Alaska Municipal League 59th Annual Local Government Conference

The Programs of the Alaska Energy Authority

Energy and Empowerment for Your Communities

Rural Power System Upgrade Program and Technical Assistance to Rural Utilities

The Hotel Captain Cook - Anchorage, AlaskaNovember 18-20, 2009

Alaska Energy Authority

Rural Energy Group

Rural Power System Upgradesand

Technical Support

Alan FettersProject Manager

907-771-30001-888-300-8534 toll free

http://www.akenergyauthority.org/

• Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) implements rural power plant construction, renewals, repairs and technical assistance via the Rural Power System Upgrade (RPSU) program

• The program encompasses diesel powerhouses, alternative energy sources and distribution

• The RPSU program is some of the most important work we do at the AEA for rural communities

• The success of this program directly impacts the health, safety, economics and quality of life in rural communities

Alaska Energy Authority RPSU Program

• Every RPSU project is designed to meet the unique needs of each community and take advantage of locally available resources in order to reduce the cost of power

• The RPSU program supports approximately 120 independent rural electric Utilities that are not part of a cooperative like AVEC, AP&T or the North Slope Borough

• Diesel efficiency is one of the core values of this program along with long term reliability and safety

Alaska Energy Authority RPSU Program

Powerhouse Project in Tuluksak

Before

After

Powerhouse Project in Chitina

Before

After

Electrical Distribution in Chignik and Napakiak

Raptor Safe Electrical Distribution

Alternative Energy in Ouzinkie

Alternative Energy in Larsen Bay

Alternative Energy in Pelican

Existing Wooden Flume to be Replaced

Chitina Stream Gauging for Hydro Power

Technical Assistance Fort Yukon

Technical Assistance Fort Yukon

kWh/gal kW    3456   C27250    15.3    11.7300    15.8    12.2350    15.7    12.6400    15.5    12.9

Fort Yukon Engine Selection Analysis

• The previous graph shows the fuel efficiency of a "typical" CAT 3412 genset, a CAT 3456 (500+/-kW) genset and the C27 (619 kW)

• In simple terms, the fuel economy of the C27 is horrendously poor!

• Based on PCE data from FY 2007 to generate 3,123,000 kWh:– it will take approx. 248,000 gallons of fuel using a C27– it will take approx. 201,500 gallons of fuel using a 3456

• Estimated fuel savings of 46,500 gallon /year using the 3456 vs a C27

• The fuel savings in a single year will pay for the purchase and installation of at least 2 each 3456 gensets

Technical Assistance Fort Yukon

Emergency Assistance for Chignik

Cumulative Fuel Savings from RPSU Program

Inside the Typical Powerhouse

Typical Efficiency of an Older Powerhouse

Utility Management

Utility Training

Mechanical

Switchgear Efficiency

Station Efficiency

Engine Efficiency

Public Education

Generator Controls

Organic Rankin Cycle, Hydrogen Injection, Friction Reduction, others

Remote Monitoring and Data Acquisition

Used Oil Blender

Maintenance Increased Facility Efficiency

Water

Water

Water Jacket

Exhaust Stack

Efficiency Gains

Transmission Efficiency

Power Lines

Transformers

Categories

Efficiency Monitoring

Technology Electronic Engine Controller Controller/Monitor Electronic Fuel Injection

Heat Recovery Receptors

Constant Load Monitoring, Automatic Generator Dispatch, coordination with Alt. Energy

Faster Troubleshooting & Power Restoration

Balance Loads, Line Loss Reduction

Efficient Transformers/Properly Sized Automatic Flags/faster response

Troubleshooting Skills

Stack Heat Recovery

Peak Shaving

Comprehensive Maintenance

Voluntary Conservation

Burn Used Oil

New Technology

10-20%

18%

15%

1-2% (Plus Lower O & M Costs)

10-15%

Lower O & M Costs

2-5%

Lower O & M Costs

10-20% Less Demand

Possible Rural Power System Efficiency Upgrades

Potential Efficiency of a New Powerhouse

• With new modern electronically controlled engines, automated paralleling and dispatching switchgear we typically see a 20-25% increase in diesel efficiency or kWh generated per gallon of fuel consumed

• If heat recovery is added to the system there is potential for another 10-15% saving in space heating

• This can equate to a nearly 30-40% in total fuel savings. The payback improves if you consider the reduced maintenance costs associated with a new facility

Alaska Energy Authority

• Routine maintenance and technical support is required to keep these power systems running reliably and efficiently.

• The next graphs convey what can happen to a new powerhouses efficiency without proper opeeration and maintenance

Alaska Energy Authority

Challenges in Maintaining Efficiency

New powerhouse 2000. Suggests inconsistent maintenance, sporadic repairs and generator sets out of service for long periods

Challenges in Maintaining Efficiency

New powerhouse 2003. Suggests low level of maintenance without timely repairs, overall engine efficiency decline and system out of tuned

Training and Routine Maintenance is Important

The RPSU program includes power plant operator training at AVTEC in Seward and training on site during powerhouse construction or renovation

Akiachak Powerhouse

Before

After

• The community of Akiachak has realized efficiency improvements that has resulted in significant fuel savings from an AEA RPSU project completed in the fall of 2008

• AEA partnering with the Denali Commission and the community replaced the old diesel powerhouse with a new modern powerhouse as part of AEA’s Rural RPSU program

• The electric utility is Akiachak Native Community Electric Co.

Akiachak Efficiency Improvements

Akiachak Powerhouse Improvements

The above information was gathered from the Utility’s FY2008 & FY2009 Power Cost Equalization (PCE) reporting

14.62 Avg kWh produced per gallon of fuel consumed in FY2009 after the project

10.62 Avg kWh produced per gallon of fuel consumed in FY2008 before the project

4 kWh per gallon increase in efficiency or 37.6% increase!

165,261 Gallons of fuel consumed at powerhouse in FY2008 before the project

124,555 Gallons of fuel consumed at powerhouse in FY2009 after the project

40,706 Gallons of fuel saved FY 2009 or 25% reduction!

Akiachak Powerhouse Improvements

The above information was gathered from the Utility’s FY2008 & FY2009 Power Cost Equalization (PCE) reporting

$495,142 Cost of fuel consumed at powerhouse in FY2008 before the project

$386,689 Cost of fuel consumed at powerhouse in FY2009 after project

$108,453 Avoided fuel expenditures in FY2009 or 22% savings!

1818 Estimated tons of CO2 from powerhouse in FY2008 before the project

1370 Estimated tons of CO2 from powerhouse in FY2009 after the project

448 Estimated tons of CO2 emission diverted in FY2009 or 25% reduction!

Akiachak Heat Recovery

The above information was gathered from the powerhouse SCADA system and PCE

15,000 Equivalent gallons of fuel saved at the municipal water treatment system in FY2009

$57,900 Estimated avoided cost of fuel in FY2009 at a current cost of $3.86 per gallon

165 Estimated tons CO2 emission diverted in FY2009!

Akiachak Combined Powerhouse & Heat Recovery

Savings from reduced maintenance was not included and the cost of the distribution portion of the project was not removed and would have a positive effect on the payback

55,706 Gallons of fuel saved per year

$215,025 Avoided cost of fuel per year at a cost of $3.86 per gallon

613 Estimated tons of CO2 emissions diverted in FY2009!

$2,700,000 Design and construction cost of new powerhouse and distribution system

12.5 Years estimated simple payback at a the current fuel cost of $3.86 per gallon

Akiachak Powerhouse

RPSU technician training and working with the local Akiakchak operators

Interior of the new powerhouse

• Proper design and construction considering efficiency, reliability and maintainability

• Analyzing the community electrical load and matching it to the proper generators

• Automated paralleling load sensing switchgear with modern a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system

• Heat recovery from the new powerhouse to the community’s municipal water system

Factors Contributing to the Efficiency Gains

Automatic Paralleling Load Sensing Switchgear

Remote Monitoring

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

Automatic Load Sensing Switchgear

Modern generator control

Waste Oil Injection

Injection waste engine oil back into the fuel

Powerhouse Fire Protection

Fogging water mist system

Heat Recovery & Receptor Equipment

Fuel tank with heat recovery loop to allow

use of #2 fuel in the winter

Heat recovery system is expected to meet all the clinics needs

BTU meter

Remote Monitoring of Heat Recovery

Heat recovery monitoring and metering to the municipal water system

• An important component of the RPSU program is ongoing technical assistance which includes on call technicians and remote monitoring of the powerhouses with a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA)

Alaska Energy Authority RPSU Program

Diesel and Hydro Integration

Remote Monitoring

Camera installation

Satellite connectivity

Remote Monitoring Cameras

Alaska Energy Authority

Rural Energy Group

Rural Power System Upgradesand

Technical Support

Alan FettersProject Manager

907-771-30001-888-300-8534 toll free

http://www.akenergyauthority.org/

Alaska Energy Authority RPSU Program