Cordova Psychrophiles Bio-Digester Benefit-Cost and Sensitivity Analysis
dc.contributor.author | Pathan, Sohrab | |
dc.contributor.author | Meléndez, Alejandra Villalobos | |
dc.contributor.author | Fay, Ginny | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-06-10T21:50:03Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-06-10T21:50:03Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2012-12 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11122/3888 | |
dc.description.abstract | Cordova is located in southcentral part of Alaska, 150 miles southeast of Anchorage, and can be accessed only by boat or plane. The average winter temperature1 varies from 17⁰ F to 28⁰ F (-8⁰ C to -2⁰ C) and the average summer temperature varies from 49⁰ F to 63⁰ F (9⁰ C to 17⁰ C).2 To support Cordova’s ongoing energy independence efforts , the Denali Commission approved a science project for the Science Club students at Cordova High School using Emerging Energy Technology Funds to develop a bio-digester that uses psychrophiles, a cold climate bacteria, that can reproduce in very cold temperatures, as low as 19⁰ F (-7.5⁰ C).3 Use of psychrophiles in a bio-digester in Cordova is a new technology that aims to produce low cost biogas for Alaskans who live in extreme cold temperatures. The production of biogas varies significantly depending on ambient temperatures. The cold climate application of this technology is in its research and development (R&D) phase, which makes in-depth economic analysis challenging as there is little cost information and many parts for the application of the technology have to be custom build. This paper describes a preliminary economic analysis of the Cordova project. In order to provide a study at this early stage in technology development, the analysis was prepared using a combined benefit-cost and sensitivity analysis to show the impacts of variations in methane output, and diesel fuel and propane prices. For this preliminary analysis we compared the bio-digester technology against diesel and propane fuel alternatives. | en_US |
dc.description.sponsorship | The Denali Commission. Alaska Center for Energy and Power. | en_US |
dc.description.tableofcontents | Table of Contents / List of Tables / Suggested Citation / Introduction / Economic Assumptions / Benefit-Cost Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis / Factors Driving the Benefit Cost Ratio / Conclusion / References / Appendix a. Estimated Present Values for the Psychrophiles Bio-digester / Appendix B. Fuel Price Projection / Appendix C. Anchorage CPI / Appendix D. Conversion Factors / Appendix E. Goal Seek for B-C ratio of 1 with Different Capital Costs / Appendix F. Goal Seek for B-C ratio of 1 with Different Labor and O&M Costs / Appendix G. Seek for B-C ratio of 1 with Different Total Costs | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
dc.publisher | Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage | en_US |
dc.title | Cordova Psychrophiles Bio-Digester Benefit-Cost and Sensitivity Analysis | en_US |
dc.type | Report | en_US |
refterms.dateFOA | 2020-02-26T01:26:24Z |