Xcel Energy Inc. · NASDAQ:XEL
Xcel Energy — Energy Performance Systems — Technical Presentation
18 slides from Xcel Energy's technical presentation
Slide 1: Energy Performance Systems, Inc.
Energy Performance Systems, Inc. Improving the Efficiency of Planting, Tending and Harvesting Farm-Grown Trees for Energy To: Xcel RDF advisory group L. David Ostlie, Principal Investigator Lynn L Wright, Investigator
Slide 2: Value Based Research Goals
Value Based Research Goals Values Lower the cost of electric power generation using renewable wood fuel; enough to cover the added risk in using new, model-one technology Establish a large scale (90 acre) tree farm demonstration using short growth cycle wood (5 years) to maximize fuel production
Slide 3: EPS Injection Planter
EPS Injection Planter Planter in Operation at the Graceville Site
Slide 4: Planter Summary
Planter Summary Multi-row planter was built Planter was used under operational conditions Test demonstrated potential of machine injection; tree survival and growth was similar to hand planted sections of field Slip injection springs & materials have been redesigned Planting Cost Proved to
Slide 5: EPS Whole Tree Harvester
EPS Whole Tree Harvester™ Harvester after 160 Mile Transport to site Power Systems Being re- installed and Tested at Nearby Farm Site 5
Slide 6: EPS Whole Tree Harvester
EPS Whole Tree Harvester™ Harvesting Head: Continuously travels and cuts up to 9 feet per second without stopping while self sharpening blades and cuts up to a 30” diameter tree
Slide 7: EPS Whole Tree Harvester
EPS Whole Tree Harvester™ Harvester Cutting Second Row of Trees 7
Slide 8: Project Participants
Project Participants Project Demonstration Participants 8
Slide 9: Project Participants
Project Participants Project Demonstration Participants Resting After Doubling as Camera Personnel 9
Slide 10: Harvester Summary
Harvester Summary 900 HP 65 Ton, 4 Tracked Unit Contiuously Harvested Trees at Speeds up to 8 FPS (6 MPH) Can Harvest up to 30” Trees Lifted Trees 13 Feet to Load Semi Trailers Cleanly Cut Trees within 2 Inches of the Ground Proved Self Centering Cutting Head to be Effective Traveled w
Slide 11: Harvester Demonstration
Harvester Demonstration CEO Feeling Downsized after a Particularly Difficult Day 1
Slide 12: Hybrid Poplar Glencoe Tree Farm
Hybrid Poplar Glencoe Tree Farm Project Investigator Lynn Wright Showing First Year Growth of NM-6 Hybrid Poplar on 80 Acre Site
Slide 13: Hybrid Poplar Yield Results
Hybrid Poplar Yield Results 40 Acre Tree Farm Near Graceville, MN Section of Farm Yielding 4 Dry Tons per Acre Per Year in 6 Years
Slide 14: Planting Cost Analysis
Planting Cost Analysis Required Factors Estimated Costs Six general laborers $8/hr, 600 hrs each season = $28,800 One skilled, trained, and certified operator $50/hr, 500 hrs each season = $25,000 Fuel $12,000 Miscellaneous (i.e. maintenance, tires, etc.) $13,000 Estimated Annual Operating Cost $78,
Slide 15: Wood Production Cost Analyses
Wood Production Cost Analyses One Harvest, 6-year, EPS Two Coppice Harvest, 12-year- One Harvest, 12 year NRRI Cost Type Costs EPS Costs assumptions Land Rent $660.00 $1,320.00 $1,320.00 Harvest Yield (dry tons/acre) 24.78 49.56 48 NPV of all costs $924.22 $1,470.76 $1,549 Discounted Breakeven Price
Slide 16: Benefit to the Rate Payer
Benefit to the Rate Payer A new system was developed to lower the cost of renewable energy including new methods and new equipment If the legislature mandates increased attention to climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, this project provides a pathway to help satisfy the mandate wit
Slide 17: Where Do We Go From Here?
Where Do We Go From Here? Our Research indicates an all-in power plant delivered fuel cost of 3.65/Mbtu The increased fuel cost would be similar to natural gas in some regions Establishing a fuel plantation takes 6 years, 3 years before and 3 years after plant startup By Reducing the cost of
Slide 18: Electric Power From Trees
Electric Power From Trees Now is the Time for Closed Loop, Wood fueled, Electric Power Production EPS wishes to thank the RDF advisory Group, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commision including the rate payers and Xcel Energy in making our project possible. Project funding provided in part by cus