City looks at alternatives to powering facilities

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- With the state’s energy crisis in full swing and

more rolling blackouts predicted for the summer, city officials are

looking at alternative power-producing methods to light its buildings.

Over the last few weeks, the city has consulted with UC Irvine

scientists over the possibility of using on-site microturbine generators

and natural gas-powered fuel cells to power City Hall.

“It’s an obvious win-win for the city,” said Ross Cranmer, the city’s

director of building and safety. “UCI said that one manufacturer has

agreed to donate a microturbine unit to the city, while we’re hoping to

secure grants help purchase a fuel cell.”

Microturbine generators are roughly the size of a commercial dumpster,

and can provide either 30 or 60 kilowatts depending on the type used, UCI

scientists said, adding that like larger power plants, the generators do

emit small amounts of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

Fuel cells, on the other hand, can produce up to 200 kilowatts and

generally measure the size of a cargo shipping container, scientists

said.

While considerably more expensive than the microturbine generators,

averaging about $3,000 for each kilowatt produced, fuel cells use a

chemical process to convert gas into electricity, producing hot water and

carbon dioxide in the process.

Those byproducts are not considered pollutants, though there has been

concern about carbon dioxide and its relation to global warming, said

Jack Brower, associate director of UC Irvine’s Advance Power Energy

Program, where city officials have been learning of the two

power-generating techniques.

“Both the power sources are distributive resources, and aren’t built

to the same scale as the large power plant you find in Huntington Beach,”

he added. “It’s absolutely critical that energy decisions are made with

eyes wide open, and for city’s and businesses to consider technology that

will not only impact power resources and avoid rolling blackouts today,

but prepare for tomorrow as well.”

Huntington Beach has three oil wells at City Hall, each of which

produce a methane byproduct that is burned off on premises.

Cranmer said it is possible for the city to tap into that gas, instead

of just flaring it off, to provide the combustion needed for a

microturbine generator. UCI scientists, he added, have said that one

generator manufacturer is planning to donate a unit to the city.

Meanwhile, the city is hoping to find grants to help purchase a fuel

cell unit, though the gas needed there must be more refined than the

standard flare gas of an oil well, Cranmer said.

“This really would be an environmentally safe and clean project, and

keep the city in lights,” Councilwoman Debbie Cook said. “Huntington

Beach would become an energy-independent city.”