The Florida Gulf Coast University Campus 2010

Transcription

1 The Florida Gulf Coast University Campus 2010

2 Financing, Planning & Construction of a Photovoltaic Solar Field* FEFPA Conference July 7, 2010 *All of this presentation is true, except for those parts that are not!

3 Barrett Genson Director of Facilities Planning Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL

4 The Alligator Story -aka- The Rich Texan s Daughter!

5 If you don t know where you re going, you ll probably wind up somewhere else!

6 FGCU Fast Facts Part Founded as Florida s 10 th State Univ FGCU opens for classes Approximately 2,600 students 368 Faculty & Staff 16 Undergrad Programs 2010 FGCU Today: Approximately 12,000 students 1,350 Faculty & Staff 52 U/G Programs, 32 Graduate Programs

7 FGCU Fast Facts Part 2 Original Campus: Area: 760 acres Buildable Acres: Classroom Buildings 1 Library 1 Central Energy Plant 0 Students Living in Residence Halls Total Buildings: 4 0 Parking Garages Campus Today: Area: 760 acres Buildable Acres: Classroom Buildings 1 Library + Annex 2 Central Energy Plants 2,600 Students Living in Residence Halls Total Buildings: 77 3 Parking Garages

8 Overview & Background The Mission of FGCU Campus Characteristics Energy Consumption Campus Master Plan Future Growth of the campus

9 FGCU s Mission Pursuit of Academic Excellence Practice & Promote Environmental Sustainability Embrace Diversity of Faculty, Staff & Students Nurture Community Partnerships Value Public Service Encourage Civic Responsibility Advancement of Knowledge and the Pursuit of Truth as Life Long Ideals for Learning

10 Campus Physical Characteristics-Part 1 A Sense of Place A Sense of Uniqueness A Sense of Compromise Between Man & Nature It s Not Easy Being Green

11 Campus Physical Characteristics-Part 2 Site: Loop Road Parking at perimeter of Academic Core Area Only 50% of the site is buildable Use of parking garages in lieu of surface parking Promote walking, biking and skateboarding Photovoltaic Solar Field Buildings: Energy Efficient Covered Walkways Broad Roof Overhangs LEED Silver on all new buildings (Minimum) Academic Building 7 is attempting to be LEED Platinum Solar Thermal panels on Residence Halls

12 Current FGCU Annual Electrical Use! 2009: Approximately 10 megawatts 2010 Goal: 8 megawatts* (*Note: An actual decrease in electrical use!)

13 Campus Master Plan

14 Campus Master Plan Update Goals for the Future: Campus Capacity = 22,000 to 24,000 students A 3 rd Central Energy Plant + Expand CEP-2 Add 6 or 7 New Academic Buildings Add 3 or 4 New Parking Garages How to Utilize the Buckingham Property? Additional Residence Halls for South Village A Student Recreation Center at SOVI + Outdoor Recreation Fields

15 How Does FGCU Plan to Manage Such Building Growth?

16 Overall Building Planning Includes: Best Use of Space Utilization for Building Needs to Strategic Plan Efficient Use of Energy Installation of Infrastructure to support such growth

17 FGCU s Due Diligence for Energy Planning Included the Following:

18 Attempts to meet the growing energy demands for FGCU (FGCU Energy Ideas Part 1)

19 Attempts to meet the growing energy demands forfgcu (FGCU Energy Ideas Part 2)

20 Not In My Back Yard (FGCU Energy Ideas Part 3)

21 The REAL FGCU Plan to Reduce Energy Consumption!

22 FGCU Decided To Be:

23 FGCU Decided to Go Solar! First, we needed to finance it! Second, we needed to plan and design it! Third, we needed to construct it!

24 Financing of the FGCU Photovoltaic Solar Field (Magic? Just Lucky? Good Planning?)

25 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 1 Spring, 2008 FGCU requested $8.5 million from the Governor and the Legislature to build a photovoltaic solar field and reduce our annual energy consumption. Original amount was estimated to purchase enough photovoltaic cells for 1 MW of power. However, upon further administrative review, FGCU wanted to increase such power to 2 MW s annually.

26 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 2 To build 2 MW Solar Field, FGCU needed to acquire an additional $8.5 million for a total of $17 million. Therefore, FGCU needed to identify a private partner, a taxable entity willing to enter into a partnership to install the panels and take advantage of the company s tax status. (Note: At the time, under the federal tax code, there was 30% tax credit for installation of renewable energy. Currently, the Fed s offer a rebate.)

27 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 3 Fall, 2008 FGCU issued a RFP for a firm willing to partner and install 2 MW of solar arrays. FGCU received the following proposals: AIE Solar Avon Park Chevron Honeywell* Johnson Controls* Owen Ames Kimball w/ American Capital Energy Red Energy Group Regenesis Power w/ Kraft Construction* United Energy Technology * (Note: Firms Short-Listed for Interviews)

28 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 4 Regenesis Power/Kraft was selected by an Interview Committee of Faculty/Staff and Students. By December,2008, FGCU developed a contract with Regenesis to build a 2 MW photovoltaic solar field. Regenesis contract with FGCU: Extended Service Agreement (ESA) for $8.5 million. $8 million to build the solar field. $500,000 outside the contract for the wiring of the solar field project site to the University s side of the meter. (FP&L would not agree to tie directly into their line without additional cost.)

29 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 5 January, 2009, the Florida legislature cut the project funding by $1 million. Because of Regenesis involvement and the use of its taxable status, this meant a total cut of $2 million out of the project. FGCU revised the ESA with Regenesis to $7 million to construct the solar field, but held firm on the 2 MW size of the project.

30 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 6 Key Aspects of the Extended Service Agreement: FGCU leased 15 acres to Regenesis for 20 years to construct and maintain the photovoltaic solar field providing 2MW s of electrical power annually. FGCU paid for all costs to design and the construct the solar field site. Regenesis paid for all costs to design and construct the solar array system within the field. FGCU was responsible to install the high voltage power lines from the solar field to the 3 academic buildings using the solar power gain.

31 Financing of the Solar Field-Part 7 Key Aspects of the ESA continued The cost to FGCU for the electricity produced by the solar field = 2.3 cents per kwh vs. approx. 12 cents per kwh from FP&L. Regenesis is responsible for all maintenance and repair over the 20 year lease period and must provide a minimum of 2 MW s of power each year. FGCU gets ownership of the solar equipment after 20 years if not before! Agreement with Florida Power & Light?

32 FP&L Guidelines for Customer-Owned Renewable Generation Grid Interconnections Florida Public Service Commission s Net Metering Rule. Goal: Offset all or part of the customer s energy use. To offset your energy use at the retail rate, the output of the renewable generator must be used behind the meter where it is connected. Any energy not consumed behind the meter will be sent back to the grid, and accumulated in a bank to be drawn on every month as needed to offset the future energy used from FP&L. In the last billing cycle month of each calendar year, all excess energy accrued in the bank will be credited to the customer s account.

33 Design of the FGCU Solar Field

34 Important Design Elements - Part 1 Site Considerations in the Design Process: Approval of site location by FGCU Administration. (Note: Site for solar field was not on the last campus master plan) Best location for the solar photovoltaic gain. Work closely with the campus community for design input and some site clearing. FGCU hired a local civil engineering firm to design the solar field site. Approval of site construction by SFWMD (South Florida Water Management District)

35 Important Design Elements - Part 2 Photovoltaic Solar Array Considerations: As noted, the array system was designed by Regenesis engineers in California. FGCU also hired local electrical engineers to review the design progress and verify design elements. FGCU hired GFA International to approve the design and monitor construction. What is the best use the power generated by the solar field? What buildings will receive the benefit? The Building Permit was issued by FGCU.

36 Schematic Detail of the Solar Field Circuits and Distribution

37 Construction of the Solar Field:

38 Construction Progress Photo 1

39 Construction Progress Photo 2 (A Prototype Model)

40 Construction Progress Photo 3 (A Prototype Model)

41 Construction Progress Photo 4 (Array Base Posts)

42 Pinnacle News Article About the FGCU Solar Field Winter 2010 Issue Thanks to the Pinnacle for allowing use of these photos!

43

44 Typical Detail of an Array System

45 Schematic Detail of the Conversion of Sunlight to Electrical Energy

46 Schematic Design Detail

47 Tracking the Sun

48 Detail of a Typical Array System Like soldiers standing at attention

49 The view of the Solar Field from Ben Hill Griffin Road

50 FGCU goes solar! Solar Field Completed

51 Lessons Learned The Good! The Interesting! and The Ugly!

52 The Good! A chance to be on the cutting edge to reduce campus energy needs. A new learning experience for FGCU. A reduction of FGCU electrical needs by 20%. A partial fulfillment of our campus mission. A good learning tool for faculty and students. Positive interest from the general public.

53 The Interesting! Development of ESA contract w/ Regenesis SFWMD Coordination FP&L Coordination New opportunities for personal growth and a chance to drain the pool!

54 The Ugly! Plan ahead! ( If you don t know where you are going. ) Verify the dangers before jumping in the pool? Does the end justify the means? Be able to explain your planning to others who have watched you jump in the pool?

55 VIDEO: FPL forces FGCU to change solar VIDEO: field project FPL forces agreement FGCU to change By solar LESLIE field WILLIAMS project agreement HALE Naples By LESLIE Daily News WILLIAMS HALE Naples Daily News June 28, 2010 Solar field in jeopardy Posted: Jun 25, :03 PM EDT Updated: Jun 25, :30 PM EDT

56 The End.Or The Beginning? There s a pool of alligators waiting for you too! Thank You!