NTH Helps Indeck Niles LLC Quickly Secure Air Permit for Energy Center
By Rhiana Dornbos, P.E., NTH Project Engineer
By Rhiana Dornbos, P.E., NTH Project Engineer
The planned Indeck Niles Energy Center in Niles, Michigan will be a 1,000-megawatt combined-cycle power plant fueled by clean natural gas. The facility is being developed to fill the need for generating resources created by the decommissioning of less-efficient coal-fired plants in the region.
The plan is for the facility to be operational by 2020, however, prior to construction, Indeck Niles had to go through the permitting process - and that's where NTH comes into the picture. NTH was chosen by Indeck Niles to assist in securing an air permit for the construction of the Energy Center.
On March 3, 2016, NTH met with representatives of Indeck Niles, LLC to discuss air permitting requirements for a new natural gas combined-cycle electric baseload plant. The new power plant will consist of two natural gas-fired CTGs, two HRSGs equipped with natural gas-fired duct burners, one steam turbine generator, and ancillary equipment. NTH developed air emission estimates for several operational scenarios, including various equipment manufacturers and ambient conditions, baseload operation, and startup and shutdown.
The plan is for the facility to be operational by 2020, however, prior to construction, Indeck Niles had to go through the permitting process - and that's where NTH comes into the picture. NTH was chosen by Indeck Niles to assist in securing an air permit for the construction of the Energy Center.
On March 3, 2016, NTH met with representatives of Indeck Niles, LLC to discuss air permitting requirements for a new natural gas combined-cycle electric baseload plant. The new power plant will consist of two natural gas-fired CTGs, two HRSGs equipped with natural gas-fired duct burners, one steam turbine generator, and ancillary equipment. NTH developed air emission estimates for several operational scenarios, including various equipment manufacturers and ambient conditions, baseload operation, and startup and shutdown.
| The permit application also included a detailed review of applicable state and federal air quality regulations, an extensive air pollution control technology evaluation, and an ambient impact analysis | NTH’s experience in air permitting for power generation includes an in-depth understanding of operational complexities, permit flexibility to ensure future compliance, and proper implementation of applicable air permitting analyses, regulations, and accepted guidance. |
As part of air pollution control technology evaluation, NTH performed an in-depth review of NOx, CO, and VOC BACT limits and averaging periods on the combined-cycle CTGs in order to permit optimal operational flexibility and ensure future compliance across various operating conditions. NTH reviewed SCR and oxidation catalyst performance at numerous similar sources nationwide, in support of proposed BACT limitations, which were accepted by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). NTH also provided theoretical cost information for PM, SO2, and CO2 control technology on natural gas CTGs at the request of MDEQ, although there is no current application of these controls on gas CTGs.
Finally, NTH performed an ambient impact analysis to demonstrate compliance with air quality standards and increments using computational models through the use of accepted guidance and methodology. The modeling analysis consistently supported flexible operation of the plant.
During biweekly calls, NTH worked closely with MDEQ during permit review to allow for timely permit approval. NTH provided feedback to MDEQ on draft permit conditions regarding regulatory consistency and operational flexibility. Within a few weeks after the close of the public comment period, MDEQ issued the permit with insignificant changes.
The permit application was submitted to MDEQ on May 10, 2016, and the permit was issued on January 4, 2017. Indeck Niles LLC obtained the permit ahead of schedule and with flexible conditions originally requested in the application.
During biweekly calls, NTH worked closely with MDEQ during permit review to allow for timely permit approval. NTH provided feedback to MDEQ on draft permit conditions regarding regulatory consistency and operational flexibility. Within a few weeks after the close of the public comment period, MDEQ issued the permit with insignificant changes.
The permit application was submitted to MDEQ on May 10, 2016, and the permit was issued on January 4, 2017. Indeck Niles LLC obtained the permit ahead of schedule and with flexible conditions originally requested in the application.
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