HomeMy WebLinkAboutPoint Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study - Dec 2011 - REF Grant 7030012DRAFT
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid
Feasibility Study
December 22, 2011
Douglas Vaught, P.E.
V3 Energy, LLC
Eagle River, Alaska
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This report was prepared by V3 Energy, LLC under contract to WHPacific for a North Slope Borough
project to assess the technical and economic feasibility of installing wind turbines in a wind-diesel hybrid
power system design for the villages of Point Hope, Point Lay, and Wainwright, Alaska. This report
addresses Point Hope.
Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 1
1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Scope of Work............................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Village of Point Hope..................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Climate.......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Geology......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.5 Permitting ..................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Wind Resource Assessment.................................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Met tower data synopsis .............................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Data Recovery............................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Wind Speed................................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Wind Rose..................................................................................................................................... 7
2.5 Turbulence Intensity..................................................................................................................... 8
2.6 Extreme Winds.............................................................................................................................. 8
3 Wind Project Sites................................................................................................................................. 9
3.1 Site A............................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 Site B...........................................................................................................................................10
3.3 Other Site Options ......................................................................................................................12
4 Wind-Diesel System Design and Equipment.......................................................................................13
4.1 Wind-diesel Integration Controls................................................................................................14
4.2 Energy Storage Options ...............................................................................................................14
4.2.1 Batteries..............................................................................................................................14
4.2.2 PowerStore Flywheel..........................................................................................................15
5 Wind Turbines and HOMER Modeling....................................................................................................16
5.1 Diesel Power Plant......................................................................................................................16
5.2 Wind Turbines.............................................................................................................................17
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5.2.1 Northern Power Systems Northwind 100...........................................................................17
5.2.2 Aeronautica AW29-225.......................................................................................................18
5.2.3 Wind Turbine Performance Comparison............................................................................19
5.3 Modeling.....................................................................................................................................19
5.3.1 Electric Load........................................................................................................................19
5.3.2 Thermal Load ......................................................................................................................20
5.4 Diesel Generators........................................................................................................................20
6 Economic Analysis...............................................................................................................................22
6.1 Wind Turbine Costs.....................................................................................................................22
6.2 Fuel Cost......................................................................................................................................22
6.3 HOMER Modeling Assumptions..................................................................................................23
6.4 Wind Power Scenario Cost Assumptions....................................................................................24
6.5 Site A Project Economics.............................................................................................................25
6.5.1 Medium Fuel Price Projection, 82% Turbine Availability....................................................25
6.5.2 High Fuel Price Projection, 82% Turbine Availability..........................................................26
6.5.3 Low Fuel Price Projection, 82% Turbine Availability...........................................................27
6.5.4 Medium Fuel Price Projection, 100% Turbine Availability..................................................28
6.6 Site B Project Economics.............................................................................................................29
6.6.1 Medium Fuel Price Projection, 82% Turbine Availability....................................................29
6.6.2 High Fuel Price Projection, 82% Turbine Availability..........................................................30
6.6.3 Low Fuel Price Projection, 82% Turbine Availability...........................................................31
6.6.4 Medium Fuel Price Projection, 100% Turbine Availability..................................................32
7 Conclusion and Recommendations.....................................................................................................33
Appendix A: Determination of No Hazard, Site A......................................................................................34
Appendix B: Notice of Presumed Hazard, Site B........................................................................................35
Appendix C: Northwind 100 Wind Turbine................................................................................................36
Appendix D: Aeronautica AW29-225 Wind Turbine..................................................................................37
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Executive Summary
The measured high Class 5 to Class 6 wind resource in Point Hope, based on a wind classification system
with a range of 1 (poor) to 7 (superb) in terms of wind energy potential, is outstanding with an average
annual wind velocity of 7.12 m/s (15.9 mph) at 30 meters elevation. Additionally, the test location
experiences low turbulence and relatively low probability of extreme wind events, making Point Hope a
superior candidate for a wind energy project.
Two potential wind turbine sites were investigated for this study: Site A, located approximately 2-1/2
miles due east of the village; and site B, located near the airport immediately west of an old fuel tank
farm. Given the similarity of terrain between the sites, each was considered to have equivalent wind
resource potential. Site B has an FAA-imposed height restriction which would require shorter turbine
tower heights, whereas Site A has no height restrictions. Site B requires minimal construction of an
access road and is very close to existing three-phase power distribution. Site A is adjacent to good road
access but requires construction of 2-1/2 miles of new power distribution line for connection to the
power grid. A power line to serve site A could have other potential uses however.
With an outstanding wind resource and considering NSB’s goal to offset as much as possible the usage
of expensive fossil fuel to generate electricity, medium or high penetration wind-diesel power
configurations are the most suitable choice for Point Hope. There have been significant challenges to
date though with implementing high penetration wind-diesel systems in rural Alaska due to complexity,
high capital cost and operational problems. With an understanding that NSB must provide very high
power system reliability, only the medium penetration configuration was modeled in this study as it
represents a robust middle ground between insufficient fuel savings of the low penetration approach
and the expense and considerable complexity of high penetration wind. A medium penetration
approach would employ wind turbine capacity capable to approximately match peak load on windy
days. In Point Hope, this would offset 20 to 50 percent of annual diesel energy production. To maintain
reliability, “spinning reserve” (an on-line diesel generator operating between 10% and 100% rated
output) would be maintained at all times to supplement the electrical load in anticipation of fluctuating
wind conditions. During higher winds and lower electrical load, surplus wind-generated electricity
would be shunted to an electric boiler to supplement thermal heat loads.
Based on the average and peak electrical loads in Point Hope, only new wind turbines between 100 and
350 kW rated power were considered in this study. Market availability for turbines in this size range is
very limited worldwide and more limited yet in the United States, so only the fully arctic-rated 100 kW
Northern Power Systems Northwind 100 and the 225 kW Aeronautica AW29-225, both manufactured in
the United States, were identified as turbines suitable for use in Point Hope. The 330 kW German
Enercon E33 would be a very good alternate choice, but this turbine is not available in the American
market. The NW100 and the AW29-225 both have a history of successful use in utility power systems
and have established support in Alaska.
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HOMER software was used to predict the performance of wind turbines if added to the existing Point
Hope diesel power system with reference to load profile and operating costs reported to Alaska Energy
Authority for the power cost equalization (PCE) program. Based on these simulations, economic
analyses was performed to determine benefit/cost (B/C) ratios based on initial capital cost of wind
turbines and related distribution and control system upgrades, O&M cost of the diesel plant and wind
turbines, fuel cost and related avoided fuel usage. The economic analyses were tabulated using
medium, high, and low fuel cost projections (as predicted by UAA’s Institute for Social and Economic
Research) for Sites A and B with a number of different turbine configurations at each site. Even with
conservative estimates of capital costs and O&M expenses over the life of the project, the medium and
high fuel cost projections yield positive benefit-to-cost ratios for either turbine at both sites. Only the
low cost projection fails to predict positive project benefit-to-cost ratios.
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1 Introduction
The North Slope Borough (NSB) contracted with WHPacific to prepare wind power feasibility studies for
the villages of Wainwright, Point Lay, and Point Hope. WHPacific contracted with V3 Energy, LLC to
assist with the project. This report documents the feasibility study of Point Hope; the Point Lay and
Wainwright studies are contained under separate cover.
Although NSB is home to vast fields of recoverable oil and natural gas, the huge size of the borough and
the relative geographic concentration of these fossil fuel resources means that a number of NSB villages,
including the coastal village of Point Hope, cannot tap these resources in any practical manner and
instead must rely on the importation of diesel fuel for electricity generation and thermal heating. NSB
desires to reduce Point Hope’s dependency on diesel fuel by developing renewable energy sources to
augment the diesel generator and fuel oil boilers. Previous studies have determined that wind power
has the most potential of the borough’s renewable energy resources to be economically viable and
hence this study focuses only on the wind resource and wind turbines to exploit that resource.
1.1 Scope of Work
This study, which was paid for with Alaska Energy Authority funds made available through the Alaska
Renewable Energy Fund Program and with matching funds from the North Slope Borough, investigates
and evaluates wind turbine power options in Point Hope, Point Lay, and Wainwright. The scope of work
of this study includes:
Select two wind turbine locations per village
Perform geotechnical investigation at each site
Identify land and/or regulatory issues for each site
Conduct wind technology workshop with NSB
Prepare conceptual design and feasibility reports
An environmental study, which is essential in determining site feasibility, will be conducted under a
separate contract and is not included in this report.
1.2 Village of Point Hope
Point Hope (Tikeraq) peninsula is one of the oldest continuously occupied Inupiat Eskimo areas in
Alaska. Several settlements have existed on the
peninsula over the past 2,500 years, including Old and
New Tigara, Ipiutak, Jabbertown, and present Point
Hope. The peninsula offers good access to marine
mammals and ice conditions allow easy boat
launchings into open leads early in the spring whaling
season. The people were traditionally aggressive and
exercised dominance over an extensive area, from the
Utukok to Kivalina Rivers and far inland. By 1848
commercial whaling activities brought an influx of
Westerners, many of whom employed Point Hope
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villagers. By the late 1880s, the whalers established shore-based whaling stations such as Jabbertown.
These disappeared in the early 1900’s with the demise of whaling. The Point Hope city government was
incorporated in 1966. In the early 1970s, the village moved to a new site just east of the old village
because of erosion and periodic storm-surge flooding. Most of the housing was moved on runners to the
new site. New houses were constructed by the borough and individuals.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Point Hope. Point Hope
residents (Tikeraqmuit Inupiat Eskimos) are dependent upon marine subsistence. This highly favorable
site, with its abundant resources, has enabled the Tikeraqmuit to retain strong cultural traditions after
more than a century of outside influences. The sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned
in the village.
According to Census 2010 there are 221 housing units in Point Hope and 186 of them are occupied. The
Point Hope population of 674 people is approximately 89 percent Alaska Native, five percent Caucasian,
four percent multi-racial, and two percent Hispanic, black or other.
The North Slope Borough provides all utilities in Point Hope. Water is derived from a lake six miles to the
east and is treated and stored in a tank. A number of homes have water tanks with delivery, which
provides running water for kitchens; others haul water. Electricity is provided by North Slope Borough.
There is one school located in the community which has 222 students. Emergency Services have coastal
and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service volunteers and a health aide
based at the Point Hope Clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by the Point Hope Volunteer Fire Dept.
Most full-time positions in Point Hope are with the city and borough governments. Residents
manufacture whalebone masks, baleen baskets, ivory carvings, and Eskimo clothing. Seals, bowhead
whales, beluga whales, caribou, polar bears, birds, fish, and berries are utilized.
The 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS) estimated that 304 Point Hoperesidents are
employed. The public sector employs 64.5% of all workers. The local unemployment rate is 23.6%. The
percentage of workers not in labor force is 32.4%. The ACS surveys established that average median
household income (in 2009 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $73,438 (MOE +/-$8,581). The per capita
income (in 2009 inflation-adjusted dollars) is $18,825 (MOE +/-$2,549). About eight percent of all
residents had incomes below the poverty level.
Note that information regarding Point Hope is drawn from the Alaska Community Database Community
Information Summaries (CIS) which can be found at http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm.
Regarding the American Community Survey information, MOE refers to margin of error.
1.3 Climate
Point Hope is located near the tip of Point Hope peninsula in the Chukchi Sea, a large gravel spit that
forms the western-most extension of the northwest Alaska. The climate is arctic with temperatures
ranging from -49° F in winter to 78 °F in summer. Precipitation is light, averaging only ten inches of
water equivalent annually, including 36 inches of snowfall. The Chukchi Sea at Point Hope is ice-free
from late June until mid-September.
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1.4 Geology
Geotechnical study was accomplished at Sites A and B by Golder and Associates of Anchorage. Their
report of findings may be found under separate cover.
1.5 Permitting
The permits that are typically required to erect wind turbines and construct supporting access roads and
power distribution lines are:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) obstruction notification
State of Alaska land use, if constructing on State land
Local land use, if constructing on Borough land
Alaska Fish and Game fish habitat, if access road crosses stream(s)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wetlands, if constructing on identified wetlands; may
require concurrence with:
o National Historic Preservation Act
o Endangered Species Act, if endangered species potentially impacted
o Consideration of essential fish habitat, if access road crosses stream(s)
o Migratory Bird Act, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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2 Wind Resource Assessment
The wind resource measured in Point Hope is superior, with measured high wind power class 6
(outstanding). In addition to high annual mean wind speed and wind power density, Point Hope
experiences highly directional prevailing winds, low turbulence and calculations indicate low extreme
wind speed probability.
A 34 meter met tower, erected to 30 meters, was installed in June 2009 at the northeast corner of Point
Hope between the village water storage tank and a large snow fence to the north. This site was chosen
as it is near the power plant and other existing electrical power infrastructure and did not present
obstruction problems for airport operations. The met tower was removed in July 2010.
2.1 Met tower data synopsis
Data dates June 16, 2009 to July 15, 2010 (13 months)
Wind power class 6 (outstanding)
Power density mean, 30 m 515 W/m
2
Wind speed mean, 30 m 7.12 m/s
Max. 10-min wind speed average 27.9 m/s
Maximum wind gust 32.2 m/s (Dec. 2009)
Weibull distribution parameters k = 1.82, c = 7.92 m/s
Wind shear power law exponent 0.110 (low)
Roughness class 0.27 (rough sea)
IEC 61400-1, 3rd ed. classification Class III-c (lowest defined and most common)
Turbulence intensity, mean 0.073 (at 15 m/s)
Calm wind frequency 20% (<3.5 m/s)
2.2 Data Recovery
Met tower data recovery in Point Hope was outstanding, with nearly 100 percent functionality of the
anemometers, wind vane and temperature sensor. This is remarkable anywhere in Alaska, but even
more so on the Chukchi Sea coast of the North Slope with its intensely cold winter temperatures.
2.3 Wind Speed
Wind data collected from the met tower, from the perspective of both mean wind speed and mean
power density, indicates an outstanding wind resource. The minor discrepancy in mean wind speed
between the 30 m A and the 30 m B anemometer is due to the placement of the of the 30 m A
anemometer at 178° T. With frequent northerly winds, the 30m A anemometer experienced some
minor tower shadowing effects. The cold arctic temperatures of Point Hope contributed to the high
wind power density, a key consideration of wind turbine performance.
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Wind speed profile
2.4 Wind Rose
Wind frequency rose data indicates highly directional winds from the north and southeast. Power
density rose data (representing the power in the wind) indicates power winds are strongly directional,
from 345°T to 025°T and to a lesser extent from 130°T. Calm frequency (percent of time that winds at
the 30 meter level are less than 3.5 m/s) was 20 percent during the met tower test period.
Wind frequency rose Wind energy rose
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2.5 Turbulence Intensity
Turbulence intensity at the Point Hope test site is well within acceptable standards with an IEC 61400-1,
3rd edition (2005) classification of turbulence category C, which is the lowest defined. Mean turbulence
intensity at 15 m/s is 0.073.
Turbulence graph
2.6 Extreme Winds
Although thirteen months of data is minimal for calculation of extreme wind probability, use of a
modified Gumbel distribution analysis, based on monthly maximum winds vice annual maximum winds,
yields reasonably good results. Extreme wind analysis indicates a highly desirable situation in Point
Hope: moderately high mean wind speeds combined with low extreme wind speed probabilities. This
may be explained by particular climactic aspects of Point Hope which include prominent coastal
exposure, offshore wind conditions, and due to the extreme northerly latitude, lack of exposure to Gulf
of Alaska storm winds.
Industry standard reference of extreme wind is the 50 year, 10-minute average probable wind speed,
referred to as Vref. For Point Hope, this calculates to 32.1 m/s, below the threshold of International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-1, 3rd edition criteria (of 37.5 m/s) for a Class III site. Note that
Class III extreme wind classification is the lowest defined and all wind turbines are designed for this wind
regime.
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3 Wind Project Sites
NSB requested that two wind turbine sites be identified in Point Hope. On July 7 and 8, 2011, Ross
Klooster of WHPacific, Doug Vaught of V3 Energy, LLC, and Max Ahgeak of NSB Public Works Dept.
traveled to Pint Hope and met with Village of Point Hope and Tikigaq Corporation representatives to
discuss the wind power project and to identify the two sites. This was accomplished by reviewing maps
and ownership records and then driving and walking to a number of locations near the village to assess
suitability for construction and operation of wind turbines.
Identifying suitable wind turbine sites in Point Hope was somewhat difficult because of complicated land
ownership with many native allotments near the village, airport interference considerations, and
cultural and traditional land use considerations that are incompatable with wind turbine construction
and operation. Two sites on Tikigaq Corporation land were eventually chosen, identified as Site A and
Site B in the Google Earth image below.
Point Hope site options, Google Earth image
3.1 Site A
Site A, at 4 km (2.5 miles) is further from the village than ideal considering the cost of construction of
new power distribution, but it is the nearest distance available as intervening land on the spit is
completely defined by traditional use areas and Native allotments. The Site A parcel is land owned by
Tikigaq Corporation, is large enough to accommodate several wind turbines and appears to be
permafrost-free. A key advantage of Site A is that turbine height is essentially unrestricted from an FAA
airport operations perspective (refer to Appendix A)
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Point Hope Site A
3.2 Site B
Site B is much closer to Point Hope and very near existing 3-phase power distribution lines, but its
proximity to the airport presents height restrictions. As with Site A, The Site B parcel is land owned by
Tikigaq Corporation, is large enough to accommodate several wind turbines and is permafrost-free.
FAA’s notice of presumed hazard for Site B (refer to Appendix B) limits turbine construction to 158 ft.
above ground level. With respect to the turbines options considered in this report (refer to Section 5.2),
only the Aeronautica AW 29-225 on a 30 meter tower has a sufficiently low elevation tip height to meet
FAA’s height restrictions for this site. A possible alternative is the Northern Power Northwind 100B/21
on a 30 meter tower instead of the normal 37 meter tower (refer to Section 5.2). This possibility must
be discussed with Northern Power Systems, however, as a 30 meter tower option may not be available
for the B model NW100 as it had once been for their A model Northwind 100.
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Point Hope Site B
Point Hope wind turbine site options table
Wind Turbine Site Advantages Disadvantages
A Tikigaq Corp. land 4.0 km (2.5 miles) of new
distribution line required
Site large enough to
accommodate several wind
turbines and should have
sufficient room for future
expansion
Future expansion beyond
Tikigaq property boundaries
likely be possible due to Native
Allotments to the east and west
Dry site; likely good geotech
conditions for turbine foundations
Short new access road; minimal
cost
FAA Determination of No Hazard
to Air Navigation for turbines up
to 195 ft AGL (possibly higher)
B Tikigaq Corp. land Close to the airport; FAA
determination of Notice of
Presumed Hazard (NPH) for
turbines exceeding 158 ft AGL
Very short (~1000 ft)new
distribution line required to
connnect to existing three phase
powerline to the airport
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Short new access road; minimal
cost
Site large enough to
accommodate several wind
turbines and should have
sufficient room for future
expansion
Dry site; likely good geotech
conditions for turbine foundations
3.3 Other Site Options
Other than locating turbines at the met tower site, which was rejected by Village of Point Hope and
Tikigaq Corporation representatives during the site visit in July as too close to the village, Sites A and B,
represent the only realistic wind turbine site options for Point Hope. Terrain further east of Site A might
be possible, but one would have to go a considerable distance to avoid Native Allotments for no benefit
and considerable financial penalty with a longer distance distribution line. Terrain between Site B and
the village is another possibility, but it is mostly Native Allotment(s) and hence difficult to obtain
construction approval. In addition, locating turbines closer to the village, whether to the east or west,
increases the possibility of aesthetic and noise objections.
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4 Wind-Diesel System Design and Equipment
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, as summarized below. 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 PenetrationLevel 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. Requirescontrol 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.
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-
manageddevices.
Choosing the ideal wind penetration for Point Hope depends on a number of factors, including load
profile of the community, wind resource, construction cost and challenges, fuel price and also technical
capability and experience of the utility with wind power and energy storage systems. There is no one
“right” answer and the most optimal wind-diesel system for Point Hope may not be the one that
displaces the most fuel, nor even one that has the highest estimated benefit-to-cost ratio. It is
presumed for the purposes of this feasibility study that North Slope Borough’s interest will be with a
medium penetration option as that provides significant enough fuel savings to justify the high
construction costs of a wind turbine project yet avoids the significant design complexity and operational
challenges of high penetration.
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4.1 Wind-diesel Integration Controls
Medium to 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. A wind-
diesel system master controller, typically referred to as a supervisory control and data acquisition
(SCADA) system, is installed to select theoptimum system component configuration based on village
load demand and available wind power. Regardless of the supplier, a SCADA system is capable of
controlling individual components and allowing those components to communicate status to the
system. A typical SCADA will consist of the following:
Station Controller: schedules and dispatches diesel generators, wind turbines and other
components units, performs remote control functions, and stores collected component and
system data
Generation Controller: monitors and controls individual diesel generators
Wind Turbine Controller: monitors and controls individual wind turbine and dispatches wind
turbines
Feeder Monitor: monitors vital statistics of an individual distribution feeder, including
ground fault information
Demand Controller: monitors, controls, and schedules demand-managed devices
4.2 Energy Storage Options
Although high penetration wind power is not proposed in this feasibility study, as reference for future
development, electrical energy storage provides a means of storing wind generated power during
periods of high winds and releasing that power to the electrical distribution system as winds subside.
4.2.1 Batteries
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 between five and fifteen minutes. Storage for several hours or days is also possible with
batteries, but requires more capacity and higher cost. In general, the disadvantages of batteries for
energy storage, even for a small utility system, are high capital and maintenance costs and limited
lifetime. Of particular concern to rural Alaska communities is that batteries are heavy and expensive to
transport to the site, and many contain toxic material that requires disposal as hazardous waste at the
end of a battery’s useful life.
Because batteries operate on direct current (DC), a converter is required when connected to an
alternating current (AC) system. A typical battery storage system includes a bank of batteries and a
power conversion device. Recent advances in power electronics have made solid state converter
(inverter/rectifier) systems cost effective and hence the preferred power conversion device.
Despite some drawbacks, electric power storage with batteries is a proven technology, but it has seen
limited use in rural Alaska wind-diesel projects to date. Wales is equipped with a high penetration wind
system with battery storage that is functional, but its operational history has been very disappointing
and given the design age, it is not considered a reproducible system. Kokhanok has a recently-installed
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high-penetration wind-diesel system with lead-acid type battery storage, designed and constructed by
Marsh Creek LLC of Anchorage, although it is not yet operational. Of interest is a 250 kW flow battery
that Kotzebue Electric Association plans to install in 2012 in Kotzebue to support their planned
installation of two 900 kW EWT wind turbines.
4.2.2 PowerStore Flywheel
Built by Powercorp Pty of Darwin, Australia, the PowerStore is a very fast-acting energy source and sink
system based on a modern flywheel and bi-directional converter. During normal operation, energy is
supplied to the PowerStore as a steady 12 kW load to maintain rotational energy. When necessary to
control power system frequency, energy is delivered to or drawn from the flywheel. The PowerStore
can absorb or deliver 300 or 1000 kW (depending on the inverter) of power in 5 milliseconds. The
PowerStore has been used in rural wind-diesel and mining applications in a number of locations
worldwide, including Antarctica and remote regions of Australia.
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5 Wind Turbines and HOMER Modeling
Considering NSB’s goal of displacing as much diesel fuel for electrical generation as possible and yet
recognizing the present limitations of high penetration wind power in Alaska and NSB’s desire to
operate a highly stable and reliable electrical utility in Point Hope, only the medium penetration wind-
diesel configuration scenario was modeled with HOMER software. Note that low penetration wind was
not modeled as this would involve use of smaller farm-scale turbines that are not designed for severe
cold climates, and low penetration would not meet NSB’s goal of significantly displacing fuel usage in
Point Hope.
As previously noted, a medium penetration wind-diesel configuration is a compromise between the
simplicity of a low penetration wind power and the significant complexity and sophistication of the high
penetration wind. With medium penetration, instantaneous wind input is sufficiently high (at 100 plus
percent of the village electrical load) to require a secondary or diversion load to absorb excess wind
power, or alternatively, to require curtailment of wind turbine output during periods of high wind/low
electric loads. For Point Hope, appropriate wind turbines for medium wind penetration are generally in
the 100 to 300 kW range with more numbers of turbines required for lower output machines compared
to larger output models.
There are a number of comparative medium penetration village wind-diesel power systems presently in
operation in Alaska. These include the AVEC villages of Toksook Bay, Chevak, Savoonga, Kasigluk,
Hooper Bay, among others. All are characterized by wind turbines directly connected to the AC
distribution system. AC bus frequency control during periods of high wind penetration, when diesel
governor control would be insufficient, is managed by the sub-cycle, high resolution, and fast-switching
capability of the secondary load controller (SLC). Ideally, the SLC is connected to an electric boiler
serving a thermal load as this will enhance overall system efficiency by augmenting the operation of the
fuel oil boiler(s) serving the thermal load.
5.1 Diesel Power Plant
Electric power (comprised of the diesel power plant and the electric power distribution system) in Point
Hope is provided by North Slope Borough Public Works Department, the utility for all communities on the
North Slope, with the exception of Deadhorse and Barrow. The existing power plant in Point Hope
consists of two older Caterpillar 3406B diesel generators rated at 320 kW output and three Caterpillar
3512 diesel generators, two rated at 665 kW and one rated at 950 kW output.
Point Hope powerplant diesel generators and bays
Generator/Bay Electrical Capacity Diesel Engine Model Status
1 320 kW Caterpillar 3406B Standby unit
2 320 kW Caterpillar 3406B Standby unit
3 open open open
4 open open open
5 open open open
6 665 kW Caterpillar 3512 Prime unit
7 665 kW Caterpillar 3512 Prime unit
8 950 kW Caterpillar 3512 Prime unit
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 17
Generator sets in the Point Hope power plant are controlled by Woodward 2301A load sharing and
speed control governors with protection and alarms initiated by discreet protective relays for each unit.
A user-programmable PLC controller with SCADA interface automatically parallels and dispatches the
diesel generators, based on system load and operator-programmable preferences, via a unit-based auto
synchronizer
5.2 Wind Turbines
For this study, the wind turbines considered are restricted to rated outputs of 100 to 350 kW as this size
range well matches Point Hope’s electric load. This eliminates the battery-charging turbines and small
grid-connect home and farm-scale turbines that are insufficient for village power needs and the very
large utility-scale turbines that would overwhelm the Point Hope power system. Unfortunately though,
the world wind turbine market offers very few turbines in this mid or village-scale size range. Of new
turbines, two American-made options are the 100 kW Northwind 100 and the 225 kW Aeronautica 29-
225. The 330 kW German-made Enercon E33 would be an excellent option, but it remains unavailable
to the U.S. market due to a past patent dispute between Enercon and General Electric. Remanufactured
wind turbines are a possible option for NSB to consider, with the 225 kW Danish-made Vestas V27
available through Halus Power Systems of San Leandro, California.
Whether new or remanufactured, the primary criteria for wind turbines suitable for Point Hope are:
Alternating current (AC) generator; synchronous or asynchronous are acceptable
Cold-climate capable (rated to -40° C) with appropriate use of materials, lubricants and heaters
IEC Class II rated
A “known” turbine with an existing track record of installed operation
Suitable for marine environments
Established North American support capability, preferably with an Alaska presence
5.2.1 Northern Power Systems Northwind 100
The Northwind 100 (the NW100B/21 model) wind turbine is manufactured by Northern Power Systems
in Barre, Vermont. The NW100 turbine is stall-regulated, has a direct-drive permanent magnet
synchronous generator, active yaw control, a 21 meter diameter rotor, is rated at 100 kW power output,
and is available only on a 37 meter tubular steel tower. The NW100B/21 is fully arctic-climate certified
to -40° C and is the most represented village-scale wind turbine in Alaska at present with a significant
number of installations in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and on St. Lawrence Island. More information
can be found at: http://www.northernpower.com/and in Appendix C of this report.
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 18
NW100 wind turbine NW100B/21 power curve
5.2.2 Aeronautica AW29-225
The Aeronautica AW29-225 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 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 AW29-225 turbine is stall-regulated, has a synchronous
(induction) generator, active yaw control, a 29 meter diameter rotor, is rated at 225 kW power output,
and is available with 30, 40, or 50 meter tubular steel towers. The AW29-225 is fully arctic-climate
certified to -40° C and is new to the Alaska market with no in-state installations at present. More
information can be found at http://aeronauticawind.com/aw/index.html and in Appendix D of this
report.
Aeronautica AW29-225 AW29-225 power curve
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5.2.3 Wind Turbine Performance Comparison
In the table below is an analysis of turbine output and capacity factor performance of the turbines
profiled above, with comparisons of manufacturer rated output power at 100%, 90% and 80% turbine
availability (percent of time that the turbine is on-line and available for energy production). Both the
NW100B/21 and the AW29-225 perform very well in the Point Hope wind regime with excellent capacity
factors and annual energy production.
Turbine capacity factor comparison
100% availability 90% availability 80% availability
Turbine
Model
Rated
Output
(kW)
Hub
Height
(m)
Tip
Height
(m)*
Tip
Height
(ft.)*
Annual
Energy
(MWh)
Capacity
Factor
(%)
Annual
Energy
(MWh)
Capacity
Factor
(%)
Annual
Energy
(MWh)
Capacity
Factor
(%)
NW100B/21 100 37 47.5 156 313.9 34.8 282.5 31.3 251.1 27.8
AW29-225 225 30 44.5 146 628.3 31.9 565.5 28.7 502.6 25.5
225 40 54.5 179 662.9 33.6 596.6 30.2 530.3 26.9
*Note: assumes base of turbine tower at ground level
5.3 Modeling
Wind turbine and system performance modeling of wind-diesel configurations in Point Hope was
accomplished with HOMER software. This software enables static modeling of a power system to
demonstrate energy balances and fuel displacement with introduction of wind power. A limitation of
the software is that it is not suitable for dynamic modeling. In other words, it cannot model voltage and
frequency perturbations and power system dynamics, although it will provide a warning for systems that
are potentially unstable.
5.3.1 Electric Load
The Point Hope electric load was synthesized with the Alaska Electric Load Calculator Excel program
written in 2006 by Mia Devine of the Alaska Energy Authority. This spreadsheet allows one to create a
“virtual” village load in one hour increments, suitable for import into HOMER software. For this
feasibility study, 2010 PCE data of reported gross kWh generated, average power, fuel usage, and
powerplant efficiency was used with the Alaska Load Calculator to synthesize a 728 kW average load
with a 1,189 kW peak loadand approximately 400 kW minimum load. Graphical representations of the
electric load are shown below.
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5.3.2 Thermal Load
The thermal load available to the diesel generator heat recovery system was estimated based on better-
documented thermal loads in other villages, the size of Point Hope’s electrical load, and village meter
log information. Typically very difficult to quantify as accurately as the electric load, the thermal load
serves as an energy “dump” in medium and high penetration wind-diesel configurations, or, more
precisely, as the secondary load available to absorb excess electrical energy generated by wind turbines
during periods of relatively high wind turbine output and low electric load demand.
5.4 Diesel Generators
The HOMER model was constructed three of Point Hope’s five operational diesel generators, all
Caterpillar 3512 models, two with 665 kW output generators and one rated at 950 kW. They are listed
as numbers 6, 7 and 8 to denote their bay positions in the Port Hope powerplant. The remaining two
operational diesel generators are Caterpillar 3406B models, but these are old machines and reportedly
only used in standby capacity. For cost modeling purposes, AEA assumes a generator O&M cost of
$0.020/kWh. This was converted to $14.56/operating hour for each diesel generator for use in the
HOMER software model (based on Point Hope’s modeled average electrical load of 728 kW).
Manufacturer fuel curves for the diesel generators, provided by David Lockard of AEA in an Excel file
entitled Cat C9M C18M 3508 3512 3456 Mar 20081, were used in the HOMER models. In addition, the
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 21
diesel engines in the modeling runs were set to “optimize”, which HOMER interprets as use of the most
efficient diesel generator whenever possible.
Diesel generator HOMER modeling information
Diesel generator Caterpillar
3512
Caterpillar
3512
Caterpillar
3512
HOMER model
identification
Cat 3512 (6)
(Bay 6)
Cat 3512 (7)
(Bay 7)
Cat 3512 (8)
(Bay 8)
Power output (kW) 665 665 950
Intercept coeff.
(L/hr/kW rated)
0.01937 0.01937 0.01937
Slope (L/hr/kW
output)
0.2325 0.2325 0.2325
Minimum electric
load (%)
10 10 10
Heat recovery ratio (%
of waste heat that can
serve the thermal
load)
18 18 18
Intercept coefficient – the no-load fuel consumption of the generator divided by its capacity
Slope – the marginal fuel consumption of the generator
Caterpillar 3512 fuel efficiency curve
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 22
6 Economic Analysis
Selected wind turbines in medium penetration mode are modeled in this report to demonstrate the
economic viability of various configurations and fuel price points.
6.1 Wind Turbine Costs
Capital and installation costs of wind turbines are somewhat difficult to estimate without detailed
consideration of shipping fees, foundation design, cost efficiencies with installation of multiple turbines,
identification of constructor, mobilization fees, etc. Although the cost assumptions detailed below
should be considered tentative, they are generally in-line with other rural Alaska wind projects of the
past few years. Note that for modeling purposes, an AW29-225 on a 30 meter tower is assumed to cost
1.5 percent less than noted below.
Wind turbine cost assumptions
Single Turbine
450-500 kW installed
turbine capacity
NW100B
(100 kW)
AW29-225
(225 kW)
NW100B
(100 kW)
AW29-225
(225 kW)
Total turbine output (kW) 100 225 500 450
No. of turbines 1 1 5 2
Price/turbine $348,000 $580,000 $348,000 $580,000
Engineering, VAR support n/a $35,000 n/a $35,000
Capacitors cost/turb, VAR support n/a $40,000 n/a $80,000
Turbine cost $348,000 $655,000 $1,740,000 $1,355,000
Turbine capital cost/kW $3,480 $2,756 $3,480 $2,933
Construction cost (estimated) $696,000 $1,160,000 $2,923,200 $2,088,000
Total installed cost $1,047,480 $1,817,756 $4,666,680 $3,445,933
Total installed cost/kW $10,475 $8,079 $9,333 $7,658
Note: AW29-225 price with 40 meter tower
6.2 Fuel Cost
A fuel price of $5.77/gallon ($1.53/Liter) was chosen for the initial HOMER analysis by reference to
Alaska Fuel Price Projections 2011-2035, prepared for Alaska Energy Authority by the Institute for Social
and Economic Research (ISER), dated July 7, 2011. The $5.77/gallon price reflects the average value of
all fuel prices between the 2013 (assumed project start year) fuel price of $4.74/gallon and the 2032 (20
year project end year) fuel price of $6.54/gallon using the medium price projection three-year moving
average (MA3) analysis.
Additional analyses with ISER’s low price projection MA3 and high price projection MA3 are included in
the economic analysis of this report. For the high price projection, the median 2013 to 2032 three-year
moving average price is $8.91/gallon ($2.35/Liter). For the low price projection, the average 2013 to
2032 three-year moving average price is $2.95/gallon ($0.78/Liter). Note also that heating fuel in
HOMER is priced the same as diesel fuel.
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 23
Fuel cost table
Cost
Scenario 2013 (/gal) 2032 (/gal)
Average
(/gallon)
Average
(/Liter)
Medium $4.74 $6.54 $5.77 $1.53
High $5.87 $10.42 $8.91 $2.35
Low $3.81 $2.70 $2.95 $0.78
ISER, MA3 cost projections
6.3 HOMER Modeling Assumptions
In the HOMER modeling simulations, the annual average wind speed was reduced to 6.40 m/s (from a
measured 7.12 m/s) to yield an approximate turbine availability of 82 percent. This is in-line with AEA
assumptions of turbine availability in their economic models. HOMER modeling assumptions are listed
in the table below.
Basic modeling assumptions
Economic Assumptions
Project life 20 years
Discount rate 3%
System fixed O&M cost $649,000/year (2010 PCE Report)
Operating Reserves
Load in current time step 10%
Wind power output 50%
Fuel Properties (both types)
Heating value 42.5 MJ/kg
Density 820 kg/m3
Diesel Generators
Generator capital cost $0 (already exist)
O&M cost $14.56/hour ($0.02/kWh)
Time between overhauls 20,000 hours
Overhaul cost (Cat 3512)$100,000
Minimum load ratio 10%; based on AVEC’s operational
experience of 50 kW minimum
diesel loading with their wind-
diesel systems
Schedule Optimized
Wind Turbines
Availability 82%
Scaled annual average wind
speed
6.30 m/s (7.12 m/s non-scaled,
from met tower data)
O&M cost $0.0469/kWh (translated to $/year
based on 26% turbine CF)
NW100B/21 $10,700/yr/turbine
AW 29-225 $24,000/yr/turbine
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 24
6.4 Wind Power Scenario Cost Assumptions
The base or comparison scenario, which does not include wind turbines, is the existing Point Hope
powerplant with its present configuration of diesel generators.
Wind turbines in a medium penetration system configuration may be constructed at Site A or Site B.
Development costs between the sites will be different because of varying distances of access roads and
new power distribution lines. For both sites, $150,000 is assumed both for SCADA improvements to
accommodate the inclusion of wind power into the existing diesel power plant operating system and a
secondary load controller and electric boiler to allow excess wind turbine power to serve the thermal
load. Additionally for both sites, $50,000 is assumed for basic permitting and project management. As
noted in the table below, these fixed costs plus the varying road access and power distribution
extension development costs for each site result in total development costs of $1,250,000 for Site A and
$330,000 for Site B. Typically, geotechnical studies are also included as part of the site development
process to support the design of turbine foundations, but these efforts have already been accomplished.
Wind project cost assumptions
Base Site A Site B
SCADA upgrade, SLC, boiler $150,000 $150,000
$1,000,000 $80,000
Road extension $50,000 $50,000
Permitting $50,000 $50,000
$0 $1,250,000 $330,000
Distribution distance (miles) 2.5 0.2
Road distance (miles) 0.1 0.1
Notes:
Distribution line, $400K/mi
Road, $500K/mi
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7 Conclusion and Recommendations
The prospect of wind power in Point Hope is excellent due to the relatively high average wind speed,
high wind power density, highly directional winds, and lack of extreme wind events. In anticipation of
medium to high fuel price projections over a 20-year project period and even with the conservative
nature of the cost and performance assumptions, the economic analyses contained in this report show
positive benefit-to-cost ratios for incorporation of wind power into the Point Hope power system.
It is highly recommended and strongly urged that NSB pursue a conceptual design for a wind-diesel
power system for Point Hope. Although the prospects of a high penetration wind-diesel system, based
on present experience in Alaska with current technology, do not seem favorable at this time, upgrade to
high penetration will be a strong consideration in the near future and is the natural evolution of the
recommended medium penetration configuration option modeled in this study.
Point Hope Wind-Diesel Hybrid Feasibility Study P a g e | 34
Appendix A: Determination of No Hazard, Site A
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Appendix B: Notice of Presumed Hazard, Site B
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Appendix C: Northwind 100 Wind Turbine
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Appendix D: Aeronautica AW29-225 Wind Turbine