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An Energy Conversion: Making Renewable Energy America’s Energy Sponsored by: U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Alan L. Dostal Nebraska Public Power District. NPPD’s Renewable Energy History. NPPD has a rich history in the use of hydropower.
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An Energy Conversion:Making Renewable Energy America’s EnergySponsored by:U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Alan L. Dostal Nebraska Public Power District
NPPD’s Renewable Energy History • NPPD has a rich history in the use of hydropower • North Platte Hydro - the largest NPPD-owned hydro in terms of capacity, the North Platte hydro has been operating since 1937 • Spencer Hydro - Situated in northern Nebraska on the Niobrara River, the Spencer hydro has been operating since 1927 • Kearney Hydro - The Kearney hydro has been in operation since 1886
NPPD’s Renewable Energy History • Springview Wind Turbines • In 1998 NPPD joined other Nebraska utilities to determine the efficiency and reliability of wind generation in Nebraska • The project was completed through the combined efforts of NPPD, LES, MEAN, the City of Grand Island, the City of Auburn, KBR Rural Public Power District, the DOE and EPRI • The two wind turbines have a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts
NPPD’s Renewable Energy History • Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility • The Facility consists of 36 wind turbines each rated at 1.65 megawatt turbine size for an actual nameplate capacity of 59.4 megawatts • The Nebraska Power Review Board and NPPD’s Board of Directors approved the project in August 2004 • Installation of the facility’s 36 wind turbines was complete on Aug. 1, 2005. • Commercial operation of the facility began Sept. 15, 2005.
NPPD Energy Center Services • Support for Ethanol Industry • NPPD can provide coal and operate coal-fired boilers for ethanol plant operators • Contract with Mid America Bio Energy & Commodities for such services • Ground breaking on December 19, 2005, for the Madrid, Nebraska facility • Ground breaking on April 24, 2006 for a second, identical ethanol project in Cambridge, Nebraska
Methane Recovery- Use of Alternative Fuels • OLean Energy Facility, owned and operated by Danny Kluthe of Dodge, Nebr., is the first methane recovery project in Nebraska that uses animal waste as a renewable energy source to generate electricity • The generator will produce up to 549,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This would power approximately 35 homes for one year based on the state of Nebraska’s average consumption
New InitiativesClean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) • CREBs are tax credit bonds created by the Energy Tax Incentive Act of 2005. • The Act provides for $500 million in “interest free” financing for governmental authorities for qualifying projects through the use of tax credits in lieu of interest for investors • Qualifying projects include among others: • Wind • Hydropower
Potential CREB Funded Projects • On April 26, 2006 NPPD submitted applications for: • Expansion of the Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility by an additional 15 MW • Installation of a small hydropower facility at the Gerald Gentleman Station circulating water outfall structure • Potential output is estimated at 3.6 MW
Additional Options for NPPD • Ongoing discussions with potential third party owners, operators: • 40 MW, expect 44% capacity factor • 20-year Power Purchase Agreement • Outside Nebraska but near an NPPD transmission line • 30 MW, expect 40% capacity factor • 25-year Power Purchase Agreement
Additional Options for NPPD • NPPD Build at new GREENFIELD Site • Order of Magnitude estimate for NPPD construction at a Greenfield site using an adjusted cost derived from the Ainsworth Build-out cost • 40 MW, 40-44% Capacity Factor • Near NPPD Transmission System • Financed with tax-exempt bonds for 20 years at 5% interest
Renewable Production Incentives and Credits • Renewable Production Incentive (REPI) Credits • $??.00 per MWhr. (when funded) • Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) • $19.00 per MWhr. • Not available to state and local governments and nonprofit electrical cooperatives
Renewable Production Incentives and Credits • Renewable energy certificates (RECs) or “Green” Tags • $1.00 up to $5.00 per MWhr. • LB 872 Mercury Cap & Trade/Renewable Tax Credit • Credit per MWhr. – 75 cents 2010, 50 cents 2013, 25 cents 2018 per MWhr • Maximum of $400,000 renewable tax credit payout
NPPD’s Domestic Energy Researchand Application Initiative Mission • To learn how to use domestic energy resources in a clean, low-cost way to maintain our standard of living for our children and grandchildren. • Consistent with NPPD’s Vision • NPPD Board adopted Charter on October 14, 2005
Domestic Energy ResearchAnd Application Initiative Domestic Energy Alternatives • Alternative Fuels • Energy efficiency to include energy conservation • Wind development and utilization • Clean coal alternatives • Nitrogen and carbon sequestration • Biomass • Solar • Other opportunities as identified
Utility Initiative Participation • Hydrogen Utility Group • Eleven Utility Participants • Four sponsoring organizations • LB 139 allows any public power district to participate in this area • Plug-In Partners Participation • A national grass-roots initiative to demonstrate to automakers that a market for flexible-fuel Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles exist today
Domestic Energy Research and Application Initiative Other Activities NPPD is Supporting • Application for a U.S Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored Feasibility Study of Hydrogen Production at Existing Nuclear Power Plants. • Project Scope: • Provide technical/economic performance data on currently available technologies • Conduct assessments to determine the best system for large scale production of hydrogen at existing nuclear plants
Domestic Energy Research and Application Initiative Other Activities NPPD is Supporting • "Nebraska - Kansas Demonstration of Enhanced Oil Recovery and Value-Added Carbon Sequestration from Biofuels (Ethanol) Production" project proposal submitted by the Center for Research, Inc., at the University of Kansas to the U.S. Department of Energy • University of Nebraska - Lincoln supports this project
Domestic Energy Research and Application Initiative Other Activities NPPD is Supporting • "Tools for Managing Water Resources in the Great Plains" project proposal being submitted by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln for consideration of Fiscal Year 2007 Congressional Earmark funding • This project is not sponsored by the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research; it is consistent with the Chartered direction for the new Center and warrants the District's support
Domestic Energy Research and Application Initiative Other Activities NPPD is Supporting • NPPD entered into an agreement with UNL on April 1, 2006 to establish the Nebraska Center for Energy Science Research • Five year agreement • $5.0 million investment over the five year term • Mission Statement of the Center • To conduct energy research that produces new technologies, processes and systems that provide new or significantly enhanced energy sources and improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for all Nebraskans