Renewable Energy Applications Jenna Beatty Jenny Lund Calvin

Renewable Energy Applications Jenna Beatty Jenny Lund Calvin Robertie

World Energy Use by Fuel

Goals of this Project • BPM – Final document for Stantec – Checklist and Comparison Chart • Renewable energy options – Most commonly used options • Option Analysis – Location and Efficiency – Cost and Feasibility – Downsides and Environmental Impacts

Stantec’s Challenge • Limited number of renewable energy “experts” • Lack of standardized document or “textbook” • Ample supply of information available • Stantec would benefit from a BPM for entry level engineers

Decision Tree What are your energy needs? Solar Wind Electricity Generation Heating/Cooling Identify Available Options Geothermal Biomass Hydropower Geothermal Biomass

Renewable Energy Options

Research • Searched through sources to find: – Best Location – Cost Range – Efficiency – Downsides/Environmental Impacts – Case Studies

Chart CSP Solar Power Offshore Wind Power - Parabolic Trough - Linear Fresnel Reflector - CSP Dish - CSP Tower - Wind turbines are sited off the coast in waters up to 30 m deep. - In the sunbelts of the world, and general between the latitudes of 40°North and 40° South. The American Southwest has a very large potential for CSP - The U. S. North east and Pacific Northwest from Oregon to Alaska are suitable. Cost - Power cost around $0. 12 per k. Wh of power - Capital cost of plants vary between $2 M and $5 M per MW of capacity -Power costs $0. 09 per k. Wh. - Capital cost range between $2 M and $3 M per MW of capacity Efficiency - Varies between technologies but is generally between 2040%. Energy storage systems can increase the efficiency. - Capacity factors range between 25 -40% however offshore wind is generally high due to stronger, more consistent, and less turbulent winds offshore. Downsides - Large CSP plants take up large areas of land, however are often located in deserts. - Concentrated beams of sunlight can kill birds and insects - Visual aesthetics of shorelines are of concern - 0. 001% of bird deaths are accounted from wind turbines - Marine ecosystems can be harmed, but initial research shows it to be very low. General Info. - Many downsides can be mitigated and the used of deserts and increase the value of previously degraded and unusable land. - 78% of U. S. electricity demand comes from the 28 states with shorelines. Technology Location

Chart Cost CSP Solar Power Offshore Wind Power - Power cost around $0. 12 per k. Wh of power - Capital cost of plants vary between $2 M and $5 M per MW of capacity -Power costs $0. 09 per k. Wh of power. - Capital cost range between $2 M and $3 M per MW of capacity

Checklist Concentrated Solar Power ___ ___ CSP power plants need a large area’s of land, up to hundreds or thousands of acres. Cost of CSP plants range from $2 M to $5 M per MW Cost of electricity from CSP plants is around $0. 12/k. Wh but is expected to drop in the near future due to increased research, manufacturing, and development. The best locations for CSP plants are often deserts which are unusable otherwise Current CSP technologies can convert 20 -40% of sunlight When thermal storage units are incorporated into a CSP plant it can increase its capacity factor and continue to produce energy in the dark CSP plants emit no greenhouse gases during operation Offshore Wind ___ ___ Current technology only allows offshore turbines in water up to 30 Meters deep Minimum wind speeds of 8 mph are required for a turbine to generate electricity The coast of the Northeastern U. S. and the Cost of the Pacific Northwest from Oregon to Alaska are good locations to site offshore wind farms Farms cost around $2. 4 M per MW of capacity and electricity costs $. 095/k. Wh Wind turbine capacity factors are around 30% however strong and more consistent offshore winds could increase that number. Farms can be properly sited to avoid fishing grounds and shipping lanes There is often public concern for the marine environment and visual aesthetics

BPM • “Textbook” format – Detailed description of information provided in checklist and chart – Information is cited – Various case studies for each of the technologies

Design Example

Conclusion • Each option is applicable in specific locations • Biodiesel and geothermal heat pumps can be applicable almost anywhere • Hybrid systems

Questions