Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

impaired. As a result, standoy generating capacity would almostcertainly have to be maintained at all times. Such standoy capacitywould undouotedly oe provided oy existing diesel generators. Thepercentage of time that this would be necessary cannot be predicted.However, given that no energy source is entirely firm, and in theinterest of conservatism, power produced by the PRT will be regarded asfirm and assigned a dependency factor of 80 percent for purposes of thisreport.Another concern worthy of further consideration is that of projectlife. Estimates of the total Prudhoe Bay field are approximately 9.6billion barrels. Based on a flow rate of 1.5 MBD, the known oil reserveswill last between 15 and 20 years. The potential of additional oildiscoveries, particularly in the Beaufort Sea, are relatively good;however, due to the uncertainty of future finds it will oe assumed thatthe oil will last untn 2000.Pertinent data for the project follows:Capacity (kW) 7,400 (1.5 MBD)Annual Energy (MWH) 52,000 (PF=0.8)First Cost $9,700,000The above estimates of capacity and energy were derived frominformation available from R.W. Retherford1s 1976 report on the pressurereducing turbine. Capacity and energy figures were reduced to accountfor an oil flow of 1.5 MBD and an 80 percent power availability factor aspreviously stated. The first cost of $9.7 million was obtained from R.W.Retherford Associates who are currently updating their previous study.The estimated annual costs based on October 1980 prices and financingover 16 years at 7-3/8 percent are as follows:Interest and AmortizationOperation, Maintenance and ReplacementAverage Annual Cost$1,052,000$ 200,000$1,252,000Based on these prices the cost per kWh would be approximately 2.4i.The inability of the turoine-generator to follow the power demand for thesystem would restrict its operation to baseload. This may reduce theusaole output until the minimum system demand exceeds the unit1s capacity.Impact Assessment:The proposed site for the pressure reducing turbine (PRT) is located 5miles east of the pipeline terminal, approximately 3/4 mile off theDayville Road. The PRT site is adjacent to the proposed transmissioncorridor on the south side of the Lowe River. The powerhouse and parkingfacilities would utilize an area improved during the construction of theTrans-Alaska Pipeline.33