Sonoma County Dedicates New Ultra Clean Energy Plant

[Barry]

Three Cheers to our County Government for doing the right thing!
Barry

Sonoma County Dedicates New Ultra Clean Energy Plant
https://press.sonoma-county.org/cont...d=1018&id=1620

Santa Rosa, CA (January 4, 2011) - On January 11, 2011, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Pacific Gas and Electric and Aircon Energy will celebrate the County’s crowning achievement in its climate protection efforts with the commencement of the new 1.4 megawatt fuel cell. Sonoma County’s fuel cell is the largest fuel cell installed in California to date helping the County be less dependent on foreign fossil fuels, it is part of a Comprehensive Energy Project (CEP) which will save the County from $40 to $50 million in energy costs over the next 30 years. The celebration on January 11th will take place at 2680 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa and begin at 1:00 pm.

Incoming Board of Supervisor Chairman Efren Carrillo commented, “Sonoma County is a leader in the fight against climate change. Strong environmental policy and climate protection actions save money, create local jobs and, most importantly, protect our quality of life. Sonoma County’s fuel cell is a crown jewel for the County and a model for other local governments.”

The fuel cell is the centerpiece of Sonoma County’s Comprehensive Energy Project (CEP), which also includes a wide variety of efficiency measures and upgrades to facilities and mechanical systems. Overall the CEP will reduce and replace 13.4 million kWh from the PG&E grid and reduce water consumption by 19 million gallons each year. The CEP is expected to reduce the County’s green house gas (GHG) emissions by 6,000 tons annually. During the first 16 years, the annual energy cost savings will more than pay for the entire cost of the CEP project. As previously stated over its lifetime, the CEP project is expected to save the county between $40 and $50 million, of which approximately $20 million in energy cost savings can be attributed to the use of the fuel cell technology.

“Installing the fuel cell demonstrates, yet again, that we are responsible stewards of the environment,” said Sonoma County General Services Director Jose Obregon. “The fuel cell, along with many other energy efficiency efforts, will dramatically lessen the impact of county operations on our community and our environment.” The fuel cell power plant will provide 11 million kWh of electricity annually to the County’s main administration campus in Santa Rosa, including the County Jail. The fuel cell is more efficient than traditional methods of power generation and is certified “Ultra Clean” by the California Air Resources Board. The CEP demonstrates what can be accomplished not only by local governments but by all industries, public or private, in reducing energy use and lowering green house gas emissions!

At 1:00 pm on January 11th, 2011, PG&E will present a check for $3,000,000 to the Board of Supervisors, from its Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). PG&E’s SGIP provides financial incentives for the installation of new, qualifying wind or fuel cell self-generation equipment. The incentive payment will offset $9,763,781 of fuel cell equipment and installation costs so that the fuel cell power plant will pay for itself in less than eight years.

Direct fuel cell technology uses a non-combustion, electrochemical process to combine fuel with oxygen from the ambient air. This process produces electricity, heat, and water, and it does so much more efficiently than through the combustion of fossil fuels. The excess heat will be used to heat water and buildings, resulting in additional environmental benefits and cost savings.

“Aircon Energy is committed to helping local governments like Sonoma County upgrade their facilities and reduce operating costs. We commend the County for setting an example the entire state should follow,” said Jeff Wagner of Aircon Energy.

The Board approved the project on December 16, 2008. This ribbon cutting ceremony is the culmination of four years of work at the County since 2006, toward its climate protection goals of reducing electricity usage and greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 2000 levels by 2010, thus exceeding AB 32 goals.