HomeMy WebLinkAboutPort Heiden Rural Power Systems Upgrade - Conceptual Design Report - Feb 2006CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
REPORT
RURAL POWER SYSTEM
UPGRADES PROJECT
PORT HEIDEN, ALASKA
Prepared for:
State of Alaska
Alaska Energy Authority /
Rural Energy Group
Prepared By:
CRW Engineering Group
3940 Arctic Boulevard, Suite 300
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
(907) 562-3252
February 13, 2006
FINAL
Port Heiden Power System Upgrades Project CRW Engineering Group, LLC.
Conceptual Design Report- FINAL 11 February 2006
5.2.6 Alternative Energy Sources
Diesel generators are typically considered the simplest and most reliable method of
power production in rural communities. However, rising fuel costs and mounting
regulatory concern over fuel spills and power plant emissions warrant a close evaluation
of potential alternative energy sources. With proper planning, design and management,
today’s alternative energy technologies could reduce the region’s dependence upon
fossil fuels in the future. Brief discussions of some fuel-saving technologies are proved
below.
5.2.6.1 Wind Turbine Power Generation
Wind Resource
The AEA conducted wind resource monitoring in Port Heiden in 2004/2005 and found
low turbulence winds suitable for development. The average wind power density was
found to be 490 W/m2 at a height of 30 meters which translates to a Wind Power Class
of 5-6 on a scale of 1-7. A copy of the full wind resource report is presented in
Appendix D - a copy of the report can also be reviewed at
http://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwind.html. AEA input this resource data into
a wind analysis program and developed power production estimates for various wind
and wind/diesel hybrid systems. Power production estimates for five production model
wind turbines are presented in Table 4.
Table 4 – Wind Turbine Power Production Estimates
Turbine
Rated
Energy
Output (kW)
Annual Energy
Production Per
Turbine
(kWh)
Gross Capacity
Factor
Annual Fuel Displaced
(at Diesel Efficiency of
14 kWh/gal)
Bergey
10 kW 10 23,300 27% 1660
Entegrity
E15 15 171,800 30% 12273
Northwind
100 100 276,100 32% 19718
Furlander
100 100 337,800 39% 24125
Vestas
V27 250 718,800 36% 51342
The added capital cost of purchasing wind turbines, coupled with Port Heiden’s
relatively low energy demand, reduces the long term economic viability of multiple wind
turbine / diesel hybrid systems in the community. Further, based upon the limited
selection of production model wind turbines less than a megawatt in size, the majority of
single turbine wind / diesel configurations do not displace enough diesel fuel or reduce
diesel engine run times sufficiently to compete with diesel-only or multiple turbine hybrid
Port Heiden Power System Upgrades Project CRW Engineering Group, LLC.
Conceptual Design Report- FINAL 12 February 2006
systems. Based upon AEA’s computer model analysis (Appendix D) a high penetration
wind / diesel hybrid system including a single, remanufactured, 250 kW wind turbine
(Vestas V-27 or equal) has the best potential for long term economic viability in the
community. The initial construction estimate for the wind portion of a single turbine
design, if built in conjunction with the diesel power plant, is approximately $650,000.
Modeled with medium to high future fuel costs, the initial investment for a single turbine
would be recovered in approximately 15 years. Multiple wind turbine scenarios
generally provide better power quality and allow for wind power production to continue
when one turbine is down for maintenance or repairs. Integrating multiple wind turbines
into the Port Heiden generation system would cost from $1 to $1.5 million.
These cost estimates are based upon limited computer modeling and field
investigations. A detailed geotechnical investigation is necessary to prepare foundation
designs and better quantify the costs prior to construction.
Port Heiden has a good wind resource. However, due to limited funding and the
additional capital costs associated with adding wind are prohibitive at this time. If the
City is able to secure additional funding for the wind system then AEA could more easily
support design and construction activities. The $650,000 to $1,500,000 needed for a
wind-diesel system could come from federal or state grant agencies or regional entities
interested in community sustainability and economic development.
5.2.6.2 Heat Recovery
Heat recovery technology, sometimes referred to as co-generation, provides a means of
reclaiming energy lost to heat during the burning of fossil fuels. Co-generation systems
in rural Alaska typically consist of a heat exchanger connected to the liquid cooling
system of power plant diesel generators. The exchanger draws heat from the engine
cooling system to supplement heat-reliant processes in the power plant and adjacent
buildings. Common implementations include pre-heating hydronic system return water
to reduce boiler firing frequency, and heating raw well water to make treatment easier.
No heat is recovered from the generators at the existing power plant. As currently
envisioned, the new diesel plant will incorporate a co-generation system to supplement
the heating systems in the school and city shop, and provide beneficial heat to the
future fish processing plant.
5.2.6.3 Geothermal
Although the potential for geothermal power production may exist in the region, no
studies have been conducted to evaluate the feasibility of harnessing geothermal
energy to date, and the City has no plans of pursuing such an investigation in the future.
APPENDIX D
WIND DATA REPORT AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
APPENDIX E
CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE
APPENDIX F
CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATES