Biomass Gasification CHP Pilot Project Lessons Learned FNSB and ACEP Ben Loeffler, Energy Management Engineer October 31, 2018 1
OUTLINE 1. FNSB-ACEP Partnership 2. Biomass CHP Pilot Project Motivations 3. Intro to Biomass Gasification CHP 4. Pilot Project Outcome 5. Lessons Learned 2
FNSB-ACEP Partnership Objective Provide coordination of programs and projects involving the development, implementation, and evaluation of energy efficiency, energy delivery, and alternative and renewable energy systems in FNSB. 3
Biomass Pilot Project Motivations Fairbanks Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) COMMUNITY PRIORITY #1: Lower and stabilize FNSB energy costs by expanding the energy portfolio with a focus on local resources. ACEP Mission: Develop and disseminate practical, costeffective, and innovative energy solutions for Alaska and beyond Vision: Alaska leading the way in innovative production, distribution, and management of energy Energy Management Engineer Work with Borough stakeholders and ACEP researchers to evaluate emerging and existing energy efficient technologies relevant to the Borough. 4
Biomass Pilot Project Motivations 5
Biomass Pilot Project Motivations 6 http://alaskarenewableenergy.org/index.php/programs/renewable-energy-atlas/
Solar Energy Production Biomass Pilot Project Motivations 7
Wind Energy Production Biomass Pilot Project Motivations 8
Biomass Energy Production Biomass Pilot Project Motivations 9
Biomass Pilot Project Motivations Fairbanks Galena Electricity Cost $/kwh $0.20 $0.67 Fuel Cost $/Gallon $2.20 $5.76 Value of 280,000 kwh $ $56,000 $164,000 Value of 2,380 MMBTU $ $45,000 $102,000 Cost of 370 tons Wood Chips $ -$32,000 -$37,000 Cost of Maintenance $ -$30,000 -$40,000 Annual Savings $ $39,000 $187,000 Annual Local Impact $ $64,000 $77,000 10
Biomass CHP Pilot Project Goals Evaluate and Disseminate: Fuel Suitability Performance Reliability Maintenance Costs Emissions Islanded-grid Compatibility 11
FNSB Testing Objectives Fuel Consumption Ash Production Integration with Building System Reliability Track every fault event and system downtime O&M Costs Track all consumables and parts Track all labor hours 12
ACEP Testing Objectives Instrumentation of Heat and Power Grid-Connected Monitoring Islanded Mode Performance Testing Disconnect from Grid Operate in Parallel with Diesel Genset and Load Bank Data Processing and Analysis 13
Intro to Biomass Gasification CHP 14
Intro to Biomass Gasification CHP 25% Carbon Monoxide 17% Hydrogen 8% Carbon Dioxide 2.5% Methane 47.5% Nitrogen 15
Intro to Biomass Gasification CHP 16
Pilot Project Progress and Plan Identify potential pilot project sites Select an appropriate system Secure external funding to support pilot installation Design and build installation Purchase and install equipment Operate system and collect data Analyze performance data, disseminate results 17
Proposed Site Big Dipper Ice Rink Demand Charges Year round heat load Chip Access 18
Proposed Technology Volter 40 Operates on wood chips (spruce and aspen) 40kW Electric 340,000 BTU/hr Thermal Small-scale, packaged unit suited for both railbelt and rural installations Load-following, but not gridforming 19
Electricity [kw] Proposed Site Big Dipper Ice Rink 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 10/26/2016 10/28/2016 10/30/2016 11/1/2016 11/3/2016 11/5/2016 Grid Volter 20
July August September October November December January February March April May June July August September October November December January February March April May June Energy Usage [MMBTU] Energy Usage [MMBTU] 1,000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Proposed Site Big Dipper Ice Rink Estimated Heat Usage with Volter 1,000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Estimated Electricity Usage with Volter Volter Heat Utility Heat Volter Power Utility Power 21
PM2.5 emissions [lb/ton] PM2.5 Emissions 70 60 64 50 40 30 20 10 0 Hydronic Heater 8.76 EPA Certified Wood Stove 3 Pellet Stove 0.01 Wood Gasification CHP 22
PM2.5 emissions [g/kwh] PM2.5 Emissions 0.035 0.03 0.03 0.025 0.02 0.015 0.01 0.005 0 Tier IV Diesel 0.0022 Wood Gasification CHP 23
PM2.5 emissions [g/btu] PM2.5 Emissions 3 2.5 2 1.5 2.69 2.59 1 0.844 0.5 0 Oil Boiler Wood Gasification CHP Natural Gas Boiler 24
Pilot Project Progress and Plan Funding Sources: $290,000 in EETF Grant + $290,000 required FNSB Match = $580,000 $218,000 USFS Wood Innovations Grant award $120,000 FNSB Energy Reductions Projects Fund 25
Pilot Project What Happened Things that we did right: Identified site and technology and testing plan. Funding awarded and appropriated. EPA, DEC, UL, GVEA Electrical Interconnection, Customs, compliance plans. Assembly approval of non-competitive procurement to meet grant scope of work. Project discontinued by FNSB: Original Scope of Work exceeded budget, FNSB procurement standards limited ability to negotiate. Equipment provider not comfortable with standard contract language. 26
Pilot Project Lessons Learned Evaluate internal structure for suitability for research type project. Look for cost drivers. If partnering, carefully consider which entity can best serve as lead. Stress consensus on legal terms and conditions as early as possible in project. 27
Why a Pilot Project should still be pursued Alaska energy costs are high Biomass is plentiful and sustainable New technology to produce commercial scale electricity from wood Reduced costs to building operators Commercial economic activity Reduce impact of biomass energy on air quality 28
Questions? Ben Loeffler FNSB Energy Management Engineer bloeffler@fnsb.us 29