Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
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Kaua’i <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative<br />
<strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Assessments</strong><br />
3.0 <strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong><br />
Options<br />
Table 3-1. Direct Biomass Combustion <strong>Technology</strong> Characteristics.<br />
Performance<br />
Typical Duty Cycle Baseload<br />
Net Plant Capacity, MW 30<br />
Net Plant Heat Rate (HHV), Btu/kWh 14,500<br />
Capacity Factor, percent 70-90<br />
Economics<br />
Capital Cost, $/kW 2,600 – 3,900<br />
Fixed O&M, $/kW-yr 78<br />
Variable O&M, $/MWh 10<br />
Levelized Cost, $6/MBtu Fuel, $/MWh 173-186<br />
Levelized Cost, $3/MBtu Fuel, $/MWh 114 -127<br />
Levelized Cost, $0/MBtu Fuel, $/MWh 55-68<br />
<strong>Technology</strong> Status<br />
Commercial Status Commercial<br />
Installed US Capacity, MW 4,425 *<br />
<strong>Kauai</strong> Potential Very Good<br />
Notes:<br />
* Black & Veatch estimate for direct-fired plants only. Numerous plants also cofire<br />
biomass fuels, and these are not included in this estimate. See also Table 3-4.<br />
Environmental Impacts<br />
Biomass power projects must maintain a delicate balance to ensure long term<br />
sustainability with minimal environmental impact. Several states impose specific criteria<br />
on biomass power projects for them to be classified as “renewable”. A key concern is<br />
sustainability of the feedstock. Most biomass projects target utilization of biomass waste<br />
material for energy production, saving valuable landfill space. Targeting certain wastes<br />
for power production (such as animal manure) can also address other emerging<br />
environmental problems. Projects relying on forestry or agricultural products must be<br />
careful to ensure that fuel harvesting and collection practices are sustainable and provide<br />
a net benefit to the environment.<br />
Biomass utilization has several positive impacts. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass is<br />
viewed as a carbon-neutral power generation fuel. While carbon dioxide is emitted during<br />
biomass combustion, a nearly equal amount of carbon dioxide is absorbed from the<br />
atmosphere during the biomass growth phase. Further, biomass fuels contain little sulfur<br />
compared to coal, and so produce less sulfur dioxide. Finally, unlike coal, biomass fuels<br />
21 March 2005 3-6 Black & Veatch
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