Integrated Resource Planning
At its regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, the City Commission voted 3-2 in favor of Staff's recommendation to conclude the 2004 Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Study by adopting a 5-year preferred resource plan covering the period 2007-2012.
A Plan for Tallahassee's Energy Future
The approved 5-year plan includes:
Repowering Hopkins Unit 2 – This project will convert the existing Hopkins 2 conventional steam generating unit to combined cycle generating unit to be in service by the summer of 2008. This will result in a net capacity increase of 68 megawatts (summer net) and efficiency improvement of ~30%. (Initially approved as part of resource plan by the City Commission on October 26, 2005.)
Continued participation in development of the Taylor Energy Center (TEC) through the permitting process, expected to conclude in early 2008 – TEC is a prospective supercritical pulverized coal generating unit to be built near Perry and operated by JEA, FMPA, Reedy Creek and City of Tallahassee utilities. The unit is currently planned to be in service by the summer of 2012. (In November 2005, citizens voted in favor of a referendum to allow consideration of the TEC unit as a possible part of the City's future energy plan.)
Implementation of an aggressive demand-side management (DSM) program – The City's program will include conservation, energy efficiency and demand response/control measures to reduce customer electric demand beginning in 2007. The DSM program will target demand reductions of 59 megawatts by 2012 and 162 megawatts by 2025. (The City Commission voted in support of DSM as part of resource plan on August 23, 2006 and approved funding for refinement of DSM estimates on September 27, 2006.)
A 38 megawatt renewable energy purchase starting in 2011 – The energy will come from a biomass-fueled generating unit to be built and operated by a private developer, Biomass Gas & Electric (BG&E). The purchase contract will include an option to increase the amount purchased to 75 megawatt pending satisfactory demonstration of reliable and economical operation of the 38-megawatt facility. The contract also provides for the City's purchase of 60 MMBtu per hour of pipeline quality gas derived from biomass. (The City Commission approved the purchase contract on October 11, 2006.)
In addition to these specific plan components, the City will continue to explore and review resource alternatives, including its ongoing participation in the TEC permitting process, and monitor closely the changing regulatory/legislative situation, especially as it relates to climate change and greenhouse gases.