HomeMy WebLinkAboutKwigillingok Wind Diesel Smart Grid 08-2015-WKwigillingok, Alaska
Kwigillingok reduces energy costs by fifty percent.
Quick Facts
Total Project Costs: $3.2 million
Capital Costs
Design: $208,204
Construction: $2,991,796
Equipment Specifications
Make/Model: (5) Wind Matic 17-S
Rated Capacity: 95 kW
Net Capacity Factor: 24.5%
Rotor Diameter: 17 meters
Hub Height: 24.4 meters
Total Rated Capacity: 475 kW
Diesel Fuel Offset
Estimated Annual: 81,500 gallons
Actual Annual: 14,000 gallons
Feb. 2012-Dec. 2014: 24,000 gallons
Fuel Savings
Estimated Annual: $350,000
Actual Annual: $58,000
Feb. 2012-Dec. 2014: $102,000
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1.63
Kwigillingok Wind-Diesel Smart Grid
Project Overview
In partnership with the Alaska Energy Authority
(AEA), Kwigillingok Power Company (KPC) com-
pleted the construction of a wind to heat project in
Kwigillingok, Alaska. Five WindMatic turbines were
installed in addition to 27 Electric Thermal Storage
(ETS) residential heating units, a load regulator, and a
Smart Grid control system.
Objectives
The objectives of this project were to provide the com-
munity of Kwigillingok with a renewable, reliable, and
cost effective energy source that would help displace
and offset the expensive costs of heating fuel.
Economic Feasibility
The project became operational in February of 2012.
Between February of 2012 and December of 2014, the
turbines generated 293 megawatt-hours of electric-
ity and 306 MMBtu of thermal energy. This allowed
KPC to displace 24,000 gallons of diesel fuel, saving
the community $102,000 in reduced energy costs.
The project was estimated to have a benefit/cost ratio
greater than 1 but has not performed as designed.
Project Specifications
The Smart Grid control system is a unique aspect of
this project. A network of advanced meters receives
information about the availability of excess wind
energy. If available, the system transfers excess en-
ergy from the turbines to Electric Thermal Stoves in
peoples’ homes at a reduced rate. The meters commu-
nicate wirelessly, provide a user interface for custom-
ers, and account for energy sold at different rates. The
Smart Grid enables 27 ETS stoves to capture and store
excess energy for heating village residences. For resi-
dents who have the ETS stoves in their homes, heating
costs are reduced by 50 percent. Wind Matic 17-S Tur-
bines, photo courtesy
of AEA.
“Utility manag-
ers now have
reliable access
to real- time
mechanical help
from engineers
and suppliers all
over the world.”
Allocation of Funding
The Alaska Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy
Fund contributed $1.6 million for design and con-
struction of the project. The Department of Com-
merce, Community, and Economic Development
(DCCED) also contributed $1.6 million for the same
project phases.
Learning Experiences/Challenges
One turbine experienced a drive train failture during
operation. Because of this, there are four turbines cur-
rently operating. Although this was a setback, contin-
ued maintenance and developer involvement will aid
these communities in preserving project longevity.
Community Benefits
With roughly 29 percent of village residents living be-
low the poverty level and unemployment approaching
50 percent, Kwigillingok struggles under the burden of
high energy costs. Before AEA’s Power Cost Equaliza-
tion program, electricity costs $0.65/kWh (over four
times the cost in urban Alaska) and heating oil has
cost up to $9/gallon in recent years. Harnessing the
local wind resource has enabled those with ETS stoves
to substantially reduce their heating costs.
As wind speed changes, Kwigillingok can control the
power flows in its system by turning parts of the sys-
tem on and off. They can also configure various com-
ponents to minimize diesel generator use and optimize
wind energy distribution.
This project also provides several part and full-time
jobs through the Chaninik Wind Group (CWG). The
CWG is a nonprofit corporation formed by the villages
of Kwigillingok, Kongiganak, Tuntutuliak, and Kipnuk
with a goal to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels
by 40% and replace fossil fuel consumption with wind
energy production. CWG community members in all
four villages went through wind turbine training to
construct and maintain their separate wind projects.
When residents pay their individual energy bills, more
of their money now stays with KPC instead of going to
outside fuel oil companies. This keeps money closer to
home where it can help foster the local economy.
With the Smart Grid installatio, utility managers have
reliable access to real-time mechanical help from
engineers and suppliers all over the world. Expensive
support trips back and forth to villages have been
practically eliminated.
Project Contact Information
Parties Involved:
William Igkurak, Kwigillingok Power Co.
Email: wmigkurak@att.net
Phone: 907-276-6222
Case Study Author:
Zoe Tressel, AEA
Website: Akenergyauthority.org
Phone: 907-771-3000
Kwigillingok Wind-Diesel Smart Grid
Community member wind turbine training, photo courtesy of NREL.
WindMatic 17-S turbine, photo courtesy of AEA.
Published August, 2015