Electricity GenerationFrom Lignite Mark K. Thompson

Basin Electric Power CooperativeLeland Olds Station

Electricity GenerationFrom Lignite Mark K. Thompson

Basin Electric Power CooperativeLeland Olds Station

Over 2.5 million people served

with ND lignite-based electricity

Over 2.5 million people served

with ND lignite-based electricity

Economic Impact

Every 4 megawatts

requires approximately 3

jobs

Economic Impact

Every 4 megawatts

requires approximately 3

jobs

LigniteLignite

A low-cost abundant resource for generation of electricity

A low-cost abundant resource for generation of electricity

Basics of generating electricity

Commercial generating technologies

Lignite as a fuel source

Controlling emissions

Generating electricity

Summary

Basics of generating electricity

Commercial generating technologies

Lignite as a fuel source

Controlling emissions

Generating electricity

Summary

AgendaAgenda

N S

Lines of forceLines of force(Flux)(Flux)

MagnetMagnet

Magnetic Field Around Bar MagnetMagnetic Field Around Bar Magnet

CoilCoil

MagnetMagnet

MeterMeter(Galvanometer)(Galvanometer)

Producing Electricity From MagnetismProducing Electricity From Magnetism

To pushbladeson a shaft

To pushbladeson a shaft

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

ProducingElectricity!ProducingElectricity!

A sourceof energysuch aslignite

A sourceof energysuch aslignite

Basics of How Electricity is MadeBasics of How Electricity is Made

Portable Generators?Portable Generators?

One light bulb litOne light bulb lit Eight light bulbs litEight light bulbs lit

How Many Bicyclists?How Many Bicyclists?

To produce as much electricity as North Dakota’s seven power plants... And they would need to keep pedaling for 24 hours a day / seven days a week

1. 10,000 2. 500,000

3. 3,000,000 4. More than 3 M

To produce as much electricity as North Dakota’s seven power plants... And they would need to keep pedaling for 24 hours a day / seven days a week

1. 10,000 2. 500,000

3. 3,000,000 4. More than 3 M25%25%25%25%

1111

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How Many Bicyclists?How Many Bicyclists?

It would take 8.9 million people on bicycles to produce as much electricity as North Dakota’s seven power plants . . . And they would need to keep pedaling for 24 hours a day / seven days a week!

It would take 8.9 million people on bicycles to produce as much electricity as North Dakota’s seven power plants . . . And they would need to keep pedaling for 24 hours a day / seven days a week!

Other Primary Sources of Energy For Generation of ElectricityOther Primary Sources of Energy For Generation of Electricity

Wind - windmill or wind turbine

Water - water wheel or water turbine

Diesel - diesel engine

Natural gas - gas turbine

Wind - windmill or wind turbine

Water - water wheel or water turbine

Diesel - diesel engine

Natural gas - gas turbine

Basics of How Electricity is MadeBasics of How Electricity is Made

To pushbladeson a shaft

To pushbladeson a shaft

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

ProducingElectricity!ProducingElectricity!

A sourceof energysuch as

wind

A sourceof energysuch as

wind

Wind GeneratorsWind Generators

Renewable, clean but intermittent

MinotMinot

EdgeleyEdgeley

HighmoreHighmore

ChamberlainChamberlain

RosebudRosebud

PipestonePipestone

WiltonWilton

Basin Electric’s Wind FacilitiesBasin Electric’s Wind Facilities

450 MW Nameplate capacity

GrotonGroton

To turnbladeson a shaft

To turnbladeson a shaft

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

ProducingElectricity!ProducingElectricity!

A sourceof energysuch aswater

A sourceof energysuch aswater

Basics of How Electricity is MadeBasics of How Electricity is Made

Water-Hydro GenerationWater-Hydro Generation

Renewable, clean and reliable….but expensive and hard to build today

To turna shaftTo turna shaft Which spins

a magnetinside a

coil of wire

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

ProducingElectricity!ProducingElectricity!

A sourceof energysuch as

a diesel engine

A sourceof energysuch as

a diesel engine

Basics of How Electricity is MadeBasics of How Electricity is Made

Diesel GeneratorDiesel Generator

Used for short term peaking – expensive

To turnblades on

a shaft

To turnblades on

a shaft

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

Which spinsa magnetinside a

coil of wire

ProducingElectricity!ProducingElectricity!

A sourceof energysuch as

burning gas

A sourceof energysuch as

burning gas

Basics of How Electricity is MadeBasics of How Electricity is Made

Gas TurbineGas Turbine

Natural gas is cleaner but expensive

Most Common Commercial Technology for Large-Scale Electrical GenerationMost Common Commercial Technology for Large-Scale Electrical Generation

Affordable, reliable, increasingly clean

Exploring lignite as a fuel sourcewith steam turbine generators

Exploring lignite as a fuel sourcewith steam turbine generators

COAL COAL H O2

Lignite is One-Third WaterLignite is One-Third Water

xx ==35%35%

Conversion Efficiency is 35 PercentConversion Efficiency is 35 Percent

Improving Mother Nature Improving Mother Nature

Parameters of ND Lignite as found in nature

Heating value 6,000 to 7,000 BTU / Lb (other coals 8,000 to 12,000 BTU / Lb)

Ash content in ND lignite 6% to 12% as burned

Sodium content high in many areas – contributes to challenges

Deposits in boiler

Other mineral constituents

Parameters of ND Lignite as found in nature

Heating value 6,000 to 7,000 BTU / Lb (other coals 8,000 to 12,000 BTU / Lb)

Ash content in ND lignite 6% to 12% as burned

Sodium content high in many areas – contributes to challenges

Deposits in boiler

Other mineral constituents

Coal-Drying ProjectCoal-Drying Project

Coal Creek Station

Low temperature waste heat is being used to reduce moisture in lignite

Increases plant efficiency and reduces emissions

Coal Creek Station

Low temperature waste heat is being used to reduce moisture in lignite

Increases plant efficiency and reduces emissions

How is Lignite Converted Into Electricity?How is Lignite Converted Into Electricity?

Emissions ControlEmissions ControlEquipmentEquipment

Hot AirHot Air BoilerBoiler

WaterWater CondenserCondenser

SteamSteamTurbineTurbine

SteamSteam

GeneratorGenerator

PulverizedPulverizedCoalCoal

How Electricity is MadeUsing a Steam TurbineHow Electricity is MadeUsing a Steam Turbine

Lignite Receiving & StockpileLignite Receiving & Stockpile

Lignite conveyed

into plant

Lignite conveyed

into plant

Pulverizers prepare the lignite Pulverizers prepare the lignite

BunkerBunker

BurnersBurnersCoalCoalFeederFeeder

PulverizerPulverizer

LiftLiftLineLine

Lignite-Fired BoilerLignite-Fired Boiler

Photo of pulverized coal

Photo of oilduring startup

2,4002,400PoundsPounds

2,400 poundsper square inch2,400 poundsper square inch

2,400 PSI Steam Pressure2,400 PSI Steam Pressure

Steam turbine generatorSteam turbine generator

Generator during assembly

Generator stator workGenerator stator work

Modern control room with computerized controls

Modern control room with computerized controls

• Plant Transformers• Auxiliary transformers for

plant power• Step-up transformers for

sending power out

• Plant Transformers• Auxiliary transformers for

plant power• Step-up transformers for

sending power out

Power Plant SubstationPower Plant Substation

Lignite boiler emissions in North Dakota

are controlled with up-to-date technology

Lignite boiler emissions in North Dakota

are controlled with up-to-date technology

Cutaway view of precipitatorCutaway view of precipitator

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

North Dakota (now) North Dakota (2012)

73%

Percent of Scrubbed CapacityPercent of Scrubbed Capacity

ND Power Plants Fitted With ScrubbersND Power Plants Fitted With Scrubbers

98%

Clean Air StatesClean Air States

Source: EPA, May 1, 2010

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

3887 MW Total3887 MW Total

MW

Cap

acit

yM

W C

ap

acit

y

1,100

900

673650

420

10044

Lewis &Clark

Heskett Coyote LelandOlds

Young AntelopeValley

CoalCreek

Sources of Electricity from LigniteSources of Electricity from Lignite

Capacity Requirement =2 KW per person

650,000 persons X 2 KW per person= 1,300,000 KW or 1,300 MW

North DakotaNorth Dakota

A Rule of ThumbA Rule of Thumb

Bismarck / Mandan - 190 MW

Fargo / Moorhead - 350 MW

St. Cloud - 335 MW

Minneapolis / St. Paul Area - ???? MW

1. 500 MW 2. 1,000 MW

3. 2,500 MW 4. 6,000 MW

Bismarck / Mandan - 190 MW

Fargo / Moorhead - 350 MW

St. Cloud - 335 MW

Minneapolis / St. Paul Area - ???? MW

1. 500 MW 2. 1,000 MW

3. 2,500 MW 4. 6,000 MW

Estimated DemandEstimated Demand

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Minneapolis / St. Paul Area - 6,000 MW

Minneapolis / St. Paul Area - 6,000 MW

Estimated DemandEstimated Demand

About one-third of MN’s electricity comes from ND and the percentage is higher in rural MNAbout one-third of MN’s electricity comes from ND and the percentage is higher in rural MN

SummarySummary

Lignite is a low-cost, abundant resource for the generation of electricity that is beneficial for the region

Lignite is a secure and reliable source of energy

Lignite is a low-cost, abundant resource for the generation of electricity that is beneficial for the region

Lignite is a secure and reliable source of energy