Seeking accurate data on Power plant O&M costs

[schumacherd]

We are involved now in developing some new projects and are evaluating the advantages / disadvantages of varioud technologies: Diesel Engines fired with HFO, Combined Cycle GAs turbines, advanced CCGT, Pet Coke, and Coal.

We want to develop a spreadsheet that shows the following:

Expected capital cost per KW
Variable costs, cents per KWH
Fixed costs $$ per year or cents per KWH
Labor costs $$ per year or sents per KWH
Long Term life cycle costs (major mte) per Year x 20 years

Anyone having anything to contribute to this effort we will be glad to send you a copy of the final document, should be a helpful thing to have around.

Regards

Duane
schumacherd@egehaina.com

 

[gcaudill]

I once investigated up front costs associated with purchasing different generator types. Below is compilation of aquisition costs I collected. I do not have subsequent operating costs.

Specifications were:
3-6MW capacity.
4160V primary, 480/3/60 secondary.
Continuous use.
Parallel switchgear included for alternate utility.

Diesel only:
Cummins-Onan: $300 per kW
Caterpillar: $735,000, 2 units @ 1.6MW ea.
Inland Detriot Diesel (EMF): $1.6M, 1 unit @ 3.85MW

Natural Gas Reciprocating:
Cummins-Onan: $1.46M, 2 units @ 1.7MW ea.
Caterpillar: $1.585M, 4 units @ 0.8MW ea.

Natural Gas Turbine:
Caterpillar: $2M, 2 units @ 1.5MW ea.
GE Power Systems: $2.4M, 1 unit @ 5MW
Allison Engines (Rolls Royce): $1.55M, 1 unit @ 3.95MW

Dual Fual Reciprocating (Diesel/Natural Gas):
Fairbanks Morse: $4.42M, 1 unit @ 5.6MW

I did learn that natural gas reciprocating generally offer the best trade-off between initial cost, long term operating fuel costs, and emissions standards. Of course this all varies by location.