April 2014 - Power Air Quality Insights 151

New Service Helps Power Plants Make the Best Air Pollution Control Decisions

Power plants around the world will spend over $30 billion in each of the next ten years to solve their air pollution problems. The cost of removal of particulate and gaseous pollutants is steadily falling thanks to new technology and the benefits of experience. At the same time, the ability to obtain even higher efficiency is increasing. The amount of useful data and experience is immense and not easily obtained or absorbed by those making decisions.

McIlvaine has introduced a new concept which is a hybrid of free and paid services. Free of charge power plant operators can access a number of websites dedicated to aspects of air pollution control.

Each of these sites is continually updated with background information which is arranged for ease of access and comprehension. In addition, periodic webinars and decisive analyses provide insights as to the lowest life cycle cost options. Systems, components, chemicals, and materials are all investigated.

The background information is available to everyone free of charge. The information is displayed in carefully arranged intelligence systems to provide both ease of access and decision making value. An example would be the choice to label vessel type dry scrubbers as the “chamber type.” Originally these were labeled as “Circulating Dry Scrubbers” (CDS). However, participants in a recent webinar agreed that entrained flow scrubbers should not be a sub category under CDS due to important differences. The new classification will alert power plants that there are significant differences between the two types.

Periodic webinars are conducted covering the subject matter on each website. For example, on March 27 a number of utilities, EPA, consultants and suppliers spent 90 minutes reviewing data on dry scrubbing using chambers or vessels. Another webinar covering in-duct sorbent injection is scheduled. A webinar on chemicals used with treatment systems to reduce mercury is slated for April 10. Suppliers are being encouraged to submit case histories for review during this McIlvaine webinar, but also for a UN (IEA) meeting scheduled for late April in Florida.

Power plant owner/operators can participate in the webinars and access the decisive analyses at no charge.

Suppliers can submit information to McIlvaine and view the free intelligence systems on each site. With a subscription to 44I Power Plant Air Quality Decisions they can also participate in the webinars and view the decisive analyses.

Bechtel-Led Team Selected to Build Hydroelectric Power Plant in Manitoba, Canada

A Bechtel-led team, BBE Hydro Constructors Limited Partnership, has been awarded a contract worth approximately CAD $1.4 billion by Manitoba Hydro to build the Keeyask Generating Station on the lower Nelson River in northern Manitoba, Canada. The Keeyask Generating Station will have a 695-megawatt capacity and produce on average 4,400 gigawatt hours of electricity—enough to power 400,000 homes. The team, which comprises Bechtel, Barnard Construction, and EllisDon, expects to start construction on the project later this year, subject to regulatory approvals.

BBE Hydro Constructors will be responsible for building a seven-unit powerhouse, earthen structures, rock excavation, electrical and mechanical work, and the construction and removal of temporary cofferdams needed to manage the river flow during construction. The first power from the plant is expected as early as 2019 with final completion scheduled for 2020. The Keeyask project has been developed by Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership, a collaborative effort between Manitoba Hydro and the local communities, including Tataskweyak, York Factory, Fox Lake, and War Lake First Nations, and aims to promote sustainable growth in the region.

Moapa Paiute Tribe, LADWP and First Solar Break Ground on 250 MW Solar Project

Community, government and energy industry leaders celebrated the start of construction of the 250 Megawatt (MW)_AC Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project. The project is located on the Moapa River Indian Reservation just north of Las Vegas, and has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the LADWP to deliver clean, solar energy for 25 years to the City of Los Angeles.

The power plant, anticipated to be fully operational by the end of 2015, is expected to generate enough clean solar energy to serve the needs of more than 93,000 homes.

Moapa Southern Paiute Solar, LLC (a subsidiary of First Solar Electric, LLC) is the project owner and will construct the project using First Solar's advanced photovoltaic (PV) thin film solar modules. The project will be built on 2,000 acres of land on the Moapa River Indian Reservation and include an onsite substation and a new 5.5 mile 500 kV transmission line that will connect the project to the existing Crystal Substation, serving energy users in California.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced an important milestone for California's Renewables Portfolio Standard – the utility delivered 22.5 percent of its power from eligible renewable resources in 2013 and is on track to meet the state's clean energy goals for 2020 and beyond.

This marks the first time that renewable energy deliveries – including solar, wind, biomass, small hydro-electric and geothermal – exceeded 20 percent for one year and gave the utility a slight surplus for the 2011-2013 compliance period, when renewable deliveries needed to average 20 percent a year to meet California's renewable energy mandate.

Since 2002, PG&E has signed 155 contracts for more than 10,600 MW of eligible renewable power.

VIASPACE and Tibbar Energy Announce Final St. Croix Government Approval to Construct 7 MW Biogas Power Plant

VIASPACE Inc. announced that the St. Croix government has approved Tibbar Energy's permit to build a 7-megawatt biogas power plant on the island of St. Croix.

The final approval came from the Virgin Island Department on Planning and Natural Resources' Division of Coastal Zone Management (CMZ). The CMZ decision was the last step that Tibbar Energy needed in order to begin construction on its 7-megawatt biogas power plant which will supply electricity created from VIASPACE Giant King Grass to the Virgin Island Water and Power Authority (WAPA) for at least the next 25 years.

Tania Tomyn, Tibbar Energy CEO, stated, "Tibbar is thrilled about building its renewable energy plant on St. Croix. We will provide 7 megawatts of base load power for WAPA for the next 25 years from Giant King Grass grown on the island. Tibbar is required to begin producing power by December 2015 pursuant to the power purchase agreement. WAPA has no other base load renewable power source and Tibbar's project will allow WAPA to be compliant under the Renewable Portfolio Standard. Tibbar's general contractor will begin site work as early as May or June and the expected schedule is 18 months for both the farming operations and the biogas plant. The project should create more than 150 jobs during construction and 35 permanent jobs."

Support for Solar Energy has Climbed to Nearly 80 Percent of Americans, According to Navigant Research Consumer Survey

Since 2009, Navigant Research has conducted an annual national consumer survey to gauge public perceptions of energy and environmental concepts. Between 2009 and 2012, there were steady declines in favorability for some concepts, particularly the ones with most favorable rankings in the past, such as solar energy, wind energy, hybrid vehicles, and electric cars. According to the most recent consumer survey from Navigant Research, however, consumer favorability for a number of these concepts has rebounded. In particular, positive overall impressions of solar energy have now reached 79 percent of Americans – a level close to the results of 2009, when 81 percent of the respondents had a favorable view of solar energy.

The average favorability rating for the 10 concepts, which fall under the categories of clean energy, clean transportation, smart grid, and building efficiency, also rose, to 51 percent, the highest level seen in Navigant Research’s survey since 2010.

For more information on Renewable Energy Projects and Update please visit:

· Utah’s Coal-fired Intermountain Power Project on verge of Billion Dollar Makeover to Natural Gas

· BHEL to supply Steam Generators for Odisha’s (India) Upcoming Power Project

· Chubu Electric to invite Bids by March 2015 to build New Fossil-fuel Power Capacity

· Public Service Commission permits two 45 MW Natural Gas Turbines near Watford City, ND

· Robins & Morton awarded EPC Power Project for Louisiana Energy and Power Authority

· Project Update for Gas-fired Facility at Xcel's Cherokee Power Plant Site in Colorado

· Therma South to expand Power Plant Project from 300 MW to 645 MW Mindanao, Philippines

· B&W NE secures D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant’s (MI) Steam Generator Services Contract

· Finding the Right Treatment, Flow Control or Process Supplier among 40,000 Worldwide Choices

· BETE Fog Nozzle Inc. receives ASME Boiler, Pressure Vessel Code Certifications

· Mercury Treatment Chemicals in Fuel, Flue Gas and Scrubbing Liquor is Hot Topic Hour April 10

· Mercury removal Webinar on April 10 to be followed by UNEP Workshop on the 23rd

“Mercury Treatment Chemicals in Fuel, Flue Gas and Scrubbing Liquor” is “Hot Topic Hour” April 10, 2014

McIlvaine is conducting a webinar on mercury removal options on April 10 at 10:00 a.m. DST. It will be a discussion of previously uploaded information on a dedicated site Mercury Removal - Continuous Analyses.

· Technologies to oxidize mercury through adding halogens in the fuel and ductwork

John Grocki, [Materials/Corrosion Expert] Industeel/private consultant Jonathan (Jon) Allen, Allen Analytics, LLC

Jon D. Lehmkuhler, Commercial Manager, Brominated Products, Chemtura Corp., Brominated Performance Products, Great Lakes Solutions

Bruce A. Keiser, PhD, Research Fellow, Air Protection Technologies and Nanotechnologies, Nalco

Daryl Lipscomb, Global Business Manager, Environmental Division, Albemarle Corporation

The mercury removal website will be used for two events in April. In addition to the webinar referenced above, it will also be used by conferees for a UN meeting later in the month.

The Mercury Emissions from Coal - 10th workshop will be held at the Sand Key Sheraton Hotel, Clearwater, Florida, USA from April 23 to 25, 2014. http://mec10.coalconferences.org/ibis/MEC10/home

Chemtura (Great Lakes Solutions) will be one of the sponsors of the workshop. Jon Lehmkuhler will be on site and has agreed to provide some of the coordination between the McIlvaine effort and the workshop.

UNEP is striving to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of mercury technologies with the case histories and more specific performance information. So, to reduce mercury, suppliers of technologies are killing two birds with one stone by supplying information on their technologies during the first week in April.

On Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Central time, McIlvaine hosts a 90 minute web meeting on important energy and pollution control subjects. Power webinars are free for subscribers to either Power Plant Air Quality Decisions or Utility Tracking System. The cost is $300.00 for non-subscribers..

See below for information on upcoming Hot Topic Hours. We welcome your input relative to suggested additions.

DATE	SUBJECT
April 10, 2014	Mercury Chemicals In Fuel, Flue Gas and Scrubbing Liquor	Important alternative to sorbents
April 17, 2014	Measurement Of Gas Turbine Emissions Including NH₃	Six different options
May 1, 2014	850^oF Particulate Removal With Ceramic Filter Media	Could change the whole back end
May 8, 2014	Sorbent Traps vs. Mercury CEMS	Sorbent traps are competitive
May 15, 2014	Gas Intake Filters: HEPA or Medium Efficiency	More information
May 29, 2014	Stellite Delamination in Power Plant Steam Valves	More information
June 5, 2014	Dry vs. Wet Cooling	Surprising number of ACC’S. Why?
June 12, 2014	HRSG Issues (Fast Start, Tube Failures)	Lots of challenges to cycle 200 X/yr
June 26, 2014	CCR	$ billions Needed
July/August 2014	Boiler Feedwater Treatment Condensate Polishing for Peaking Turbines 316 B Water Issues Gas Turbine Permitting Issues *Give us your opinion about topics we should consider*

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