10.2510,700$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 385,489$ 506,000$ M+F total 556,250.00$ 479,889$ 941,739$ 1,036,139$ 1,243,367$ 2 years escalation @ 3% / year 75,721$ Total 1,319,088$ $239,672.005.19 yrsEstimated annual savings (W/ Intertie)Simple PaybackAssumptions: - Construction team is mobilized and on site for adjacent project. - Trenching with associated project was not included, but availability of equipment, mechanics and operators was for purposes of mobilization and staging.- Civil site visit as part of adjacent project.Superintendant will split time with adjacent work.- Power plant is mostly configure and equiped.- System control can be accomplished w/o a panel.- Crew leader functions will be accomplished by Superentendant, or in lieu of Super.- De-mobilization not required due to adjacent project.With DesignDe-MobeJob Clean Up/ Final InspectionFinal*NoteStartup and Operator Training.All + 20% contingencyLabor + Materials + FreightTotal MatLabor + Mat + Frgt + DesignTotal Labor
Appendix D
September 16, 2011 Memo
September 19, 2011 Trip Report
3335 Arctic Boulevard Suite 100 • Anchorage Alaska 99503 • Phone: 907.564.2120 • Fax: 907.564.2122
202 W. Elmwood Avenue Suite 1 • Palmer Alaska 99645 • Phone: 907.746.5230 • Fax: 907.746.5231
CIVIL
ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES
PLANNING
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 16, 2011 File No: 11‐013
TO: Matt Metcalf, Project Manager
Alaska Village Electrical Cooperative
FROM: Mark Swenson, P.E., Project Engineer
Hattenburg Dilley & Linnell Engineering Consultants
RE: Preliminary Research for Wind Turbine Siting in Stebbins
At the request of the Alaska Village Electrical Cooperative (AVEC), Hattenburg Dilley &
Linnell (HDL) Engineering Consultants performed preliminary research for two possible sites
for wind turbine construction in Stebbins, Alaska. HDL and AVEC selected two wind tower
locations for the feasibility study to analyze for potential environmental effects, land use,
accessibility to the site, constructability of the site, and available wind resources. See Figure
1 for the wind tower locations. These sites will be evaluated by HDL and V3 Energy during
our upcoming site visit to Stebbins. Also, during our site visit we will meet with community
members to get local feedback about the proposed locations and hear suggestions about
any alternative wind tower sites. Feasible sites suggested by the village will also be
investigated.
Background Information
Relocation of the existing AVEC's power plant and construction of a new AVEC bulk fuel
storage facility is currently ongoing in Stebbins. These Upgrades are necessary to move the
power plant off State‐owned lands, elevate the facility above the flood plain, and increase
tankage to provide adequate capacity for a future 10‐mile intertie to the neighboring
community of St. Michaels. As part of the intertie project, a new primary power plant is
planned in Stebbins with switch gear and controls configured to accommodate future wind
turbine power generators. A future wind turbine project is planned in Stebbins to reduce
the community's dependence on imported diesel fuel and provide an alternate source of
renewable energy.
According to the AEA Alaska high resolution wind resource map, the Stebbins region has a
class 3 wind regime. A meteorological (met) tower was installed on St. Michael's Native
Corporation (SMNC) land between Stebbins and St. Michaels in 2010. The met tower is
currently collecting wind data that suggests the existing wind regime is this location is
suitable for wind power generation. However, the met tower is located close to SMNC's
gravel source and the Corporation is unwilling to release the land for wind farm
development. Therefore, two alternate wind tower sites have been selected for research of
accessibility, constructability, land use, and environmental permitting and concerns.
RE: Preliminary Research for Wind Turbine Siting in Stebbins
September 16, 2011
Page 2 of 4
Wind Tower Site 1
The following sub‐sections discuss the site location, available access, environmental
documentation necessary for the site and the land use for the wind tower site 1.
Location and Description
Tower site 1 is located approximately 1.2‐miles north of the Stebbins Airport area (Latitude
63˚ 32’ 01” N, Longitude 162˚ 16’ 40” W) as shown in Figure 1. The site is located
approximately 150‐feet above sea level, on a plateau adjacent to the Norton Sound. The
terrain surrounding the tower site is relatively flat with grades that are approximately 0‐6%.
Access and Constructability
Tower site 1 is currently located adjacent to the road that travels from Stebbins to St.
Michaels. If tower site 1 is developed, an estimated 200‐foot long access road would have
to be developed from the existing roadway to the site. The access road would be
approximately 16‐feet wide. Currently there are three potential gravel sources located on
St. Michaels Island as shown on Figure 1. The grade of the proposed road would range
between 0 and 6 percent.
Land Use
Tower site 1 is located on a lot owned by the Stebbins Native Corporation. AVEC will
request permission from the Stebbins Native Corporation to visit and evaluate the wind
tower site on St. Michaels Island. Upon receipt of an approved Statement of Non‐Objection
AVEC, HDL and V3 Energy will complete a site visit and evaluation the site.
Permitting and Environmental Concerns
The following lists the environment documentation is required to construct a wind tower on
site 1:
Submit a letter to SHPO requesting a decision on archaeological resources in the
project area.
Submit a Jurisdictional Determination with the Corps of Engineers (COE) regarding
wetlands at the project site. Due to the upland location it is unlikely that the site is a
wetland area.
File form 7460‐1 to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at least 45 days before
construction or when construction permits are filed, whichever is earliest.
Submit a consultation letter to the US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) outlining
the project with a request for a biological opinion.
RE: Preliminary Research for Wind Turbine Siting in Stebbins
September 16, 2011
Page 3 of 4
Wind Tower Site 2
The following sub‐sections discuss the site location, available access, environmental
documentation necessary for the site and the land use for the wind tower site 2.
Location and Description
Tower site 2 is located approximately 2.1‐miles southeast of the Stebbins Airport (Latitude 63˚ 30’
25” N, Longitude 162˚ 12’ 57” W) as shown in Figure 1. The site is located approximately 80‐feet
above sea level, adjacent to the Clear Lakes. The terrain surrounding the tower site is
relatively flat with grades that are approximately 0 to 6 percent.
Access and Constructability
Tower site 2 is currently located adjacent to a roadway access to the Clear Lakes. If tower
site 2 is developed, an estimated 100‐foot long access road would have to be developed
from the existing roadway to the tower site. The access road would be approximately 16‐
feet wide. Currently there are three potential gravel sources located on St. Michaels Island
as shown on Figure 1. The grade of the proposed road would range between 0 and 6
percent.
Land Use
Tower site 2 is located on a lot owned by the St. Michaels Native Corporation. AVEC will
request permission from the St. Michaels Native Corporation to visit and evaluate the wind
tower site on St. Michaels Island. Upon receipt of an approved Statement of Non‐Objection
AVEC, HDL and V3 Energy will complete a site visit and evaluation the site.
Permitting and Environmental Concerns
The following lists the environment documentation required to construct a wind tower on
site 2:
Submit a letter to SHPO requesting a decision on archaeological resources in the
project area.
Submit a Jurisdictional Determination with the Corps of Engineers (COE) regarding
wetlands at the project site. Due to the upland location it is unlikely that the site is a
wetland area.
File form 7460‐1 to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at least 45 days before
construction or when construction permits are filed, whichever is earliest.
Submit a formal Section 7 consultation letter to the USFWS. Due to the location of
wind tower site 2 being near wetlands, mitigation and avoidance measures for
impacts to threatened and endangered species and migratory birds will likely be
required.
RE: Preliminary Research for Wind Turbine Siting in Stebbins
September 16, 2011
Page 4 of 4
Summary and Recommendations
AVEC, HDL and V3 Energy will travel to Stebbins to evaluate the two wind tower sites. HDL will have
a geotechnical engineer to determine potential conflicts with the in‐situ soil at the tower sites, and a
civil engineer to determine potential access to the sites. V3 Energy will have an aerospace engineer
specializing in wind resources to assess the available wind resources. Once the tower location is
selected a met tower will be constructed to collect data and determine if a wind tower is feasible for
the location.
Attachments: Figure 1 ‐ Wind Tower Site 1 & 2 Locations
H:\jobs\11‐013 Stebbins Wind Feasibility Study (AVEC)\Memo\Stebbins Wind Study Memo_9‐12‐2011.doc
3335 Arctic Boulevard Suite 100 • Anchorage Alaska 99503 • Phone: 907.564.2120 • Fax: 907.564.2122
202 W. Elmwood Avenue Suite 1 • Palmer Alaska 99645 • Phone: 907.746.5230 • Fax: 907.746.5231
CIVIL
ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES
PLANNING
SURVEYING
CONSTRUCTION
ADMINISTRATION
MATERIAL
TESTING
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 22, 2011
TO: Matt Metcalf, AVEC Project Manager
FROM: Mark Swenson, P.E.
RE: September 19, 2011 Stebbins Wind Site Investigation Report
On Monday September 19, 2011, Mark Swenson (HDL), John Thornley (HDL), Matt Metcalf
(AVEC), and Doug Vaught (V3 Energy) flew to Stebbins to investigate two proposed
preliminary wind tower sites.
We departed Anchorage via Security Aviation charter at 8:00 AM and arrived in Stebbins at
approximately 9:40 AM. Also on the charter were Janie Dusel (HDL), Dana Keene (AVEC)
and Mark Teitzel (AVEC), who were traveling to Stebbins to inspect the progress of the
AVEC and Community bulk fuel facilities that are currently being constructed by STG, Inc.
Kirk with STG met us at the airport with a truck and a 6-wheeler. We drove to STG’s camp
and then walked to the AVEC bulk fuel farm to inspect the construction. Matt, Doug, John
and I left the AVEC site at approximately 10:00 AM and drove to the existing met tower site
located on an elevated cinder cone rock formation between Stebbins and St. Michaels. See
attached Site Map for met tower location. Doug inspected the met tower while John, Matt,
and I inspected the top of the cinder cone. We sampled and inspected the exposed rock
and viewed the surrounding terrain. Doug informed us that the met tower baseline settings
were different than he initially anticipated and the wind data would have to be adjusted to
reflect the field conditions. The cinder cone is not a viable wind tower site because it is a
gravel source owned and operated by the St. Michaels Village Corporation. The
Corporation has stated that it will not relinquish a viable and profitable material source for
wind farm development.
From the cinder cone, we identified two alternative wind tower sites with flat or gently
sloping terrain and good north/south exposure. The sites are identified below and shown on
the attached site map:
St. Michaels Site 1: Lat: N 63°30'09.56" Long: W 162°11'23.81” Elev:±130'
St. Michaels Site 2: Lat: N 63°30'46.54" Long: W 162°10'56.31" Elev:±175'
St. Michaels Site 1 is located on a bluff to the south of the road, approximately 0.70 miles
southeast of the met tower. We parked along the road and walked the site. The terrain was
dry and ground cover consisted of tundra with the occasional low alder bush. Subsurface
conditions at the site are anticipated to include shallow to significant soil deposits with warm
permafrost. It should be anticipated that any rock encountered will be frost fractured to
depths of 8 to 10 feet below the surface and may be weathered and friable to depth. The
most likely foundation types for wind turbines at this location are a mass gravity mat
foundation or deep foundation consisting of driven piles or helical piers. This site lies within
the Part 77 airspace of St. Michaels’ Runway 02/20 and further coordination with the FAA is
RE: September 19, 2011 Stebbins Trip Report
September 22, 2011
Page 2 of 2
required prior to erection of a met tower or wind turbines in this location. See attached
preliminary FAA Notice Criteria worksheets.
St. Michaels Site 2 is located approximately 0.4 miles east of the existing met tower. The
site is located on a ridge line extending from the cinder cone that appears to be an old
basalt flow. We viewed the site from the top of the cinder cone but did not walk the terrain.
It is likely that shallow organics and soils overlie basalt and other volcanics in this location.
It should be anticipated that the underlying rock is frost fractured to depths of 8 to 10 feet
below the surface and may be weathered and friable to depth. Possible foundation types for
wind towers at this site include mass gravity mat foundations and rock anchors if the
volcanics are encountered at shallow depths. Construction would also include clearing
dense patches of alders and constructing a 0.5 mile road from the cinder cone access road
to the proposed site. This site lies within the Part 77 airspace of St. Michaels’ Runway 02/20
and further coordination with the FAA is required prior to erection of a met tower or wind
turbines in this location. See attached preliminary FAA Notice Criteria worksheets.
We traveled from St. Michaels Site 2 to Stebbins Site 1 at approximately 12:00 PM. The
Stebbins site is located on a plateau near the city landfill. The location is identified below
and shown on the attached site map:
Stebbins Site 1: Lat: N 63°31'56.58" Long: W 162°16'50.64” Elev:±155'
We walked the terrain and inspected the site. The site is located adjacent to the existing
road to St. Michaels and gravel is readily available nearby. The ground cover was
composed of tundra and no ponding or excess moisture was observed. The site subsurface
is likely composed of organics and shallow soils overlying basalt and other volcanics. Frost
fractured rock is anticipated to depths of 8 to 10 feet below the surface and may be
weathered and friable to depth. Possible wind tower foundation types include mass gravity
mat foundations and rock anchors if the volcanics are encountered at shallow depths.
Doug identified this site as the preferred location for a met tower, and AVEC agreed. An
existing rebar stake is located in the tundra at the preferred met tower location. Icing and
wind resources will be measured at the met tower to determine the suitability of the site for
wind generation. AVEC plans to have STG install the met tower at the site this fall.
The Stebbins site lies within the Part 77 airspace of Stebbins’ Runway 05/23 and further
coordination with the FAA is required prior to erection of a met tower or wind turbines. FAA
coordination is likely to include petitioning the Stebbins Airport Manager to change the traffic
pattern to “right traffic” for Runway 05. See attached preliminary FAA notice criteria work
sheets.
We departed Stebbins at approximately 1:00 PM. On the way back to Anchorage we
stopped in Shaktoolik to inspect two recently erected wind turbines. We also circled Elim
and Koyuk to get a preliminary view of the landscape for future wind tower siting work in
those communities. The plane refueled in Unalakleet and we arrived back in Anchorage at
approximately 5:00 PM.
H:\jobs\11-013 Stebbins Wind Feasibility Study (AVEC)\Correspondence\September 19, 2011
Stebbins Trip Report.docx
Appendix E
Capital Cost Estimate
Concept Level EstimateStebbins Wind Farm ConstructionAlternative Cost Summary 7/26/13SUMMARYDescription Estimated Construction Installed kW Estimated Construction Tower TypeCostCost/ Installed kWAlternative 1 - (4) Northern Power 100 Arctic's on Ridge Site $ 4,030,650.00 400 $ 10,076.63 Monopole Alternative 2 - (5) V17's on Ridge Site $ 3,788,750.00 450 $ 8,419.44 Monopole Alternative 3 - (2) AW33-225's on Ridge Site $ 3,946,050.00 450 $ 8,769.00 Monopole
Concept Level Estimate
Stebbins Wind Farm Construction
Alternative 1
6/26/13
Item Estimated
Quantity Unit Price ($) Subtotal ($)
Alternative 1 ‐ (4) Northern Power 100 Arctic's on Ridge Site
1 6,000 CY Borrow 25 150,000
2 610 CY Surfacing Course 75 45,750
3 49,500 SF Geotextile 2 99,000
4 350 CY Topsoil 25 8,750
5 3,500 SY Seed 5 17,500
64 Each Concrete Gravity Mat Foundations 104,000 416,000
74 Each Northern Power 100 Arctic Wind Turbines 375,000 1,500,000
8 1,350 LF Electrical Spur Line to Intertie 37 49,950
91 Sum Wireless Communication System 75,000 75,000
10 1 Sum Wind Turbine Power Integration 100,000 100,000
11 1 Sum Labor 175,000 175,000
12 1 Sum Equipment 150,000 150,000
13 1 Sum Freight 518,000 518,000
14 1 Sum Indirects 200,000 200,000
Subtotal Construction 3,504,950$
Land Acquisition $0
Project Contingency @ 15% 525,700$
0 Years Inflation @ 2% $0
Total 4,030,650$
Installed Generation Capacity 400 kW
Total Cost 4,030,650$
Cost/Installed kW $10,077
Description
Concept Level Estimate
Stebbins Wind Farm Construction
Alternative 2
6/26/13
Item Estimated
Quantity Unit Price ($) Subtotal ($)
Alternative 2 ‐ (5) V17's on Ridge Site
1 7,600 CY Borrow 25 190,000
2 770 CY Surfacing Course 75 57,750
3 62,300 SF Geotextile 2 124,600
4 440 CY Topsoil 25 11,000
5 4,400 SY Seed 5 22,000
65 Each Concrete Gravity Mat Foundations 81,000 405,000
75 Each Vestas V17 Wind Turbines 200,000 1,000,000
8 1,600 LF Electrical Spur Line to New Intertie 37 59,200
91 Sum Wireless Communication System 75,000 75,000
10 1 Sum Wind Turbine Power Integration 350,000 350,000
11 1 Sum Labor 225,000 225,000
12 1 Sum Equipment 150,000 150,000
13 1 Sum Freight 410,000 410,000
14 1 Sum Indirects 215,000 215,000
Subtotal Construction 3,294,550$
Land Acquisition $0
Project Contingency @ 15% 494,200$
0 Years Inflation @ 2% $0
Total 3,788,750$
Installed Generation Capacity 450 kW
Total Cost 3,788,750$
Cost/Installed kW $8,419
Description
Concept Level Estimate
Stebbins Wind Farm Construction
Alternative 3
7/25/13
Item Estimated
Quantity Unit Price ($) Subtotal ($)
Alternative 3 ‐ (2) AW33‐225's on Ridge Site
1 2,600 CY Borrow 25 65,000
2 260 CY Surfacing Course 75 19,500
3 21,000 SF Geotextile 2 42,000
4 110 CY Topsoil 25 2,750
5 1,500 SY Seed 5 7,500
62 Each Concrete Gravity Mat and Rock Anchor Tower Foundations 275,000 550,000
72 Each Aeronautica AW33‐225 Wind Turbines 600,000 1,200,000
8 800 LF Electrical Spur Line to New Intertie 37 29,600
91 Sum Wireless Communication System 75,000 75,000
10 1 Sum Wind Turbine Power Integration 300,000 300,000
11 1 Sum Labor 225,000 225,000
12 1 Sum Equipment 150,000 150,000
13 1 Sum Freight 550,000 550,000
14 1 Sum Indirects 215,000 215,000
Subtotal Construction 3,431,350$
Land Acquisition $0
Project Contingency @ 15% 514,700$
0 Years Inflation @ 2% $0
Total 3,946,050$
Installed Generation Capacity 450 kW
Total Cost 3,946,050$
Cost/Installed kW $8,769
Description
Appendix F
CRC Memo
CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSULTANTS LLC
3504 East 67th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99507 (907) 349-3445
August 28, 2012
Known Archaeological and Historical Sites in the Stebbins Area
The information below is summarized from the Alaska Historic Resources Survey (AHRS).
There are no known sites within either the Bluff or Ridge site areas of interest for the Stebbins
Wind Power Feasibility Study, although there is one site—Atrivik (SMI-017)—just south of the
Bluff Site. Atrivik, a large former Yup’ik village, was occupied about 200 to 500 years ago. On
the bluff to the east of Atrivik is a cemetery (SMI-053) that may be the first Russian Orthodox
cemetery associated with Stebbins.
There is another known site, Teq’errlak (SMI-019), on the coast between the Bluff and Ridge
site areas. Determined eligible for listing on the National Register in 2007, Teq’errlak consists
of an extensive midden, numerous house and cache pits, and at least 24 burials. East of the Ridge
Site, on the northern coast of St. Michael Island, is Cingikegglirmiullret (SMI-020). There is no
information in the AHRS about this site.
In the general area and north of Stebbins village are Armory Stebbins (SMI-098) and the modern
Stebbins cemetery (SMI-090). Stebbins Village (SMI-012) was first mentioned in 1898 by the
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Its Eskimo name is reported to be “Atroik.” In 1950, there were
about 80 people living in the village whose main livelihood was hunting, fishing, and reindeer
herding. Within the village are the Assembly of God Church (SMI-101), Old Johnson’s House
(SMI-084), two BIA Territorial Schools (SMI-108 and SMI-109), and several historic houses
(SMI-099, SMI-100, SMI-102, SMI-103, SMI-104, SMI-105, SMI-106, SMI-107, and SMI-
110).
About 200 meters (m) east of Stebbins is SMI-050—a series of 500-year old house depressions
located near the northern and northwestern ends of Stebbins Lake. Located near the
western/southwestern corner of Stebbins Lake are four small, shallow, circular depressions
(SMI-051) that date to approximately 1,750 years ago and fall within the Norton Phase of the
Arctic Small Took tradition. On the eastern side of the lake are 13 features (SMI-052) that are
roughly 2,500 years old and range in size from 40 feet in diameter to cache pit size. Along the
beach at the south/southeastern end of the lake are several shallow features (SMI-085), some of
which might be associated with road construction. Three, large, rectangular house features
(SMI-086) are on a beach ridge south of the lake. One has a distinctive long entry tunnel.
Located on the same beach ridge as SMI-051 and at the southwestern corner of the lake are three
very shallow features (SMI-087) of indeterminate age.
CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSULTANTS LLC
3504 East 67th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99507 (907) 349-3445
About 0.5 mile south of Stebbins is Pengurmiullret (SMI-018), the initial settlement of migrants
from the south (from Nelson Island and other areas) who came around the first decade of the 20th
century and whose descendants comprise the majority of the contemporary population of
Stebbins.
Previous Survey in the Immediate Project Area
In 2009, Northern Land Use Research (NLUR) archaeologist Andy Higgs conducted an
archaeological survey of potential material sources in the Stebbins/St. Michael area, including
two north of Stebbins in the immediate vicinity of the two wind tower site alternatives (Higgs
2009). One, the Stebbins Rock quarry, is just east of the Bluff Site, adjacent to the Stebbins
landfill. This quarry had also been surveyed in 2005 by NLUR archaeologist Carol Gelvin-
Reymiller (et al. 2005). Higgs examined the active quarry and a 15-acre expansion area to the
south in 2009 and concluded “No known cultural resources exist here and there is no indication
that expansion of the quarry would impact unknown historic resources” (Higgs 2009:7).
Higgs also surveyed the Stephens Hill Quarry, located approximately 0.7 mile east of the Ridge
Site. He noted:
Native place name research for Stephens Hill identifies the general area as
“Cingikeggliq” translated as "point or tip" referring more to the coastal areas
north of the prominent hilltop. In 1988, [Gary] Navarre indicates he examined
Stephens Hill as a potential resource for the Stebbins-St. Michael (BIA) road but
he found no cultural resources. Navarre recommended it for clearance and SHPO
concurred (Higgs 2009:7).
Higgs looked at this 0.2 mile long quarry area along the southern margin of the St. Michael-
Stebbins Road that is used by the City of Stebbins as their main gravel source. He found no
cultural resources and concluded “there is no indication that expansion of the quarry would
impact unknown historic resources” (Higgs 2009:7-8).
Assessment
There are no known cultural resources within the Bluff or Ridge site areas of interest for the
Stebbins Wind Power Feasibility Study, although Atrivik (SMI-017) is just south of the Bluff
area and Teq’errlak (SMI-019) is on the coast between the two areas. However, based on
NLUR’s surveys of material sources in the vicinity, it would seem that there is a relatively low
probability of undiscovered sites within the actual project areas. With the understanding that this
undertaking would still need to be reviewed by archaeologists at the State Office of History and
Archaeology, and the proviso that any previously undiscovered cultural remains should be
immediately reported to the State Historic Preservation Officer, Cultural Resource Consultants
LLC does not recommend a field survey for the Stebbins Wind Power Feasibility Study.
CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSULTANTS LLC
3504 East 67th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99507 (907) 349-3445
References Cited
Gelvin-Reymiller, Carol, Sarah McGowan, and Ben A. Potter
2005 Cultural Resource Survey for Proposed Airport Improvements at Stebbins, Alaska.
Report Prepared for DOWL Engineers, Anchorage. Northern Land Use Research, Inc.,
Fairbanks.
Higgs, Andy
2009 St. Michael and Stebbins Material Source Cultural Resource Survey, St. Michael Island,
Alaska. Report prepared for Bristol Environmental & Engineering Services Corporation,
Anchorage. Northern Land Use Research, Inc., Fairbanks.