HomeMy WebLinkAboutToksook Bay Wind Farm 08-20-2015-WToksook Bay, Alaska
Outstanding wind class topples rural energy prices
Quick Facts
Total Project Costs: $1,191,687
Funding: REF, State, & Local Funds
Capital Costs
Design: $43,993
Construction: $1,147,694
Equipment Specifications
Make/Model: Northern Power 100A
Rated Capacity: 100 kW
Net Capacity Factor: 25%
Rotor Diameter: 19 meters
Hub Height: 30 meters
Total Rated Capacity: 400 kW
Diesel Fuel Offset
Estimated Annual: 17,520 gallons
Actual Annual: 9,000 gallons
Aug. 2009-Dec. 2014: 69,000
Fuel Savings
Estimated Annual: $66,187
Actual Annual: $34,000
Aug. 2009-Dec. 2014: $258,000
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 1
Toksook Bay 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 400 kW wind farm with the addition of a fourth
turbine. The fourth Northern Power 100 kW turbine
was part of a larger power system upgrade project that
continues to serve the community of Toksook Bay.
Objectives
The objectives of this project were to displace diesel
fuel and provide the community of Toksook Bay with
a renewable, reliable, and cost effective energy source.
An additional objective was to supplement the neigh-
boring communities of Tununak and Nightmute with
wind-generated electricity.
Economic Feasibility
The expanded project became operational in August
of 2009. Through December of 2014, the turbines
generated 991 megawatt-hours of electricity and dis-
placed 69,000 gallons of diesel fuel. This displacement
saved the communities of Toksook Bay, Tununak, and
Nightmute a total of $258,000 in avoided fuel costs.
Over its 20-year projected lifespan, the project has a
calculated benefit/cost ratio of 1.
Project Specifications
Toksook Bay is one of three villages located on Nelson
Island off the southwest coast of Alaska and has an
outstanding wind class of 6 out of 7. The original 2006
wind project consisted of 3 turbines and was funded
by sources outside the Alaska Energy Authority. In
October of 2010, the Renewable Energy Fund (REF)
grant financed the installation of the fourth turbine to
increase total capacity to 400 kW. To maximize ben-
efits in the region, an intertie was constructed from
Toksook Bay to Tununak and Nightmute-the other
Northern Power turbines, photo courtesy of AEA.
two communities on Nelson Island. This tieline allows
all three villages to reap the benefit of reduced diesel
fuel costs on their electric bills. The diesel power plants
in those communities were placed in standby and only
operate with diesel during line outages.
Allocation of Funding
The Alaska Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy
Fund contributed $1,037.750 for the construction and
installation of the fourth turbine. Funding provided by
the Denali Commission, Rural Utility Service, Coastal
Village Regional Fund, and AVEC financed the older
project that replaced the power plant, upgraded the
distribution system, installed a new community bulk
tank farm, and the first three turbines.
Learning Experiences/Challenges
Except for some initial issues, including a blade failure
during a software upgrade, the power system operated
normally for several years.
A cracked rotor hub was discovered on one of the
turbines in 2011. This led to a retrofit on all A-model
turbines in Alaska as a precautionary measure. This
learning experience illustrates how this wind project
and others like it allow information, experience, and
assistance to be shared between communities who are
using similar technology and experiencing the same
issues. Developing this support system is crucial, espe-
cially in rural Alaska where support from vendors and
contractors can easily be inhibited by weather condi-
tions and distance.
Community Benefits
The 2014 reported cost of wind-diesel generated elec-
tricity in Toksook Bay was $0.54/kWh. The expected
diesel-generated electric rate would be closer to $0.77/
kWh based on an average fuel cost of $3.85/gallon. An
AEA program called Power Cost Equalization (PCE)
has further reduced residential electric rates to $0.34/
kWh. This helps diminish the financial burden on ru-
ral residents who continue to face high costs of living.
Thanks to this project and similar ones, local wind
technicians are being trained in AVEC villages across
Alaska. This training supports local economies, gen-
erates increased local income, and garners even more
support for renewable energy throughout the state.
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
Toksook Bay Wind Farm
Northern Power 100A, photo courtesy of Nrel.gov.
Power plant, tank farm, and wind turbine, photo courtesy of AVEC.
Published August, 2015