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Trailblazer Energy Center
Project Journal
OCTOBER ENTRIES
Tenaska Vice President Brings Trailblazer Project to Life for Texas Legislators
October 31, 2008
Representative Warren Chisum sent Tenaska a note thanking the company for its recent presentation at the House Carbon Management Caucus.
“The creative ways Tenaska is dealing with carbon management led to greater understanding in our ongoing discussions about our energy future,” he wrote.
Tenaska Vice President of Environmental Affairs Greg Kunkel spoke to the group comprised of 55 legislators from both the Texas House of Representatives and Senate in Austin on Oct. 3. Representative Chisum assembled the group to share information on carbon dioxide emissions and control techniques.
Tenaska was asked to provide an update on the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center and speak to the opportunities for using carbon dioxide (CO2) produced and captured at power generation facilities for enhanced oil recovery (EOR.)
Tenaska is working on the commercial financing and contractual arrangements for the facility. Though they are not completed yet, the company hopes these arrangements can be completed over the next year and as soon as late 2009. A lot depends on resolution of economic factors, such as federal climate change legislation; awards of state incentives approved by the Texas Legislature; and availability of local incentives, as well as issuance of necessary permits.
“Part of our role as a developer is to describe what we’re doing, inform leaders when we encounter issues, and work with others involved in the industry to find solutions,”
Kunkel said.
Lawmakers are especially interested in Tenaska’s experiences under House Bill 3732, Texas’ “Advanced Clean Energy Project” Legislation passed in 2007. That law was specifically designed to encourage construction of clean energy projects like the Trailblazer Energy Center.
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Texas Energy Companies Learn About Trailblazer Energy Center at Clean Carbon Summit
October 25, 2008
At a recent clean coal conference, Tenaska President and CEO of Business Development Dave Fiorelli highlighted the engineering and environmental considerations Tenaska is weighing in the development of the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center.
The Oct. 10 conference, called the Clean Carbon Summit, investigated clean carbon initiatives adopted by Texas energy companies. The conference was hosted by the Clean Coal Technology Foundation of Texas, a consortium of energy companies that support clean coal development. Tenaska and other members of the foundation appeared alongside elected officials, such as Texas Governor Rick Perry and U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Representatives of electric utilities, coal companies, technology providers, legal associations and independent power providers (IPPs) attended the two-day conference.
In his presentation, Fiorelli explained some of the engineering decisions behind the structure of the Trailblazer Energy Center. The plant will use post-combustion technology to capture carbon dioxide (CO2). Post-combustion technology refers to the CO2 capture from the flue gas after the coal has been completely combusted. Post-combustion carbon capture was chosen because the technology and equipment exist today and are in use in other industrial processes, natural gas processing and limestone calcination.
Fiorelli and the rest of the Tenaska Business Development team continue to make presentations and meet with state and federal leaders to raise awareness about the project and discuss laws that encourage development of clean coal technology. Tenaska’s final decision on whether to proceed with construction depends on resolution of economic factors such as federal climate change legislation; awards of state incentives approved by the Texas Legislature; and availability of local incentives, as well as issuance of necessary permits.
The company has invested a lot of time and millions of dollars in resources so it will be ready to proceed when those factors fall into place.
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Trailblazer Project to Have No Negative Impact
on West Texas Transmission Capability
October 15, 2008
According to a preliminary screening study, Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center will not negatively impact electric transmission in West Texas. The study, recently conducted by The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and released by Tenaska, examines the feasibility of connecting the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center to ERCOT’s electric transmission grid.
ERCOT is a nonprofit corporation, regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and subject to oversight by the Texas Legislature. As the region’s independent system operator, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid connecting 38,000 miles of transmission lines in Texas. All power generators must submit a transmission interconnection request with ERCOT to be connected to its electricity grid.
The study [PDF] focused on transmission capacity in West Texas, specifically in Nolan, Taylor, Scurry, Sterling and Coke counties.
ERCOT made its preliminary assessment based on projected electricity use, expanded transmission capability – including Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) transmission (new transmission lines to help accommodate the growth in wind generators in West Texas), and additional electric generating stations, all planned for completion by 2013.
The study was conducted using two case scenarios. The first case simulated electric transmission load during peak summer demand (when extreme temperatures cause spikes in electricity use). The second case simulated the Trailblazer project’s impact on transmission during periods of higher than normal wind generation output.
In both cases, the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center did not negatively impact electric transmission capability in the area – even at a gross power output of 1,020 megawatts (MW), which is a much higher output than what is planned for the project. It’s still early in ERCOT’s approval process and more detailed studies are pending. However, the outcome of the preliminary assessment is positive.
Before it can grant a transmission interconnection request, ERCOT must complete a full interconnection study and Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center must sign an interconnection agreement. This agreement ensures the rights of all other transmission users are protected when the new plant is operating, as required by state law and ERCOT protocols. Tenaska Trailblazer has provided ERCOT with a notice to proceed with the full interconnection study in accordance with ERCOT’s procedures. An interconnection agreement is anticipated by the end of 2009.
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Sweetwater Residents Welcome Tenaska at Sweetwater Chamber Banquet, Ask Questions
October 1, 2008
Tenaska Manager of Business Development Helen Manroe and Senior Public Affairs Specialist Holley Hatt appreciated the hospitality of Chamber officials and the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development (SEED) at the annual Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce Banquet September 29.
Before and after the banquet, a number of Sweetwater residents introduced themselves. They shared their excitement about the Trailblazer Energy Center and asked whether Tenaska has made its final decision to locate the project in Nolan County.
Tenaska Senior Public Affairs Specialist Holley Hatt (left) and Manager of Business Development Helen Manroe attend the annual Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce Banquet Sept. 29. Posted with the permission of the Sweetwater Reporter.
It’s still too early for Tenaska to make a final decision on whether to proceed with construction of the project. A lot depends on resolution of economic factors such as federal climate change legislation; awards of state incentives approved by the Texas Legislature; and availability of local incentives, as well as issuance of necessary permits.
However, Tenaska continues to move forward, seeking answers to these questions and preparing the site for development. Below are summaries of the latest developments:
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In early September, Tenaska purchased an additional 504 acres of land adjacent to the project site in order to provide direct access to the project from the Interstate 20 access road. |
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In August, Tenaska took soil samples to determine the best location to build the foundation of the plant. |
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Tenaska also continues to meet with federal and state officials to discuss laws and regulations that promote development of cutting-edge clean coal technology and address economic factors. |
The company plans to make a final decision in late 2009.
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More information about the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center and illustrations for press use may be obtained at www.tenaskatrailblazer.com.
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