Small-scale coal-diesel/renewable systems for rural heat and power

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:257000

Wilson, R P; Hynek, S J ^[1]

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1. Acorn Park, Cambridge, MA (United States)

Diesel gensets provide 22% of all electric capacity in Alaska, particularly in the remote portions, though diesel fuel is expensive enough there to make electricity cost 20--60 {cents}/kWh. Alternative electric generation schemes are therefore worth considering, especially those that utilize existing diesel engines. Many of Alaska`s 18 coal fields are close enough to villages to justify powering local diesels with coal-water slurry. Cooper-Bessemer and Arthur D. Little have developed and demonstrated this technology over the past 10 years, and estimate that a 1.8-MW coal diesel plant would produce electricity for 6--10 {cents}/kWh. Coastal Alaskan villages are windy enough to generate electricity economically with wind turbines. Wind generation can supplement diesel generation, and surplus wind generation can be used to generate hydrogen for subsequent use as a substitute for diesel fuel. Presented herein are several arrangements utilizing one or both of these concepts.

• OSTI ID: 257000
• Report Number(s): CONF-950952--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
17 WIND ENERGY
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
ALASKA
COAL
COGENERATION
COMBUSTION
DESIGN
DIESEL ENGINES
DUAL-PURPOSE POWER PLANTS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
FUEL SLURRIES
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
POWER GENERATION
WATER
WIND POWER PLANTS