Download
1 / 16
160 likes | 277 Vues
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is addressing its energy needs with a forward-thinking plan that includes replacing aging infrastructure with a new 15-20 megawatt circulating fluidized bed boiler. The university aims to diversify its energy sources by integrating coal, biomass, gas, and renewables like solar and wind to ensure reliable and environmentally responsible energy for its expanding campus. With escalating maintenance costs and growing energy demands, UAF's strategy focuses on efficiency, sustainability, and community engagement to foster a cleaner energy future.
E N D
An Energy Solution for 2017 and beyond
Energy is the foundation • 3 million square feet of academic, research, office and housing space • Average age of building: 33 years • Plans to add more than 230,000 square feet • All these things need heat and power
Atkinson plant • Two coal boilers (1964) • One oil boiler (1972) • One oil & gas boiler (1986) Creates • Steam: to heat campus Runs turbines to create • Electricity • We also have: • 10 megawatt diesel generator and an electrical distribution system
Combined heatand power The best choicefor efficiency
UAF energy sources • $7.8 million annual cost • 70,000 tons of coal • 1.2 million gallons of oil • 12 million cubic feet of natural gas
Current fuel costs per million BTU • Biomass and pipedgas are unknown
What if a coal boiler fails? • Enormous jumpincosts that could harm: • The programs we provide • The research we do • The students we serve
We studied the options • A wide variety of generation options using gas, coal, biomass, solid waste, hydroelectric and wind • 15 months of study • Met with industry and environmental groups to gather input and ideas
Competing considerations • Environmental responsibility • Regulatory climate • Political reality in Alaska and the nation • The state’s uncertain energy future • The economics for UAF and our programs and students • Responsible stewardship of state funds • Risk of catastrophic failure (current plant’s 50-year lifespan is almost over)
A diversified energy portfolio: • Anchored by a new 15-20 megawatt circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler • Flexible solid fuel • Coal with 10-30 percent biomass possible • Replaceoil boilers with gas or propane • Purchase renewable energy, when available • Energy conservation on campus • Small renewable projects on campus • Flexible, sustainable, fiscally responsible 11
Replacement now is fiscally responsible • Aging plant and a growing campus • More than $40 million in maintenance needed in the coming years. • That doesn’t guarantee continued reliable operation • About half of those projects are bandages not needed in a new plant. • We need energy solutions for our future, not temporary patches.
Replacement now is environmentally responsible • Current plant: Coal and oil • UAF’snew plant: Coal, waste/biomass, gas or propane, other solid fuels • Augmented with solar, wind and other renewable options that become available. • A new plant will mean cleaner air
Timeline • Current fiscal year: $3 million for preliminary design and permitting • FY14: $22 million for complete design • Beyond: $175 million for construction • Target completion and opening: Summer 2017
What can you do? • We need community partners like you. • We want to know what you are hearing from your friends, neighbors and colleagues. • Share accurate information: • We need energy solutions for the future, not temporary patches. • UAF’s future rests on reliable heat and power. • Combined heat and power is the most efficient option. • A new plant will mean cleaner air. • We are pursuing a diversified energy portfolio: coal, waste/biomass, gas, solar, wind, conservation • Flexible, sustainable, fiscally responsible
