Solar Power on Brownfields Sites

Transcription

1 Solar Power on Brownfields Sites Presented to National Brownfields Association Conference, Atlanta, GA Presented by Ian A. Webster, Sc.D. Robert Potter, B.S. Project Navigator, Ltd. One Pointe Drive, Brea, CA March 24,

2 The Vision Small Scale Solar Photovoltaic Projects on Environmentally Impacted Land, especially Landfills 2of 33

3 This Story Slide Deck Tells You What Project Navigator, Ltd. is Up to in This Arena. Large Desert PV Solar Facilities are Delayed Classic Brownfield Land Development is Stuck The Business Plan; Small Scale Solar (1 to 5 MW) on Urban Brownfield Sites Who We Are Urban Landfills and Brownfield Sites Represent an Opportunity Landfill Technical Issues are Manageable Projects are in the Planning Stages The Smaller Facilities Can Be Brought Online in a Shorter Timeframe 3of 33

4 While PNL has a conventional environmental engineering core, we are working evermore in the solar power arena Ian A. Webster, Sc.D. Project Navigator, Ltd. One Pointe Dr., Suite 320 Brea, CA iwebster@projectnavigator.com Core Services Superfund Site Project Management Remedy Design/Build Data Management Regulatory Negotiations Growth Services Sustainable Remedial Solutions Solar Project Siting and Development Partners Chevron Energy Solutions Brightfields Energy Bryan Stirrat and Associates 4of 33

5 Here s the story in California there are > 100,000 Brownfield sites most are approx. 1 acre in size they have no role in solar power 5of 33

6 and, in urban locations, larger sites, (> 40 acres, $20/sq.ft.), typically have a highest and best use when conventionally remediated and developed 6of 33

7 and unfortunately, today s conventional Brownfield marketplace is stalled. So, in this 2010 marketplace conventional raw land will sit and ride out the recession. COFFEE SHOP BOUTIQUE Database Inventory Brownfield Site Redeveloped Site 7of 33

8 Meanwhile on the Solar Power side, there are solar power business market drivers California Mandates 20% Renewable Energy by 2010; 33% by 2020 Tax Credits Currently all major utilities are less than 15% with SDGE at 6.1% 30% solar ITC (Investment Tax Credit) Refundable as a cash grant by Treasury under the stimulus program DOE Loan Guarantee Program $20 billion available so there is great incentive, but high land prices and the ability to locate by transmission are obstacles 8of 33

9 3 years ago, entrepreneurial firms backed by VC monies flocked to the Mojave Desert looking for cheap land, close to transmission 9of 33

10 with a vision of building $1B projects however, this equity financing has all but dried up in the current economic climate. 10 of 33

11 What to do? Where is the present solar business niche? 11 of 33

12 Small Scale, Urban Located, Distributed PV Facilities Sit in a Business Sweet Spot. 1. Los Angeles Basin 3. DENSITY OF TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE 9. expanding sweep spot more towards end users 4. LAND VALUE OR LEASE RATE 5. SOLAR INTENSITY 8. Siting PV Solar on Brownfields sites pushes land value curve this way, 6. Optimal siting location for small scale distributed PV solar plants 2. TRANSMISSION GRID 7. LANDFILLS 12 of 33

13 Project Navigator, Ltd. has a long, innovative, track record in optimizing OM&M programs and energy recovery from landfills. Examples are Landfill Gas to Power and now PV Solar. 13 of 33

14 This leads to a revised vision of solar power development success smaller, distributed projects on urban landfills in close proximity to load or transmission. Adjacent Transmission Capabilities Landfill Cap 14 of 33

15 Landfill covers can be loaded with panels 15 of 33

16 and landfill supply and acreage is high in California especially in urban areas from the last century s disposal practices 16 of 33

17 and is particularly true in Los Angeles, where the LA Basin is dotted with landfills which are close to power load. Legend Privately Owned Closed Landfills Publicly Owned Closed Landfills 17 of 33

18 So what s needed to put a landfill into play as a location for a PV solar facility? Selection criteria include: > 30 Acres would provide 3 to 5 MW < 3% Grade Proximity to Transmission/Distribution Access for Maintenance A key business deal feature is to attempt to not encumber the project with a land acquisition fee 18 of 33

19 There are 2 ways to proceed with these ideas 1. Closed Landfills: Retrofit on the cap 2. Future Closure: Incorporate a solar cap into closure planning 19 of 33

20 1. Closed Landfills here s an example of an owner abandoned major Los Angeles site in the mid 90 s 20 of 33

21 the same site today is capped and in environmental compliance. The high acreage trash areas are still viewed as a liability by the Responsible Parties. 21 of 33

22 However, the 50-flat-urban-landfill-acres adjacent to transmission becomes an excellent small solar site candidate. Minimal engineering is required. Potential Challenges: 1. Settlement management: Place panels on spread footings 2. Community concerns 3. Solar system ops Vs daily landfill OM&M around the LFG wells and conveyance lines 4. Health and safety diligence 5. Non-alignment between multiple site owners 22 of 33

23 Landfill settlement predictions are measured. Data can be shared with the solar field operator to guide panel placements and adjustments. Legend Profiles Control Points Elevation change in ft Note: Change in elevation between March and September of 33

24 An end state vision for this Los Angeles landfill then becomes a transformation from this 24 of 33

25 to this where the flat top deck of the landfill has panels: 5MW; adjacent transmission; not visible to community. 25 of 33

26 PNL has been working with SunPods. SunPods Manufactures and Installs Solar Arrays Specifically Designed for Use at Landfills Features of SunPods Landfill PV Solar Unit 2.4 kw per array (as shown) Arrives prefabricated Minimal onsite assembly 20 ft X 10 ft arrays Weighs 3,100 lbs, supported on a self leveling support system Eliminates landfill cap penetration 10 Gauge steel frame Rated to 90 mph wind speed Ready to connect Minimal maintenance 26 of 33 22

27 2. Incorporate the solar option directly into the cap at the remedy planning stage Flexible Solar Energy Remedial Covers (Caps) Cover waste units with green-energyproducing PV laminates: Protect human health & environment Flexible Solar Caps Produce energy to fund O&M, power equipment, additional revenue, etc. Less O&M costs (no vegetation, soil erosion, etc.) Cleaner water runoff (no sedimentation) Better community acceptance Republic Services Landfill San Antonio, TX Potential tradeoffs with EPA on remedy and/or OM&M requirements 27 of 33

28 A Renewable Energy Cap as the Remedy? Flexible Solar Caps Need for topsoil and vegetation is eliminated. In areas where water is limited this saves money in O&M phase of project. Need for additional fill material (and associated heavy equipment and manpower) is eliminated while the remedy is equally protective. Solar Cap provides a protective barrier while generating energy to run equipment or produce revenue. 28 of 33

29 Project Navigator, Ltd. Works With Partners on these ventures Chevron Energy Solutions Brightfield Energy 29 of 33

30 For Example Chevron Energy Solutions and Project Navigator, Ltd. Have the Combined Expertise to Assess and Site Solar PV on Landfills Ongoing Similar Evaluations by CES/PNL Team OII Landfill, Monterey Park, California 28 th Street Landfill, Sacramento, California Our team has unique capabilities to plan, assess, develop and operate a solar photovoltaic farm at the City of Sacramento 28 th Street Landfill. Renewable energy expertise of Chevron Energy Solutions Project economics financing Landfill expertise of Project Navigator, Ltd. Business relationships Design/build Can-do savvy and expertise Before After 50-acre flat top deck will provide 5 MW Adjacent Southern California Edison substation Landfill gas power system currently generates 0.4 MW Our team is planning a Feasibility Study for New Cure, Inc. Lumberton Landfill, New Jersey Current Before After 16.4 acre flat top closed landfill Our team has evaluated the PV solar potential at this site Conceptual Vision 30 of 33

31 PNL also functions in the role of site owner/developer. PNL is an owner at the Tex Tin Superfund Site, Texas City, TX 1998 Aerial 2000 Phase I Demolition 2002 Phase II Waste Treatment & Cleanup 2005 Aerial Before Remediation: Closed Smelter After Remediation: Flat 130 acres 31 of 33

32 Planning is underway to develop this ideally located site as a solar facility. Load is adjacent at BP and Valero refineries 32 of 33

33 The Urban-Located-Small Scale Plant Vision is Not Easy to Execute, but the PNL Team has the Capabilities to Maximize the Opportunities and Minimize the Threats Opportunities Regulatory drivers (e.g., CA 20% power from renewable by 2010) Delay in large desert plans coming online USEPA, DTSC, etc., are motivated Less land competition from classic big box Brownfield developers Permitting upside by working under CERCLA statute Green power buyers are buying via PPA RFPs Transmission network is dense at urban locations No endangered species Threats High cost of interconnection PPA price too low PPA terms cannot be financed Cost control during construction Community NIMBY resistance Tough stakeholder coordination resulting in delays 33 of 33

34 Conclusions 3 key variables dictate solar facility feasibility: Solar intensity Transmission proximity Land cost Availability of funds Progress on the large, 1,000 acre + plants has slowed Niche business space exists for smaller, urban landfill located facilities 34 of 33 30