Utility seeks city’s approval to purchase 6 natural-gas generators, massive solar field to replace C.D. McIntosh Unit 3, which is scheduled to be shuttered in the fall of 2024.
LAKELAND — After nearly a year of intense debate, Lakeland Electric’s staff has a game plan for replacing its aging coal-fired plant — and it’s greener than originally suggested.
Ron Kremann, LE’s special projects manager, said the utility is looking to purchase five natural-gas internal combustion engines and possibly a 50-megawatt solar field with a battery backup to replace C.D. McIntosh Unit 3. The plant is slated to close by the fall of 2024.
The proposal is to install a total of six internal combustion engines at the McIntosh site — five to replace the coal plant plus one additional. The units’ appeal lies in that they can be powered up quickly to handle spikes in energy demands, according to Kremann, while producing fewer emissions than simple cycle gas turbines. The engines have a 30-year lifespan and are 99% recyclable.
If approved, the natural-gas engines would be capable of generating up to 120 megawatts of electric — compared to the 365-megawatt capacity of Unit 3 that’s shared with the Orlando Utilities Commission. The total cost for the six units is estimated at $140 million, according to LE spokeswoman Cathryn Lacy.
"We would actually be above most of our needs, everywhere but in the winter we could meet peak demand and have reserves," Kremann said.
Joel Ivy, Lakeland Electric’s general manager, said the 50-megawatt solar field will "set the stage" for the municipal-owned utility to take advantage of future technological developments. However, Ivy warned solar alone cannot be considered a reliable generator replacement.
"Solar is a reasonable energy producing product, but it doesn’t get you much capacity," he said. "You have to be able to fulfill that capacity in the event solar isn’t there on a rainy day."
LE officials originally announced in January they were looking to add approximately 30 megawatts of solar power. But an outside consultant has since recommended the city-owned utility should install a larger 50-to-70 megawatt field, according to Kremann.
The utility’s staff is divided on the issue. Kremann said he leans toward building a smaller, 30 megawatts of solar field. Ivy said that he’d like to see it be 50 megawatts.
The solar panels have an anticipated life cycle of 25 years, according to Kremann, though many are still operational after 35 years at reduced efficiency.
"In reality, the first solar cell built is still operational after 65 years," he said.
Going solar would help Lakeland Electric decrease its carbon footprint and be environmentally-friendly. Solar panels create 20kg of emissions per megawatt, largely produced during their construction and shipping. The panels can be recycled, though Kremann warned the current process can be expensive and slow.
"They are much more beneficial than harmful when it comes to their carbon footprint," Ivy said.
The solar panels would cover approximately 6.5 acres of land per megawatt of generation capacity. Ivy put it in perspective, saying it would be approximately 10 times the size of the field currently at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
Lacy said the solar panels and battery on city-owned land will cost approximately $25 to $35 per megawatt hour, based upon the utility’s final power purchase agreement.
Lakeland Electric forecasts it will produce 67% less carbon emissions than it did in 2001 if it moves forward with installing the internal combustion engines and solar field, according to Ivy.
Commissioner Stephanie Madden said she had concerns about the proposed plan should environmentalists continue to push for limits on fracking, a drilling process that produces natural gas. Madden’s words were echoed by utility committee member Daryl Johnson.
"I’m uncomfortable with one fuel source," Johnson said. "I know coal is a four-letter word but at some point will we look back at the wholistic approach and find out coal is not as bad as we thought it was."
Kremann said the six combustion engines could be modified to run on other fuel sources, including propane, diesel and liquid natural gas, if desired at a later date. Those fuels are currently more expensive to purchase.
"This is meant to be a steppingstone to get us to that next step," he said.
The city’s utility committee, which includes all city commissioners, will tentatively vote on the proposed replacement plan at their April 6 meeting.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545.
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