HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Projects 1984 Appendix G-2 AkiakBethel Area Power Plan
Feasibility Assessment
APPENDIX G -2
AKIAK COMMUNITY REPORT
DRAFT
Prepared for the
Alaska Power Authority
by .
Harza Engineering Company
and
Darbyshire &Associates
Draft
April 1984
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Background
Population
Housing
Current Economic Activity
Subsistence
Cash Economy
Future Economic Activity
Current Energy Consumption
Total Energy
Electric Generation
Future Energy Demand
Formulation of the Supply Plans
Economic Evaluation
Base Case Supply Plan
Optimized Base Case Supply Plan
Thermal Supply Plans
Hydropower Supply Plans
Fuel Cell Supply Plans
Sensitivity Analysis
Regional Summary
Environmental Evaluation
Table No.
II-10
LIST OF TABLES
Title
Akiak Household Size
Akiak Employment and Income
Akiak Projected Annual Earnings
Akiak 1981 Fuel Prices and Consumption
Existing Generating Facilities
Akiak Energy Demand Forecast
Most Likely Scenario,Present Worth and
Benefit-Cost Ratio of the Supply Plans
Most Likely Scenario,Sensitivity Analysis
Using 0%Real Fuel Escalation
Sensitivity Analysis,Present Worth of
Supply Plans
Ranking of Energy Supply Plans
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II-1l
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II-19
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Exhibit No.
1
2
3
4
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Community Location Map
Akiak Population
1981 Economic and Energy Profile,Akiak
Economic and Energy Projections,Akiak
1981 Primary Energy Consumption,Akiak
1981 Energy Balance,Akiak
Electrical Distribution System
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AKIAK COMMUNITY REPORT
Introduction
The Bethel Area Power Plan Feasibility Assessment has been
performed by Harza Engineering Company under contract to the
Alaska Power Authority.The assessment was done to determine
the best alternative(s)to meet the future electric generation
and space heating needs of the Bethel region.The community of
Akiak is within the study area,and is the subject of this
Appendix.Detailed information on the overall regional assess-
ment is contained in the Regional Report.
The community report for Akiak is intended to be an infor-
mational and working document for the residents of the commun-
ity.Much data has been collected on the community's back-
ground,population,housing,and its current economic and energy
profiles.Existing electrical generation and transmission faci-
lities,as well as residential and commercial space heating
needs,are documented in this report.Projections of future
energy needs,based on future population,housing,and economic
conditions,have been made.These projections have been used to
develop alternative plans for meeting the electrical energy and
space-heating needs of the region through year 2002,and those
of Akiak in particular.These alternative plans have been
analyzed from both an economic and environmental standpoint.
This community report for Akiak is submitted as a draft for
review and comment by the residents.The Alaska Power Authority
welcomes your comments and questions.
Background
Akiak is located in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Lowland on the left
bank of the Kuskokwim River,35 miles upriver from Bethel (Exhi-
bit 1).The village is located at the lower end of the bottom-
land spruce-poplar forest belt that follows the course of the
Kuskokwim River and its main tributaries.The remaining vegeta-
tion is characterized as wet tundra.Standing water is present
throughout the summer,which makes overland travel extremely
difficult.
Access to Akiak is principally by year-round charter air
service and limited summer lighterage service from Bethel.There
is no road system in the area.Overland movement is limited
primarily to the winter season.The river is used as a roadway
for taxis and truck freight during the winter season after the
ice has thickened.Fuel oil and other freight items are trucked
over this ice highway on an "as-necessary"basis to meet late-
winter shortages.Snow machines provide the most competent mode
of travel in winter.
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"Akiak,"an Eskimo word,translates into "crossing over"in
English.The village was so named because "[t]he natives
cross[{ed]over to the Yukon in winter from this village"
(G.L.Harrington,USGS,1919).Owing to silting action of the
Kuskokwim River at Akiak,the village losts its prominence as
the terminus for ocean-going vessels on the Kuskokwim.Bethel
superseded Akiak as the end of the transportation route.A
sawmill and hospital which were in the community no longer
exist.A post office was established in 1916,and in 1974 the
village became incorporated.
Beside the municipal government,Akiak's Native population
is represented by an IRA Council which is recognized by the
federal government as the offical tribal governing body of the
village.The IRA Council form of government was established
under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.It is eligible to
participate in some state and federal programs,and has received
benefits under the Indian Self Determination Act,the State and
Local Fiscal Assistance Act,the Housing and Community Develop-
ment Act,the Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA),and
the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Another local organization,the village corporation,al-
though not a government entity,exercises a variety of functions
generally exercised by governments.The local village corpora-
tion,Kukarmuit Corporation,was created under the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act to receive and manage lands conveyed to it
under the act.It is entitled to receive title to the surface
estate of 115,200 acres of land.To date,no lands have been
transferred to the corporation by the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment.
In conjunction with this study,a public meeting was held
in Akiak in April,1982.Village residents and officials were
invited to attend.
Population
As shown on Exhibit 2,the population decreased from 228 in
1930 to 168 in 1950,and remained at about the same level until
1970.The 1980 Census determined that 198 people reside in
Akiak,an increase of about 15 percent over the 1970 Census.
The racial composition has changed slightly from about 99
percent Alaskan Native in 1970 to about 96 percent by 1980.The
age characteristics of the population have also changed.In
1970,the number of young people was high,and the average age
was about 17.Since then,a significant number of young people
apparently left the region in order to find jobs or to pursue
their education.In 1980,the average age was about 23.
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Three scenarios of population projections are also
presented in Exhibit 2.These projections were developed in
conjunction with the three scenarios of economic projections
which are presented in the following pages.The projected
annual growth rates are a combined product of historical trends,
actual rate of natural increase,potential economic growth,and
immigration or emigration.The projections also reflect a
general decline of state population growth rates predicted by
the U.S.Department of Commerce.In year 2002,the population
is expected to be between 226 and 267 persons.
Housing
According to the 1980 Census,the village had 38 wood-frame
homes which housed wood stoves for cooking and heating.Thirty-
six were occupied.There were 5.5 persons per home.Since this
census information was gathered,approximately four new homes
have been added to the housing stock of the community.HUD
plans to advertise for bids for the construction of 24
additional homes in the community to be built in 1982-83.There
is no piped water system in this community;residents utilize
individual wells and the river.
The average floor space of the most recently built homes
(HUD)are approximately 1200 square feet,while the older struc-
tures contain roughly half of this floor area.Whereas the
older homes are less well insulated,they are often better built
and better sited away from wind exposure and snow drifting than
the newer homes.
The future housing stock will play an important role in
determining future residential energy demands.The average
number of persons per housing unit decreased from about 6.6 in
1970 to 5.5 in 1980,The improved household income and the
supply of subsidized housing units were the major factors for
this decline.These factors are expected to continue to reduce
the average household size.However,because of the reductions
in subsidized programs,the household size is expected to de-
crease at a lower rate.As shown in Table II-l,the average
household size is expected to vary between 4.0 and 4.5 by 2002,
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Table II-1
AKIAK HOUSEHOLD SIZE
Energy Demand Projections
Year Low Most-Likely High
1980 (U.S.Census)N/A 5.5 N/A
1987 5.2 5.1 5.0
1992 5.0 4.7 4.6
2002 4.5 4.0 3.5
Current Economic Activity
This section describes the current village economy,both in
its subsistence and cash forms.This assessment will serve as a
basis for the economic projections.
Subsistence
Residents of Akiak depend on the environment in large part
for subsistence.Subsistence can be defined as obtaining food,
fiber,and shelter from the surrounding environment.Subsis-
tence activities are pursued by a majority of the community's
residents.A recent survey done in the Bethel region estimates
that approximately one-third of the residents surveyed obtained
one-half or more of their foodstuffs by engaging in such subsis--
tence activities as fishing,berrypicking,and collecting game-
birds along the sloughs and on the swampy tundra.It is also
estimated that the remaining two-third collects about one-fourth
of their needs.
Residents rely on subsistence activities for a number of
reasons:it is the traditional method of provision passed to
the present generation by its forefathers;in time of high
shipping and transportation costs,it offers savings over the
purchase of costly foodstuffs;and it provides a fruitful form
of recreation.Dog,king,and silver salmon,as well as ling
cod,shellfish,whitefish,and blackfish,provide food for many
residents of Akiak.Residents also hunt moose,bear,beaver,
mink,rabbit,ptarmigan,duck,and geese.
An estimate of the equivalent income obtained from subsis-
tence activities can be derived by assigning that portion of the
typical household budget that is replaced by these subsistence
items.Using the figures developed for the Bethel region and
assuming a typical household budget of about $10,000,the total
cash value of these activities can be estimated at about
$120,000 annually.
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Cash Economy
Cash employment in Akiak exists in forms which are similar
to other outlying village economies in Alaska.Typically most
jobs exist with the city government,school,store,health
clinic,and the post office.Occasionally a construction pro-
ject,such as the upcomming housing project to build 30 new
homes and the building of a school warehouse in summer 1982,
will provide temporary jobs for village residents.The Public
Health Service plans to dig wells and install septic tanks for
the HUD houses with local help.Some residents relocate on a
seasonal basis to Bristol Bay canneries and to Bethel for con-
struction work.
Exhibit 3 shows the 1981 economic and energy profile for
Akiak.Exhibit 3 corresponds to the forecasting model output
for Akiak as analyzed in this study.The forecasting model is
described in Appendix A.In Exhibit 3,total annual income or
earnings,in 1981 dollars,are first presented for each economic
activity,followed by the corresponding number of average annual
employment.The remaining columns present the end-use energy
consumption for each activity.The column entitled "Electrici-
ty"corresponds to the total electricity demand,which is the
sum of last column "Light and Electric Appliances"consumption
and the electricity consumption used in "Cooking,Space Heating,
and Water Heating".For convenience,all consumption data are
in Million Btu.The electric energy demand can be translated
into kilowatt-hours by dividing the consumption in Btu by 3,413
(Btu per kilowatt-hour).The lower section of Exhibit 3 pre-
sents the residential sector with population,average household
size,total number of households,average energy consumption per
household,and end-use demand.The last line summarizes the
total demand from the commercial,government and residential
sectors.
Table II-2 below summarizes the 1981 average monthly em-
ployment and annual income by sector that are typically found in
a village the size of Akiak.It should be noted that the num-
bers listed for each sector do not necessarily indicate full-
time employment.More than one of these positions may be held
by one person simultaneously or by the same person at different
times of the year.
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Table II-2
AKIAK EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME
Average Monthly Annual
Economic Activity Employment Earnings
(1981 $)
Renewable Resource Harvesting 3 $40,000
Mining and Exploration 0 -0-
Construction 18 218,000
Household Manufacturing 1 4,000
Transportation 1 9,000
Wholesale,Dist.0 4,000
Comm.and Utilities 2 29,000
Trade and Private Services 6 70,000
Finance and Real Estate 2 25,000
Non-Profit Organization 1 14,000
Local and Regional Government 26 430,000
State Agencies/Services 1 8,000
Federal Agencies/Services 2 30,000
Transfer Payments N/A 409,000
TOTAL $1,290,000
As shown in Table II-2,the primary sources of income to
the village are local and regional government,transfer pay-
ments,construction,trade and private services,and renewable
resource harvesting.These and other income sources are
described below.
Local and Regional Government.The village school system
provides the largest number of cash-earning positions to Akiak
residents.Employment positions associated with the state-run
Lower Kuskokwim School District are:principal teacher,certi-
fied teachers,substitute teachers,bilingual teachers,instruc--
tional aides,clerk/typists,community educational coordinators,
librarians,pre-school teachers,and athletic directors.Sup-
port positions that exist in the school are cooks,cook's
helper,school maintenance and school custodian.
Positions with the village government take the following
form:fee agents,bookkeepers,city administrators,city
clerks,city maintenance,city custodian,city recreation
director,village public safety officer,village patrolman,IRA
Council administrator.
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Transfer Payments.Non-employment forms of cash flow exist
as transfer payments.Transfer payments are made directly to a
household in two forms - cash and/or goods.Cash payments are
made through social security,general welfare (SSI,Old Age,
Blind,AFCD,VA,food stamps,etc.),home mortgage subsidies,
rental subsidies,and home energy and fuel purchase subsidies.
A major subsidy is the state's Power Cost Assistance Program.
Construction.Construction projects both in Akiak and
throughout the region provide employment opportunities that
typically represent the largest private cash-earning potential
locally.The upcoming housing project and the building of a
school warehouse in summer 1982 will provide temporary jobs for
village residents.
Trade and Private Services.Retail trade activities pro-
vide full-time managerial,clerical,and stock room positions.
A village corporation owned and operated store exists,together
with other privately owned village stores.Private services are
provided as well as small variety and novelty shops and small
engine dealers and service.
Renewable Resource Harvesting.Positions under this cate-
gory include trapping,firewood gathering,fishing,and serving
as guides in fishing,hunting,and excursion trips.The most
cash-rewarding activity in this industry is commercial fishing.
Other Sources.The remaining income sources listed in
Table II-2 make up only a minor part of the total village in-
come.Federal agency services,finance and real estate,and
transportation services represent the largest income sources of
this group.
Future Economic Activity
Future energy demand will depend upon the changes in the
economy and the purchasing ability of the households.To
reflect the potential changes over the next twenty years,three
levels of expected change (most likely,low and high)were
developed.
The results of the economic projections for the years 1987,
1992,and 2002 are presented on Exhibit 4.Exhibit 4 is
organized as described earlier for Exhibit 3.Table II-3 sum-
marizes the expected range of future economic activity.Total
annual earnings,in constant 1981 dollars,are shown for the
three scenarios.The difference between the low and high pro-
jections represents the degree of confidence in projecting the
future economic course of Akiak.
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Table II-3
AKIAK PROJECTED ANNUAL EARNINGS
(Constant 1981 Dollars)
Projections
Year Z Low Most-Likely High
1981 (Surveyed)N/A $1,290,000 N/A
1987 $1,121,000 1,192,000 $1,455,000
1992 1,176,000 1,347,000 1,677,000
2002 1,274,000 1,599,000 1,900,000
By the year 1992,under the "Most -Likely"set of circum-
stances,the total village cash economy is expected to have
completed its recovery from the 1980's slump.The remainder of
the forecast to the year 2002 is characterized by a period of
slow and continual expansion at a rate of about 2 percent,
The "High"forecast assumptions differ from the "Most-
Likely"primarily in the severity of the anticipated slump dur-
ing the early 1980's.The effect of these less severe reduc-
tions is measured in the forecast as a slowly expanding economy
of about 2 percent annual growth rate.
On the other side,the "Low"forecast assumptions represent
a much more sudden and severe slump in the total income earnings
potential of the village during the remainder of the 1980's.
Recovery is expected from this "slump"period,caused by govern-
mental cutbacks,due primarily to a shift in the regional
economic base toward decentralization.Still,this recovery is
assumed to be slower and to begin at a much lower point than the
most-likely and high projections.By 1992,the total cash earn-
ed in the economy is expected to be only 91 percent of the
amount earned 10 years earlier.By the year 2002,the total
cash earning potential of the village economy is expected to
have recovered to the 1981 level.
Current Energy Consumption
An energy use inventory was conducted in order to gain an
understanding of the total village energy consumption,and the
relative importance of electricity.Exhibit 5 presents a
detailed listing of energy consumption by end uses and by fuel
type.
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Total Energy
Space and water heating was the major energy end use with a
total consumption of about 5,500 million Btu.A Btu (British
Thermal Unit)is a measure of the amount of heat required to
raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree
Fahrenheit.Fuel oil and wood provided respectively about 65
and 35 percent of the total heating needs.Residential cooking
consumed about 1,820 million Btu,most provided by wood (85
percent).Lights and electric appliances consumed an equivalent
of 530 million Btu.One kilowatt-hour of electricity is equal
to 3,413 Btu.
Table II-4 summarizes the total consumption by fuel types.
It also shows the average unit price of each fuel.The estimat-
ed total cost to Akiak for their 1981 energy demand was about
$185,000.Some 24 percent was spent on diesel fuel for generat--
ing electricity.
Table II-4
AKTAK
1981 FUEL PRICES AND CONSUMPTION
Unit Annual
Price Consumption
Fuel Oil $1.84/gal.55,000 gallons
Diesel $1.84/gal.25,000 gallons
Propane $108/100 1b bottle 10/100 1b bottles
Blazo $3.40/gal.285 gallons
Wood $150/cord 255 cords
Because of the large quantities of fuel needed to meet
year-round energy demands,the only economical supply method is
by water barge.A regional lighterage service is operated out
of Bethel which uses the vast network of rivers and sloughs to
deliver the fuels during the relatively short ice-free period of
late summer and fall.Consequently,the vast majority of the
annual fuel supply of the village must be delivered and stored
on site during this portion of the year.Bulk fuel storage
facilities are therefore a critical component of the present
village energy system.The village maintains bulk fuel storage
facilities for the combined elementary and high school (50,000
gal.).The old BIA elementary school storage facilities
(44,000 gal.),are now being used by the village.
II-9
Exhibit 6 presents the energy balance for 1981.Due to
conversion factors and electric distribution losses,the
"useful"energy was about 4,300 million Btu or 42 percent of the
total consumption.
Electric Generation
present Demand.In 1981,the total electric demand of the
village was about 190 megawatt hours (MWh).The 1981 peak
demand was 55 kW.
Existing Facilities.The village of Akiak has more than
enough generating capacity than is presently required.As shown
in Table I-5,the village corporation owns two diesel generator
sets with a combined capacity of 250 kW.In addition,the new
and old LKSD schools have their own standby generating
capability.
The primary generator in Akiak appears to be more than
several year old,and not well maintained.The distribution
system (Exhibit 7)is in good condition,but will have to be
expanded to accomodate planned new construction.
Table II-5
EXISTING GENERATING FACILITIES
Operating
Owner/Operator Status Capacity
(kW)
Kukarmuit Corp.Primary 125
Kukarmuit Corp.Primary 125
LKSD Standby 125
LKSD Standby 125
Old School Standby 35
Total Capacity 535 kW
Future Energy Demand
Three projections of future energy demand (low,most-like-
ly,high)were developed,based on current use,socio-economic
projections,and assumptions regarding future end use demand.
The most likely scenario is based on the most likely projections
of economic activities,population,and household size described
earlier.It also reflects a mid-range forecast of energy price
trends.The low scenario reflects a more conservative growth
II-10
derived from the low projections of economic activities,popula-
tion,and household size,as well as a real energy annual growth
rate of 2.5 percent.The high scenario assumes a continuation
of the subsidized present situation,both at the energy and at
the economic levels,
The forecasts are based on estimated growth in each econo-
mic activity described earlier,and in the residential sector.
A detailed description of the assumptions is given in Appendix
A.Pages 1 through 3 of Exhibit 4 present the end use projec--
tions for 1987,1992 and 2002 under the most likely scenario.
Pages 4 through 6,and 7 through 9 present the projections for
the low and high scenario,respectively.Table II-6 sumarizes
the results.Space heating demand was increased by about 15
percent to reflect the average annual heating needs of the
region,since 1981,the base year,was warmer than average.The
total electric energy demand is expected to vary between 265 and
415 MWh in year 2002,with a most likely energy demand of 335
MWh.The most likely 2002 peak demand is 95 kW.
Table II-6
AKIAK
ENERGY DEMAND FORECAST
Most
Low Likely High
Total Energy Demand (Btu x 106)
1981 Demand N/A 7,848 N/A
1987 Demand 9,570 10,060 10,962
1992 Demand 10,773 12,271 13,566
2002 Demand 12,747 16,359 20,858
Electric Energy Demand (MWh)
1981 Demand N/A 190 N/A
1987 Demand 205 210 230
1992 Demand 230 260 290
2002 Demand 265 335 415
Formulation of the Supply Plans
To meet the projected energy demand,a base case and four
alternative supply plans were formulated to examine the relative
energy costs and environmental and socioeconomic impacts.With-
in each alternative,subplans are also formulated to meet the
combinations of electrical and total energy demand.The plans
II-1l
are representative of mixes of supply modes for meeting end-use
demands.
The four alternatives to the base case include coal direct
combustion for meeting all the heating demand.A general
description of each supply plan is given in the following para-
graphs.
I.Base Case.The base case plan represents a continu-
ation of the present practices of diesel generation for
electricity.The base case plan also assumes the continued
use of fuel oil for residential and non-residential heating
needs.No new transmission interties are included in the
Base Case.
II.Base Case Alternatives.The base case alternatives
will utilize the diesel units as described in the base
case,with inclusion of wind electric generation,waste
heat recovery,and coal direct combustion for heating de-
mand.A regional and sub-regional transmission interties
were also evaluated.The optimization of the base case
alternatives is given in the next section.
For consistency between all alternative supply plans,it
was assumed that the conversion to coal direct combustion
would be in 1988,the same year as the coal fired plant
would be in operation.All existing residential and non-
residential systems would be converted to burn coal for
heating.
III.Thermal Alternatives.Five sub-plans were formu-
lated,including a 4-MW or a 10-MW coal-fired plant,
located in Bethel.Transmission interties to the outlying
villages were also considered for each of the five plans.
The results of the economic feasibility to intertie Akiak
is presented in the following section.
Supply Plan IIIA would consist of a 4-MW base load plant
supplemented by diesel generators to meet the peak demand.
The heating demand in Bethel and the villages would be met
by fuel oil until 1988 then coal direct combustion as de-
scribed in the Base Case Alternatives.
Supply Plan IIIB would consist of the same 4-MW base load
plant with waste heat recovery that would supply about 25
percent of the heating demand in Bethel.The remaining
heating demand would be met as in Plan IIIA.
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Supply Plan IIIC would consist of a l1O-MW cycling plant
that would generate the electric energy demand.The heat-
ing demand would be met as in Plan IIIA.
Supply Plan IIID would consist of the same 10-MW plant with
waste heat recovery that would supply 62 percent of the
heating demand in Bethel.The remaining heating demand
would be met as in Plan IIIA.
Supply Plan IIIE would also consist of a 10-MW plant with a
supplemental boiler to supply about 80 percent of the total
heating demand of Bethel.The remaining heating demand
would be met as in Plan IIIA.
IV.Hydroelectric Alternatives.Two sub-plans were formu-
lated from the Chikuminuk Lake development,as described in
Chapter IV.The 9.5-MW project (Plan IVA)was sized to
meet the monthly electric energy requirements of the Bethel
region through year 2002.The average annual energy pro-
duction would be 60 GWh,or about 21 GWh more than the
projected electric energy demand in 2002,under the most
likely projections.That average surplus of energy would
meet about 7%of the total heating requirements of Bethel,
in year 2002.The second plan (Plan IVB)consists of a
development that approaches the topographic limits of the
site.The 24-MW project would produce an average annual
energy of 120 GWh.This development would meet the proj-
ected electric energy demand and about 27%of the heating
requirements of Bethel,in year 2002.In both plans,the
remaining heating demand would be met by coal direct com-
bustion,as in Plan IIIA.
Both supply plans include a high voltage transmission line
from Chikuminuk Lake to Bethel via Kwethluk and Akiachak.
Additional transmission interties to the other village were
also considered.The economic feasibility of interconnect-
ing Akiak is presented in the following section.
Vv.Fuel Cell Alternatives.Two fuel cell alternative
plans were formulated.Both plans include a centralized
9-MW fuel cell electric generation plant,located in Be-
thel.The difference between the alternatives is that one
plant (Plan VB)is designed for waste heat recovery,which
could provide an estimated 12%of the heating demand in
Bethel.The remaining heating demand would be met by coal
direct combustion.As with the other plans,transmission
interties to Akiak were considered.
The basic assumptions and cost estimates underlying each
supply plan are given in the Regional Report.
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Economic Evaluation
The economic parameters and assumptions used in the evalua-
tion are based on the Power Authority guidelines (Economic Para-
meters for the 1983 Fiscal Year).The economic anaysis is done
for the period starting in 1982 and ending in 2039,the last
year of the 50-year economic life of the hydro project which
would come on line in 1990.All costs are in terms of 1982
dollars.Petroleum fuels and coal are escalated at a real rate
of 2.5 and 2.0 percent respectively,over the next twenty years.
After year 2002,real escalation rates and load growths are
assumed to be zero.A discount rate of 3.5 percent is used to
calculate the present worth of costs occurring in different
years on an equivalent basis.
The present worth calculations were done according to the
Power Authority evaluation procedure.The costs are busbar
costs and do not include cost allowances for distribution,ad-
ministration,taxes,etc.The present worth of consumer costs
would be signficantly higher than the present worth of busbar
costs developed in this evaluation.However,since these addi-
tional costs are the same for all alternatives,the relative
ranking of the alternatives would not be affected.
Using the timing of capacity additions and costs presented
in the Regional Report,the present worth of costs for each
supply plan was computed.Table II-7 summarizes the present
worth of each supply plan for Akiak.The present worth compu-
tation was done separately for the heating demand and electric
demand.Electric demand includes the costs associated with
generation facilities and transmission interties.
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Table II-7
MOST LIKELY SCENARIO
PRESENT WORTH AND BENEFIT-COST RATIO OF
THE SUPPLY PLANS
Total Demand
Benefit-Cost Ratio
Present Worth (1982 $x103)With With
Heating Electric Total Base Optimized
Supply Plan Demand Demand Demand Case Base Case
Base Case
Plan I 4,508 3,183 7,691 1.00 -
Optimized Base Case
Plan II 3,468 3,025 6,493 1.18 1.00
Thermal Plans
Plan IIIA 3,468 3,105 6,573 1.17 0.99
Plan IIIB 3,468 3,105 6,573 1.17 0.99
Plan IIIC 3,468 3,239 6,707 1.15 0.97
Plan IIID 3,468 3,239 6,707 1.15 0.97
Plan IIIE 3,468 3,239 6,707 1.15 0.97
Hydroelectric Plans
Plan IVA 3,468 2,113 5,581 1.38 1.16
Plan IVB 3,468 2,113 5,581 1.38 1.16
Fuel Cell Plans
Plan VA 3,468 2,821 6,289 1,22 1,03
Plan VB 3,468 2,821 6,289 1.22 1.03
The following paragraphs describe the results for Akiak
under each supply plan.A regional summary is presented at the
end of this section.
Base Case Supply Plan
The present worth of the Base Case using diesel plants for
electric generation and fuel oil for heating was first computed
to serve as a reference.
II-15
As shown on Table II-7,the total present worth of the Base Case
is $7,691,000,of which $3,183,000 is for electric energy
demand.
Optimized Base Case Supply Plan
The Base Case Alternatives were optimized based on an eval-
uation of coal direct combustion,wind generation,waste heat
recovery,and transmission intertie.As described in the Re-
gional Report,the analysis shows that conversion to coal direct
combustion for heating would provide significant economic bene-
fit.Under the Mostly Likely Scenario,assuming a complete
conversion to coal direct combustion by 1988,the present worth
of the heating costs would be reduced by about 30%or $1,040,000
(in 1982 dollars)over the period 1988-2039.Wind generation
was only found to be economically feasible in the villages of
Eek and Tuntutuliak.Diesel waste heat recovery was not found
to be economically attractive in Akiak when it is compared to
coal heating.Transmission intertie to Bethel was found to be
marginally attractive.A sub-regional transmission intertie
between Akiachak,Akiak,Kwethluk,and Tuluksak was not found to
be economically feasible.
As shown on Table II-7,the total present worth of the
Optimized Base Case is $6,493,000.The benefit-cost ratio is
1.18 when compared to the Base Case.The present worth of the
electric energy demand was only reduced by $158,000 when com-
pared to the Base Case.The present worth of the heating demand
was reduced from $4,508,000 to $3,468,000.
Thermal Supply Plans
As for the Optimized Base Case,an economic evaluation was
performed to decide whether or not Akiak should be intertied to
Bethel,site of the coal-fired plant.To reflect the share of
construction cost for the central coal-fired plant in the pre-
sent worth computation of each village,an incremental unit cost
of $1,500 per kilowatt was used.This unit incremental cost was
multiplied by the projected village peak demand in year 2002 to
estimate the construction cost associated with that village.As
shown on Table II-7 the present worth of the electric demand
which includes the intertie is very similar to the present worth
of the Base Case.As a result,Akiak could be intertied to
Bethel.
However,as shown on Table II -7,all thermal plans have a
benefit-cost ratio lower than one when compared to the Optimized
Base Case.In all thermal supply plans,the present worth of
the electric demand,alone,is greater than the present worth of
the Optimized Base Case electric demand.The benefit-cost ratio
II-16
is 0.99 for Plans IIIA and IIIB,and 0.97 for Plans IIIC,IL1ID,
and IITIE.
Hydropower Supply Plans
An economic evaluation of the intertie to Akiak was done,
using an incremental hydroelectric construction cost of $3,000
per kilowatt.As shown on Table II-7,the present worth of the
electric demand which includes the intertie is lower than the
present worth of the Base Case.The hydropower supply plans
have the lowest present worth of all supply plans.Both plans
have a benefit-cost ratio of 1.16 when compared to the Optimized
Base Case.
Fuel Cell Supply Plans
An incremental construction cost of $1,000 per kilowatt was
used for the economic evaluation of village interties.As shown
on Table II-7,the present worth of the electric demand which
includes the intertie is lower than the present worth of the
Base Case.The fuel cell alternatives have an overall benefit-
cost ratio of 1.03 when compared to the Optimized Base Case,
Sensitivity Analysis
The timing and rate of conversion from fuel oil to coal or
electric heat to meet the heating demand would directly affect
the value of all supply plans,except the Base Case.For the
purpose of the economic analysis,we assumed a 100 percent con-
version in 1988 to coal direct combustion for space heating.
But,actually,the conversion would be more progressive.As a
result,the present worth of all alternative supply plans to the
Base Case would increase,thereby reducing the difference with
the Base Case.
A sensitivity analysis was first performed to analyze the
impacts of fuel escalation rates.The same supply plans were
reevaluated using 0%real fuel escalation for fuel oil and coal.
The results are summarized in Table II-8.
II-17
Table II-8
MOST LIKELY SCENARIO
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS USING 0%REAL FUEL ESCALATION
Total Demand
Benefit-Cost RatioPresentWorth(1982 $x103)With With
Heating Electric Total Base Optimized
Supply Plan Demand Demand Demand Case Base Case
Base Case
Plan I 3,094 2,475 5,569 1.00 NA
Optimized Base Case
Plan II 2,739 2,596 5,335 1.04 1.00
Thermal Plans
Plan IIIA 2,739 2,755 5,494 1.01 0.97
Plan IIIB 2,739 2,755 5,494 1.01 0.97
Plan ILIC 2,739 2,858 5,597 0.99 0.95
Plan IIID 2,739 2,858 5,597 0.99 0.95
Plan IIIE 2,739 2,858 5,597 0.99 0.95
Hydroelectric Plans
Plan IVA 2,739 2,026 4,765 1.17 1.12
Plan IVB 2,739 2,026 4,765 1.17 1.12
Fuel Cell Plans
Plan VA 2,739 2,508 5,247 1.06 1.02
Plan VB 2,739 2,508 5,247 1.06 1.02
Table II-8 shows that the hydroelectric and fuel cell plans
still have a benefit-cost ratio greater than the Optimized Base
Case,if there is no real escalation in fuel cost.
Another sensitivity analysis was performed to analyze the
impacts of the low and high projections of energy demand.Simi-
lar supply plans using a 4-MW and 10-MW coal-fired plant,a 9-MW
hydroelectric plant,and a 9-MW fuel cell plant were analyzed.
The analysis was done using a 2.5%real escalation for fuel oil,
and 2.0%for coal until year 2002.The results are presented in
Table II-9.
II-18
6T-IITable II-9
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
PRESENT WORTH OF SUPPLY PLANS
(1982 Sx103)
Low Scenario Most Likely Scenario High Scenario
Heating Electric Total Heating Electric Total Heating Electric Total
Supply Plan Demand Demand Demand Demand Demand Demand Demand Demand Demand
Base Case
Plan I 3,720 2,704 6,424 4,508 3,183 7,691 5,414 3,782 9,196
Optimized Base Case
Plan II 2,986 2,770 5,756 3,468 3,025 6,493 4,028 3,335 7,363
Thermal Plans
Plan IIIA 2,986 2,822 5,808 3,468 3,105 6,573 4,028 3,505 7,533
Plan IIIB 2,986 2,822 5,808 3,468 3,105 6,573 4,028 3,505 7,533
Plan IIIc 2,986 2,932 5,918 3,468 3,239 6,707 4,028 3,667 7,695
Plan IIID 2,986 2,932 5,918 3,468 3,239 6,707 4,028 3,667 7,695
Plan IIIE 2,986 2,932 5,918 3,468 3,239 6,707 4,028 3,667 7,695
Hydroelectric Plans
Plan IVA 2,986 2,011 4,997 3,468 2,113 5,581 4,028 2,267 6,295
Plan IVB 2,986 2,011 4,997 3,468 2,113 5,981 4,028 2,267 6,295
Fuel Cell Plans
Plan VA 2,986 2,584 5,570 3,468 2,821 6,289 4,028 3,120 7,148
Plan VB 2,986 2,584 5,570 3,468 2,821 6,289 4,028 3,120 7,148