BOARD OF REGENTS BRIEFING PAPER. 1. Agenda Item Title: DRI Renewable Energy Experimental Facility

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1 BOARD OF REGENTS BRIEFING PAPER 1. Agenda Item Title: DRI Renewable Energy Experimental Facility 2. BACKGROUND & POLICY CONTEXT OF ISSUE: DRI President Wells presents for information and approval DRI s Renewable Energy Experimental Facility - two new buildings and associated site improvements to be constructed with $475,750 in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, matched with $475,750 DRI ICR funds and external in kind cost share funding from private industry partners. 3. SPECIFIC ACTIONS BEING RECOMMENDED OR REQUESTED: DRI requests approval to construct site improvements and buildings made possible by receipt of federal funds and contributions from private sources. 4. IMPETUS (WHY NOW?): Project is made possible by an Assistance Agreement awarded by Congress through the U.S. Department of Energy. DRI also has been awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for research to be conducted within the Facility. This Phase II funding will allow optimizing off-grid operation; investigating energy efficiency approaches with lighting, ventilation, and water usage; and utilizing renewable power to produce hydrogen and drive chemical processes. 5. BULLET POINTS TO SUPPORT REQUEST/RECOMMENDATION: Project utilizes Federal dollars to build infrastructure needed to support renewable energy research by DRI and NSHE partners. The Project includes an education/outreach component that will utilize the new facility to help demonstrate renewable energy technologies. We anticipate significant research activities in the REEF. Initially the phase 1 study will be followed by a funded phase II research initiative that will make use of the REEF for technology research, integration and demonstration. 6. POTENTIAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE REQUEST/RECOMMENDATION: While very modest, there are additional operating costs that could be an argument against proceeding. However, because the facility is modest in size, we estimate that it will require less than $25,000 in new funding per year for operations and maintenance. 7. ALTERNATIVE(S) TO WHAT IS BEING REQUESTED/RECOMMENDED: The U.S. Department of Energy Assistance Awarded could be refused. 8. COMPLIANCE WITH BOARD POLICY: Consistent With Current Board Policy: Title # Chapter # Section # Amends Current Board Policy: Title # Chapter # Section # Amends Current Procedures & Guidelines Manual: Chapter # Section # Other: Fiscal Impact: Yes No Explain: Revised: March 2007 (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 1 of 7

2 STATEMENT OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES Desert Research Institute Renewable Energy Experimental Facility (REEF) A. PROJECT OBJECTIVE Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the principal objective of this project is to design and build a small Facility that will support research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities in the area of renewable energy. The building will be capable of operating off-grid, and will self-generate enough power to be a net-zero energy facility. Once complete, this facility will function as a base for DRI s energy education, outreach, and training activities, as well as a test bed for new renewable energy technologies. B. PROJECT SCOPE This project goal is to construct a new facility on DRI s Northern Nevada Campus that will supplement existing renewable energy RDD&D facilities at the Desert Research Institute. This new facility will be designed to provide the opportunity to develop and test emerging technologies related to operating residential and small commercial buildings. This proposed modest-sized (1600 gross square foot) building will include work space to house and support renewable energy research activities, and education and outreach programs. In addition, the facility will incorporate renewable energy generation technologies. The project will also construct an 800 square foot workshop that will provide work space for the program. DRI will develop and implement an educational and outreach program focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. This will promote the US Department of Energy s objectives by demonstrating the commercial application of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. It will also support the development of a trained workforce to support Nevada s future renewable energy needs. We anticipate significant research activities in the REEF. Initially the phase 1 study will be followed with a funded phase II research initiative that will make use of the REEF for technology research, integration and demonstration. Given DRI s activities in Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies, there is a major institutional commitment to developing projects related to and using the REEF. Construction of this facility is a key element in our ability to sustain funding in the future for renewable energy projects that require this type of infrastructure. It will do so through its application as a test bed for new technologies and outreach/teaching components. C. PROJECT FUNDING and TIMELINE The Project is funded by an Assistance Agreement in the amount of $951,500 ($475,750 from the U.S. Department of Energy and $475,750 in DRI ICR funds and external in-kind contributions). The project was awarded in November of 2009, and is to be completed by March, DRI is actively seeking additional private funds to augment the project budget. If these funds become available, the scope of the project and square footage of the building may increase accordingly. D. DETAILED REVIEW of SCOPE and TASKS A detailed review of Scope and Tasks is appended as ATTACHMENT 1. E. PROJECT LOCATION A map indication the project location is appended as ATTACHMENT 2. F. PROJECT SITE PLAN A project Site Plan is appended as ATTACHMENT 3. (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 2 of 7

3 ATTACHMENT 1. DETAILED REVIEW of SCOPE and TASKS Task 1: Design REEF Structure Task 1.1 Permitting A. As a public entity within the State of Nevada, DRI is required to apply for and obtain a building permit from the State Public Works Board after completing the design phase and prior to the build phase. B. Soil testing, planning for site decommissioning, and planning for connection of water, sewer, electric (and perhaps gas) will be accomplished. This will involve bidding and letting contracts with numerous firms for testing, surveying, and utility connections. Task 1.2 Design A. Select A&E Firm a. This firm will work with DRI personnel to ensure that the program needs are captured in the building requirements. The firm will work with DRI to develop bid specifications to be distributed to appropriate companies. b. Design the foundation for the building Milestone: Signed Contracts B. Develop design specifications a. Preliminary design specs are as follows. The structure will function primarily as a research and training center. The intended structures will include a modular residential building of approximately 1600 ft2, and a garage/work area structure of approximately 800 ft2, located on DRI s Northern Nevada Campus in Reno, Nevada. The specific campus location is indicated on the attached site map. The DRI-REEF will be built in an orientation that is conducive to optimum use of solar PV panels. The building will also be built to allow for subsequent addition of a ground-source heat pump system, a solar-powered heating and cooling system, and other energy efficient systems meant for residential applications. The modular building will be a standard 3-bedroom and 2-bath home, but modified for use as a research and training center. It will be built to applicable code standards and be of 2 x6 construction, with at least 10 of ceiling insulation. The building will be rectangular in design, with the long axis running east-west to aid in optimal orientation of roof-mounted solar panels. The REEF building will have the required features of a handicapped restroom and a sprinkler system. It will also have 3 offices, a conference area, a small classroom, a kitchen, and an over-sized utility room. Milestone: Completed design specs Deliverable: Completed design specs document Task 1.3 Bid project - Since both structures will be State buildings, they must go through a State bid process, during which time slight design changes may occur. Milestone: Signed Contracts Task 2.0 Assembly/Installation Task Complete foundation Task 2.2 Install building Task 2.3 Utility/sewer hookups Task 2.4 Obtain occupancy permit Deliverable: Photo of completed building Milestone: A completed building, ready for occupancy. Task 3.0 Renewables Integration The REEF building will be designed and constructed to allow for both off-grid and on-grid operation. Overall, the building is expected to operate as a net-zero energy facility. Existing DRI solar- and wind-energy systems will be relocated to the REEF buildings ( home and garage ), and supplemented with additional units to support the buildings total power needs. Task 3.1 Design Renewable Power Systems within the REEF Hydrogen System Hydrogen electrolyzer Hydrogen compressor Battery Back up 2 (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 3 of 7

4 Two solar panels with a total output of 2 kw, Two wind turbines with a total output of 2.5 kw. Series of controllers and inverters connect renewable energy systems to a common 24 volt DC bus for power distribution within a building. 24 volt DC Bus connects batteries, an electrolyzer, a fuel cell or hydrogen powered internal combustion engine (ICE), and a compressor motor (to compress hydrogen). Hydrogen and propane storage tanks to provide fuel to the ICE that powers a generator. Hot Water System Solar thermal panels Insulated tank Waste heat recovery unit Computer controller Solar Ice System (Integrated with hydrogen system) This HVAC system will have solar thermal and PV panels that will power an absorption chiller and will also have a hot water storage tank. The electricity needed to drive the system will be provided by solar and wind energy when available, or from the generator during other times. The Solar Ice system will have a nominal area of 400 sq ft and an output of about 4 tons of cooling and an equivalent amount of heat production. It will produce large quantities of hot water at F. This HVAC system will be integrated into a standard home forced air system and require computer control. Combining these two systems is an exciting engineering challenge that will produce an efficient HVAC system powered by renewable sources, but operating very much like conventional home systems. The challenge is to configure a standard manufactured home to accept the modifications, design and install this rather complex technology. Deliverables: Completed set of design documents Task 3.2 Procure Solar HVAC system DRI will procure the equipment and systems. Task 3.3 Install Renewable Power Systems within the REEF The following systems and components will be installed in the REEF Hydrogen electrolyzer Hydrogen compressor Battery Back up Two solar panels with a total output of 2 kw, Two wind turbines with a total output of 2.5 kw. Series of controllers and inverters connect renewable energy systems to a common 24 volt DC bus for power distribution within a building. 24 volt DC Bus connects batteries, an electrolyzer, a fuel cell or hydrogen powered internal combustion engine (ICE), and a compressor motor (to compress hydrogen). Hydrogen and propane storage tanks to provide fuel to the ICE that powers a generator. Hot Water System Solar thermal panels Insulated tank Waste heat recovery unit Computer controller Solar Ice System The Solar Ice system will be integrated with the hydrogen system described above. Deliverable: Photos of completed installations Task 4: System Evaluation and Education/Outreach Functions of REEF Task 4.1 Evaluate and Monitor Energy Production and Use Documentation of energy use of the REEF buildings monitored over an extended period (6-12 months). Deliverable: Report including 6-12 months of data Milestone: Demonstrated operation of the REEF building as a net-zero energy facility Task 4.2 Education A. Train students in performing energy audits It is anticipated that two students will be trained to do home energy audits over approximately a one month period of time. This will be treated as a beta test to finalize a training manual for students who will conduct energy audits in the future. The steps will be to develop a training manual, train two students and refine/finalize the manual. 3 (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 4 of 7

5 Deliverable: The training manual. Milestone: Develop energy audit training capability B. Develop materials for website The goal is to develop six units/articles for a DRI energy website that will cover topics related to renewable energy and energy efficiency/conservation. The units will address topics such as solar and wind energy, home insulation, lighting, etc. The topics will focus on what a layman should know and potentially could do to reduce traditional energy use. Deliverable: Six units/articles for the DRI energy website Milestone: Provide easy to understand information related to renewable energy and energy efficiency C. Host a public meeting One meeting will be held on the topic of energy savings and cost effective ways to reduce the use of traditional (fossil) energy. The attendance will be by invitation only with a maximum of 20 attendees. The invitations will be primarily to builders, remodelers, realtors and renewable energy installers. Deliverables: Meeting notice, agenda and list of attendees. Milestone: Demonstrate the use of the REEF building for presentations and evaluate the types of presentation materials that provide the most useful information to the various attendees. 4 (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 5 of 7

6 ATTACHMENT 2. PROJECT LOCATION Renewable Energy Experimental Facility Site 5 (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 6 of 7

7 ATTACHMENT 3. PROJECT SITE PLAN Renewable Energy Experimental Facility Site Plan 6 (INVESTMENT AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE 06/03/10) Ref. IF-12, Page 7 of 7