FINAL REPORT Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning

Transcription

1 FINAL REPORT Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning Prepared for New York City Office of Emergency Management 165 Cadman Plaza East Brooklyn, New York, April 2009 Prepared by 75 Broad Street Floor 29 New York, NY 10004

2 Contents Contents...i Executive Summary...ii I. Introduction...1 Background...1 Description of Project Process...1 II. Potential Uses for Solar Applications...3 The Solar Resource in New York City...3 Description of Uses...4 Feasibility...8 Applications for Defined Uses...8 III. Application Criteria...11 Description of Criteria and Analysis Process...11 Summary of Criteria Applied to Each Application...13 IV. Application Descriptions...15 Application 1a Solar Power for Provisional Housing...16 Application 1 Scaled PV Array for Facilities...18 Application 2 Solar Thermal Collector for Facility or Residential Use...20 Application 3 Portable Solar Generators...22 Application 4 Water Purification System...24 Application 5 Water Pumping...26 Application 6 PV Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles...28 Application 7 Communication Repeaters...30 Application 8 Direct Power for Communications...32 Application 9 Portable Lighting...34 Application 10 Fold-Out Panels for Small Scale/Ad Hoc Use...36 V. Recommendations...38 VI. Next Steps...41 Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning i

3 Executive Summary Historically, gasoline or diesel-powered generators have provided the only option to support emergency power needs. With significant recent improvements, solar technology can not only help communities meet goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but can also assist in mitigating the devastating effects of a disaster. This project focuses on the application of solar energy to emergency preparedness in New York City (NYC or the City). The goal of this project is to provide guidance for incorporating solar technologies in the Office of Emergency Management s (OEM) emergency preparedness activities. CH2M HILL facilitated a workshop with NYC OEM participants to identify and prioritize solar applications to support emergency preparedness. OEM participants qualitatively prioritized potential solar power uses and identified criteria for evaluating solar applications. Based on information gathered during the workshop and review of emergency sheltering plans, CH2M HILL identified specific applications and recommendations to support implementation of solar energy in emergency preparedness. With an understanding of the City s energy needs, photovoltaic (PV) potential and solar technology, OEM can make informed choices in applying solar power to emergency preparedness. Feasibility of solar technologies is often related to the solar resource available to a specific region of the country. Estimates show that NYC can host between 6,000 and 8,000 MW of PV power. Approximately 2 MW of solar power is currently installed in NYC. This report presents applications based on eight criteria defined by OEM participants. CH2M HILL used seven quantified criteria to develop an objective rating for each application. Application 9, Portable Lighting, and Application 10, Fold-Out Panels for Small Scale/Ad Hoc Use, both rated highly, as did Application 6, PV Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles. These applications ranked highly predominantly because they are low in cost 1, easy to implement, and highly visible to the general public. Of special interest to NYC OEM is use of solar power for provisional housing. PV arrays can be used with Container Living Apparatus (CLA) or other modular housing. It is possible to provide 100% power coverage based on CLA roof space. Recommended next steps for integrating solar power in emergency preparedness include: Identifying potential funding sources Choosing applications and developing specifications Determining the emissions offset and cost benefit of the applications Conducting a meeting with OEM and the NYC Solar America City Strategic Partnership to review conclusions of this report, discuss findings, and define next steps and implementation strategies. Conducting a meeting with NYC Solar America City Strategic Partnership and relevant city agencies to identify crosscutting aspects of this report and to define next steps for implementing recommendations across the City. 1 Note that the cost criterion represents a simple cost of equipment/installation, and does not include a comparision of cost or benefit against conventional, non-solar equipment. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning ii

4 I. Introduction Background The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America Cities partnership supports 25 cities committed to making solar a mainstream energy source. DOE provides financial and technical assistance to support the cities innovative efforts to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies ( This project focuses on application of solar energy to emergency planning and preparedness in New York City (NYC or the City). In an effort to make photovoltaic (PV) systems more efficient, affordable and available, the DOE and its partners in universities and industry continue to conduct advanced research and development in this exciting and important energy technology. DOE has developed broad categories 2 of major uses or applications of PV as shown below: 1. Simple, "stand-alone" systems 2. Systems with battery storage 3. Backup generator power 4. Hybrid power systems 5. Utility grid applications 6. Net metering 7. Utility power production. Items 1 through 4 above are applicable, at least to some degree, to solar energy use in emergency preparedness. Stand-alone systems can be broadly applied to relatively simple, ad hoc tasks while battery storage, backup generator, and hybrid power systems can be applied to larger, more energy intensive and/or critical emergency operations. Description of Project Process The goal of this project is to provide guidance for incorporating solar technologies in OEM s existing emergency management facilities or activities. This was accomplished initially by asking OEM staff to determine potential uses for solar energy, establishing criteria for choosing the most appropriate solar applications to meet identified uses, and selecting solar applications based on their past use and applicability to the uses identified by NYC OEM. Objectives of the NYC OEM solar project include: To consider how worldwide experience in the use of solar energy for emergency preparedness can be used by NYC OEM To clarify OEM s needs regarding solar energy 2 DOE, Solar Energy Technologies Program, PV in Use: Getting the Job Done with Solar Electricity. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 1

5 To establish best solar technology alternatives for maintaining reliable power supplies for emergency preparedness To provide next steps for implementing preferred solar technologies. During the course of this project, CH2M HILL facilitated meetings with NYC OEM participants from all Units to determine and prioritize potential uses of solar power in emergency preparedness. Defined uses are activities for which NYC OEM is directly responsible; thus, the authority to implement defined uses lies with OEM which facilitates expedited implementation. The scope of this project did not include potential uses relative to other NYC agencies. These agencies may choose to implement additional solar applications in the future. OEM participants qualitatively prioritized potential solar power uses during a workshop and identified criteria to prioritize solar applications relative to defined uses. Based on information gathered during the workshop and review of emergency sheltering plans, CH2M HILL developed application descriptions and recommendations contained in this report. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 2

6 II. Potential Uses for Solar Applications During a workshop facilitated by CH2M HILL, NYC OEM and other stakeholders identified potential uses for solar power as described below. These potential uses are presented here as a baseline upon which CH2M HILL conducted further assessment to ascertain feasibility and suitability of solar applications relative to criteria defined by NYC OEM in Section III. The Solar Resource in New York City The feasibility of solar technologies is often related to the solar resource available within a specific region of the country. Estimates show that NYC can host between 6,000 and 8,000 MW of PV. Currently, approximately 2 MW of solar power is installed in NYC. Figure 1 illustrates the average daily solar radiation (measured in kilowatt-hours/square meter per day, also referred to as sun-hours) which is essentially the average number of hours of useful sunlight for a solar PV module tilted to the same angle as the latitude of the region (for NYC, an optimal tilt would be 40 degrees corresponding to the latitude). As shown by this map, the average annual daily solar radiation (hours of useful sunlight) in NYC is approximately 4 hours per day. This value is important when sizing a PV system, particularly the storage battery bank, to ensure that the system will provide sufficient power during times of little or no sunlight (days of autonomous use). Figure 1. Average annual daily solar radiation for PV applications Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 3

7 Typical system yield for a 1 kw grid-connected PV system in NYC with no battery backup is approximately 1,200 kilowatt hours/kilowatt (kwh/kw) per year as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, a 10 kw PV system would generate approximately 12,000 kwh over one year (with higher production during the summer months and lower production during the winter months). Figure 2. Monthly Production of a 1 kilowatt PV system in NYC Monthly Production of a 1 kilowatt PV system in New York City (Total annual production is approximately 1,200 kwh) - at 40 degree tilt, fixed (Source: PV Watts, Version 1 - National Renewable Energy Laboratories) kilowatt-hours January February March April May June July August September October November December Description of Uses Provisional Housing NYC OEM recently conducted the What if NYC Design Competition for Post-Disaster Provisional Housing. This competition was initiated to seek innovative ideas for providing Provisional Housing for residents who may lose their homes as the result of a catastrophic coastal storm. Criteria 3 for the competition include: Density Maximize the number of housing units per land area Rapid Deployment Units are ready for occupation as soon as possible Site Flexibility Maximize the ability to accommodate as many different sites as possible 3 What if New York City Judging Criteria, Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 4

8 Unit Flexibility Maximize the ability to accommodate as many variable household types and sizes as possible Reusability Maximize potential for reuse of structures either for future disasters or other purposes Livability Maximize strength, utility, convenience, and comfort of dwellings Accessibility Allow access for people who have limited mobility Security Make public space defensible and help people feel safe Sustainability Reduce energy costs and the carbon footprint of dwellings Identity Maximize New Yorker s sense of identity and pride in where they live Efficiency Maximize the best value for investment. According to the NYC OEM, the Container Living Apparatus design was considered feasible to serve as provisional housing during catastrophes. The parameters of the units were provided to CH2M HILL and were considered when determining a suitable PV system (such as roof space available for a PV system, interior loads, etc.) for provisional housing. Mega Shelters According to the International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc., a mega-shelter is an arena, stadium, convention center, or performing arts theater that is used to house evacuees before, during, or after a major disaster. Before Hurricane Katrina, most shelters consisted of schools, churches, and recreation centers. They were small facilities accommodating up to 300 persons, on average. For the first time in our nation s history, in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, arenas, convention centers, and stadiums were used to accommodate tens of thousands of evacuees over eight weeks. The CAJUNDOME, which served as a mega-shelter in Lafayette, Louisiana, accommodated 18,500 evacuees during both hurricanes over 58 days and served 409,000 meals to evacuees and first responders. Houston s Reliant Park sheltered 27,100 evacuees over 22 days for Hurricane Katrina and over 15 days for Hurricane Rita. The Reliant Park staff processed another 65,000 evacuees for the State. Shelters in Dallas, including the Dallas Convention Center and Reunion Arena, provided shelter for 25,000, processed another 27,000 for American Red Cross benefits over 39 days, and served 114,200 meals. These disasters also demonstrated the need to expand the American Red Cross Shelter Operation Guidelines, which proved inadequate for megashelter operations. 4 Provision of power to support essential equipment should be available to sustain life and safety for a minimum 72 hours after an event has occurred. Generators should be available to sustain emergency power in the event of a power outage and should be independent of off-site utility infrastructure. Essential equipment requiring power may include: 4 Mega-Shelter Best Practices for Planning, Activation and Operations, International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc., July 15, 2006, Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 5

9 Medical equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and wheel chairs External communication systems Forklift with 72-hour independent fuel source Sanitation equipment (extra trash receptacles, dumpsters) Independent source for generator fuel for a minimum of 72 hours of use Generator power for: o Emergency lighting adequate for resident circulation o Emergency electrical outlets with extension cords o Emergency paging/internal communication system o Battery chargers for cell phones and radios o Television sets for news reports, including residents televisions o Radios for news reports, including residents radios o Limited ventilation to maintain minimum air quality o Water pressure to sustain restroom facilities o Refrigeration for medical supplies o Ice machines for medical use. Facilities that have electrically powered automatic toilet and urinal flushers will have a unique problem in a power failure. Toilets must be operational to sustain sanitary conditions. If toilets are not connected to the generator system or if they cannot be redesigned to be powered by batteries, facility management should arrange for portable toilets in advance. Extension cords are needed to access emergency outlets in the event of power loss. While the emergency power needs of a Mega Shelter cannot be met entirely by a solar powered system without a significant up-front investment in infrastructure, solar can be combined with a diesel or propane generator. Such a hybrid system supporting specific functions can improve efficiency and provide temporary backup power for critical operations. CH2M HILL recommends that systems requiring customization and permanent installation be designed and installed by knowledgeable contractors. Contractors should be certified by the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for photovoltaic or solar thermal installations. Portable Generators Use of portable generators can be broadly applied in emergency operations. Based on applications identified in consultation with NYC OEM, varying sizes of portable generators are desirable to support wide variations in energy requirements. Portable generator applications identified by stakeholders include: Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 6

10 Ad hoc power generation for gas stations, nursing homes and other facilities Portable lighting to support debris clean-up Refrigeration and climate control for various facilities including morgues Ad hoc power generation for mobile data centers Portable indoor lighting Distribution of supplies at ad hoc shelters and staging areas Supplement to diesel generators for hospitals Portable water purification. Portable solar power generators provide flexibility in providing energy on an ad hoc basis throughout the City. They may also provide support of private sector critical infrastructure during a time of need. Emergency Shelter Support Power and equipment needs for emergency shelters are generally similar to those shown above for Mega Shelters. However, the scale of power necessary for an emergency shelter is much less than that of a Mega Shelter, making use of solar power much more feasible. A typical emergency shelter will house between 300 and 1200 individuals and will include some provisions for special needs populations and medical support. Water Supply If water treatment plants are affected during a particular emergency, portable water purification may be necessary to ensure that water is potable on a local basis. Solar options are available to support water purification. Typical off-the-shelf solar options utilize ultraviolet light and can purify up to 60 gallons per hour. Larger customized systems may be necessary to support shelter operations. Various solar powered or augmented water pumps also provide pumping capacity. Vehicles PV application to vehicle electronics can provide an alternate source of energy and reduce emissions. The Shawnee Fire Department in Kansas recently spent $900 to install two panels on top of a fire truck to power electronics such as radios and an on-board computer during response operations. These panels allow the engine to be turned off, thus reducing emissions and saving fuel. Similar applications may apply to police, emergency medical services, and public works vehicles. Communications Reliable communication is critical to emergency response operations. Repeaters are widely used to support expansive communications within a jurisdiction or region and support UHF, VHF, and Ham radio transmission, as well as WiFi service. Solar power has been successfully applied as a power source for repeaters, batteries, and communication equipment. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 7

11 Feasibility With an understanding of the community s energy needs and photovoltaic technology, OEM can make the best choices in installing solar applications. Studies and experience have shown that PV can play an important role in response, recovery and mitigation in disasters. Portable systems under 1 kw may meet many of the needs of disaster organizations in response efforts where 1 to 5 kw systems provide critical stationary power. Small utility-interactive PV systems with battery backup increase the effectiveness of disaster-resistant buildings and ultimately support communities to meet distributed generation needs. Challenging applications for PV include the large-scale power needs of sewer and water facilities, hospitals, large shelters, distribution centers and emergency operations centers. As PV technology advances, more capabilities may emerge for these large scale operations. However, at this time, these larger, more energy intensive operations are better served by larger, dispatchable generators and perhaps supplemented by PV. Locations or equipment requiring hundreds of kilowatts of emergency power require large areas of open space and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for PV arrays. Additionally, PV systems supplying power to buildings (provisional housing, temporary shelters, mega shelters, etc.) are able to cover a higher percentage of the loads when the best energy-efficient technologies are used and the building is designed for efficiency. This concept lends itself to the idea of disaster resistant buildings in which destruction and disruption to lives is minimized during a disaster because the energy needs are minimal. 5 Zero energy buildings incorporate efficiency and conservation so that when a power generator (such as a PV system) is installed on the building, all the loads in the building can be served by the PV system thereby netting zero energy. PV provides more energy than is needed during the day and that energy is stored for use during the night. The simplest form of storage is to use the grid. Other forms of storage (e.g. batteries, flywheels) can make the building capable of off-grid operation. If provisional housing is served by PV technologies, it should be designed as a zero energy home or, at a minimum, include the best energy-efficient appliances (such as Energy Star rated) to minimize energy needs. Applications for Defined Uses CH2M HILL researched applications to best support uses identified by NYC OEM. Most of the applications are variations of PV arrays coupled with batteries to provide efficient support. Applications are cross-referenced with potential uses in Table 1. Application 1a Solar Power for Provisional Housing Application 1 Scaled PV Array for Facility/Residential Use Application 2 Solar Thermal Collector for Facility/Residential Use Application 3 Portable Solar Generators Application 4 Water Purification System 5 Renewable Energy and Disaster-Resistant Buildings, William Young, Jr. Florida Solar Energy Center, ISES Solar World Congress 2005, Orlando, FL Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 8

12 Application 5 Water Pumping Application 6 PV Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles Application 7 Communication Repeaters Application 8 Direct Power for Communications Application 9 Portable Lighting Application 10 Fold-Out Panels for Small Scale/Ad Hoc Use. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 9

13 Table 1. Solar Technology Applications Relevant to Potential Uses for NYC OEM Solar Technology Applications Potential Uses Identified by NYC OEM 1. Provisional Housing 2. Mega Shelters 3. Portable Generators 4. Emergency Shelter Support 5. Water Supply 1a Solar Power for Provisional Housing; 1 Scaled PV Array for Facility/ Residential Use 2 Solar Thermal Collector for Facility/ Residential Use 3 Portable Solar Generators 4 Water Purification System 5 Water Pumping 6 PV Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles 7 Communication Repeaters 8 Direct Power for Communications 9 Portable Lighting X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 10 Fold-Out Panels for Small Scale/Ad Hoc Use X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 6. Vehicles X X X 7. Communications X X X X X Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 10

14 III. Application Criteria During the first project workshop, OEM staff defined specific criteria to facilitate identification of solar technologies to implement. This report presents a qualitative system to evaluate applications based on defined criteria presented in eight categories. The order of importance was not defined for the criteria; therefore, the order in which the criteria are listed is random. The criteria rating scale is represented by: 1 or (least promising) 2 or 3 or (most promising). The criteria can be applied to each application, but cannot always be used to compare two applications. For example, cost is depicted for a single portable lighting unit, whereas multiple units may be installed for a particular use. It may be difficult to compare the cost-benefit of a single lighting unit to the cost-benefit of solar panels for an emergency shelter. Rather each criterion provides a qualitative measure of how useful the application may be for NYC OEM. Description of Criteria and Analysis Process The eight criteria (listed as A through H) defined by NYC OEM are described in this section as well as definitions of the qualitative rating scale. A. Proven Application This criterion measures the practical applicability of a solar solution and answers the questions, Has this been done before and was it successful? = New application = Application has been used in a few locations = Application has been widely used in many locations and users are satisfied with its function. B. This criterion is a simple measure of cost, defined as the raw order of magnitude cost of the solar equipment and implementation activities. It does not include operations and maintenance costs; those are measured in a separate criterion. is presented as a point of consideration, rather than a comparison between applications or between solar and non-solar technologies. = of one application is more than $5000 = of one application is $1500 to $5000 = of one application is less than $1500. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 11

15 C. Ease of Implementation This criterion provides a measure of how long it may take to install the unit (including whether it is readily available as an off-the-shelf apparatus) and the extent of training needed for implementation. Portability is also incorporated in this criterion. It does not consider costs, which are in a separate criterion. = Unit requires customization and permanent installation by a trained professional = Unit requires some customization but can be easily deployed upon delivery = Unit is packaged as a ready-to-use application with minimal training and is readily deployable in NYC. Note: CH2M HILL recommends that systems requiring customization and permanent installation be designed and installed by knowledgeable contractors. Contractors should be certified by the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for photovoltaic or solar thermal installations. D. Beneficial Impact This criterion provides a qualitative assessment of the benefits of the application relative to three impact areas: Life Safety, Savings and Emissions Reduction. Beneficial impact areas for each application are shown in Table 2. Applications 1a and 1 Table 2. Beneficial Impacts for Each Solar Technology Application Application Solar Power for Provisional Housing; Scaled PV Array for Facility/Residential Use Beneficial Impacts Life Safety/Emissions Reduction Application 2 Solar Thermal Collector for Facility/Residential Use Life Safety/ Savings Application 3 Portable Solar Generators Emissions Reduction/Life Safety Application 4 Water Purification System Life Safety Application 5 Water Pumping Life Safety Application 6 PV Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles Savings/Emissions Reduction Application 7 Communication Repeaters Savings/Life Safety Application 8 Direct Power for Communications Savings/Life Safety Application 9 Portable Lighting Life Safety Application 10 Fold-Out Panels for Small Scale/Ad Hoc Use Life Safety E. Supplemental Power Availability This criterion is a measure of how well the application s use of solar power can help the City supplement power issues or help to better prepare the community for emergencies. = The solar application augments existing standard grid-connected power applications Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 12

16 = The solar application augments an existing emergency back-up power application = Use of the solar application provides power which would be otherwise unavailable. F. Supply Chain This criterion considers if suppliers are located in the United States and if the equipment is typically in stock. It is meant to provide information to assess ease of purchasing, ease of installation, and support of the local economy. Having more than one supplier available in the U.S. is also helpful. = Single source of supply, potential of multi-month lead times for delivery = Either single source of supply or long lead time for delivery, but not both = Multiple suppliers exist domestically and products exist in-stock with little to no customization required. G. Operations and Maintenance and Ability to Upgrade This criterion provides a qualitative measure of the extent of operations and maintenance in terms of cost, attention required to ensure operating efficacy, and ability to upgrade to new models without major changes to infrastructure. It is intended to provide information regarding resulting operations and maintenance issues to allow informed purchasing. = Requires monthly maintenance or significant costs for part replacement or upgrade = Requires maintenance about twice per year and yearly part replacement costs of about $100 or less = Requires no maintenance beyond a yearly brief inspection. H. Visibility to the Public This criterion is a measure of how visible the application will be to the general public once implemented. A solar program is a positive image to the public. Some applications will be highly visible and may encourage others to use solar power. = Not in view of the general public = Moderately visible = Highly visible to many people. Summary of Criteria Applied to Each Application Qualitative rating of each criterion relative to each application is provided in Table 3 on the following page. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 13

17 Table 3. A Qualitative Assessment of Each Solar Application as Related to Criteria Criteria Solar Technology Applications 1 Proven Technology 2 3 Ease of Implementation 4 Beneficial Impact* 5 Supplemental Power Availability 6 Supply Chain 7 Operations and Maintenance and Ability to Upgrade 8 Visibility to the Public 1. 1a. Solar Power for Provisional Housing and 1. Scaled PV Array for Facility/Residential Use LS & ER 2. Solar Thermal for Facility/Residential Use 3. Portable Solar Generators 4. Water Purification System CS & LS ER & LS LS 5. Water Pumping LS 6. PV Arrays and Laminates for Vehicles 7. Communication Repeaters 8. Direct Power for Communications CS & ER CS & LS CS & LS 9. Portable Lighting LS 10. Fold-Out Panels for Small Scale/Ad Hoc Use LS = least promising, = promising, = most promising *CS = Savings, ER = Emissions Reduction, LS = Life Safety Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 14

18 IV. Application Descriptions The purpose of this section is to describe specific solar applications for potential uses identified in Section 2. Each solar application is scalable and some are best served as a hybrid application with additional energy sources. Specific information identified for each application includes: Corresponding Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) The ESFs for which the application may be useful are identified. Brief Description A brief description of each application is provided to identify how it may be useful in emergency planning and response activities. Energy Potential The amount of energy which may be available via each application is identified. Equipment Needs Battery and equipment needs are identified for beneficial uses of the applications. A rough order of magnitude cost for each application is identified based on scale. Implementation Issues A discussion of ease of implementation and/or barriers to implementation is provided for each application. Tips for Procurement Tips for procurement include information on local vendors and manufacturers (if local were not found, others may be listed), duration of time for producing custom solutions (if applicable), and lead time necessary to begin using applications. Note that vendors who are members of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association can be found in the sustainable energy greenpages database at Many vendors may be available and inclusion in this report is not an endorsement. All vendors/contractors should be NABCEP certified. Operations and Maintenance Information regarding operation and maintenance of each application is provided to allow effective planning for ongoing solar program support. Examples Examples of previously successful applications of solar power to emergency preparedness are provided along with pictures of each application. Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 15

19 Application 1a Solar Power for Provisional Housing Courtesy Darrell Mayer & Elizabeth Kolepp-Mayer and What If NYC Criteria Summary Proven Technology Ease of Implementation Supplemental Power Availability Suppliers O&M/Ability to Upgrade Beneficial Impact* LS/ER Visibility to the Public *CS = Savings, ER = Emissions Reduction, LS = Life Safety Corresponding ESF(s) ESF 6 Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services ESF 8 Public Health and Medical Services ESF 14 Long Term Community Recovery Brief Description This application involves use of PV modules to provide modular power for Container Living Apparatus (CLA) or other modular provisional housing applications. The addition of solar thermal modules for domestic hot water should also be considered. Energy Potential A standard 40 x 8 x 8 6 shipping container has 320 ft 2 of roof space. Using a coverage ratio of 90%, approximately 290 ft 2 are available for a PV system. Using a highly efficient module, it is possible to install as much as 5 kw on a single container roof. Under NYC sun conditions, this system will produce as much as 6.5 MWh per year. NYC OEM estimates that each housing unit will consume as much as 6.0 MWh per year. It is possible to have a greater than 100% coverage ratio by elevating the structure above the roof and allowing the module to over hang the edge of the structure. The battery bank and the balance of system components require approximately 4 x 7 6 x 4 or about 5% of the internal space of the container. The weight of the battery bank is on the order of 5,000 lbs or 8% of the maximum gross weight of a standard 40 dry freight container. 6 Equipment Needs This application requires customization of the PV system including sizing the battery bank to cover the desired number of days of autonomous use. The following table lists sample equipment needs for provisional housing. Equipment Description Example Loads PV Array Size Inverters Battery Bank Balance of System Refrigerator TV Lights Computer Radio Microwave 5 kw Provisional Housing One 5 kw off-grid inverter 2,250 to 2,500 amp-hrs at 48 V for 5 days of autonomous use Charge controller, voltage regulator, safety disconnects and fuses, combiner boxes 6 Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 16

20 Roof mounted PV systems serving building loads can be purchased and installed for approximately $7 to $10 per watt adding $1 per amp hour for the battery bank. Various local, state, and federal incentives can be applied to projects to lower the total installed costs. A good resource for these incentives is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. 7 Implementation Issues The roof area of a single container available for PV coincidentally matches the estimated usage of that single container. Planning for provisional housing indicates that the CLA will be stacked four high, requiring as much as four times the available roof space. Thus, ground mounted arrays or portable gensets (see Application 3) may be required. Additionally, further advances in energy savings should be investigated. Innovative ways of deploying the system may be required. Ideally, PV arrays would be grid-connected somewhere while not in use at the provisional housing site and placed into emergency service only once housing units are constructed. Tips for Procurement Systems should be designed and installed by knowledgeable contractors. Contractors should be certified by the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for photovoltaic and/or solar thermal installations. NABCEP certified contractors can purchase equipment from several distributors or directly from the manufacturers. procured and installed as quickly as 1 month up to 3 months, depending on module availability and local jurisdictional requirements. Once the system is installed and inspected by the local jurisdictional authority, a PV system can begin generating energy immediately. Operations and Maintenance Generally, operations and maintenance procedures for grid-tied PV systems are minimal. Normally, PV panels do not require cleaning depending on the amount of precipitation. Standard batteries require inspection and possible maintenance on a monthly schedule and must be in a reasonably dry, temperature controlled location with proper venting. Sealed batteries are largely maintenance free but tend to be more expensive. Batteries may require replacement every 5 to 10 years. In addition to manufacturer s recommendations, IEEE publications pertaining to the installation and maintenance of various battery types used in photovoltaic installations should be referenced. Most manufacturers and system installers recommend a minimum of annual system checks to ensure that systems are performing as designed, although more frequent checks may be necessary. Examples Off-grid power for provisional housing provides many potential benefits including replacing potentially dangerous and scarce fossil fuels, reduction in emissions and noise at the point of use, and an increase in reliability of power. Depending on the size of the system, a customized system can be designed, 7 Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 17

21 Application 1 Scaled PV Array for Facilities Photovoltaic gas station canopy courtesy British Petroleum Criteria Summary Proven Technology Ease of Implementation Beneficial Impact* LS/ER Supplemental Power Availability Suppliers O&M/Ability to Upgrade Visibility to the Public *CS = Savings, ER = Emissions Reduction, LS = Life Safety Corresponding ESF(s) ESF 6 Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services ESF 8 Public Health and Medical Services ESF 14 Long Term Community Recovery Brief Description This application involves use of PV modules to generate electricity and provide backup power, to augment other energy sources, and/or to provide modular power based on need. The premise behind scaled use is to provide as much solar power as possible (as limited by budget or area available) to support a defined energy need. For instance, gas station canopies can be converted to solar canopies and with the addition of a battery bank used to provide emergency pumping services in the event of the loss of grid power. Similarly, a church or school may serve as a temporary shelter during emergency events. A solar PV system can provide backup power to a defined set of critical loads (such as lighting in a gymnasium or refrigeration in a cafeteria). The critical loads identified must be analyzed to determine the appropriate size of the PV system and battery backup. If the loads cannot be met exclusively by a PV system with battery backup, then the system can be augmented with another emergency generator (diesel, propane, etc.). PV systems can be installed on building rooftops, on stand alone ground-mounted structures or on covered parking structures. Energy Potential Mounted PV arrays are typically limited more by available space than by any technical constraints. The largest systems can reach into the multi-megawatt range. Typically, roof-mounted systems are on the order of hundreds of kilowatts and depend heavily on the amount of roof space available. The largest battery energy storage system holds 6.5 million amp-hours. Equipment Needs This application requires customization, as it will be sized according to actual loads identified to be served during an emergency outage. The kilowatt capacity of the PV system will be based on the instantaneous loads and the battery bank size will be determined by the desired number of days of autonomous use. The following table lists equipment needs for temporary shelters (such as a school). Equipment Description Loads PV Array Size Temporary Shelter (School) Cafeteria Lighting (assume 1.5 watts/sq.ft. for 10,000 sq.ft cafeteria) 15 kw (roughly 1,200 sq.ft.) Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 18

22 Equipment Temporary Shelter (School) Description Inverters Multiple 3 to 5 kw inverters for gridconnected and off-grid interaction Battery Bank 46,000 amp-hrs at 24 V, (Qty. 26 of 1,800 Other Equipment amp-hr batteries) charge controller, voltage regulator, safety disconnects and fuses, combiner boxes PV systems serving building loads can be purchased and installed for approximately $5 to $9 per watt adding $1 per amp hour for the battery bank. Various local, state, and federal incentives can be applied to various projects to lower the unincentivized total installed costs. A good resource for these incentives is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. 8 Implementation Issues When installing a PV system on a building that will power particular loads, the loads/appliances should be as energyefficient as possible. In the example of the school that serves as an emergency shelter, lighting powered by the PV system should be high-efficiency rather than conventional lighting. Buildings designed to US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or other green building standards are ideal candidates for PV systems. Ground-mounted systems are resilient during storms. Rooftop systems require roof penetration to bolt the system into the roof structure for resiliency. Tips for Procurement Systems should be designed and installed by knowledgeable contractors. Contractors should be certified by the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for photovoltaic installations. NABCEP certified contractors can purchase equipment from several distributors or directly from the manufacturers. Depending on the size of the system, a customized system can be designed, procured and installed as quickly as 1 month up to 3 months, depending on module availability and local jurisdictional requirements. Once the system is installed and inspected by the local jurisdictional authority, a PV system can begin generating energy immediately. Operations and Maintenance Generally, operations and maintenance procedures for grid-tied PV systems are minimal. Normally, PV panels do not require cleaning depending on the amount of precipitation. Standard batteries require inspection and possible maintenance on a monthly schedule and must be in a reasonably dry, temperature controlled location with proper venting. Sealed batteries are largely maintenance free but tend to be more expensive. In addition to manufacturer s recommendations, IEEE publications pertaining to installation and maintenance of various battery types used in photovoltaic installations should be referenced. Most manufacturers and system installers recommend a minimum of annual system checks to make sure systems are performing as designed, although more frequent checks may be necessary. Examples Scaled use of solar power for temporary shelters provides many potential benefits including sole source power and augmentation of existing power sources. In addition, applying solar power to ongoing operations, such as fire departments or gas stations, can yield significant efficiencies on an ongoing basis. 8 Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 19

23 Application 2 Solar Thermal Collector for Facility or Residential Use realm of emergency preparedness, solar thermal applications are potentially valuable in heating water when other heating sources are unavailable or as an augmentation to existing heating sources. Energy Potential Solar thermal collectors can support a wide range of heating needs from residential use of approximately 20 gallons per day to industrial uses of up to 2000 gallons of water. Energy potential above this range may require specially designed systems. Solar Thermal Collector for Domestic Hot Water for Fire Station #6, Badger Rd, Madison, WI Equipment Needs This application requires a solar collector, pump, heat exchanger, and control system which generally comes packaged in residential and industrial configurations. Criteria Summary Proven Technology Ease of Implementation Beneficial Impact* LS & CS Supplemental Power Availability Suppliers O&M/Ability to Upgrade Visibility to the Public *CS = Savings, ER = Emissions Reduction, LS = Life Safety Corresponding ESF(s) ESF 6 Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services ESF 8 Public Health and Medical Services ESF 14 Long Term Community Recovery Brief Description Solar thermal applications concentrate direct heat from the sun to produce heat at useful temperatures. The systems discussed here, referred to as medium temperature hot water applications, typically range between ºC and include domestic hot water and renewable heating. In the Southface Energy Institute Residential systems are available for $3,000 and industrial systems range up to $50,000. Implementation Issues It is important to properly size the solar thermal system for the application. To size the system, it is necessary to fully understand the daily water usage profile, the intake water temperature, and the desired usage temperature. The amount of Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 20

24 energy required to raise the water temperature from the intake to the desired temperature can then be calculated and the number of solar thermal collectors determined based on the thermal performance rating of the individual collectors. Tips for Procurement Systems should be designed and installed by knowledgeable contractors. Contractors should be certified by the National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for solar thermal installations. Residential-sized systems should be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation. There is no equivalent rating system for commercial sized systems due to the highly customized nature of the designs. Depending on the size of the system, a customized system can be designed, procured and installed in as little as 1 to 3 months with larger systems taking longer. Operations and Maintenance Although operations and maintenance procedures for solar thermal systems are typically minimal, keeping the system running properly is important to maintain efficiency. Assuming the system is located in a place with adequate rainfall, cleaning is typically not required. Additional cleaning may be required following a snowstorm to remove accumulated snow from atop collectors. Most manufacturers recommend annual system checks to ensure that systems are performing as designed. is usually mounted on the roof and is connected to a circuit containing the water/glycol mixture. The heated liquid flows through the circuit, either forced by a pump or by a thermo-siphoning action. The most efficient solar collector for medium temperature hot water applications is an evacuated-tube collector (ETC). ETCs contain several rows of glass tubes; each tube has the air removed from it (evacuated) to eliminate heat loss through convection and radiation. Inside the glass tube, a flat or curved aluminum or copper fin is attached to a metal pipe. The fin is covered with a selective coating that transfers heat to the fluid that is circulating through the pipe. Copper, although more expensive, is a better conductor and less prone to corrosion than aluminum. Solar thermal systems can be used in either of two applications. First, a simple preheating system uses solar collectors to preheat the intake water for a traditional water heater. Second, water heaters are designed with dual heating coils; one is connected to the solar collectors and the other to an alternate heating source (e.g. gas, electric, oil). Examples In recommended solar thermal applications, discrete solar collectors gather solar radiation to heat water with propylene glycol anti-freeze added. The solar collector Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 21

25 Application 3 Portable Solar Generators Courtesy Mobile Solar Power 9 Criteria Summary Proven Technology Ease of Implementation Beneficial Impact* ER & LS Supplemental Power Availability Suppliers O&M/Ability to Upgrade Visibility to the Public *CS = Savings, ER = Emissions Reduction, LS = Life Safety Corresponding ESF(s) ESF 1 Transportation ESF 2 Communications ESF 3 Public Works and Engineering ESF 4 Firefighting ESF 5 Emergency Management ESF 6 Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services ESF 8 Public Health and Medical Services ESF 9 Search and Rescue ESF 10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response ESF 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources ESF 12 Energy ESF 13 Public Safety and Security ESF 14 Long-Term Community Recovery 9 Mobile Solar Power, Brief Description This application involves use of mobile PV modules to generate electricity and provide power to augment other energy sources and/or to provide modular power based on need. The premise behind mobile solar generator use is to provide as much solar power as possible (as limited by budget) to support energy needs in areas where power is in short supply or unavailable. Mobile solar generators have been widely used to support emergency operations and special events. Generators are available in a variety of configurations and energy potential. Generators can be combined with fuel sources, such as diesel, to allow immediate generator use until the generator battery is charged by the sun. Energy Potential Portable PV generators can have arrays as small as 100 watts and as large as 4 kilowatts. A small trailer easily towed by a small SUV can accommodate a 200 watt PV module and provide up to 1 kwh per day to power communication radios, laptop computers, or other appliances. The largest commercially available systems can provide as much as 24 kwh per day and serve as a medical trailer with lights, a refrigerator, computer, printer, and medical equipment. Equipment Needs Equipment Description Loads PV Array Size Inverters Battery Bank Open Trailer Communications Radio Lighting Cell phone/battery charger Water purification 1.2 kw 3 kw One 1 kw inverter for off-grid use 1,300 amp-hrs at 24 V, (Qty. 4 of 470 amp-hr batteries) Enclosed Medical Trailer Refrigerator Lights Computer/printer Radio Medical device One 3 kw inverter for off-grid use 3,000 to 3,500 amphrs at 24 V (Qty. 8 of 470 amp-hr batteries) Integration of Solar Energy in Emergency Planning 22