HomeMy WebLinkAboutMekoryuk Wind Farm 08-2015-WMekoryuk, Alaska
Wind farm project reduces electricity rates by over 50 percent
Quick Facts
Total Project Costs: $3.5 million
Funding: Renewable Energy Fund & Local Match
Capital Costs
Design: $49,988
Construction: $3,774,648
Equipment Specifications
Make/Model: (2) Northern Power 100 A
Rated Capacity: 100 kW
Net Capacity Factor: 27.4%
Rotor Diameter: 19 meters
Hub Height: 32 meters
Total Rated Capacity: 200 kW
Diesel Fuel Offset
Estimated Annual: 31,307 gallons
Actual Annual: 12,000 gallons
Nov. 2010-Dec. 2014: 51,000 gallons
Fuel Savings
Estimated Annual: $108,500
Actual Annual: $47,000
Nov. 2010-Dec. 2014: $191,000
Mekoryuk Wind Farm
Project Overview
In partnership with the Alaska Energy Authori-
ty (AEA), the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
(AVEC) completed the design and construction of a
200 kW wind farm. The project installed two North-
ern Power 100A turbines to supplement the existing
power generation at the AVEC facility.
Objectives
The objectives of this project were to displace diesel
fuel and provide the community of Mekoryuk with a
renewable, reliable, and cost effective energy source.
They achieved their objectives by installing two tur-
bines that could integrate into their diesel generation
system.
Economic Feasibility
The project became operational in November of
2010. Since then, the turbines have generated 761
megawatt-hours of electricity and displaced 51,000
gallons of diesel fuel. This displacement has saved the
community $191,000 in reduced fuel costs. Although
the turbines have a 20-year projected lifespan, with
proper maintenance and operation it is likely that the
turbines will outlast this estimate.
Project Specifications
Mekoryuk is a community of 210 people on Nunivak
Island and is part of the Yukon Delta National Wild-
life Refuge. Because of their remote location, they do
not have access to the main power grid like urban
cities. As such, their electrical and heating costs are
generally much higher than average and any reduc-
tion in those costs is a huge benefit to residents. The
Northern Power 100 turbines were chosen specifically
for their ability to withstand harsh environmental
climates similar to those in Alaska. They can operate
in temperatures as cold as -40 F. The community of Northern Power 100A turbines, photo courtesy of AEA.
Mekoryuk has an excellent wind class of 5. Normal
wind speeds average about 16.5 miles per hour (mph)
with maximum speeds of 78 mph.
Allocation of Funding
The Alaska Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy
Fund (REF) grant contributed $3,155,765 for design
and construction of the project. The community con-
tributed $390,493 for the same project phases.
Learning Experiences/Challenges
On March 11, 2015 a fire occurred in the base of one
turbine. Emergency crews responded immediately and
were able to assist the two men to safety. A post-in-
cident investigation highlighted improper storage of
combustible material in the base of the turbine. Proce-
dures have been modified at all AVEC sites to prevent
reoccurrence. Possible cable arcing was also identified
and cables have been re-routed to prevent damage
from workers scuffing the external wire insulation.
The original project application called for the installa-
tion of two turbines and a secondary heat load system.
The system would transmit excess wind energy to an
electrical boiler at the water treatment plant to help
heat the facility and make further use of the renew-
able resource. Project costs exceeded estimates, so no
money was granted for secondary heat loads. AVEC
applied for the secondary heat load system in a later
REF grant application.
Community Benefits
AVEC’s second REF application was accepted in 2012
and a secondary heat load system is currently being in-
stalled in the water treatment plant and washeteria. An
electric boiler is being installed in addition to the other
system components. This allows the community to rely
on renewables and displace diesel fuel even more.
Based on a fuel price of $3.55/gallon, residents were
paying almost $0.57/kWh for diesel-generated elec-
tricity. Thanks to this project and AEA’s Power Cost
Equalization program, rates have decreased to $0.21/
kWh.
Project Contact Information
Parties Involved:
Kirstin Enanoria, AVEC
Email: kenanoria@avec.org
Case Study Author:
Zoe Tressel, AEA
Website: Akenergyauthority.org
Phone: 907-771-3000
Mekoryuk Wind Farm
Northern Power turbine, photo courtesy of AEA.
Published August, 2015
“Thanks in part
to this project,
Mekoryuk’s
electricity rates
have been re-
duced by over
50 percent.”
Mekoryuk, Alaska, photo courtesy of E3alaska.com.