Cabinet integrated present

HP210, Feasibility Study of Energy Options for Clarkson University: 

HP210, Feasibility Study of Energy Options for Clarkson University Honors Program Sophomore-Level Contemporary Problem Course The presentation is on the Web at http://www.clarkson.edu/~gravande/HP210

Course Objectives: 

Course Objectives To facilitate students’ learning about energy issues faced by both Clarkson and society To produce recommendations about energy options that will be useful to Clarkson decision makers

Problem Definition: 

Problem Definition Examine Clarkson’s total energy situation Both utilization and production aspects Special focus on alternative energy production technologies Determine the feasibility of implementing selected energy production technologies and utilization reduction strategies

Issues Examined: 

Issues Examined Wind Energy Solar Energy Geothermal Energy Hydro Energy Co-Generation / Load Leveling

Final Results: 

Final Results Mixed findings re feasibility for Clarkson Nevertheless, recommendations to proceed with some options Implementation for some instances Further study for others Tremendous student learning about energy issues

Wind Energy Team: 

Wind Energy Team

Why Wind Energy?: 

Why Wind Energy? Pros Clean, sustainable energy source Power diversification Minimal environmental impact Locally built and operated Cons High initial cost Intermittent power Visual impact Payback period

Why Wind Energy at Clarkson?: 

Why Wind Energy at Clarkson? Quantitative Mean wind speed (at 213 ft): 12.8 mph Qualitative Guards against price fluctuations Sends a message of progressivism Increases Clarkson’s profile Educational and recruiting value

Issues : 

Issues Economic Legal Technical Case Studies Public Opinion

Is Wind Energy Viable at Clarkson?: 

Is Wind Energy Viable at Clarkson? ?

Turbines: 

Turbines NW19 0.5% of Clarkson’s total electrical needs V47 4.9% of Clarkson’s total electrical needs N54 6.1% of Clarkson’s total electrical needs V80 15.8% of Clarkson’s total electrical needs

Recommendation:Vestas V47 660kW Turbine: 

Recommendation: Vestas V47 660kW Turbine Yearly Energy Production: 4.9% of electrical needs Base Cost: $660,000 Yearly Maint. Cost ($0.015/kWh): $17,109 (est.) Yearly Income ($0.07/kWh): $79,844 (est.) 20 year lifetime (maybe?): Net Present Value (5%): $121,818 Real rate of return: 7.09% Present value electricity cost: $0.0614/kWh

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Wind energy is viable Recommend a Vestas V47 660kW Turbine No known legal restrictions 70% of students support placing a wind turbine on campus

Solar Energy Team: 

Solar Energy Team Group Members: Adam Allan Kiran MacCormick Warren Diefendorf Wes Turner Jacob Horn Sean Lebel Chris Cormier Nick Guertin

Purpose: 

Purpose To provide Clarkson University with a comprehensive solution to high energy costs by investigating the feasibility of these options: Natural Lighting Solar Air/Water Heating Photovoltaic Cells

Natural Lighting: 

Natural Lighting By implementing natural lighting, energy costs can be reduced. Lowers the need for electric lighting During the winter months, sunlight will help to heat the building During the summer months, an overhang can prevent direct sunlight from entering a building, thereby reducing the cooling loads We investigated the use of natural lighting in the current ERC. Using professional consultants (Global Resource Options, LLP) Recommendations Consider building an awning on the ERC Consider changing window design

Solar Water Heating: 

Solar Water Heating Through the use of solar water heating, energy costs can be further reduced. Solar energy would be used to preheat water This system can be used in conjunction with a previously installed system We evaluated the feasibility of these systems by contacting GRO. For use in Graham Hall Recommendations Pursue external funding

Solar Water Heating: 

Solar Water Heating

Photovoltaic Cells: 

Photovoltaic Cells By using PV cells, Clarkson’s energy dependence can be reduced. Clarkson currently relies on Niagara-Mohawk for electricity During midday, when peak electrical loads have been proven to be at their highest, PV cells will simultaneously be providing their maximum electrical output. Potential for selling power to the grid to recover initial investment We contacted GRO concerning installing an array for the ERC Recommendations A large system is not economically feasible A small system may be educationally beneficial

Photovoltaic Cells: 

Photovoltaic Cells

Conclusion: 

Conclusion In order to reduce the energy dependence of Clarkson University, we recommend that the university take these steps: Consider building an awning on the ERC Consider changing window design in ERC Pursue funding options for a solar water heating system to use in Graham Hall

Thank You: 

Thank You Dr. Jerry Gravander Dr. Eric Thacher Doc Bagley The engineers at GRO

Geothermal Energy: 

Geothermal Energy

Library Expansion: 

Library Expansion Current proposed library plan - expand from 50,000 to 75,000 net sq. feet Retrofit situation Allows more space for library usage Creates a more comfortable environment Environmental benefits Economic Advantages

Economics of Conventional System: 

Economics of Conventional System Total Implementation Costs = $136,000 3 new heaters @ $37,000 each 1 new supplementary chiller @ $25,000 New chiller just purchased – only supplementary needed Annual Running Costs = $67,802 Heating - $62,338 per year Cooling - $5,464 per year

Economics of Geothermal System: 

Economics of Geothermal System Total Implementation Cost = $299,520 154 tons of heat 58 boreholes Annual Running Cost = $56,722 Dependant only on electricity $11,000 less than conventional system per year Payback period = 15 years Part of the conventional system already installed Reduced with NYSERDA rebates

Cumulative Money Spent Over 50 Years: 

Cumulative Money Spent Over 50 Years

Cumulative Money Saved Over 50 Years: 

Cumulative Money Saved Over 50 Years

NYSERDA: 

NYSERDA New Construction Programs Up to 80% cash back program $mart Equipment Choice Program Geothermal Incentive $500/ton New York Equipment $mart Loan 4.5% buy down

Environmental andSocietal Aspects: 

Environmental and Societal Aspects Elimination of CO2 emissions with green electricity; 40% reduction with grid electricity Clarkson’s environmental reputation Much safer Diminishes air stratification Reduces noise pollution Uses less space Aesthetically pleasing NIMBY not an issue

Disadvantages: 

Disadvantages High installation cost Others easily avoided by hiring an experienced contractor Disruption of heat gradient Campus disruption

Recommendation: 

Recommendation Implementation of geothermal energy in the proposed library expansion Environmental and societal benefits Payback period of 15 years Saves more than $500,000 over 50 years

Hydroelectric Power Team: 

Hydroelectric Power Team Kristin Beattie Jerry Boyle Kyle Burdick Elizabeth Gorevski Diana Matcovich Randy Smith Dominick Werther

Hydropower: 

Hydropower

Hydropower in Potsdam: 

Hydropower in Potsdam Raquette River- Run of the river Electricity generated is determined by: Head Flow rate

Existing Hydro Plant: 

Existing Hydro Plant Built 1972, renovated in 1983 Two 400 kW hydroelectric turbine generators Inefficiencies: Incorrect spillway design Lacks automated flow monitor, relies on manual adjustment

Implementing Hydropower for Clarkson: 

Implementing Hydropower for Clarkson Buy power directly from existing plant Renovate existing village plant Build new plant in Potsdam on Raquette River’s west channel

Transmitting Power to Campus: 

Transmitting Power to Campus Two Options: Use Niagara Mohawk’s power lines More costly than current costs Transfer power by other means Against the law to construct own lines on public property Charge batteries Compress air or water

Feasibility: 

Feasibility Transmission costs/impossibilities make hydropower infeasible for Clarkson Shifted attention to making best use of Raquette River

Build New Plant: 

Build New Plant Best Option: River flow Inefficiencies of existing plant

Costs of Building New Plant: 

Costs of Building New Plant

Economic Feasibility: 

Economic Feasibility Economically Infeasible for Potsdam to build a new plant Average of $0.03599 per kilowatt-hour would create average annual revenue of $133,177 Borrowing $2,438,500 at 6% interest would take 50 years to recover present value

Conclusion: 

Conclusion Infeasible for Clarkson to implement Hydroelectric power Best use of river- build an additional plant Economically infeasible until energy prices increase dramatically or town acquires additional funds

Co-Generation/Load Leveling Team: 

Co-Generation/Load Leveling Team

Semester Overview: 

Semester Overview Areas of Concentration: Co-Generation Equipment Restrictions Exhaust Heat Usage Natural Gas Costs NiMo Pricing Schedule Load Leveling Electric to Gas Oven Conversion Conservation through voluntary blackouts Student Survey Feedback Primary Areas of Study: Co-Generation Equipment Fuel Energy Savings Maintenance Load Leveling Storage Conservation Improving Efficiency

Hypothetical Costs and Savings: 

Hypothetical Costs and Savings Costs Based on: Energy Use/Peaks between August 2001 and July 2002 800kW Caterpillar Co-Generation Unit $4.21/1000 Cubic Feet (MCF) in Fuel Costs Savings Based on: Niagara Mohawk Pricing Schedule Savings Based on Price of Power (Peak Load) Save Up to $5759/month

Peak Usage: 

Peak Usage

Net Savings/Loss Graph: 

Net Savings/Loss Graph

Load Leveling: 

Load Leveling Efficiency Convection Ovens Electricity Operating Costs: $1.60/day Gas Operating Costs: $0.59/day Savings: $350/year Conveyer Pizza Oven Electricity Operating Costs: $8.88/day Gas Operating Costs: $3.44/day Savings: $2,000/year Over 250% more cost effective Conservation Student survey and energy usage 78% of students willing to participate in voluntary blackout Costs reduced in half (approximately $600 per hour on a random day), if willing participants shut off half of their appliances

Recommendations: 

Recommendations Storage may be feasible in future as costs go down The use of co-generation can cut energy costs Conversion to gas ovens can save a substantial amount of the campus energy costs Voluntary blackouts will work if an implementation system is established

HP210, Feasibility Study of Energy Options for Clarkson University: 

HP210, Feasibility Study of Energy Options for Clarkson University Honors Program Sophomore-Level Contemporary Problem Course

Instructional Staff: 

Instructional Staff Jerry Gravander (Liberal Arts) – Team Mentor & Coord Jeff Chiarenzelli (Geology) – Team Mentor Tom Ortmeyer (Engineering) – Team Mentor Ken Visser (Engineering) – Team Mentor Nobi Ackermann (Engineering) – Technical Consultant Eric Thacher (Engineering) – Technical Consultant Stub Estey (Shipley Center) – Teaming & Scheduling Consultant Steve Kestler (MBA Student) – Schedule Oversight