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Over the last five years, SCS Energy has completed more than twenty-five design or design/construct power projects.  The projects employ microturbines, fuel cells and reciprocating engines.  The primary focus of SCS Energy's work has been two renewable fuels -- landfill gas and digester gas.

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OII Microturbine Project Owner: New Cure, Inc. Location: Monterey Park, California

Project Background

The project employs six 70 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbines which are fired on landfill gas with a methane content as low as 35%.  The project began operation in September 2002.

The project generates power to serve the principal on-site power needs of the landfill.  The landfill’s on-site power requirements include those associated with a leachate treatment plant and a landfill gas thermal oxidizer.  The project is interconnected to Southern California Edison Company (SCE) for the purposes of securing standby and supplemental power.  The project operates in parallel with SCE as a baseload unit.

The project incorporates:

§      An SCS designed/fabricated 300 scfm blower/refrigeration skid which pressurizes the landfill gas and reduces moisture and other impurities in the raw landfill gas;

§      Siloxane removal using activated carbon and silica gel;

§      Consolidation of three electric loads to a single point of service;

§      Six 70 kW microturbines;

§      Switchgear and a step-up transformer; and

§      An SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system which allows remote monitoring and operation of the facility from any location using a personal computer.

SCS executed this project on a design/construct basis.  The total power plant capacity is 420 kW.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Calabasas Microturbine Project Owner: Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County Location: Calabasas, CA

Project Background

The project employs ten 30 kW Capstone microturbines which are fired on landfill gas with a methane content as low as 35%.  The project began operation in August 2002.

The project generates power to serve the on-site power needs of the landfill.  The landfill’s on-site power requirements include those associated with the main landfill gas flare and office buildings.  The microturbines were given to the Districts by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).  SCS was responsible for installation of the microturbines and the design and construction of all supporting civil, mechanical, and electrical project elements.

The project is interconnected to Southern California Edison Company (SCE) for the purpose of securing supplemental and standby power. It operates in parallel with SCE and it is a baseload, load-following unit.

The project incorporates the following components:

§      An SCS designed/fabricated 200 scfm blower/refrigeration skid which pressurizes the landfill gas and reduces moisture and other impurities in the raw landfill gas;

§      Siloxane removal using activated carbon and silica gel;

§      Ten 30 kW microturbines;

§      Switchgear and a step-up transformer; and

§      An SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system which allows remote monitoring and operation of the facility from any location using a personal computer.

SCS executed this project on a design/construct basis.  The total capacity is 300 kW.  SCS is currently responsible for operation and maintenance of this facility.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Jamacha Microturbine Project: Phase I

Owner: County of San Diego

Location: Spring Valley, California

Project Background

The project employed four 75 kW Honeywell Parallon microturbines which were fired on landfill gas with a methane content as low as 35%.  The project began commercial operation in June 2001 and operated until November 2001. Shortly thereafter, the Honeywell microturbines were replaced with four 70 kW Ingersoll-Rand PowerWorks microturbines.

Less than 10% of the electric power produced by the project was used to satisfy on-site requirements of the landfill.  The remainder of the power was sold to San Diego Gas and Electric Company under a long-term power sales agreement.  SCS took the lead in securing the power sales agreement and in securing a California Energy Commission grant to assist in financing the project.

The project had achieved several important milestones as of the date the operation was suspended to convert from Honeywell to Ingersoll-Rand microturbines, including:

§      The first landfill gas fired microturbine installation to secure approval to interconnect to a utility under California PUC Rule 21;

§      First operating, commercial (non-R&D) landfill gas fired microturbine installation;

§      Most kWhs of power produced by a microturbine installation fired on landfill gas; and

§      Longest run time for a single microturbine and for multiple units for any microturbine installation (commercial or R&D).

SCS undertook this project on a design/construct basis.  The total capacity of the project was 300 kW.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Jamacha Microturbine Project: Phase II

Owner: County of San Diego

Location: Spring Valley, California

The project employs four 70 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbines which are fired on landfill gas with a methane content as low as 35%.  The project began commercial operation in February 2002.

Less than 10% of the electric power produced by the project is used to satisfy on-site requirements of the landfill.  The remainder of the power is sold to San Diego Gas and Electric Company under a long-term power sales agreement.  SCS took the lead in securing the power sales agreement and in securing a California Energy Commission grant to assist in financing the project.

The project incorporates the following components:

• A 200 scfm blower/refrigeration skid which pressurizes the landfill gas and reduces moisture and other impurities in the raw landfill gas;

• Siloxane removal using activated carbon;

• Four 70 kW microturbines;

• Switchgear and a step-up transformer; and

• An SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system which allows remote monitoring and operation of the facility from any location using a personal computer.

SCS undertook this project on a turnkey basis.  The total capacity of the project is 280 kW.  SCS has ongoing operation/maintenance responsibility for this facility since its start-up.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Toland Road Microturbine Project Owner: Ventura Regional Sanitation  District Location: Santa Paula, California

Project Background

The project employs one 70 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbine which is fired on landfill gas with a methane content of 45%.  The project began commercial operation in August 2004.

The project generates power to satisfy the landfill’s on-site power requirements.  Three electric service locations at the landfill were consolidated into a single service location to allow the landfill gas flare station, offices and leachate pumps to be served by the microturbine.

The project is interconnected to Southern California Edison (SCE) for the purpose of securing standby power and for exporting power for sale to SCE.

The project incorporates:

• One 70 kW microturbine;  

• Switchgear and a step-up transformer;

• Consolidation of several electric loads into a single point of service;

• An SCS designed/fabricated landfill gas compression/conditioning skid, with the microturbine integrated into the shop-fabricated skid; and

• An SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system which allows remote monitoring and operation of the facility from any location using a personal computer.

SCS was responsible for detailed design, procurement, construction and start-up.  Total plant capacity is 70 kW.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Shoreline Microturbine Project Owner: City of Mountain View Location: Mountain View, CA Project Background The project employs two 70 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbines which are fired on landfill gas with a methane content of 40%.  The project began commercial operation in December 2004. The project generates power to satisfy the requirements of the landfill gas flare station, irrigation pumps and a sewage pump station.  The microturbines will be installed at two separate locations.

The microturbines are interconnected to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for the purpose of securing standby power.  The microturbines operate grid parallel with PG&E and they are base loaded.

The project incorporates:

§     Two 70 kW microturbines;

§      Two SCS designed/fabricated 50 scfm compressor/ refrigeration skids to pressurize and treat the landfill gas;

§      Switchgear and step-up transformers; and

§   SCS designed/fabricated SCADA systems which allow remote monitoring and operation of the facilities from any location using a personal computer.

SCS supplied the landfill gas pressurization/treatment equipment and the microturbine on a single shop-fabricated skid to reduce installation time and cost in the field.

SCS is responsible for detailed design and related technical services, and for supply of the skids and microturbines.  Construction was implemented by competitive bidding.  Total plant capacity is 140 kW.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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American Canyon WWTP Microturbine Project Owner: Napa-Vallejo Waste Management Authority Location:  American Canyon, CA

Project Background

The project employs three 70 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbines which are fired on landfill gas with a methane content of 45%.  The source of the landfill gas is the American Canyon Landfill.  The host site for the power plant is the American Canyon WWTP.  The project began commercial operation in January 2005.

The project is interconnected to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for the purpose of securing standby and supplemental power.  The project operates in parallel with PG&E and is a baseload plant satisfying the bulk of the WWTP's power requirements.

The project incorporates:

• An SCS designed/fabricated 130 scfm landfill gas compression/pretreatment skid;

• A 0.8 mile landfill gas transmission pipeline;

• Three 70 kW microturbines;

• Switchgear; and

• An SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system which allows remote monitoring and operation of the facility from any location using a personal computer.

SCS is responsible for detailed design and related technical services, and for the supply of the landfill gas skid and the microturbines.  Construction will be implemented by competitive bidding.  Total plant capacity is 210 kW.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Burbank Microturbine Project Owner: City of Burbank Department of Water & Power Location: Burbank, CA

Project Background

The project employs ten Capstone 30 kW microturbines and one 250 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbine, all fired on landfill gas with a methane content as low as 38 percent.  The project commenced operation in April 2005.

A project incorporating the ten Capstone microturbines originally commenced operation at this location in July 2001.  After less than a year of operation, the project was shut down due to operational problems with the landfill gas conditioning equipment and the microturbines themselves.

SCS’ responsibilities on this new project included:

• Demolition of unnecessary equipment;

• Refurbishment of the Capstone microturbines;

• Installation of an SCS designed/fabricated landfill gas compression and treatment skid to serve all of the microturbines;

• Installation of the 250 kW microturbine;

• Installation of an SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system; and

• Upgrade of the electric cable and equipment to support the expanded plant capacity.

The project exports 85 percent of the power it produces to the municipally-owned power distribution system.  The project contributes to the City’s commitment to increase green power production.

The total capacity of this plant is 550 kW.  SCS executed the project on a turnkey basis.  SCS currently has operation/maintenance responsibility for this facility.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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Allentown WWTP Microturbine Project Owner:  PPL Energy Services Location: Allentown, PA

Project Background

A 360 kW digester gas fired microturbine project was installed at the  Allentown wastewater treatment plant in December 2000.  The project incorporated twelve 30 kW Capstone microturbines equipped with hot water recovery equipment.  The hot water was used to heat the plant's anaerobic digesters.  Problems with the microturbine plant's fuel pretreatment, fuel compression and hot water recovery equipment led to a suspension of plant operation in 2001.

SCS was engaged to completely upgrade and refurbish the plant including: 

§       Fabrication and installation of a fuel treatment train incorporating hydrogen sulfide, moisture, and volatile organic compounds removal;

§       Installation of a new fuel gas compressor;

§       Removal and refurbishment of twelve microturbines and the addition of a thirteenth microturbine;

§       Installation of new exhaust gas duct work, dampers and controls;

§       Replacement of the failed cores of the hot water generators;

§       Installation of an SCS designed/fabricated SCADA system; and

§       Ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility.

SCS undertook this project on a turnkey basis.  Its total capacity after refurbishment was 390 kW.  The refurbished plant commenced operation in November 2003.  SCS currently has operation and maintenance responsibility for this facility.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")

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El Estero WWTP Fuel Cell Project Owner: Alliance Power Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Project Background

The project employs two 250 kW FuelCell Energy, Inc. fuel cells.  The fuel cells use digester gas as a fuel.  The methane content of the digester gas is 62 percent.  The project began operation in November 2004.

The project incorporates a waste heat hot water generator and an SCS-designed/fabricated digester gas pressurization/treatment skid.  The skid removes moisture, particulates, hydrogen sulfide, halogenated compounds and siloxanes.  The hot water is used to heat the WWTP's anaerobic digesters, which frees up additional digester gas for power generation.  The entire power plant, including digester gas supply and hot water interfaces, are under the control of an SCS-designed/fabricated SCADA system.

The power plant operates in parallel with Southern California Edison (SCE) as a baseload unit.  The power plant displaces power otherwise bought from SCE at retail rates.  The project qualifies for net metering under CaPUC regulations.

The total power plant capacity is 500 kW.  SCS executed the project on a design/construct basis.  The project is the largest digester gas fueled fuel cell in California. SCS currently has operation/maintenance responsibility for this facility.

SCS Responsibilities (marked with "X")