Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland...

39
EASTERN SHORE SOLAR December 10, 2014 Cover 1

Transcript of Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland...

Page 1: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

EASTERN SHORE SOLAR December 10, 2014

Cover

1

Page 2: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Presentation Agenda

High Level Context Project Review Focus Areas Protective Measures Summary Q&A

2

Page 3: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

ESS Project

80 MW of standard solar panels Proven technology… Like thousands of projects Clustered on 900 acres… Scale is essential to economics Competes with fossil energy… Summer peak advantage Power to Electric Grid… 20,000 homes equivalent Removal & Restoration

3

Page 4: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Who is Community Energy

Privately held: 15 years in the renewable energy business

Over 1,000 MW of wind and solar… 300,000 homes… A veteran

235 MW of solar built/under construction in 2013 and 2014

Four projects of similar size in four states

4

Page 5: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Organizational Chart

Community Energy Holdings, Inc.

Community Energy Renewables, LLC

Eastern Shore Solar I LLC

Eastern Shore Solar II LLC

Eastern Shore Solar III LLC

Eastern Shore Solar IV LLC

Eastern Shore Solar LLC

Parent Company

Holder of all project companies

4 individual project companies were formed to own the assets/rights of each of the 4 projects that were submitted to PJM in February 2010.

Owner of shared facilities (Connector Station)

5

Page 6: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Why Accomack County?

Some of best sun in 13 state PJM grid

With trackers, best production for summer peak needs

Good, flat land

Can achieve necessary scale

PJM studies show very favorable interconnect at Oak Hall

6

Page 7: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Approval Process

Accomack County • Conditional Use + Final • Small Rezoning • AG and Forestal • Tax Ordinance

VA Permit By Rule • VA Dept. of Environmental Quality • VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries • VA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation • VA Dept. of Historical Resources

PJM 13 State Power Grid

7

Page 8: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

VA Permit By Rule

› Efficient Virginia permitting for Renewable Energy Projects › DEQ has authority rather than State Corporation Commission › Environmental, wildlife, habitat, cultural and historic review › Public Review and Input › Project information to be made publically available for 30 days

and a Public Meeting will be held. Likely late Jan / early Feb

“…our twin statutory goals: to promote renewable energy and to protect natural resources.”

– 9/15/10 DEQ letter announcing PBR

8

Page 9: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

PJM Electric Grid

• 13 States • 61 Million Customers • 170,000 MW • Under 1/2% Renewable

SOLAR & WIND

• 1200 Generators • Balanced Real Time • Electrons can cross long distance • Electrons typically stay close

9

Page 10: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

PJM Regulatory Studies

Very regimented… Same all forms of power

Computer model of Grid, Engineering design by PJM & Delmarva Power, according to strict rules and process

Feasibility Study / Impact Study / Facility Study (2010 through Aug 2014)

Signed Interconnect Agreement Sept 2014. $$ Security for Engineering & Construction

10

Page 11: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

PJM Questions

Price Effect? • No price increase or decrease to A&N Customers.

ESS competes with conventional power

Back-Up Power Needed? • No need for backup power. PJM is < 1/2% renewable.

2014 Study

Impact to Chesapeake Peaker Plant / Natural Gas Pipeline?

Solar Project will not harm • Analysis by Scott Gass, PowerGEM.

11

Page 12: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Electric Grid & Nat Gas

Pool of 175,000 MW of generation

80 MW large for solar, small for Power Generation

Impact not expected on 315 MW Chesapeake Peaker Plant (Peaker / Natural Gas)

Network Studies by PJM & Delmarva Power

Concerning NG pipeline and Chesapeake 315 MW Peaker • Simulations of fall, winter, spring summer peak with and without 80 MW

of Solar

• No impact on Chesapeake or NG pipeline viability

12

Page 13: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Project Details

George “Ed” Young, P.E. – Location & Civil Engineering

Steve Hazel – Site Overview / Electrical & Construction

Matthew Rutt, P.E. – Example Area Layout

David Krupp – Cluster Layout & Landscape Buffer

13

Page 14: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Project Location

Onley

New Church

Metompkin

Atlantic

Belle Haven 14

Page 15: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Site Overview

Clusters (4 projects)

Oak Hall Substation

Transmission Lines

Cost Effective

Native Landscaping

15

Page 16: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Electrical Overview

Solar panels like on Homes Construction Process DC to AC Inverters UG Wires to Connector Station Connector Station to Oak Hall

Substation 24/7 Monitoring Orientation for First Responders

16

Page 17: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Panels & Racking

17

Page 18: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Inverter Stations

DC to AC

Insider Array Area

Wires Under Ground

18

Page 19: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Connector Station

1/3 Size of Oak Hall Substation

Landscaping

19

Page 20: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Construction

20

Page 21: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Example Area

Clusters Repeat

Clusters connect via under ground wires

Representative Panel Layout

21

Page 22: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Landscaping Schematic

22

Page 23: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Landscaping Burger Landscape Architects (Onancock)

Native Plants of Accomack and Northampton Guide Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Dot Field

Native Plants: Landscape Buffer

Wildlife Habitat: Grasses / Shrubs / Trees

Design Criteria • Near Field / Far Field • Residential Views • Roadside Views • Connector Station

Final Design with Final Site Plan 23

Page 24: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Native Plant Profile Example Native Evergreen Trees (Example Plant Profile)

Native to VA Eastern Shore

Recommendations from Native Plants of Accomack and Northampton Guide

Habitat for birds, butterflies, etc.

Local Procurement

24

Page 25: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Landscaping

25

Page 26: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Landscaping Native Habitat

Hawk Enjoying Landscape Habitat

26

Page 27: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Grass Cover

Low Maintenance Drought tolerant Soil Stabilization Groundwater Infiltration Organic Contribution Noxious Weed Control

27

Page 28: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Focus Topics

Agriculture

Natural Resources

Infrastructure

Economy

Fit to Comprehensive Plan

28

Page 29: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Agriculture

Land: < 1% used for 30 years / Soil Enhanced Landowner: Steady Secure Income County: Enhanced Tax Base Ag Business: Context of 30% crop variability,

+/- 25% fuel cost, weather Visual: Clustered & Buffered

29

Page 30: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Natural Resources

In depth parallel review by 4 state agencies/public hearing

No emissions & reduced water off site and to Chesapeake

Avoids wetlands, habitat and Resource Protection Area

Prime Chesapeake Waterfowl resource unaffected…WEST

Creates diverse, new habitat for ground nesting birds and butterflies

Native Trees/Shrubs/Tall-Grasses for Landscaping

30

Page 31: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Infrastructure

No need water or sewer No schools No additional police/EMS No new roads or permanent facilities Temporary Use unlike house or retail Optimizes Existing Grid Infrastructure

31

Page 32: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Economy

Secure annual income to Landowner/Farmer $125M capital project with local hire of labor,

restaurants, landscape, hotels, tourist, etc. 400 + Construction Jobs / ESCC Training Land assessment for taxes $2-3k to $14k Media promotes AC, tourism, education benefits

32

Page 33: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Comprehensive Plan

New, diverse, clean business to AC Compatible with AG culture and stabilizes family

farm Protects natural resources/reduce AG runoff to

Chesapeake Provides for new solar career opportunities Stable, diverse public revenue w/o added costs

33

Page 34: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Protective Measures

Full safety analysis by PJM and Delmarva Power

First Responder Training Avoid wetlands and habitat Soil & Erosion during construction Visual landscape buffering & setbacks Decommission: Remove / Restore

34

Page 35: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

CUP Conditions

Performance Guaranties First Responder Orientation Landscape Buffer Plan Site Operations & Maintenance with Noxious

Weed Control Removal & Restoration with Financial Security

Requirements

35

Page 36: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Proffers (for Rezoning)

Solar Energy Array… County Ownership Public Education at project and nature walk ESCC career opportunities

36

Page 37: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Benefits to AC

• $125m capital project, with economic multiplier • Secure income to Landowner/Farmer • Tax diversified…$100,000 annual plus rollback • Solar Project Proffer ($50,000) • Education Area • Curriculum with Community College • Major opportunity for media promotion

37

Page 38: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Summary

Thoughtfully designed, proven technology, proven company

Fit to Comprehensive Plan Solid income to Landowners and AC and does no

harm… VA Permit By Rule assurance Clean solar energy addresses VA Energy Plan and

utility needs… PJM assurance AC can be proud of this project

38

Page 39: Accomack County Planning Commision - BoardDocs · 12/10/2014  · VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries ... Final Design with Final Site Plan 23 . Native Plant Profile Example Native

Thank You

EASTERN SHORE SOLAR December 10, 2014

39