100 likes | 244 Views
Power Purchase Agreements. The City of Santa Maria’s Experience October 23, 2012. City of Santa Maria Statistics. Northern Santa Barbara County. Disadvantaged community of 100,000. Largely agricultural.
E N D
Power Purchase Agreements The City of Santa Maria’s Experience October 23, 2012
City of Santa Maria Statistics • Northern Santa Barbara County. • Disadvantaged community of 100,000. • Largely agricultural. • Secondary trickling filter treatment with anaerobic digesters, percolation ponds, sludge drying beds. • Design 13.5 MGD Currently 8.5 MGD. • Creative solutions to maintain affordability.
History • 2004 - US Energy signed agreement with City for use of digester gas. • 2006 – Installation and start-up of four Ingersoll Rand microturbines completed. • 2007-2008 – System unreliable. Microturbines did not start up to handle varying demand. • 2008 – Microturbines replaced with 300 kW engine. US Energy cost ~$170,000
History (continued) • 2008-2010 – Engine success variable. • 2011 – CHP Clean Energy takes over system. • 2012 – CHP rehabilitates engine and makes other improvements. Estimated cost ~$250,000. Starts back up July 2012.
2012 Improvements • Rebuilt engine. • Upsized exhaust manifold. • Replaced chiller. • Replaced control system. • Upsized hot water delivery system. • New air-fuel ratio sensors. • New blower, cooler pumps and intercooler.
Elements of PPA Agreement • We provide them gas. • We buy their power at 8.7 cents per kWh. • They pay Departing Load Nonbypassable charges. • They need to run cogen in “efficient and effective manner.” • Term of contract is 10 years, with buyout provisions.
How’s it working out? • Engine still experiences regular outages during partial peak and peak times. • Departing load charges “unanticipated” by CHP. Currently working on waiver. • Very low APCD emissions limits means high potential for lean fuel misfires.
Is it paying off? • Since July 2012, Cogen facility has cost more than if on PG&E alone. • 100% PG&E: $24,100 • 100% Cogen: $16,100 • Currently: • PG&E: $8,300 demand, $7,900 use. • Cogen: $8,000 • Total: $24,200
What would we do differently? • Performance standards! • Uptime criteria. • Demand charge responsibility. • Third party expert review of the design. • Cost evaluation prior to agreement. • Realistic expectations.