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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNome Joint Utility Systems - Nome Banner Peak Wind Farm Trans Const - Aug_2015Nome, Alaska Wind farm expansion further reduces energy prices Quick Facts Total Project Costs: $9,597,810 Funding: Renewable Energy Fund & Local Match Capital Costs Design: $668,355.57 Construction: $8,929,454.43 Equipment Make/Model: (2) EWT DirectWind 52s Rated Capacity: 900 kW each Net Capacity Factor: 29% Rotor Diameter: 52 meters Hub Height: 50 meters Total Rated Capacity (all turbines): 2.8 MW Diesel Fuel Off set Estimated Annual: Up to 200,000 gallons Actual Annual: 78,000 gallons Aug. 2013-Dec. 2014: 116,000 gallons Fuel Savings Estimated Annual: $744,000 Actual Annual: $266,000 Aug. 2013-Dec. 2014: $388,000 Benefi t/Cost Ratio: 1.78 Banner Peak Wind Farm Expansion Project Overview In partnership with the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), Nome Joint Utility Systems (NJUS) complet- ed the expansion of the Banner Peak Wind Farm. In addition to the existing 16 Entegrity 65 kW turbines, two new 900 kW EWT DirectWind turbines were installed. Objectives Th e objective of this project was to provide Nome and the surrounding area with a reliable, renewable, and cost-eff ective source of energy. Introducing wind energy allowed them to reduce fl uctuating and expen- sive diesel fuel. Economic Feasibility Th e turbines became operational in August of 2013. Since then, they have produced 1,895 Megawatt hours of electricity and displaced 116,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Th is displacement has saved the commu- nity $388,000. Over its 20 year projected lifespan, the project has a calculated benefi t/cost ratio of 1.78, meaning that the project will see a 178 percent return on investment. Project Specifi cations Wind energy is ranked on a scale from 1 to 7, 1 being poor and 7 being superb. Much of the Bering Strait re- gion ranges from Class 4 to Class 7 winds, so projects here tend to be very economical. Th e EWT turbines were chosen aft er a detailed analysis of their specif- ic suitability for village installations. EWT turbines have complex controls, variable pitch blades, and state of the art power electronics. Th ey can be integrat- ed directly into existing utility grids and monitored and controlled through internet connections. Th e original Banner Peak wind project called for a power sales agreement between Nome Joint Utilities Sys- 900 kW EWT DirectWind turbines, photo courtesy of AEA. ices tems (NJUS) and Banner Wind LLC in which NJUS purchased power from Banner Wind. As of January 1, 2015, this agreement was terminated when Banner Wind turned the wind farm over to NJUS. NJUS no longer has to purchase power. Allocation of Funding Th e Alaska Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF) granted $8,069,000 for design and con- struction of the project. Local matching funds contrib- uted $884,088 for the same project phases. In a diff er- ent REF application, the state granted $801,000 and local matches gave $89,000 for a transmission line that would transfer power to NJUS communities. Learning Experiences/Challenges 1. Th e expansion application originally called for the installation of fi ve 600 kW turbines on Newton Peak at a cost of $13,952,326. Due to a $4 million cap on all Renewable Energy Fund (REF) projects, AEA recom- mended partial funding of this project for $4,000,000. In response, the wind farm was reduced to two EWT 900 wind turbines with an additional grant request of 4 million in 2013. Th e location was also changed from Newton Peak to Anvil Mountain and then to Banner Peak due to icing concerns and transmission costs. 2. Th e original Banner project began production in late 2008. Entegrity’s bankruptcy shortly thereaft er im- pacted the initial operation during 2009 due to a lack of spare parts and support. Banner was able to source parts from elsewhere, and by the time they applied for the expansion project they found turbines from Emer- gya Wind Technologies that met their needs. Community Benefi ts 1. Th e BSNC Board of Directors passed a resolution re- quiring that 50% of all their profi ts from the Entegrity turbines be reinvested in renewable energy projects in the 17 villages that make up the Bering Straits Region. Th is will enable more cost eff ective, better maintained village projects in the future while continually creating annual revenues to support more development. 2. Th e majority of villages in the region have a sub- sistence lifestyle, as they lack a true cash economy. High energy costs for gas, fuel oil, and electricity put an even higher burden of distress on these residents. Adding wind generation allows residents to continue thriving off of their environment and greatly reduc- es the need for diesel fuel. Th is project has reduced residential electricity costs by twelve cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Project Contact Information Owner: Nome Joint Utility Systems (NJUS) Phone: 907-443-6587 NJUS Contact: John Handeland Email: johnh@njus.org Electrical Engineer: Electrical Power Systems Phone: 907-522-1953 Civil Engineer: BBFM Engineers, Inc. Phone: 907-274-2236 Case Study Author: Zoe Tressel, AEA Site: Akenergyauthority.org Phone: 907-771-3000 Banner Peak Wind Farm Expansion Meteorological tower, photo courtesy of AEA. Banner Peak turbines, photo courtesy of AEA.Published August, 2015 “EWT turbines have complex con- trols, variable pitch blades, and state of the art power electronics.”