A new energy plan
BYLINE: Joseph Marks, Grand Forks Herald, N.D.
Mar. 5--UND could be generating its own electricity sometime in the next decade, using a new process to burn North Dakota lignite coal with little or no pollution.
The Energy and Environmental Research Center and the UND facilities department are in the early stages of developing the plan, which they said could give the campus a more reliable source of electricity and create marketable technology for the university.
Rick Tonder, UND associate facilities director, said the proposed coal plant would make the university more environmentally friendly by reducing emissions, while at the same time increasing the market for North Dakota lignite.
"The question is, is it possible to make this a win-win-win-win for everyone?" he said.
Five years to build
UND attempted to burn lignite last year, but was forced to switch to sub-bituminous coal from Montana and Wyoming because levels of ash emitted through the boilers were approaching emissions guidelines set by the North Dakota State Health Department, which in turn is guided by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Tonder estimated it would take at least five years to build and certify the new plant at a cost of $30 million to $50 million. He said UND's boilers will need to be replaced within the next several years in any case, which will require help from the state Legislature or another outside funding source.
Tonder said UND and the EERC would partner with Xcel Energy and the Lignite Council of North Dakota on the proposed project. He stressed UND is not dissatisfied with Xcel's service.
Tom Erickson, the EERC's associate director of research, said most of the science to cleanly burn North Dakota lignite is already in place, but it will take time and experimentation to build the system in a way that works reliably and is economically viable. If the plant is built, he said, it also could function as a platform for future EERC research into clean coal technology.
Erickson said the EERC and facilities department will work over the next few months on developing a more detailed plan and timeline.
"Everything's in its infancy right now," he said. "A lot will evolve over the next couple of months."
UND President Charles Kupchella said he strongly supports the plan, which he described as a boon to UND's research enterprise and to economic development in the state. He said it is unlikely any funding for the project will come through this legislative session, but said the university will continue to press for funds in future sessions.
"This is a long range deal," he said. "Sometimes, it's 10 years before an idea is actually realized and funded."
Marks reports on higher education. Reach him at (701) 780-1105, (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or jmarks@gfherald.com.
Copyright (c) 2007, Grand Forks Herald, N.D. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.