I ntegrated Solar and Wind I ntegrated Solar and Wind Energy Powers Oil Recovery Energy Powers Oil Recovery Former St. Croix Alumina (SCA) Former St. Croix Alumina (SCA) site in site in St. Croix, VI St. Croix, VI May 2010 1 May 2010 1
Site Location, US VI Site Location, US VI • * SCA • * SCA * SCA May 2010 2 May 2010 2
Background Background • SCA was a bauxite refinery which utilized the • SCA was a bauxite refinery which utilized the “ “Bayer Process Bayer Process” ” to to produce alumina (aluminum oxide), an intermediate product in produce alumina (aluminum oxide), an intermediate product in aluminum manufacturing. The facility was closed in 2002 and is aluminum manufacturing. The facility was closed in 2002 and is slated for redevelopment. slated for redevelopment. • I n 1994, EPA became aware of a subsurface oil plume at the SCA • I n 1994, EPA became aware of a subsurface oil plume at the SCA site, which was later shown to be caused by commingled site, which was later shown to be caused by commingled petroleum products released at both SCA (formerly VI ALCO) and petroleum products released at both SCA (formerly VI ALCO) and the adjacent HOVI C (now HOVENSA) petroleum refinery. the adjacent HOVI C (now HOVENSA) petroleum refinery. • The contamination exists in the form of a light non • The contamination exists in the form of a light non- -aqueous phase aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) plume of petroleum (mostly diesel) floating on the e liquid (LNAPL) plume of petroleum (mostly diesel) floating on th groundwater in the Kingshill Aquifer and perched groundwater in groundwater in the Kingshill Aquifer and perched groundwater in unconsolidated sediments over the Kingshill. unconsolidated sediments over the Kingshill. • Groundwater is not utilized at the SCA facility; however, the • Groundwater is not utilized at the SCA facility; however, the Kingshill Aquifer is used upgradient of the facility and elsewhere re Kingshill Aquifer is used upgradient of the facility and elsewhe on the island where it is less saline. on the island where it is less saline. May 2010 3 May 2010 3
ST. CROIX ALUMINA RECOVERY GROUP ST. CROIX ALUMINA RECOVERY GROUP BACKGROUND N-11500' Oil Thickness TRACK (ft) GATE VW11 AY S HW IN EVAN IG H 0.00 232 2.1 VW3 VW12 ELV M TO TENNIS 141 N-11000' COURT 0.00 0.00 VW10 0.00 1.8 VW9R 0.00 1.5 VW22 N-10500' VW8 0.00 VW24 0.00 1.2 VW19 0.95 PARKING LOT VW20 VW7 0.82 VW15 VW26 GATE VW21 VW5 1.64 Flood Contro 0.9 0.91 1.11 N-10000' 0.95 PURCHASING PURCHASING VW2 St. Croix Channel VW14 DEPT. DEPT. 1.40 1.16 Property Line VW18 Alumina 1.45 342 VW6 VW4 94 1.70 L.L.C. ALUMINA PLANT 53 1.25 0.6 VW17 VW13 VW27 1.63 1.03 VW25 VW23 95 343 0.00 1.73 0.00 0.00 1.80 HOVIC 344 N-9500' 0.3 96 TANK LEGEND VW1 VW16 ina lum IC roix A V 0.00 O 0.00 H t. C 0.00 OIL THICKNESS, FT S TANK Tank --0.5-- ISOPACH CONTOUR N-9000' OBSERVATION WELL N RECOVERY WELL Tank FEBRUARY 2000 DATA N-8500' May 2010 4 E-5000' E-5500' E-6000' E-6500' E-7000' E-7500' E-8000' HOVENSA L.L.C. GRID SYSTEM (ft.)
Initial Recovery System Initial Recovery System • Under a 2001 RCRA Consent Order, oil recovery began in January • Under a 2001 RCRA Consent Order, oil recovery began in January 2002 through use of four wind- -driven turbine compressors (WTCs) driven turbine compressors (WTCs) 2002 through use of four wind to drive compressed air operated, pneumatic total- -fluid pumps in six fluid pumps in six to drive compressed air operated, pneumatic total recovery wells. recovery wells. • The WTC power system was initially selected because electricity • The WTC power system was initially selected because electricity was was not available at this closed site when the project began (the facility not available at this closed site when the project began (the fa cility when operational had previously generated its own power). when operational had previously generated its own power). • The WTC • The WTC- -powered system was estimated to cost approximately one powered system was estimated to cost approximately one third the cost to connect to the power grid. This provided an third the cost to connect to the power grid. This provided an economic advantage to using alternative energy instead of economic advantage to using alternative energy instead of additional construction to provide conventional power. additional construction to provide conventional power. May 2010 5 May 2010 5
Wind- -driven turbine compressors driven turbine compressors Wind • Each WTC is powered by a windmill with 4.33 foot • Each WTC is powered by a windmill with 4.33 foot blades that begin rotating at a wind speed of 4 mph. blades that begin rotating at a wind speed of 4 mph. • When wind speed exceeds 30 mph, the blades furl and • When wind speed exceeds 30 mph, the blades furl and turn out of the wind. turn out of the wind. • The air compressor is located directly behind the • The air compressor is located directly behind the windmill. windmill. • The combined blade/compressor unit is on a hinged • The combined blade/compressor unit is on a hinged tower, and can be lowered to the ground for tower, and can be lowered to the ground for maintenance or protection in case of a hurricane. maintenance or protection in case of a hurricane. • Each WTC is designed to generate approximately 45 psi • Each WTC is designed to generate approximately 45 psi of operating pressure (see photos). of operating pressure (see photos). May 2010 6 May 2010 6
Wind- -driven turbine compressors driven turbine compressors Wind May 2010 7 May 2010 7
View of Wind Field at St. Croix Alumina May 2010 8 May 2010 8
Power System Power System • The capital costs for the initial power system (installation • The capital costs for the initial power system (installation of 4 WTCs and masts) totaled approximately $20,000), of 4 WTCs and masts) totaled approximately $20,000), which does not include the cost of the fluid recovery which does not include the cost of the fluid recovery gathering and compressed air distribution systems. gathering and compressed air distribution systems. • Since then the power system has been expanded to • Since then the power system has been expanded to include four wind- -driven electric generators (WEGs) and driven electric generators (WEGs) and include four wind photovoltaic (PV) panels, both used to power four photovoltaic (PV) panels, both used to power four electric submersible pumps. electric submersible pumps. • Electricity in the power grid on St. Croix is generated • Electricity in the power grid on St. Croix is generated from fuel oil. Estimated cost to connect to the SCA from fuel oil. Estimated cost to connect to the SCA recovery system to existing power grid was $100,000. recovery system to existing power grid was $100,000. May 2010 9 May 2010 9
Solar Panels Solar Panels • In 2004, solar panel arrays were installed to • In 2004, solar panel arrays were installed to power electric submersible pumps which were power electric submersible pumps which were installed in two recovery wells (to supplement installed in two recovery wells (to supplement the free product recovery via pneumatic pumps the free product recovery via pneumatic pumps in six initial recovery wells). in six initial recovery wells). • The initial solar system consisted of six free • The initial solar system consisted of six free- - standing, 55- -W PV arrays installed in fixed W PV arrays installed in fixed- -tilt tilt standing, 55 position. position. • In May 2007 two additional solar panel arrays • In May 2007 two additional solar panel arrays were installed. were installed. May 2010 10 May 2010 10
Wind Electric Generators (WEGs) Wind Electric Generators (WEGs) • In 2006, two Whisper 200 mast • In 2006, two Whisper 200 mast- -mounted WEGs were mounted WEGs were installed to supplement the electrical power provided by installed to supplement the electrical power provided by solar panels for powering the two wells with submersible solar panels for powering the two wells with submersible pumps (see photo). pumps (see photo). • In May 2007, two additional WEGs were installed along • In May 2007, two additional WEGs were installed along with submersible pumps in two additional recovery wells with submersible pumps in two additional recovery wells (total of four wells now having electric submersible (total of four wells now having electric submersible pumps). pumps). • Each WEG provides 6.8 kWh per day in a 12 mph wind. • Each WEG provides 6.8 kWh per day in a 12 mph wind. May 2010 11 May 2010 11
Wind Electric Generator Wind Electric Generator May 2010 12 May 2010 12
May 2010 13 May 2010 13
Solar Panels Solar Panels May 2010 14 May 2010 14
Solar System Solar System Controller Installation Controller Installation May 2010 15 May 2010 15
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