Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Submitted By:
Hon. Svante Myrick
Mayor of the City of Ithaca
108 E Green St, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-6501
mayor@cityofithaca.org
Project Contact:
Submitted to:
New York Prize
May 15, 2015
3.1 Proposal title: “The Ithaca Community Microgrid: First Stage Feasibility Assessment”......................... 6
4.4 Professional organizations, energy developers, and district energy engineering firms and suppliers
that have already been interviewed or hosted ..............................................................................................11
4.5 Coalition of Partners invited to participate in the Project as advisors and consultants outside the
Project Team ....................................................................................................................................................12
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5.6 Building competitive markets, supporting new services and demonstrating a new business model ..17
Introduction: ....................................................................................................................................................19
Task 1 - Project Scoping and Needs Analysis with the Host ..........................................................................20
Appendix ...................................................................................................................................................................27
A. Map of the area with all the supported critical facilities, the NED and SED, the IAWWTF, CWD, and
the two key NYSEG substations .......................................................................................................................28
E. Qualifications of team............................................................................................................................51
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SECTION 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3.1 PROPOSAL TITLE:
“THE ITHACA COMMUNITY MICROGRID: FIRST STAGE FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT”
3.2 TEAM MEMBERS
• Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) — district energy resource
• NYSEG — local electric distribution company
• City of Ithaca — local government, IAWWTF co-owner, and lead applicant
• Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden — local governments and IAWWTF co-owners
• Unchained Properties, Inc. — principal under contract to acquire the former Emerson
Power Transmission factory, which is planned for redevelopment as the CWD, a potential
site of district energy resource
• Ithaca Community Energy, Inc. (ICE) — Ithaca-based non-profit third-party implementer
This proposal is designed to create the basis for an Ithaca Community Microgrid by using two existing facilities,
the IAWWTF and the former Emerson Power Transmission plant now referred to as the Chain Works District
(CWD), for power generation to serve two city energy districts, preferably via existing NYSEG distribution
infrastructure. The IAWWTF will serve as the core distributed energy resource facility of a Northside Energy
District (NED) and the CWD will serve the same function for a Southside Energy district (SED). This project
proposes the feasibility assessment of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) as well as extensive biogas, solar PV,
and energy storage systems at these two facilities. The value of energy production buildout at these two sites
is emphasized by the extensive planned developments in the areas of the IAWWTF and the CWD that will
significantly augment current electricity demand. Thus, development of the two new energy districts will
provide an economic foundation for the project and the community. The microgrid configuration as proposed
would provide electricity that is islandable from the commercial grid to power vital community services during
emergencies. Collaboration with NYSEG to improve electric system reliability, efficiency, expansion, emissions
reduction, and cost will also interest third party investors.
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3.4 EXISTING INITIATIVES
Plans for the Ithaca Community Microgrid draw upon opportunities presented by three existing local
initiatives: The Cornell campus microgrid, the IAWWTF carbon neutral plan, and the CWD mixed-use
development.
• The system model outlined in this proposal incorporates key elements of the widely acclaimed
nearby Cornell campus microgrid. Cornell converted its coal burning Central Heat Plant to a natural-
gas-driven 30 megawatt-capacity combined heat-and-power (CHP) plant that allows the University
to simultaneously produce electricity and utilize the “waste” heat for campus heating requirements.
The IAWWTF has already invested nearly eleven million dollars in renewable energy generation (biogas) from
wastewater treatment and food waste processing. This facility’s anaerobic digesters presently generate
enough methane from processed waste to supply half of the electricity needed to operate. The facility’s
Special Joint Committee (the inter-municipal owner) intends to push production beyond what is needed on
site. A goal of this project is to increase electric generation to between 5 to 15 MW. This new generation,
along with energy storage and optimization technologies, can serve the IAWWTF, new development, and
emergency energy needs for nearby critical services.
• The CWD’s 95-acre site contains 880,000 square feet of buildings constructed for industrial uses.
Currently vacant, Unchained Properties is developing the CWD as a new mixed-use neighborhood
with industrial, commercial, and residential uses outlined in an innovative master plan based on the
sustainability principles of LEED for Neighborhood Development. Unchained Properties will
rehabilitate existing structures and build 1 million square feet of new space. The proposed CWD can
easily house a new power plant of 5 MW up to 15 MW that can meet the needs of its own campus
as well as critical services in the surrounding area. Most prominently, the development could
support the neighboring Ithaca College, the largest consumer of electricity in the South Hill
neighborhood.
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replicated around the state. As an identified Opportunity Zone, we expect broader savings for all NYSEG
ratepayers due to avoided costs of infrastructure investment as a result of this project.
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CONTEXTUAL MAP OF THE CITY OF ITHACA
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SECTION 4. PROPOSER INFORMATION
This project proposes two new combined heat and power facilities supported by solar PV and energy storage
systems at the center of the Northside Energy District (NED) and the Southside Energy District (SED) that will,
upon build-out, provide energy resiliency to two major population centers within the City of Ithaca. The Mayor
of Ithaca, Hon. Svante Myrick, represents the City as the Lead Applicant for the NYPrize.
4.1 PROPOSER
Hon. Svante Myrick, Mayor of the City of Ithaca
108 E Green St, Ithaca, NY 14850 - (607) 274-6501 mayor@cityofithaca.org
PROJECT CONTACT
Dan Ramer, PhD., Chief Operator, Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 - (607)273-8381 ext. 202 dramer@cityofithaca.org
As a municipal corporation, the City of Ithaca is eligible for funding from NYSERDA, the US Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Community Development Block Grants from Disaster Recovery
(CDBG-DR) program. Funds would be disbursed for a feasibility study through the City Controller to whichever
engineering or development firm chosen from the RFQ process. The Chief Operator of the IAWWTF, Dan
Ramer, is authorized to sign such contracts on behalf of the City of Ithaca and the Special Joint Committee that
oversees IAWWTF operations. As the City is one the three owners of the facility, this arrangement allows for
continuity of authority and the promise of cooperation between all concerned.
● Local electrical and natural gas distribution company – New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG)
● Local Government:
○ City of Ithaca. Role: project proposer, energy consumer, emergency services (City of Ithaca
Police Department, the Streets and Facilities, and Water and Sewer Facilities Divisions of the
Department of Public Works), supporting development of alternative energy production and
storage, development and expansion of distributed energy resources as partial owner of the
Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility (IAWWTF)
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○ Town of Ithaca. Role: energy consumer, emergency services, supporting development of
alternative energy production and storage, development and expansion of distributed
energy resources as partial owner of the Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility
(IAWWTF)
○ Town of Dryden. Role: Partial owner of IAWWTF, potential replicator of the project model.
● Nonprofit organizations:
○ Ithaca Community Energy (ICE). Role: local coordinator of the proposed project, the Project
Team, and the collaborating partners. The NY Prize Feasibility Assessment, if awarded, will
have ICE as community developer of renewable energy projects and liaison with third party
investors into local Distributed Energy assessments
● Third party implementers/project developers:
○ Unchained Properties LLC. Role: principal under contract to acquire the former Emerson
Power Transmission factory, which is planned for redevelopment as the CWD, a potential site
of district energy resource.
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● New York Biomass Energy Alliance: Alice Brumback
● Greener Earth Financial Solutions: Michelle Maltese, Member, Third-Party Financing
● Unifinancial International, Inc.: Robert Zimmer, Principal, Third-Party Financing
● Andrews Kurth LLP (Washington, DC): Roger Feldman, Counsel, Energy Law
4.5 COALITION OF PARTNERS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT AS ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS
OUTSIDE THE PROJECT TEAM
● Regional Economic Development Councils:
○ Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA). Role: Promoter for development in the proposed NED
and SED, including affordable housing development
○ Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD). Role: Promoter for development in the
proposed NED and SED, as well as facilitators for partnerships between IAWWTF and
feedstock sources, industry partners and energy consumers
○ Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Role: Promoter for development in the proposed NED
and SED, as well as possible issuer of tax abatements
○ Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council. Role: Financial support infrastructure
● Low to moderate income tenants associations:
○ Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS). Role: Representatives for energy consumers
and developer of a new affordable housing complex (35 planned units) in the SED, and a new
65-unit affordable housing and mixed use development in the NED
○ Ithaca Housing Authority (IHA). Role: Representatives for energy consumers and feedstock
suppliers in subsidized affordable housing developments, including 235-units of senior
housing at Titus Towers I, II in the SED, and 70-multi bedroom units of subsidized affordable
housing in the NED
● Local/regional emergency management:
○ NYS Department of Transportation (DOT). Role: energy consumer in the NED, as they house
all equipment for area State road maintenance during weather crises
○ Ithaca City School District (ICSD). Role: Four main energy customers in both proposed energy
districts, including: Ithaca High School, Boynton Middle School, Fall Creek Elementary School,
and South Hill Elementary School. All four schools would also serve as feedstock supplier for
the biogas production facility of the IAWWTF.
○ Tompkins County Emergency Planning Committee. Role: emergency preparedness support
● Retail/Institutional customers:
○ Ithaca College. Role: SED energy consumer
○ CWD (Chain Works District) Mixed-use Community. Role: energy consumer and site for energy
production (SED)
● Nonprofit organizations:
○ Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. Role: energy consumer (NED) and promoter for
community support in the City of Ithaca Business District
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○ Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE). Role: community education and outreach and energy
consumer (NED)
○ Tompkins County Area Transit (TCAT). Role: energy consumer and public transportation
coordinator, as well as a critical facility, (NED)
○ Tompkins Community Action (TCAction). Role: energy consumer, feedstock supplier and
provider of supportive housing for men in crisis (Chartwell House) and women and children
in crisis (Magnolia House), (NED)
● Engineering Technical Advisors:
○ CHA Consulting: Timothy S. Peer, P.E., Market Segment Director, District Energy. Role: expert
consultant on district energy and microgrid development. Mr. Peer was the Project Manager
for the Cornell CHP project and also former Energy Plant Manager at Cornell University.
○ Shalom Flank, PhD, Microgrid Architect. Role: expert consultant for designing microgrids to
maximize the delivery of their economic, environmental, and community benefits
The City is seeking a New York Prize to plan proof-of-concept and implementation of two 5-15 MW combined
heat and power plants as well as solar and energy storage systems near existing NYSEG substations to create a
microgrid structure that would serve selected critical facilities in the near term, including the IAWWTF, the city
water treatment plant, four public schools, a four-year college, the county public library, other emergency
shelters, subsidized affordable housing, housing for people with disabilities, select fire stations, Ithaca City Hall,
Town of Ithaca Offices, and the city police department/city court headquarters.
The new local power capacity described for Feasibility Assessment could, in a reasonable time horizon,
interface with the existing generating infrastructure and the Cornell University microgrid to provide electrical
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power for a population of 30 to 40 thousand and thermal energy to serve the heating and cooling needs of
nearby commercial and institutional facilities. In addition to targeting a key set of Central New York critical
services for support in the event of an emergency, this solution can be a scalable and replicable model for New
York State.
Any excess thermal output of the proposed power plant could be initially converted into electricity. Excess
thermal output can be minimized by a modular build-out of the CHP generation, matched to the development
of the surrounding district. Eventually, all the excess heat can be shared through low-temperature hot water
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distribution with adjoining properties: a site plan-approved 150-unit housing development with 125-employee
commercial development; a planned expansion of a nearby Farmer’s Market for year-round operation; and
businesses that eventually will locate on 3.5 million sq. ft. of nearby undeveloped and underdeveloped land
zoned and planned for enterprise and mixed use (12 distinct parcels). It is expected that development will be
particularly encouraged by available shared heat from this proposed project that is more economical than self-
production. The area around the plant is ideal for pipe distribution, as it has yet to be developed. Additionally,
new construction can be designed from the start for compatibility with the microgrid and provide strong
economic incentive for the project development.
Proposed feedstocks for this CHP plant would be natural gas and anaerobic digester derived biogas. Biogas
production already in place at the IAWWTF provides about 50% of the facility’s electrical needs by the use of
microturbines and adequate thermal output to maintain process temperature for two existing digesters. The
IAWWTF is planning to double digester capacity in the near future, extract more gas and reduce sludge output
by an intermediate process, and use locally-sourced food waste and agricultural byproducts to stockpile biogas
as a contribution to the combined needs of the IAWWTF and the NED. Critical facilities located in this district
include the IAWWTF, the Ithaca High School and Administration Building Complex, Boynton Middle School, Fall
Creek Elementary School, TCAT (the county public transit system), the City of Ithaca department of public
works, and several residential facilities for vulnerable populations, including section 8 properties owned by the
Ithaca Housing Authority.
A recent feasibility study conducted by Cornell graduate engineering students concluded that CHP and solar PV
could produce enough energy to make the IAWWTF self-sufficient and produce energy for new development
in the waterfront area near the IAWWTF. The study found the potential demand to be almost 2 MW in just this
one condensed area of the NED. An additional 1.5 MW demand at Ithaca High School, 0.6 MW at Boynton
Middle School, new housing at the Neighborhood Pride site, and existing low income housing near the NYSEG
Fourth Street Substation would bring the demand usage to 5 MW. This is a good fit for a district energy
approach because the new developments and capacities will pay for energy generation in the NED.
Furthermore, the new developments can be designed for a microgrid connection from the beginning.
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unobstructed, south-facing roof area to accommodate the solar component, equating to about 4 MW of solar
capacity. Development of a CHP plant in combination with the solar resources and an energy storage system
could meet and exceed the needs of the CWD and create a potential surplus to provide to the larger SED in
times of energy crisis.
The CWD factory building is located adjacent to the second NYSEG substation and could be the distribution
point for the south end of the city. Critical facilities located in its district include South Hill Elementary School,
the Ithaca Police Station, the South Hill fire station, the
County Mental Health Building, the County Library, the
City Water Treatment Plant, Ithaca City Hall, Town of
Ithaca Offices, several residential facilities for up to
1,000 individuals from among vulnerable populations,
including subsidized affordable housing for families and
seniors, as well as the Ithaca College campus.
It should be noted that a 300 MW coal-fired power plant located fifteen miles to the north of Ithaca on the east
shore of Cayuga Lake is almost certain to cease operations over the next few years. This closure will have
significant economic impact on Tompkins County and will further isolate it from energy resources. It is not
known how this will affect NYSEG’s ability to keep the power flowing to Ithaca during energy emergencies that
may occur hundreds and even thousands of miles away. The plan proposed to be assessed with a NYPrize
Feasibility Award would ultimately generate approximately 60% of Tompkins County’s current total electrical
consumption.
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The City of Ithaca is already trending toward significant increases in housing and commercial development,
something expected to continue over the next ten years. The present moment is a critical time to begin
assessing, planning, and implementing a sustainable energy infrastructure before necessity forces the
community to settle for less-renewable quick-fix solutions.
The South Hill Energy District has a residential population of approximately 11,822 in a total of 3,885
households. This includes approximately 2,059 individuals in poverty, as identified by the Census. The SED
worker population is 4,051, also with a large cohort of white-collar jobs (2014 Census Data). During the
Feasibility Assessment phase, NYSEG will provide statistics on the population that the South Hill Substation
serves.
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either directly or through indirect relationships in partnership with NYSEG. The feasibility study will clarify
existing and possible new outlets for technologies being considered in this proposal.
Unchained Properties, the CWD Project owners, have already received a $250,000 grant from NYSERDA’s
Cleaner Greener Communities Program. With these funds, Unchained Properties will design a master plan for
the CWD as a highly integrated and energy efficient mixed-use community that will serve as a model for similar
large-scale vacant industrial properties elsewhere in New York State.
Success Factors: The organizations on the Project Team (governmental, corporate, and non-profit) constitute
a factor for success. The team has in-depth expertise in engineering, science, finance, education,
socioeconomics, community development, project management and politics, and comes to this project with
government and institutional commitment.
Barriers: Longstanding legal and regulatory barriers and the difficulty of acquiring rights-of-way are well-known
obstacles. Problems of interconnection of new distributed energy resources to the grid also impede
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opportunities to upgrade and modernize the NYSEG substations next to the IAWWTF and the CWD. Such
fundamental barriers inhibit investment in new electric generation and heat distribution to critical services in
the Ithaca community. The New York Prize Competition and the REV open the way to overcome these perennial
barriers and attract public and private investment.
Stipulation: The first look at determining the feasibility of two heat and power districts supported by solar and
energy storage systems and coordinated by a microgrid can only start at a scale that is compatible with the
existing utility infrastructure connecting the power plants to the customers while still being considered an
“investment grade” project. Financing will involve the combination of government incentives (e.g., the NY Prize
or PON 2701 for large CHP), local investment by government and NYSEG, and private capital.
Context for the assessment design: Feasibility will (1) assess steps to bring the IAWWTF’s energy profile as close
to net-zero as possible while maximizing its biogas output. With three public schools and two low-income
housing developments within a mile radius of the plant, the challenge will be to (2) determine which facility or
facilities should be connected first and (3) at what cost they can be wired directly from the substation to
maximize their security under extreme circumstances. Part of the analysis will necessarily (4) evaluate
projected cash flow and the length of the commitment that critical customers are willing to make. Depending
on the ownership model, which is no small detail and subject to public input, the financial feasibility will (5)
analyze how the new rate schedule for electricity, space heat, and hot water compares to the current rate
schedule for commercial energy. Assessment will be influenced by the reality that any new venture like this will
be affected by a volatile international environment where pricing is based on uncontrollable circumstances.
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s official definition of a microgrid is “a group of interconnected loads and
distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity
with respect to the grid and can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-
connected or island-mode.” A microgrid is not a one size fits all solution. Each and every installation is a uniquely
engineered system to best fit the physical, social, technical, and legal conditions that are unique to that site.
The applicability of cogeneration/trigeneration is enhanced by, or is often the impetus for, a microgrid and the
creation of a district energy system which is the ultimate goal for optimized thermodynamic performance. By
placing the power generation closer to the end users, a microgrid opens up the ability to perform energy
recovery for heating and/or cooling to nearby facilities. This reduces total energy usage through improved
thermodynamic efficiencies and thermodynamic efficiencies leads to lower emissions and lower operating
costs. The creation of district energy systems built to take advantage of the microgrid opens up the application
of other renewables such as biomass, solar thermal, energy recovery chillers, and advanced geothermal.
The overall scope of this work plan is to develop a framework for obtaining the ultimate (future) goals of the
contemplated Ithaca area energy district(s) while at the same time determining what immediate microgrid
projects can be accomplished with existing generation assets and potential thermal hosts. Each task description
below is for both the Northside and Southside Energy Districts as each will be approached in a similar manner.
The outcome will be an Energy District Master Plan to guide future decisions and development while identifying
feasible projects to provide the initial foundation for the development of each energy district.
Note: While the 8 tasks outlined below define the anticipated scope of work, once the Feasibility Assessment is
funded, each of them will be adjusted to make sure the work plan specifications of Attachment C in RFP 3044 are
followed.
1. Power distribution – the current power distribution system is owned by New York State Electric & Gas.
The study will provide an overview of existing grid inter-connect locations, capacity, age, condition,
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and any other technical aspects that can be determined by high level evaluation and information
provided by NYSEG.
2. Gas distribution - the current gas distribution system is owned by New York State Electric & Gas. The
study will provide an overview of existing pipeline distribution systems, capacity, age, condition, and
any other technical aspects that can be determined by high level evaluation and information provided
by NYSEG.
3. IT infrastructure – an understanding of existing IT and communications infrastructure is required to
determine the possibility of development of an Energy Management System with load shedding
capability.
4. Biofuel availability – several studies by the local university have been performed regarding potential
for biomass and biogas fuels. The results of this study will be reviewed and incorporated into this study
as appropriate. In addition, the Ithaca wastewater treatment plant is developing further potential for
generation of methane gas which could provide further expansion of self-generation at the IAWWTF.
5. Existing and future fuel & energy pricing structures.
Deliverables: Draft and final reports
Schedule: SOW + 12 weeks
1. Existing electrical loads including identification of critical loads in order of priority to determine
sheddable assets.
a. Base load
b. Peak load
c. Emergency load
2. Existing thermal (cooling and heating) loads
3. Review of energy diversity and thermal/power overlaps
4. Planned facilities with forecasted power and thermal loads
5. Future potential for new facilities, energy conservation, and development within the energy districts
6. Identification of critical facilities within each energy district and how they would be served during
times of grid outages or other emergencies.
Deliverables: Draft and final reports
Schedule: SOW + 12 weeks
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TASK 4 – EVALUATION OF ENERGY SUPPLY (DERS)
This task will inventory existing distributed energy resources within the energy district to better understand
available capacity, age, condition, and performance of existing assets. A review of planned DER will also be
conducted for consideration of inclusion in the microgrid. This task will better understand the generation types,
ratings, and fuel supply considerations for the following;
1. Interconnect requirements, standby rates, feed-in tariffs, and net metering issues related to the
proposed energy districts
2. Franchised utility issues, impacts associated with the REV proceeding and new regulatory models.
3. Environmental and permitting issues
4. Zoning and planning requirements with local authorities
Deliverables: Draft and final report
Schedule: SOW + 16 weeks
1. Existing DERs and operability evaluation in current configurations. Initial evaluation to determine if
operation on a continuous basis is feasible solely in the event of a power outage in islanded mode or
participation in a demand response program.
a. If investigation of existing DER assets proves to be of significance, use of the HOMER[2] model
will be investigated to extent budget allows
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2. Proposed thermal distribution systems
3. Proposed power distribution systems and public ROW crossings that will require municipal approvals
4. Proposed architecture for an Energy Management system (EMS) Controls and load shedding capability
5. Proposed cost, efficiency, and performance of near term projects
6. Proposed impacts of reliability and business continuation for proposed projects
7. Power quality enhancements and issues associated with proposed projects
8. Environmental issues and greenhouse gas reductions associated with proposed projects
Deliverables: Draft and final reports
Schedule: SOW + 16 weeks
1. Own-use microgrid.
2. Municipally owned microgrid(s)
3. Energy service provider microgrids.
a. Landlord/tenant microgrid.
b. Owner/merchant microgrid.
c. Independent provider microgrid
4. Combination(s) of the above
The existing ownership model of the utility, NYSEG, providing grid connections across multiple rights of way
will continue to be supported by any additional options provided by the analyses for this task.
TASK 8 – RECOMMENDATIONS
This task will provide recommendations for next steps and feasible projects to start the implementation of the
energy districts. It is expected that a mixture of feasible projects will be supplemented with guidance for
development of future projects, a plan for tracking, maintaining, and periodically adjusting the energy district
goals, and allowing for adjustment to changes in technology and zoning.
[2] Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER), a microgrid optimization model licensed by
HOMER Energy LLC, available at http://www.homerenergy.com/.
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SECTION 7. PROPOSER QUALIFICATIONS
7.1 PROPOSING ORGANIZATIONS
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) is an inter-municipally owned public facility. The owners
are the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca and Town of Dryden. The facility is serviced by an ownership board named
the Special Joint Committee (SJC). On behalf of the ownership the Chief Operator is submitting this proposal.
This facility was placed into service in 1987 after 4 years of construction. Currently three of the facility’s
employees are engaged in various aspects of this proposal. Dan Ramer serves as the Chief Operator with over
25 years of wastewater treatment plant operations experience, 23 of those as a supervisor. Mr. Ramer is an
anaerobic microbiologist with special knowledge in the biochemistry of methanogens and has participated in
many local and national groups involved in the development of policies and practices to help municipal
treatment plant operators become more energy self-reliant. Another member of the staff engaged in this
proposal is Jose Lozano the plant’s Lab Director with over 20 years of experience in developing projects at the
IAWWTF that increase the plant’s ability to become energy self-reliant. Both Ramer and Lozano have a history
in working with NYSERDA to implement projects that enhance energy efficiency at wastewater plants that
utilize anaerobic digesters. The third member of our team is James Goodreau who has been an operator for six
years but has a strong background in science and has taken an interest in developing the plants branding
strategy and feedstock recruitment from various sources. Recent projects have focused on reducing the energy
footprint and increasing the harvest of energy from in plant residuals and outside feedstocks for the anaerobic
digesters. Of the nearly $11 million spent on these upgrades approximately $900,000 were contributed from
several NYSERDA PONs.
Unchained Properties LLC, (UP) – the developer of the 95-acre Chain Works District – is a single purpose limited
liability corporation organized to acquire and invest in the redevelopment and repurposing of the Emerson
Power Transmission plant. David Lubin, managing partner of UP, has developed and managed properties in
New York and Pennsylvania since 1980. His development experience includes: Hilton Garden Inn
Elmira/Corning, NY; Hampton Inn Oneonta, NY; Guthrie Clinic - Big Flats, NY; and a 525-acre business park and
residential development in Athens Township, Pennsylvania. David worked to develop this site, landing multiple
occupants including Mill’s Pride lumber mill, Camco, a tool and dye manufacturer, and Chesapeake Energy
Corp.’s residential training facility and corporate headquarters, all of which brought 1,000s of jobs to the area.
For the Chain Works District project, Unchained Properties has engaged a dynamic group of professionals to
collaborate on the design, redevelopment and repurposing of the facility. With an effective team, UP believes
the Emerson site will become a vibrant mixed use development to provide an increased quality of life for
everyone in the Town and City of Ithaca. The UP team of mostly Upstate professionals – environmental
engineers, architects, landscape architects, structural and civil engineers – is very sensitive to the site's
importance to the community because of its history and its high visibility. David Lubin and his management
team have a combined total of over 60 years of experience in development, real estate, hospitality and retail.
Fagan Engineers & Land Surveyors from Elmira, New York, are the civil and environmental engineers for the
Chain Works District project. Fagan has been involved with over 350 land development projects since 1985,
ranging from residential subdivisions to multi-million dollar mixed use complexes. Their services include civil,
municipal, environmental, surveying and mapping, energy, and construction management.
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● Harter, Secrest, & Emery: Environmental, Land Use and Zoning Law
● Chaintreuil | Jensen | Stark Architects: Architecture and Planning
● D.I.R.T. Studio: Landscape and Site Design
● Austin + Mergold: Architecture, Branding and Outreach
● Whitham Planning and Design: Project Planning Approvals
● STREAM Collaborative: Zoning Development and Approvals
● La Bella P.C.: Environmental Consulting
● SRF & Associates: Traffic Engineers
● Randall + West: Urban Planning/LEED ND
● Johnson-Schmidt, Architect, P.C.: Historic Preservation/SHPO
● Brous Consulting: Public Information and Outreach
Unchained Properties, LLC is also working closely with two Microgrid area experts as consultants on this project:
Timothy S. Peer, Market Segment Director, District Energy and Shalom Flank, PhD, Microgrid Architect. Tim is
a professional engineer with over 24 years’ experience in maintenance, operations, engineering, planning, and
project management in thermal energy, power, and piping systems primarily in the University setting. He has
served as a Project Manager for many technically complex, multi-disciplined projects and also has extensive
University utility master planning experience including load forecasting, distribution system modeling, energy
analysis, fuel & power procurement negotiations and financial modeling. He has extensive experience
specifically with microgrid developments including the current Walter Reed Microgrid project. For over a
decade, Dr. Shalom Flank's work has focused constructing microgrids and engineering their feasibility. This role
has given him deep familiarity with a broad range of microgrid sites in the U.S., and long experience with local
regulatory issues and how to overcome them.
Ithaca Community Energy, Inc. (ICE) is a New York State not-for-profit Community Development Organization
formed in 2014, dedicated to achieving sustainable energy security in Ithaca New York through education and
collaboration. Members of ICE have developed extensive working relations with advanced energy technology
companies, and with third-party investment groups focused on installation of power generation facilities.
Members Wade Wykstra, Anna Kelles, Bruce Abbott, John Graves, Jim Goodreau and Tom Hanna played a direct
role in the development of this application. All were also involved with the IAWWTF-Cornell feasibility study
supervised by Cornell faculty member Francis Vanek. Bruce Abbott (Abbott, Lund-Hansen) was the client for
2011 Vanek group study of what is now the CWD Project to repurpose the 880,000 square foot factory
building and develop the 95 acre parcel in the SED (See and for executive summaries
25
SECTION 8. BUDGET
The proposal team has not chosen a consultant. Upon grant receipt we will issue a Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) to select a contractor to perform the specified scope of work as detailed in number six herein. The
suggested budget is based on conversations with qualified consultants. It is our aim that the qualified
consultant will work within or below the proposed budget. If proposals exceed the budget we will work with
our municipal owners, Unchained Properties and other strategic stakeholders to come up with the additional
funding required.
Project Total $
Proposer
Co-Funder
Co-Funder
26
APPENDIX
A. MAP OF THE AREA WITH ALL THE SUPPORTED CRITICAL FACILITIES, THE NED AND
SED, THE IAWWTF, CWD, AND THE TWO KEY NYSEG SUBSTATIONS
E. QUALIFICATIONS OF TEAM
27
APPENDIX A: MAP OF THE AREA WITH ALL THE SUPPORTED CRITICAL FACILITIES, THE NED
AND SED, THE IAWWTF, CWD, AND THE TWO KEY NYSEG SUBSTATIONS
28
APPENDIX B:
LETTERS OF COMMITMENT
APPENDIX C:
LETTERS OF SUPPORT
29
Letter Of Commitment
City of Ithaca Community Microgrid
Grant Application and Feasibility Assessment
Ithaca Community Energy Inc. (ICE) is a registered New York State not-for-profit established to foster
development of distributed energy resources (DERs) in the greater Ithaca area. The ICE mission is to
promote development and dissemination of successful local energy strategies. ICE serves as a
community developer of local Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects and liaison with third party
investment. ICE performs its mission with a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals and
community members.
Our current efforts brought the Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility (IAWWTF), Unchained
Properties (currently under contract to purchase the Emerson property) and NYSEG together to build
sustainable energy innovation, economic development and job growth in Ithaca. ICE has
crowd-funded and subsequently secured a contractor to write an application for the NYSERDA NY
prize.
The executive board of ICE believes the NY Prize Community Microgrid initiative will have wide appeal
in Ithaca by supporting the goals of both the new City Comprehensive Plan and the City’s Energy
Action Plan which call for an 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050. It will expedite the cleanup
and redevelopment of over 880,000 square feet of former industrial space. It will increase the
production of carbon negative biogas at the IAWWTF that will be used as a renewable energy fuel
source and it will encourage sustainable growth in two underdeveloped areas of the City.
ICE has mapped a Northside Energy District (NED) with the IAWWTF as an emerging DER at its core,
and a Southside Energy District with the Chain Works District as a potential DER at its core. Our
ongoing role will be to bring distributed energy innovation, NYSEG's collaboration and third party
investment into existence.
ICE will continue advocating for sustainable local energy, not only by working with the IAWWTF,
Unchained Properties, NYSEG and third party funders but by working with other interested
stakeholders in Ithaca to launch a true community microgrid.
Wade Wykstra
Wade Wykstra
Director - Ithaca Community Energy Inc.
May 13, 2015
Dan Ramer
City of Ithaca
525 Third St
Ithaca, NY 14850
New York State has adopted the US Department of Energy definition of micro-grids, describing
them as “a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources with clearly defined
electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid, and can
connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid connected and island
mode”.
In the case of the Ithaca Community Microgrid proposal, we support NYPrize funding for a
feasibility study to better understand the cost and benefits of a micro-grid to meet the power
needs of the critical infrastructure identified in this application.
Given that we are in the very early stages of the NYPrize process, please understand that our
support of this proposal moving forward is in no way a final endorsement of the proposal. The
feasibility study and a comprehensive engineering study will be needed before a decision can be
made on the appropriateness of any micro-grid proposal.
Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Scott Bochenek
Manager – Smart Grid Programs
"11&/%*9$
Sarah%Zemanick%
Director!
Campus!Sustainability!Office!
129!Humphreys!Service!Building!
Ithaca,!New!York!14853H3701!
t.! 607H254H2818
f. 607H255H5377
e.!sc142@cornell.edu
May!12,!2015!
To:!The!NY!Prize!Committee!
The!Cornell!University!Campus!Sustainability!Office!is!pleased!to!provide!this!letter!of!support!for!the!
Ithaca!Community!Microgrid!plans!to!study!the!development!of!a!microgrid!project!through!the!
submission!of!a!proposal!in!response!to!the!New!York!State!Energy!Research!and!Development!
Authority’s!RFP!3044:!NY!Prize!Community!Grid!Competition!(NY!Prize).!!!
The!Campus!Sustainability!Office!strives!to!empower,!equip,!and!engage!our!diverse!partners!to!catalyze!
a!sustainable!transformation!of!Cornell!University’s!campus.!We!envision!Cornell!University!as!a!carbon!
neutral,!living!laboratory!for!sustainability!innovation;!a!place!where!every!Cornellian!can!make!a!
positive!impact!on!social,!environmental,!and!economic!progress.!Cornell!University!has!developed!a!
comprehensive!Climate!Action!Plan!using!our!own!campus!as!a!living!laboratory!with!the!goal!of!
achieving!carbon!neutrality!with!scalable!and!transferable!strategies!by!2035.!We!fully!support!
community!efforts!advancing!sustainability!and!a!clean!energy!future.!Microgrids!are!well!suited!to!
renewable!energy!sources!and!offer!significant!benefits!from!both!an!energy!efficiency!and!energy!
reliability!and!resiliency!standpoint.!!!
We!understand!that!the!development!of!this!project!will!be!led!by!the!City!of!Ithaca!with!a!consortium!
of!community!stakeholders.!Capitalizing!on!the!ability!of!the!Ithaca!Area!Waste!Water!Treatment!Facility!
(IAWWTF)!to!provide!both!electrical!and!thermal!energy!to!its!surrounding!local!area!and!the!Chain!
Works!District!revitalization!project!present!a!logical!microgrid!opportunity.!The!project!objectives!
include!assuring!ongoing!operation!of!the!IAWWTF!and!Bolton!Point!drinking!water!plant!in!the!event!of!
emergencies,!and!reducing!system!utility!system!constraints!in!two!city!energy!districts.!
Although!Cornell!does!not!own!many!facilities!within!the!proposed!microgrid!areas,!this!project!presents!
new!opportunities!for!collaboration!and!research,!and!we!look!forward!to!a!successful!Ithaca!
Community!Microgrid!project.!
Sincerely,!
Sarah!Zemanick!
Director,!Campus!Sustainability!Office!
School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Cornell University
307 Hollister Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-3501 USA
In my capacity as faculty member in engineering at Cornell University, and lead author of one of the
leading textbooks on energy systems in the U.S. (Energy Systems Engineering from McGraw-Hill), I am
writing to you to express my strong support for the “Ithaca Community Microgrid” proposal to the NY
Prize competition.
Thanks to research and feasibility studies conducted in collaboration with engineering students, I am
familiar with both the north and south energy districts, and the expanded waste water plant and
repurposed Emerson factory, respectively. I can assure you that both parts of the microgrid proposal
represent highly innovative opportunities to use an existing structure as a hub for generating, storing, and
distributing energy to surrounding residential, commercial, and institutional customers. The Ithaca waste
water plant already has a track record of innovation in converting waste biomass into electricity and heat.
Our work supports the finding that this capacity could be expanded using regional biomass to supply
energy to the surrounding district. The former Emerson plant provides another excellent potential
resource for a microgrid. Our study found that the large available space could support combined heat and
power equipment inside the building, with possible energy storage systems and large scale solar PV
generation on the roof.
Both projects would take place in a city and county that has been a leader in sustainable energy
innovation. Ithaca and Tompkins County have been very active in installing distributed solar PV systems
for residences and businesses, and more recently institutional-size multi-megawatt arrays. Work is
currently underway to bring a commercial wind farm to the county, partly financed with community
investment. Cornell University has been a leader in both using lake water for campus cooling, and in
installing a combined heat and power system with campus distribution of thermal energy. Pursuing a
microgrid in this culture of innovation makes sense because the stakeholders are already engaged with the
energy innovation process.
The proposal is very much in line with the goals of the NY Prize because a successful microgrid in Ithaca
would have many components that are reproducible in other locations around the state. For example, the
amount of sunlight for the solar PV component is similar across the state, and other regions could also
divert biomass waste from wastewater treatment and food production and consumption processes from
landfills to energy systems. The former industrial plants of the type represented by the Emerson facility
are widespread through upstate and western New York state, and repurposing them as part of the
microgrid not only makes energy supplies more secure and sustainable but also breathes new life into
structures that are no longer used for heavy industry.
In closing, I thank you for your efforts and leadership on this matter.
Signed,
CC: JoAnn Cornish, City of Ithaca; William Reed, Unchained Properties LLC
To: The NY Prize Committee
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County wholeheartedly supports the City of Ithaca's
application to assess the feasibility of establishing two new microgrids in Ithaca linked to NYSEG's
South Hill and Fourth Street Substations. The substations connect the Southside Energy District (SED),
including South Hill and Chainworks District, and Northside Energy District (NED), including the Ithaca
Area Waste Water Treatment Facility, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, and surrounding area can
provide a large portion of Ithaca’s power in an outage. The potential of such microgrids to protect and
enhance the wellbeing of the community we serve is of the utmost importance. We have cooperated
in the proposal's development and know that it complements our mission.
The mission of Cooperative Extension is to enable people to improve their lives and communities
through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. Extension staff and trained
volunteers deliver educational programs, conduct applied research, and encourage community
collaboration. To meet the challenges of energy resilience and sustainability, we focus on energy
conservation, consumer empowerment, alternative energy choices, and energy infrastructure
awareness and education. Our energy-focused programs reach homes and businesses throughout
both NED and SED.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County's offices are inside the NED, where our commercial
kitchen, shelter above the flood zone, when our elevated building renovation is complete, and
participation in NY EDEN, (Extension Disaster Education Network), is a hub for disaster relief,
information and response teams. NY EDEN links extension educators, emergency managers, and
community officials to enhance resilience and reduce the impact of disasters in New York
communities.
We support the New York Prize application to study the feasibility of Ithaca's Southside Energy District
(SED) and Northside Energy District (NED).
Sincerely,
!
!
Michael!B.!Stamm!
President!!
DANIEL R. RAMER
143 Jamesville Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210 Cell 315-762-3489
Education:
High school regents diploma Nottingham High School 1979
Bachelor’s of Science Degree SUNY College of Env. Sci. And Forestry 1984
NYSDEC Grade 4A Operator 1989
EXPERIENCE:
4/09 TO Present Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator
Duties include: Operation and maintenance of a 13.1mgd activated sludge facility with tertiary
phosphorous removal and anaerobic digestion. Assisted by a 13 member staff including eight
licensed operators, lab director, lab technician and account manager. Other features of the
plant include cogeneration system and trucked waste receiving center. Treatment is
conducted for three municipalities and chief operator is tasked with preparing budgets and
capital projects for the governing board made up of members of the three municipal boards.
Recent capital projects have included replacement of the trucked waste center, replacement
of the old aeration system, replacement of the cogeneration system. Working with cornell
university to add food waste as a substrate for codigestion . pursuing beneficial reuse of
biosolids generated as a result of anaerobic digestion of in plant and trucked waste solids.
8/94 TO 7/08: City of Oneida Sanitary Engineer II, Oneida NY
Duties include: Operation and Maintenance of a 2.5 MGD advanced activated sludge
wastewater treatment plant including 40 miles of sewer main and 6 pump stations. Responsible
for 10 full-time staff and a two million dollar annual budget. Perform project planning and
project management duties. Oversee the industrial pretreatment program and initial
enforcement response. Manage reclaimed water system for Turning Stone Resort Golf
Course irrigation system, a NYSDEC permitted treated wastewater reuse project. Serve as the
City’s liaison to the Oneida lake watershed management plan watershed advisory board and
served as chairman of the board of directors for two years.
PROJECTS: Developed Sewer Use Ordinance, Enforcement Response Plan, Industrial User
Permit and Industrial Waste Questionnaire as part of Pretreatment Program. Modified
Industrial Waste Surcharge Formula for calculating the monthly charge for high strength
waste. Planned, helped install, start-up and operate Reclaimed Water System to irrigate a
nearby golf course. Planned and installed two new computer controlled VFD pumping
systems. Oversight on installation and start-up of a Belt Filter Press and dual fuel Waukesha
Cogeneration System. Managed and participated in digester cleaning projects (first cleaning
in more than fifteen years). Served as safety coordinator for the city. Planned and
implemented a multi year 10 million dollar upgrade program. Upgrade program focused on
Compliance and Energy Savings. Reduced electric Usage by 45% as a result of project
implementation.
Recent Presentations: 2008: CNYWEA Spring Meeting and Genesee Valley NYWEA IIC Spring
seminar; 2007: WEFTEC 2007 International Meeting; 2006:NYSERDA/NYWEA Energy Specialty
Conference
7/90 to 8/94: Onondaga County Department of Drainage and Sanitation Sanitary Engineer
II
Duties Included: Management of the Industrial Pretreatment Program for Onondaga County.
Supervised Engineers and Technicians responsible for field work and program documentation.
Supported legal staff and Program Manager in resolving enforcement actions against
industries. Prepared responses to EPA as a result of an ongoing lawsuit and annual program
reviews. Issued Permits and performed routine and surprise inspections of County industrial
users.
Education
Ph.D., Cornell University, 1991, Plant Physiology, Ecology and Genetics.
Master in Sciences, 1988, Soil, Water, and Atmospheric Sciences.
Bachelors Degree in Science, 1978, Biology.
Jose Lozano is the Director of the Environmental Laboratory, Ithaca Area Wastewater
Treatment Facility, City of Ithaca, New York, and he participated on the development of
the Cayuga Lake Watershed Management Program.
Three proposals funded through the New York State Clean Air Clean Water Bond Act,
totaling over 16 million dollars, for the development and implementation of the Inter-
Municipal Sewer Agreement and the Six Mile Creek riparian restoration and protection,
and from the New York State Energy R&D Authority funding for R&D of advanced
anaerobic digestion.
The US Forest Service, the NY Department of State, and the US EPA Region 2, have
also awarded funding for different aspects of the Cayuga Lake Restoration and
Protection Plan. The US Department of the Interior granted funding for the development
of a watershed educational program, through a web-enhanced, interactive CD.
The Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization (IO), 1999 – 2000 alternate representative for the
City of Ithaca and member of the IO Finance Committee. Currently he is a member of the
technical committee.
June 1991 to August 1992: Plant Physiologist, Seed Physiology Laboratory Director,
Flower Seed Group, Geo. J. Ball Inc. West Chicago, Illinois.
1989 to January 1991: Scientist, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research
at Cornell University. Ithaca, NY.
Publications
Lozano J L & Leopold A C (1988) Lower DNA stability for short-lived maize
embryos. Plant Phys. 86(S):105
Lozano J L & Leopold A C (1988) The physiology and genetics of seed aging.
In: CIMMYT (1988) Recent advances in conservation and utilization
of genetic resources. Proceedings of the Global Maize Germplasm
Bank. Mexico D.F.
Lozano J L & Mayer A M (1990) Water relations and oxygen uptake by two lines
of corn differing in storage performance. Israel J. Bot. 39:347-354.
Lozano J L (1991) Loss of Maize (Zea maiz L.) seed quality in storage.
Ph.D. Dissertation, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, 14853.
Contributor to:
UP plans to create The Chain Works District, an urban style “live, work, play” mixed use
development that will include apartments, office space, incubator and flex space, and
areas devoted to manufacturing. Rather than clear the spectacular site and start anew,
UP intends to repurpose most of the existing structures as a regional model for
innovative design and sustainable adaptive use. The Chain Works District will also
include a network of open spaces with courtyards and green spaces, natural areas with
recreational trails, and intermodal connection with South Hill and Downtown Ithaca.
David Lubin and his management team have a combined total of over 60 years of
experience in development, real estate, hospitality and retail.
David Lubin, the developer, worked for a family owned business for 22 years beginning
in the 1970’s. He has leased properties to many national and regional corporations
since 1980. He has been general contractor for many of his leased projects. In 1998, he
purchased and developed a 525-acre site into a business park and residential area in
Athens Township, PA. He has worked to develop this site, landing multiple occupants
including Mill’s Pride lumber mill, Camco, a tool and dye manufacturer, and
Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s residential training facility and corporate headquarters. All
of which have brought 1,000s of jobs to the area as a result of his efforts. He has also
developed and assisted in the construction of the Hilton and Hampton Inns
Elmira/Corning, NY, Hampton Inn, Oneonta, NY, Guthrie Clinic, Big Flats, NY, Harold’s
Square Ithaca, NY, and retail space in Corning, NY. Throughout his career, he has
successfully taken projects from inception through local, state and federal agencies to
completion.
Unchained Properties with David Lubin as Managing Director will be the Project Leader
for the Chain Works District and its participation in the New York Prize.
RESUMES
CHA | RESUMES
RESUMES
CHA | RESUMES
2726 Woodley Pl. NW (202) 797-8820
Washington, DC 20008 Shalom@MicrogridArchitect.com
Building stakeholder consensus around new technologies: Skilled in managing group process when
facing unfamiliar technologies and organizational change.
• At Pareto, negotiated across many departments of two large investor-owned utilities to achieve
interconnection approvals for large microgrids (10 MW and 28 MW).
• At DARPA, helped drive Air Force acceptance of a new technical approach for tracking enemy
vehicles (terrain-based Bayesian propagation) in a calcified field with strong vested interests.
Bringing non-technical audiences inside the core implications of new technologies: Eliminating
complexity so people can see what's at stake, without getting bogged down in the technology.
• Microgrid evangelist at conferences, on-line (e.g. youtu.be/Oz_aH3H7UA0); frequent guest
lecturer at universities (e.g. Harvard, Princeton, GW, Georgetown) and local community groups
• Raised by a professor of education – good teaching and clear explanation come naturally
Evaluating new technologies: Sniffing out the best new ideas, assessing their value and readiness for
prime time, avoiding the quicksand of too-complex or almost-ready approaches.
• Selected new microgrid interconnection technology, brought forward through design / approvals
• Performed comprehensive post-acquisition evaluation of defense R&D company's intellectual
property portfolio, shaping future investment and IP protection decisions.
• Reviewed and evaluated thousands of R&D proposals for DARPA, NIST, and NSF.
Proud not to specialize: Bridging technical disciplines to integrate and optimize complex systems,
taking advantage of broad experience in many areas.
• Pick up new technologies quickly, at sufficient depth for project management, investment
decisions, contract negotiations, improving on others' innovations, filing patents, etc.
• Diverse practical implementations, from power electronics for microgrid applications, to LED
packaging and thermal management, to information visualization for knowledge management.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Pareto Energy – The Microgrid Company 2005 – present
CTO & Microgrid Architect
Distributed Energy Financial Group 2004 – 2005
Associate and Sector Analyst (Prime Movers)
Haft, Harrison & Wolfson LLC 2002 – 2003
Director, Renewable Energy Group
Global Works Consulting (sole proprietorship) 1999 – 2005
Technology Commercialization Consultant
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 1994 - 1998
Program Manager
Monterey Institute of International Studies 1993 – 1994
Visiting Scientist, Center for Nonproliferation Studies
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University 1992 – 1993
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Center for Science & International Affairs
Education
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1993
Political Science / Science, Technology & Public Policy
S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1991
Nuclear Engineering
B.A., Cornell University 1987
Physics
COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Business reviewer for National Science Foundation, alternative energy technologies, and for Advanced
Technology Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2002 – current
• Host committee member, EcoDistrict Summit, 2014; Sustainable DC, Energy Working Group, 2011
• Director, MIT Enterprise Forum (DC Chapter), 1997-2004; awarded “Fellow of the Forum,” 2004
• Coach, Mid-Atlantic Venture Fairs, Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, Springboard Venture Forums
• Teacher / lecturer at the Jewish Study Center, Washington Jewish Folk Arts Festival, New Israel Fund,
Contact: James B. Gensel, P.E., CPESC
Land Development & Design Email: James.Gensel@FaganEngineers.com
Fagan Engineers & Land Surveyors, PC PH: 607.734.2165
Land Development & Design Services Fagan Engineers is a civil/environmental engineering firm located in Elmira, NY.
We have been involved with over 350 land development projects since 1985,
Building Plans for Municipal, Commercial & Industrial Applications ranging from residential subdivisions to multi-million dollar mixed use complexes.
Our staff includes Professional Engineers (NY/PA), Licensed Surveyors (NY/PA),
Construction Coordination & Management
Planners, CAD Designers, Wetland Delineators, GIS Technicians, Field Engi-
Construction Stakeout & Control neers, and Construction Managers.
Environmental Impact Statements (SEQR)
“A Direct and Personal Approach to Your Needs is our Standard”.
Flood Impact Analysis Dennis Fagan, P.E., Founder, 1984
Grant Applications (CFA Build-Now NY, ARC, etc.)
Land Development & Site Design
Local, State & Federal Permitting
Master & Land Use Planning
Boundary & Topographical Surveys
Residential & Commercial Subdivisions
Site Feasibility Analysis
Stormwater Design & Planning
Transportation & Traffic Engineering
Utility Design & Analysis
113 East Chemung Place, Elmira, NY 14904 | PH: 607.734.2165 FX: 607.734.2169 | www.FaganEngineers.com
Contact: James B. Gensel, P.E., CPESC
Land Development & Design Email: James.Gensel@FaganEngineers.com
Fagan Engineers & Land Surveyors, PC PH: 607.734.2165
Our team of dedicated staff have been involved with over 350 A word from our clients:
land development projects since 1985. Our projects have ranged
“I needed help getting some questions answered and your staff
from residential subdivisions to multi-million dollar mixed-use
was helpful, knowledgeable, and courteous. You have a remark-
complexes. We guide our clients through the total process,
able team at Fagan Engineers and I will continue giving you our
permitting through construction.
business.”
Annette Ajamian
Property & Real Estate Manager
Arnot Ogden Medical Center
2
District Energy ...................................................................................................................... 32
Key parameters considered for model .................................................................................. 33
3
Executive Summary
This report presents the opportunity for the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
(IAWWTF) to maximize its revenue by utilizing the potential of existing Combined Heat and
Power (CHP) turbines and exploring other energy sources and their possible implementations.
The report also analyzes four different scenarios to maximize revenues for the plant by increasing
the capacity of CHP turbines and adding other alternative sources of energy, such as biodiesel,
solar photovoltaic and hydro-turbines. This feasibility study is intended for the use of the
IAWWTF and professionals interested in producing electricity and heat in a more
environmentally friendly way. We hope that our study will help the IAWWTF and the Ithaca
communities to reduce their CO2 footprints.
CHP is a reliable, cost effective option for the IAWWTF to meet their current energy demand of
334,200 kWh per month using the two existing bio-digesters. The IAWWTF currently has the
capacity to produce approximately 120,000 to 150,000 cubic feet of biogas per day, which is used
as a fuel for the four CHP turbines, each with 65 kilowatts (kW) of capacity, to produce
200,520 kWh of electricity per month. The thermal energy produced by the CHP system is then
used to heat the bio-digesters, which need to be maintained at a temperature of 98°F for 28 days
to produce methane.
Every one million gallons of wastewater flow per day can produce enough biogas in an anaerobic
digester to support 26 kW of electric capacity and 2.4 million Btu per day (MMBtu/day) of
thermal energy in a CHP system1.
The IAWWTF has been exploring various means of producing electricity, and as part of the
initiative, they have already implemented a 7.5 kW solar system inside their facility. This array is
capable of producing 9,210 kWh of electricity per year.
Additional electricity produced by the CHP turbines can be used to power the plant and make the
plant self-reliant. By doing this, the plant avoids a cost of 10.5 cents per kWh, which is currently
the cost paid to utility companies.
Maximizing the intake of waste can help produce additional kW of electricity, which can be sold
to the new proposed development at 14 cents per kWh.
The IAWWTF currently receives an average of four percent grease as part of its trucked waste.
The cost of producing bio-diesel is considered to be $3.11 per gallon, but it can be sold to the
nearby TCAT facility at a price of $3.50 per gallon. Alternatively, if 80-gallon biodiesel
1
Opportunities for Combined Heat and Power at Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Market
Analysis and Lessons from the Field (n.d.): n. pag.Environmental Protection Agency. Combined
Heat and Power Partnership, Oct. 2011. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.epa.gov/chp/documents/wwtf_opportunities.pdf>.
5
processors can be used, the price per gallon for production could be reduced to $2.18 per gallon,
using available capital and operating cost figures, making biodiesel more economically attractive.
Introduction
Mission Statement
The Engineering Management Project Team works to determine how much energy,
whether biogas or alternative, the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF)
can produce and at what price, and explore possible uses for this energy. We have
estimated the energy consumption of the proposed Inlet Energy Improvement District and
analyzed the needs of the community compared to the output capabilities of the
IAWWTF. We have also taken into consideration the implementation cost and revenue
gained from each of the scenarios considered.
Project Motivation
As graduate students in engineering we gave back to the Ithaca community that has
educated us over the past four years. We gained the experience of working within an
interdisciplinary team to face the challenges of a large engineering project. We were
interested in learning about wastewater treatment and creating an optimal system that
allows the IAWWTF to not only have increased revenues but also decrease greenhouse
emissions. By focusing on an economic analysis of Kushan Dave’s original proposal, we
aimed to prove or disprove its feasibility.
Sustainable energy is an up and coming field with a great deal of applications. As a result
of the negative effects of pollution on climate change, finding sustainable solutions has
become increasingly important. Waste management systems that can convert harmful or
discarded materials into useful forms of energy are just one way that we can make a
positive impact on society. We want to help create a reliable energy source in Ithaca by
utilizing a variety of waste streams that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Not
only does this plan decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills, within which waste
cannot decompose quickly, but it can produce usable energy for the community,
decreasing dependency on non-renewable energy sources.
Project Goals
Firstly, our team analyzes the output potential of the IAWWTF in terms of biogas capacity,
hydro-turbine feasibility and significant solar energy production increases. We also analyze the
needs proposed by the Ithaca Energy Initiative Development using Ecovillage data as a baseline
for calculations. Using both of these analyses, our team proposes useful possibilities, such as
selling biogas to TCAT buses, selling electricity back to the grid or reselling repurposed enriched
waste.
6
APPENDIX
Fall 2011
Authors: Itotoh Akhigbe, Corey Belaief, Omer Yigit Gursoy, Pouyan Khajavi,
Alejandro Martinez, Graham Peck, Ptah Plummer, Brad Sandahl, Taylor Schulz,
Manuel Garcia Vilches
CEE 5910 – Emerson Plant Feasibility Study – Fall 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5.5 Wind............................................................................................................................................................................ 31
5.6 Geothermal............................................................................................................................................................... 32
5.9 Incentives.................................................................................................................................................................. 42
7. Economic Analysis............................................................................................................................................................ 51
8. Scenarios .............................................................................................................................................................................. 56
Page 2
CEE 5910 – Emerson Plant Feasibility Study – Fall 2011
9. Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 70
10. Appendices........................................................................................................................................................................ 71
Page 3
CEE 5910 – Emerson Plant Feasibility Study – Fall 2011
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With rising energy costs as well as an increased awareness of the environmental impact of meeting
growing energy demands, the need to strongly consider alternative energy sources has quickly
developed. While the use of some renewable energy sources (such as hydroelectric and wind
power) is largely constricted to the power grid, other sources (such as solar thermal and solar
photovoltaic) are increasingly becoming directly available to the consumer. This report examines
the economic and technological feasibility of applying some of these alternative energy sources for
localized use by the consumer. With this purpose in mind, Abbott Lund-Hansen (ALH) and the
Cornell University College of Engineering have collaborated to assess the potential of repurposing a
former manufacturing plant in Ithaca, New York.
The focus of the study was to determine a cost effective combination of alternative energy sources
that could be installed at the complex to meet future energy demands. This study examines the
merits of renewable energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, solar thermal
power, wind power, and biomass powered plants. Cogeneration, or combined heat and power
(CHP), is also thoroughly discussed because of its important contribution to creating more efficient
power generation systems. By capturing the by-product waste heat that is created during electricity
generation, CHP systems can recover some of the lost energy and use it to produce domestic hot
water (DHW).
The team created a customizable tool that analyzes the available energy sources to determine the
most cost effective system that meets both the DHW and electricity demands of the building as well
as any constraints regarding the carbon footprint of the building. To act as a control, the team
analyzed a scenario where all of the electricity is purchased from the grid and the DHW is produced
using onsite boilers. This acted as a baseline in comparison to several other scenarios created to
examine possible combinations of the alternative energy sources. The Net Present Cost (NPC) of
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CEE 5910 – Emerson Plant Feasibility Study – Fall 2011
each system was calculated over a 25 year life cycle to determine its economic feasibility. The
amount of CO2 emitted for each scenario was also determined to allow the user to weigh economic
feasibility versus environmental mindfulness.
The most important conclusions that can be drawn from the results of the model are that regardless
of environmental concerns, CHP is the most cost effective solution for providing both electricity and
DHW. Since there is a direct correlation between the electricity and DHW output by the CHP
system, the amount of electricity that can be provided by the CHP system is bounded by the demand
for hot water. The remaining demand for electricity can be met by a number of sources; the source
that is chosen depends on its availability and the importance placed on reducing the carbon
footprint of the building. The least expensive way to meet the demand is to simply draw the
remaining demand from the grid. If it is important to reduce the CO2 output of the building, both
solar PV and wind power are feasible options. However, wind power is less expensive if available.
$40,000,000
$35.0 MM
$30.9 MM $31.9 MM $31.8 MM
$30,000,000 $25.2 MM
$23.9 MM
$20,000,000
$10,000,000
$0
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario Scenario Scenario Scenario 4
3A 3B 3C
Figure i
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CEE 5910 – Emerson Plant Feasibility Study – Fall 2011
7,000 6,800
6,600
6,000
Tons of CO2 emissions
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
-
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 3A Scenario 3B Scenario 3C Scenario 4
Figure ii
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