B -- DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCESB COMBUSTION TURBINE -- COLD ENERGY

Notice Date

July 23, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S Department of Energy, Boston Support Office, JFK Federal Building, Suite 675, Boston, MA 02203-0002

ZIP Code

02203-0002

Solicitation Number

01R122646

Response Due

August 17, 2001

Point of Contact

Contact Albert H. Benson at (617)565-9734 or John Golovach at (617)565-9727

E-Mail Address

click here to contact Al Benson at the U.S. Department (al.benson@ee.doe.gov)

Description

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Boston Regional Office (ABRO@), JFK Building, Room 675, Boston, MA 02203-00021 seeks bidders to provide technical solutions to improving combustion turbine operating efficiency through the use of reduction of the inlet air temperature below the then-existing ambient temperature. For purposes of this procurement, technical solutions that will produce a cost-effective, energy efficient solution that can be able to be applied, without geographic limitation, across a broad range of combustion turbine sizes applicable to distributed energy applications are required. This project is in support of the U.S. Department of Energy, Distributed Energy Resources ADER@ ) initiative. The DER initiative seeks to increase overall electrical grid reliability, as well as to address electrical grid congestion problems, through the use of distributed electrical generation capacity. The sources of generation capacity can vary across a wide range of technologies, including but not limited to fuel cells, solar electric, internal combustion engines/generators, small wind turbines, and combustion turbines. While each of these technologies has its own unique capital and operating costs, operating considerations, potential overall and electrical efficiency, and environmental implications, this project will be directed at combustion turbines, irrespective of fuel type, to address increasing turbine efficiency through the pre-cooling of inlet air to the turbine prior to fuel combustion within the turbine. The basis for potential energy efficiency increases relates to the fact that a combustion turbine=s performance, in terms of power and energy efficiency, is directly related to the density of air that it ingests. Therefore, the denser the air, the greater the expansion capacity. Reduction of the air temperature of the inlet air would result in more efficient turbine operations, which would translate to reduced fuel requirements and lower emissions. The BRO expects that the contractor will prepare a report with, at least, the following elements contained in the report: Define and describe the technological path advanced by contractor to provide inlet air cooling. Identify and quantify all inputs required to operate the technology for a contractor specified turbine size. Discuss how each of those inputs would scale both up and down. Forecast energy efficiency increases over a range of consultant defined operating conditions for turbine operations without the cooling technology and with the cooling technology installed. Specify all assumptions and the basis for each assumption utilized in item (2) above. Calculate an annual projected energy savings in terms of millions of British Thermal Units (AMMBTUs@) assuming that the combustion turbine would be operated at an average annual rate of 90 percent (8760 hours per year times .90) with the .10 downtime assumed to be during the off-peak periods of the year, namely spring and/or fall. Also, calculate avoided emissions due to the reduced requirement for fuel. If there is a minimum and/or maximum size applicable to scaling of the cooling technology, explain the basis for both the minimum and maximum sizes recommended. Provide detailed engineering cost estimates for capital and installation costs of the cooling technology for representative, commercially available combustion turbines in the small to medium size range that may be applicable to DER applications. Provide financial analysis to illustrate the economic viability of the cooling technology as it relates to commercial/industrial customers. Several forms of analysis, including Internal Rate of Return (AIRR@), payback period, etc. would be helpful to quantify the financial implications to potential customers. Assume that capital costs would be equivalent to those achievable with a reasonable level of manufacturing. Define the critical steps needed to bring this technology to market. Also indicate a time line and projected incremental costs necessary to initiate commercial scale sales and production. To obtain a copy of the RFQ, contact the U.S. Department of Energy, Boston Regional Office, Albert H. Benson at (617) 565-9734. Facsimiles requests are acceptable and can be transmitted to (617) 565-9723 or al.benson@ee.doe.gov. Selection will be made by September 1, 2001.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010725/BSOL003.HTM (W-204 SN50S6F0)