(Updated, 1:30 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – The Narragansett Bay Commission approved two alternative energy projects at its board meeting on Wednesday.
“These alternative energy projects are good for the environment and will save money for our ratepayers,” said Vincent Mesolella, NBC chairman. “Currently electricity is one of our most significant expenses; these projects will allow us to mitigate those expenses while we pursue our clean-water mission.”
The board approved a $12 million contract to construct three 1,500 kW wind turbines at the Field’s Point Wastewater Treatment Facility in Providence.
The three turbines, installed at heights of 360 feet, are expected to supply between 55 percent and 60 percent of the current electrical power demand of the Field’s Point facility. The turbines’ electricity production has an estimated value (at current electricity rates) of more than $500,000 a year and would replace approximately 3,000 tons annually of carbon dioxide that would have been released from fossil fuel-generated electricity.
The commission plans to have the turbines finished by spring 2012.
The team of Gilbane Building Company, Atlantic Design Engineers, Glynn Electric, Barnhart Crane & Rigging, Earth System Global, Inc., and Terracon was selected to handle the design and construction.
The second project approved was a $366,000 design-services contract, awarded to Brown and Caldwell, for a biogas cogeneration facility at the Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility in East Providence.
The facility currently uses digester biogas supplemented with natural gas as fuel for its three boilers used in heating sewage sludge digesters. The use of biogas in cogeneration equipment, such as microturbines or reciprocating engines, could generate up to 50 percent of the electricity and heat needed for the facility, said the commission, adding that the contract stipulates evaluation of the available technologies for transferring biogas to energy and the subsequent design of the recommended cogeneration system.
There will later be a construction contract for the project, said Jamie Samons, NBC public affairs manager.
“We’re excited about these two contracts,” said Samons, adding “We’re on a quest to reduce our carbon footprint.”
