Ò solar power on brownfields sites - project navigator€¦ · siting pv solar on brownfields...

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Presented by

Ian A. Webster, Sc.D.Robert Potter, B.S.

Project Navigator, Ltd.One Pointe Drive,Brea, CA

March 24, 2010

Solar Power on Brownfields Sites

Presented to

National Brownfields Association Conference, Atlanta, GA

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The Vision…Small Scale Solar Photovoltaic Projects on Environmentally Impacted Land, especially Landfills…

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This “Story Slide Deck” Tells You What Project Navigator, Ltd. is Up to in This Arena.

Who We AreThe Business Plan; Small Scale Solar

(1 to 5 MW) on Urban Brownfield

Sites

Classic Brownfield Land Development

is StuckLarge Desert PV Solar Facilities are Delayed

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

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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 320Brea, CA 92821714-388-1800iwebster@projectnavigator.comwww.ProjectNavigator.comwww.SafetyMoment.orgwww.PVNavigator.com

Core Services● Superfund Site Project

Management● Remedy Design/Build● Data Management● Regulatory Negotiations

Growth Services● Sustainable Remedial Solutions● Solar Project Siting and

DevelopmentPartners● Chevron Energy Solutions● Brightfields Energy● Bryan Stirrat and Associates

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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…

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

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…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 SHOPCOFFEE SHOP BOUTIQUEBOUTIQUE

Redeveloped SiteBrownfield SiteDatabase Inventory

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• California Mandates

• 20% Renewable Energy by 2010; 33% by 2020

• Currently all major utilities are less than 15% with SDGE at 6.1%

• Tax Credits

• 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…

Meanwhile on the Solar Power side, there are solar power business market drivers…

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

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

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What to do? Where is the present solar business niche?

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Small Scale, Urban – Located, Distributed PV Facilities Sit in a Business Sweet Spot.

6. Optimal siting location for small scale distributed PV solar plants

3. DENSITY OF TRANSMISSION

INFRASTRUCTURE

5. SOLAR INTENSITY

4. LAND VALUE OR LEASE RATE

9. …expanding sweep spot more towards end users

2. TRANSMISSION GRID7. LANDFILLS

1. Los Angeles Basin

8. Siting PV Solar on Brownfields sites pushes

land value curve this way,…

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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.

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This leads to a revised vision of solar power development success…smaller, distributed projects on urban landfills in close proximity to load or transmission.

Landfill CapAdjacent Transmission Capabilities

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Landfill covers can be loaded with panels…

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…and landfill “supply” and acreage is high in California…especially in urban areas from the last century’s disposal practices…

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LegendPrivately Owned Closed Landfills

Publicly Owned Closed Landfills

…and is particularly true in Los Angeles, where the LA Basin is dotted with landfills…which are close to power load.

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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

So what’s needed to put a landfill into play as a location for a PV solar facility?

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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

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1. Closed Landfills…here’s an example of an “owner abandoned” major Los Angeles site in the mid 90’s…

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…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.

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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 andconveyance lines

4. Health and safety diligence

5. Non-alignment between multiple site owners

However, the “50-flat-urban-landfill-acres” adjacent to transmission becomes an excellent small solar site candidate. Minimal engineering is required.

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Note: Change in elevation between March and September 2004.

-0.820 - -0.720-0.710 - -0.620-0.610 - -0.520-0.510 - -0.410-0.400 - -0.310-0.300 - -0.210-0.200 - -0.110-0.100 - -0.005-0.005 - 0.0100.100 - 0.200

Legend

Elevation change in ft

Profiles

Control Points

Landfill settlement predictions are measured. Data can be shared with the solar field operator to guide panel placements and adjustments.

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An end state vision for this Los Angeles landfill then becomes a transformation from this…

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

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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

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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-energy-producing PV laminates:

Protect human health & environment

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

Potential tradeoffs with EPA on remedy and/or OM&M requirements

Republic Services Landfill – San Antonio, TX

Flexible Solar Caps

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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.

A Renewable Energy Cap as the Remedy?

Flexible Solar Caps

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Project Navigator, Ltd. Works With Partners on these ventures…

Chevron Energy Solutions Brightfield Energy

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• 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.

• 16.4 acre flat top closed landfill• Our team has evaluated the PV solar potential at

this site

Our team has unique capabilities to plan, assess, develop and operate a solar photovoltaic farm at the City of Sacramento 28th Street Landfill.

• Renewable energy expertise of Chevron Energy Solutions• Landfill expertise of Project Navigator, Ltd.• Design/build

Ongoing Similar Evaluations by CES/PNL Team

OII Landfill, Monterey Park, California

Lumberton Landfill, New Jersey

• Project economics financing• Business relationships• Can-do savvy and expertise

28th Street Landfill, Sacramento, California

Current

Conceptual Vision

Before After

Before After

For Example…Chevron Energy Solutions and Project Navigator, Ltd. Have the Combined Expertise to Assess and Site Solar PV on Landfills

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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

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

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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

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Conclusions3 key variables dictate solar facility feasibility:● Solar intensity● Transmission proximity● Land cost● Availability of funds

Progress on the large, 1,000 acre + plants has slowedNiche “business space”exists for smaller, urban landfill located facilities