In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Online Key Account Tool Box supports public utility programs
		Fuel cell plant joins Alameda County renewable energy collection
		Revitalized communications promote efficiency, ease rate hikes
		New cooling technology aids South Dakota's pursuit of efficiency
		Fort Mojave tribal casino gets cooling system makeover
		Brigham City bike promotion raises energy efficiency awareness
		Lompoc LED light rebate promotes efficient holiday decorating
		Dairy, utilities learn from South Dakota's first digester
		Outreach programs help busy utilities educate consumers
		Energy Services seeks customer input
		Topics from the Power Line: Radiant heater a good choice for auto repair shop
		Energy shorts
		Technology spotlight: Low-mass, surface-mounted radiant heating panels in homes and offices
		Calendar of events

Fuel cell plant joins Alameda County renewable energy collection

This 1-MW hydrogen fuel cell supplies 50 percent of the electricity for the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. With a 1.2-MW solar array on its rooftop, the jail generates up to 80 percent of its electricity from onsite ultraclean and renewable resources. (Photo by Alameda County)

Alameda County, Calif., recently laid claim to the greenest county facility in the United States when it fired up the state's first megawatt-class hydrogen fuel cell cogeneration plant on its Santa Rita Jail.  

A dedication ceremony in August brought together representatives from state and local government, business, academia and environmental organizations. Alameda County, Chevron Energy Solutions, the designer and installer, and FuelCell Energy, Inc., the manufacturer, led tours of the new DFC 1500 fuel cell cogeneration plant following the ceremony.

"Alameda County has demonstrated the feasibility of combining alternative power technologies and energy efficiency measures in one facility to reduce costs and help the environment," commented Keith Carson, president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. He added his hopes that other counties would be encouraged by the project to consider installing fuel cell technology.

Other municipalities will certainly notice that the fuel cell is expected to save county taxpayers $260,000 per year.  Combined with the jail's 1.2-MW solar power array and previously installed energy efficiency upgrades, the jail has reduced its energy bills by more than $700,000 annually. The environment will benefit, too, from the prevention of more than 3,200 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Self-generation plus efficiency equals savings

The project provides about half of the facility's base load needs. The hydrogen and solar systems together will shrink Santa Rita's power purchases by as much as 80 percent in the summer months when temperatures in Dublin, Calif., where the jail is located can top 110ºF. During peak-demand hours between noon and 6 p.m., the solar system generates the most power. "Because of the solar array, the electrical summertime demand on the jail's PG&E meter is now peaking at 10 p.m.," said County Energy Manager Matt Muniz. "A lot of the savings come from shifting the peak."

Efficiency improvements ensure that the facility uses its power wisely. At the same time the PV system was installed in 2002, Muniz's energy team replaced an old inefficient chiller with a new 850-ton high efficiency chiller and attached variable speed drives to the new chiller, chilled water pumps and cooling towers.  In the early 1990s, energy efficient T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts installed in more than 12,000 fluorescent light fixtures and innovative lighting controls throughout the jail increased savings. Muniz plans further improvements to the lighting with a "next generation" T-8 retrofit, using full spectrum lamps, in phase two of the fuel cell project.

Capturing the fuel cell's waste heat for space and water heating was another way to increase efficiency. "The molten carbonate fuel cell operates at a temperature of 1,100° Fahrenheit, so it's a good match for a facility with a large heat load," explained Muniz. "The jail has a big kitchen and laundry and there are daily showers for 4,000 inmates. None of that excess heat is going to waste."

A combination of grants, incentives and performance contracting funded the project's $6.1 million price tag. Pacific Gas and Electric Company's self-generation incentive program provided $1.4 million, and $1 million came from the U.S. Department of Defense Climate Change Fuel Cell Program. The remaining cost of $3.7 million — $2.8 million of which was financed through a California Energy Commission Energy Partnership Program Loan — is being funded entirely by the project's energy cost savings under a performance contract with Chevron Energy Solutions and FuelCell Energy.

Successful solar projects

The fuel cell plant is only Alameda County's latest accomplishment in its Climate Change Leadership Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The county board of supervisors adopted the resolution establishing the strategy in June. In a press release, Board President Keith Carson commented that addressing climate change could reduce current costs of delivering services as well as future costs of adapting to global warming. 

Since the county first installed the Santa Rita solar power system in 2002, the savings have supported that assertion. The PV array generates as much as 915 kW at midday and saved the county about $410,000 in its first year of operation, exceeding expectations for both generation and savings. The project also earned Alameda County its first EPA Green Power Leadership award. 

Success moved the county to double its solar energy capacity.  By 2005, the county had installed five more rooftop arrays on county-owned buildings, plus two innovative, 250-kW solar tracking carport systems, and received its second Green Power Partnership award.  "We now have 2.3 MW of solar, plus one MW from the fuel cell," Muniz stated proudly.

And Alameda County won't stop there. The energy team continues to explore opportunities for small-scale generation opportunities, building efficiencies and renewable power purchase agreements. The county's new juvenile justice facility, scheduled for completion in March 2007, will have an 880-kW system and be completely powered by renewable energy. "The building is going for gold LEED certification, too," Muniz said.

As long as generation and efficiency technologies keep improving, as long as there are state or utility incentive available, as long as "good ol' conservation" can save a watt, Alameda County will be finding new ways to go green.