Growing energy demand in Holland prompts HBPW to pursue expanding generation at the James DeYoung coal power plant. HBPW explores new generation technologies at JDY including algae biofuel, a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler, and carbon sequestration. HBPW proposes a 78MW CFB boiler unit replacement at JDY, and seeks two federal grants to study and implement a carbon capture and sequestration system (CCS – capturing CO2 and injecting it into underground rock formations) under Tulip City Airport. Without the support of a $380 million federal grant to implement a carbon sequestration solution, HBPW officials scrap the sequestration project but continue to pursue 78MW replacement unit. HBPW and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources enter into an extended legal dispute over approval of the JDY generation expansion air permit. HBPW prevails at every court and eventually is awarded the permit. HBPW launches an exhaustive Sustainable Return On Investment (SROI) study to look at the financial, social, economic, environmental and health impacts of several new generation options for the community. HBPW launches the Power for the 21st Century (P21) community outreach, engagement and communications campaign. An assembly of community stakeholders collaborate in two RAP Sessions to define the scope and categories to be studied in the SROI. More on RAP #1 here. And more on RAP #2 here. HBPW also hosts several informational sessions on potential fuels, electric generation technologies, district heating, HBPW and HDR conclude a year-long SROI study and present the results to the community. The results point toward a natural gas solution with supplemental PPAs for renewable energy. HBPW opens a public comment period to gather questions on the results, and concludes with a Q&A event. After reviewing the SROI results, HBPW issues key recommendations on how to proceed. At a joint city council and board capstone event, HBPW shares the recommendations and gathers consensus from key stakeholders in the process. City Council overwhelmingly approves construction of a natural gas plant, enabling HBPW to begin searching for a suitable location. Consistent with HBPW’s recommendations from SROI, the board and city council approve a Power Purchase Agreement for 17MW of wind generation from Beebe Wind Farm in Ithaca, MI. After considering nine potential sites around the community, HBPW selects a 26-acre plot around 5th St. & Fairbanks. The location is optimal for snowmelt expansion and district heat because of its close proximity to downtown. It also offers the opportunity to renew and improve the city’s primary HBPW assembles a Blue Ribbon Panel with a cross-section of community stakeholders to collaborate with HDR on architectural designs for the future Holland Energy Park. MDEQ approves Permit to Install for the proposed 114MW natural gas plant. After meeting several times, the Blue Ribbon Panel develops consensus around a design that represents a resource, destination and gateway for the Holland community. HBPW presents the design the community the following January. HBPW begins the search for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor that will oversee construction of the plant. HBPW works with local police and sheriff departments to utilize the former Atmospheric Processing Inc (API) building for tactical training. They also utilize vacated homes in the area for smoke-out exercises. With a AA credit rating from both Moody’s and S&P, HBPW and city council approve and sell $158.84 million of municipal bonds to finance the Holland Energy Park. HBPW begins planning for extensive materials reuse and collaborates with local charities to re-purpose building materials from vacated properties at the 26-acre site. Holland City Council approves a land transfer of several acres from Holland Township to the CIty of Holland to unite the properties necessary for the Holland Energy Park. HBPW completes a year-long process of relocation assistance and acquisitions of 28 residential, eight commercial and one industrial property across the 26-acre site, clearing the way to begin demolition and preparation. HBPW contracts with Siemens to purchase two 67MW natural gas combustion turbines and a steam turbine for combined cycle generation. HBPW also contracts with Vogt Power International to purchase two heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) units. HBPW begins demolition of the API building and other properties at the site. In collaboration with ERM, HBPW executes a number of environmental remediation initiatives to restore the land at the future energy park site. HBPW announces the preferred path to connect the Holland Energy Park into the city’s existing 138kV transmission system. HBPW enters an Engineering Services Agreement with Barton Malow to continue Holland Energy Park design progress while also developing a final EPC contract. Holland City Council and HBPW approve an EPC contract with Barton Malow for design and construction of the Holland Energy Park. HBPW and Barton Malow begin the open book process of the EPC contract for construction of the Holland Energy Park Holland BPW breaks ground for construction of the Holland Energy Park. Barton Malow pours the four foot thick concrete foundation for Unit 10. Read more. HBPW Board of Directors approve a change order to conform contract language, with $0 change in contract price. Siemens combustion turbines and generators arrive at the site. Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) from Vogt in Korea arrive at the Energy Park. The Siemens steam turbine and generator (STG) arrive marking the last of the major generation equipment deliveries to site.
2006-2007: New Generation Needs
Jun-Aug 2008: Exploring Generation Options
Aug 08 – Sep 09: Carbon Capture & Sequestration
Dec 2009: HBPW Scraps CCS
2010 – 2011: Air Permit Struggle
Jul 2011: Sustainable Return On Investment
Sep 15, 2011: Power for the 21st Century
Sep – Nov 2011: RAP Sessions & Presentations
Aug 2012: SROI Results
Aug – Sep 2012: Public Comment
Oct 2011: Recommendations & SROI Capstone
Dec. 2012: City Council Approves Plant
Mar 2013: Beebe Wind Contract
Jul 2013: Site Selection
Nov – Dec 2013: Blue Ribbon Panel
Dec 2013: MDEQ Issues Permit
Jan 2014: Architectural Designs Revealed
Feb 2013: EPC Search Begins
Jan-Jul 2014: Public Safety Collaboration
Feb – Mar 2014: Bond Sales
Apr – Jun 2013: Nonprofit Collaboration
Jun 2014: Land Transfer
Jul 2014: Properties Acquired
Jul 2014: Turbine and HRSG Contracts
Jul – Oct 2014: Site Demolition
Jul – Nov 2014: Environmental Remediation
Sep 2014: Transmission Lines Announced
Nov 2014: HBPW enters ESA with Barton Malow
Jan 2015: Barton Malow Chosen as EPC
Jan 2015: Open Book Process with Barton Malow Begins
Apr 2015: Groundbreaking
June 2015: First Major Concrete Pour
June 2015: Open Book Process Complete
July 2015: CTGs Arrive
Aug 2015: HRSGs Arrive
Sep 2015: STG Arrives at Site
