HomeMy WebLinkAboutNative Village of Quinhagak Preliminary Renewable Energy Reconnaissance Study Report and Work Plan - Mar 2023 - REF Grant 70140171
Kwinhagak Preliminary Renewable Energy Reconnaissance Study
Report and Work Plan
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 2
BASE SYSTEM, AS-BUILTS AND ENERGY STUDIES.................................................................................2
THE BASE SYSTEM DESIGN DOCUMENTATION BINDER ........................................................................ 2
AVAILABLE RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS ................................................................................................. 3
DRAFT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN .............................................................................................................. 4
WORKPLAN ........................................................................................................................................ 5
REVISED PROJECT BUDGET AND SCHEDULE ......................................................................................... 9
APPENDIX A: BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................. 10
APPENDIX B: BASE SYSTEM DESIGN DOCUMENTATION BINDER ........................................................ 14
2
Kwinhagak Preliminary Renewable Energy Reconnaissance Study
Report and Work Plan
Introduction
A number of studies and activities have been conducted to address energy and
infrastructure issues in Quinhagak (see Bibliography). A focus of these studies was to
identify problems or challenges with existing power generation, transmission, and bulk
fuel storage systems, or opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. Other studies
examined renewable resource options for hydro and wind.
All the past studies focused on ways to reduce energy costs to the community and
residents. Each study indicated a steady increase in the amount of electricity being
consumed by each sector (commercial, residential, government, and community), and
impacts of the cost of energy.
Base System, As-Builts and Energy Studies
In addition to the legacy diesel generators, previous studies resulted in several
completed energy projects expanding the diesel generation effectiveness.
Three - 100 kW Wind Turbines were installed in 2010. In 2016, the wind
turbines produced 655,618 kWh and offset 47,907 gallons of diesel. In response
to adding additional wind turbines to the diesel system, Alaska Village Electric
Cooperative (AVEC) commented that the three wind turbines are already pushing
diesel generators to run at their minimum threshold, and AVEC is currently
working on a grid bridging system that does allow for diesel generator to be shut
off to allow for fuel savings.
Waste Heat Recovery system was installed from the AVEC generators to the
City, the fuel equivalent of 19,010 gallons of #1 fuel oil.
Weatherization WAP)
weatherized 67 homes in Quinhagak. Improvements included tuning heating
systems, air sealing, insulation, windows, doors, LED lights, and safety
improvements (smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire
extinguishers).
The Base System Design Documentation Binder
These documents can be found in Appendix B consisting of the One-Line and
Sectionalizing schematics of the Quinhagak system, provided by the Alaska Village
Electric Cooperative (AVEC).
3
Available Resource Assessments
These are identified in the Bibliography. The primary resource assessment is the 2007
Quinhagak, Alaska Wind Resource Report completed by V3 Energy, LLC.
Other studies have uncovered additional needs for Kwinhagak/Quinhagak.
Energy Audits were performed on the water treatment plant, utility building and
community washeteria along with other commercial buildings. These audits were
performed by ANTHC and RuralCAP.
Issues related to occasional power outages from loss of diesel power, and
distribution system vulnerability, likely from high winds. The power system
drawings indicate possible aging electrical distribution system.
Hydro development study by Nuvista was determined not to be cost effective
Infrastructure, site control and land use issues are being impacted by climate
change and specifically erosion.
Poor housing conditions exist in Quinhagak.
START Quinhagak Strategic Energy Plan
START Quinhagak
conducted in 2018 under the US DoE START program and was
prepared by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) by working closely
with the Native Village of Kwinhagak (NVK) and City of Quinhagak. Additional
participation and assistance from the Denali Commission, Alaska Village Electric
Cooperative, (AVEC), Weatherization Assistance Program, and the Alaska
Energy Authority (AEA) added to the usefulness of the Strategic Energy Plan.
This work provided an organized approach to energy development by focusing on the
following items.
1. Stakeholder engagement and awareness
2. Developing a community energy profile, from the perspectives of the
o Power Plant
o Water Treatment Plant And Washeteria
o Sewer
o Housing
o Community Buildings & Schools
3. Creating a Community Vision
4. Identifying Strategies
5. Recognizing the need for Emergency Planning
6. Developing Next Steps
4
Draft Conceptual Design
A conceptual hybrid renewable energy system design consists of several components:
- Understanding current technologies
- Applying current technologies to a future hybrid system
- Creating community energy goals for the hybrid system to achieve
- Detailing tasks to develop the conceptual design
- Involving Kwinhagak to support and assist with implementing the tasks
- Developing the work products, assessments, and studies
Understanding Current Technologies
Since these studies were completed, technologies have continued to change and
improve. Over the past 5 to 10 years, technologies and their applications to remote
community power systems have become much more economical and replicable. In
addition, significant public policy changes supporting renewable energy have also been
implemented.
Significant progress has been made in both the cost effectiveness and productivity of
wind, solar photovoltaics, and energy storage technologies. Across the world, wind and
solar energy continues to emerge as the most affordable source of new electricity.
Advances in wind technology and design have increased deployments, incentivized
manufacturing, and investment, all which continue to drive costs down while improving
productivity. Central to the advances are larger rotors and taller towers, and the mass
production of low cost highly efficient and reliable utility scale wind turbines. This
success has resulted in wind turbines continuing to increase in size and move offshore.
Renewable energy - wind, and solar photovoltaics (PV) - combined with energy storage
and energy efficiency improvements have emerged as the primary tools for addressing
the climate crisis. When applied ambitiously in remote communities like Quinhagak,
these tools can grow energy independence, allow sustainable growth, and generate
new opportunities for local residents and the community.
Importantly, along with these changes federal and state policy initiatives are providing
new sources of funding to shift from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat
homes and buildings using renewable wind and solar.
Applying Current Technologies to a Future Hybrid System
An important purpose of this effort is to apply new learning and new technical
approaches to develop a conceptual renewable energy system design, allowing the
community of Quinhagak to have information about how it can benefit financially by
harvesting local energy resources.
The primary outcome of this Study is to create a practical conceptual plan, incorporating
a combination of wind+solar+energy storage to displace ~50% of the diesel fuel
currently used for power generation and home heating.
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While this may seem like an ambitious goal, it will provide a pathway and
framework for the community to set and achieve practical goals.
WORKPLAN
The remainder of this Study will be conducted by:
1. Collecting Data about needs; energy assessment
2. Analyzing Options
3. Documenting the Conceptual Design Report
important to note the following:
The project may require installing additional monitoring equipment to measure
electrical or heating loads. This is yet to be determined.
The conceptual design will provide direction for final design studies and
developing resources.
Project Objectives
As previously stated, this study builds on past work to develop a conceptual design for
using wind, solar and energy storage, with a target goal of displacing 50% of the diesel
fuel currently used to produce electricity and heat homes.
In order to create this conceptual design, on site data collection effort is required along
with developing a new energy-use baseline, and community-based targets for energy
efficiency.
Community Involvement
The success of this project includes community involvement. The community should
designate a reliable single point of contact as the local project coordinator. This person
will be responsible for monitoring the project and interfacing as required with
appropriate contractors and agencies.
This person will be responsible for guiding, and coordinating community engagement
and local communications, and logistics as required.
Workplan consists of the following tasks or milestones
Site Visit
Timing depends on local community and IES schedules and weather
Data Collection and System Assessment
6 weeks from initial site visit; requires 4 to 6 weeks of effort
Data Analysis Monitoring & Options and Cost Estimates (4 to 6 Weeks)
Conceptual Design (4 to 6 Weeks)
Presentation and Final Report (2 to 3 Weeks)
6
Site Visit
(3 Days On-Site. Timing depends on local community and IES schedules
and weather. Target - April/May 2023)
A site visit by the project team is necessary to understand more clearly specific
community issues and place them in the context of the project objective. The initial site
visit will be structured to build a shared understanding and awareness of the specific
challenges faced by the community, connect individuals involved in the process, collect
specific data, and train local surveyors in methods of collecting site and project specific
data needed to assess conditions and analyze options. The site visit will likely require 3
days on site for an IES team of two to three individuals.
This work includes meeting with local leaders, evaluating local conditions, designing
and implementing the data collection program working with local surveyors.
Data Collection and System Assessment On Site
(Approximately 6 weeks from initial site visit; requiring 4 to 6 weeks of effort)
IES will develop survey tools and train and supply local individuals (2 teams of 2
individuals) to gather specific asset information about the community and its energy
system. This information will consist of specific geolocated asset descriptions, photos
and menu driven survey questionnaires. The data is to be collected in a consistent
manner such that it can be aggregated, analyzed, and evaluated with respect to the
Primary data to collect includes information needed to develop System Condition
Report:
Electrical grid condition survey
Electric service drops to buildings
Total number of buildings, estimated square footage and electricity and fuel use
estimates
Existing power generation assets: diesel plant, wind, etc.
Identify potential renewable development sites
Training local surveyors will occur during the initial site visit. Prior to the site visit, the
data collection methods will be introduced, and a local survey crew will be identified.
The initial site visit may indicate that changes will need to be made to the data collection
scope of work and revise training that the local survey team will need.
Typically, new information developed during the initial site visit results in modification or
adjustments to the initial work plan.
For example:
1. Data collection may require additional on-site monitoring equipment to be
installed.
a. This cannot be determined until the on-site visit occurs.
i. The most effective monitoring equipment may not be attainable
because outside the scope of the budget. This will be
confirmed during the initial on-site visit.
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2. The surveys can be adapted to include data collection used to characterize
critical issues related to energy systems. Two examples are, ground movement:
since previous studies for Quinhagak have indicated negative impacts on
building foundation systems and water sewer systems; and erosion from the
Kanektok River: impacting community infrastructure.
Including these important aspects are not included in the budget, and will depend
interest and local assistance.
The data collection phase is expected to take 4 to 6 weeks, and result in a baseline
report community energy system and needs, and options to be considered.
Data Analysis Monitoring & Options and Cost Estimates
(Approximately 4 to 6 weeks of effort)
The principal deliverable for this project will be a conceptual design report
targeted at displacing 50% of fossil fuel imported used for heat and power by
2025.
Initial estimates indicate that to achieve this goal, renewable power production will
require scaling from a current annual renewable contribution of 600,000 kWhs to a
consistent and reliable level over 10x that amount or in excess of 6,000,000 kWh.
The collected data will be used to model renewable energy potential and apply system
and energy storage requirements to meet the needs for the community.
Assessing options is required to develop a workable conceptual design. The data
collected will be used to complete a quantitative analysis based on the composition of
the current local energy system compared to options. A number of modeling tools will
be used to evaluate options, such as HOMER and PV Watts.
Conceptual Design
(Approximately 4 to 6 weeks of effort. Target date: September 15)
In order to meet 50% fuel displacement goal will require the construction and integration
of high contributions of wind, solar PV, energy storage, energy efficiency, and energy
management components. The conceptual design is intended to provide a base
system design, identify sites, permitting issues and preliminary cost and production
estimates. Achieving a 50% goal is realistic as a logical extension of the demonstrated
progress and experience demonstrated in other communities across the state.
Previously, AVEC indicated that adding additional wind turbines to the systems would
require energy storage to increase fuel savings and increase renewable contributions.
A system allowing diesel generator to be shut off will provide even more fuel savings.
The conceptual design will provide a pathway to integrate the renewable and diesel
generation and storage components.
A subsequent study will be required to address modifications required for the grid to
achieve the 50% objective.
8
The Conceptual Design will identify the most promising option to reduce diesel fuel use
and reduce energy costs for Kwinhagak. The Conceptual Design is intended to serve as
the framework for collaboration and co-development.
The conceptual design consists of proposed technologies, system operational modes,
cost and production estimates, site control and permitting issues, single line and
interconnection drawings.
Final Report
(Approximately 2 to 3 weeks of effort. Target: October 1)
The final report will include the technical and administrative reports required. It will also
describe further work that will need to be completed to enable a final construction ready
design. This may include:
Power system integration and impact study.
Adaptive microgrid, required reliable islanded operations, and service provisions.
Reliable and resilient system operations utilizing high levels of distributed
renewable generation and energy storage, and renewable heating or cooling.
Metering and asset management operations, aggregation, and coordination to
provide demand response and grid services.
List of potential funding sources.
Revised Project Budget and Schedule are on the following page.
9
Revised Project Budget and Schedule
Work Plan And Desk Study $14,000
Deliverable: Desktop Study Preliminary Report and Work Plan
(Delivered on March 1, 2023)
Initial Site Visit
Deliverable: Trip Report May 30
Target Schedule: April/May 2023
$ 6,000
Data Collection $22,000
Deliverable: Condition Report
Target Schedule: June 15 (6 weeks from site visit)
($5,000 for local surveyors)
Options Analysis
Deliverable: Options Analysis
Target Schedule: July 15 (+2 weeks for comments)
$15,000
Conceptual Design
Deliverable: Report
Target Schedule: Sept 15 (4-6 weeks after comments)
$ 15,000
Final Report and Closeout
Target Schedule: October 1, 2023
$ 8,100
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Appendix A: Bibliography
Alaska Energy Authority and Alaska Center for Energy and Power. Energy: A
http://www.naseo.org/Data/Sites/1/documents/stateenergyplans/AK.pdf
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Comprehensive Energy Audit For Quinhagak
Community Health and Sanitation Building. May 11, 2016.
https://www.anthc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Quinhagak-Community-
Health-Sanitation-Building-Energy-Audit-Report.pdf
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Comprehensive Energy Audit For Quinhagak
Utility
Building. May 11, 2016.
https://www.anthc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Quinhagak-Utility-Building-
Energy-Audit-Report.pdf
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Comprehensive Energy Audit For Quinhagak
Water
Treatment Plant. May 11, 2016.
https://www.anthc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Quinhagak-Water-
Treatment-Plant-Energy-Audit-Report.pdf
Buzard, R.M., M.M. Turner, K.Y. Miller, D.C. Antrobus, and J.R. Overbeck.
Exposure
Assessment of Infrastructure in Alaska Coastal Alaska Division
of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Report of Investigation 2021-3
Quinhagak.
https://dggs.alaska.gov/webpubs/dggs/ri/text/ri2021_003_Quinhagak.pdf
City of Quinhagak Mitigation Planning Team. City of Quinhagak Hazard Mitigation Plan.
2012.
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/4/pub/Quinhagak%20-
%20Jan%202012.pdf?TSPD_101_R0=0890181cafab2000ea9d5861192a5506fe
7a8105968a2e226c79e70fc611e4c6666373755cfca0ff08cecd273214300012190
72000c2d94f4ee34d9edd0879f1598a6d002c9b3148065f270e34b6935dc74a647
9da6857cc51f0d933b00b39a9
CRW Engineering Group, LLC. Piped Water and Sewer and System Project;
Quinhagak
Sanitation Improvements; Water and Sewer and System Project. n.d.
https://www.crweng.com/?s=quinhagak
Cold Climate Housing Research Center. Quinhagak Prototype. n.d.
http://cchrc.org/quinhagakprototype/
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Crimp, Peter; Colt, Steve; Foster, Mark.Power in Rural Alaska: Improved
Opportunities for Economic Deploym
https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/handle/11122/12224
Dane, A, and L Doris. Strategic Energy Plan and Planning August
2013.
https://www.energy.gov/indianenergy/articles/alaska-strategic-energy-plan-and-
planning-handbook
Denali Commission. Distributing Power: A Technical and Policy Review of
Electric
Transmission in Alaska. 2008.https://www.nuvistacoop.org/resource-
library/interties
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60bfde59db581b37331ca57f/t/60c2896c
82bca048aca37fe7/1623361900944/Map-of-Proposed-Southwest-Alaska-
Transmission-Lines.pdf
Denali Commission. Gove, Carolyn. Energy Planning: A Guide for Rural
Alaska
https://www.energy.gov/indianenergy/articles/strategic-energy-planning-guide-
rural-alaska-communities
Hadjerioua, Boualem, Miles H. Mobley, Scott T. DeNeale, and Douglas Ott.
Development Opportunities for Alaska Native October 1, 2018.
https://doi.org/10.2172/1479720.
Holdmann, Gwen, and Steve Colt. Village Energy: Integration of
Renewable and
Diesel Systems to Improve Energy Self-Reliance for Remote Rural Alaska
2021.
https://acep.uaf.edu/media/30120/INE-13078_Proposal-
Description_FINAL.pdf.
Kohler, Meera, and Ethan Schutt. for a Sustainable Alaska: The Rural
Commonwealth North, February 2012. https://www.denali.gov/wp
content/uploads/2018/10/CWN-Report-Energy-for-a-Sustainable-Alaska-The-
Rural-Conundrum1.pdforg/publications/
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Kohler, Meera, Village Wind Tribal Energy Conference, Denver,
CO October 28, 2010.
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/01/f28/44_avec_wind.pdf
Renewable Energy to Rural Development, Executive Organisation
for Economic Co-Operation and Development, n.d.
https://www.oecd.org/regional/regional-policy/Renewable-rural-energy-
summary.pdf
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60bfde59db581b37331ca57f/t/60c3b33f
ad7e4641e01cb0e9/1623438145206/Nuvista_year_end_2016.pdf
Nuvista. -Kuskokwim Delta Regional Energy November 2015.
https://www.nuvistacoop.org/resource-library
Nuvista. -Kuskokwim Delta Community Sustainability July 2016.
https://www.nuvistacoop.org/resource-library
Poudyal, Aditya, and Jukka V. Paatero.
Review on Tools and Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society
33, no. 5 6 (October 2013): 191 97.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0270467614531555.
Native Village of Kwinhagak and the City of Quinhagak. Alaska 2018
V3 Energy. Vaught, Alaska Wind Resource August 17,
2007. https://www.v3energy.com/quinhagak/
Renewable Energy Atlas of Alaska. 2019.
https://www.akenergyauthority.org/Portals/0/Publications%20and%20Resource
s/2019%20Renewable%20Energy%20Atlas%20of%20Alaska%20(Low-
Res%20Version).pdf?ver=2021-06-07-091312-147
Energy Solutions for Rural Allen, Riley; Donna Brutkoski, Donna;
Farnsworth, David; and Larsen, Peter. April 2016.
https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1249184.
Present and Études Inuit Studies ; Université Laval, Vol 43, No.1/2,
2019 ; 243-264. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26945912 .
-Based Remote Sensing for Managing Alaskan Native Heritage Landscapes in the
Yukon- by Lim, Jonathan; Gleason, Sean. February 2, 2022.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/3/728
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U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Yukon-Kuskokwim
Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Alaska Village Council
of Presidents. 2018. https://www.avcp.org/2018/08/02/the-yukon-kuskokwim-
region-comprehensive-economic-development-strategy-2018-2023-is-now-
available/
U.S. Dept. of Energy Office of Indian Energy, Technologies for Sherry
Stout
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/12/f46/DOE_Technology%20Summ
ary.pdf
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Opportunities: Best
Practices for
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/tiff2png.cgi/P100FHTX.PNG?-
r+75+g+7+D%3A%5CZYFILES%5CINDEX%20DATA%5C11THRU15%5CTIF
F%5C00000388%5CP100FHTX.TIF
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Appendix B: Base System Design Documentation Binder
One Line Engineering Drawing and
Sectionalized Drawings
These files are being sent in separate emails due to their size.