Energy Market Signature Projects

​REO TOWN COGENERATION PLANT
Environmental & Geotechnical
The Lansing Board of Water and Light (LBWL) undertook an award-winning project located in downtown Lansing that included the development of a new power plant and administrative offices. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant comprised of two natural gas-fired combustion turbines equipped with the heat recovery system generators, condensing steam turbines with associated cooling tower. NTH first developed an air use permit application for the installation of the CHP Plant and the decommissioning of the Moores Park boilers. NTH demonstrated through a netting analysis that the project would not result in a “net increase” of pollutants and was not subject to complicated PSD requirements. 
DTE Energy - NEW NET BANKS
​Structural and Geotechnical Design
​As part of their network upgrade, DTE required their aging transformer support structures to be updated. NTH was retained to assess the existing structures and create a new standard design to replace their nearly 80-year-old inventory.  Among one of the unique design challenges faced was creating a foundation design that could be used in most locations while minimizing the footprint in order to avoid the adjacent utilities and truck traffic usually present at the typical alley installation locations. The resulting set of design plans will help to propel DTE in accomplishing their goal to be the best-operated energy company in North America. 
DTE ENERGY FACILITIES CAPITAL PLANNING
Asset Management Program
​NTH ​has been a trusted advisor to DTE Energy Company for more than 54 years, helping DTE address facility needs and asset preservation services. In 2011, NTH developed a mutli-year capital asset management program for a wide range of facility systems and components such as site features, pavements, building envelope (facades and roofs), interiors, and electrical / mechanical / plumbing systems. This program also included the assessment of over 60 DTE facilities, development of a comprehensive database, as well as the coordination of database updates on completed projects. NTH also continues to provide consulting services to DTE using the VFA facility database.
HOLLAND ENERGY PARK
Air Permit Development
Over a period of 12 weeks, NTH worked closely with multiple stakeholders as the facility design unfolded to address air permitting requirements. NTH calculated air emission for several operational scenarios, including various turbine loads, startup, and shutdown and evaluated applicable state and federal air quality regulations that may impact operation of the plant. An extensive air pollution control technology evaluation was also conducted. Finally, NTH conducted a thorough ambient impact analysis using dispersion modeling techniques to determine concentrations of regulated air contaminants for comparison to health-based standards. 
CONSUMERS ENERGY 
Air Quality Services
​NTH prepared a permit application for a new 930 MW advanced supercritical pulverized coal (ASCPC) boiler capable of firing 100 percent western sub-bituminous coal with the ability of blending up to 50 percent of eastern bituminous coal. The air permit submitted by NTH provided Consumers with as much operational flexibility as possible. To address concerns for mercury and lead, NTH performed deposition modeling for use in human health risk assessment, which was included in the permit application. NTH also conducted a dispersion modeling analysis of all expected pollutants for comparison to the national ambient air quality standards, PSD Class II increments, and toxic air containment screening levels per Michigan Rule 279.

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CMS ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT RISK ASSESSMENT
Environmental Permitting and Mitigation Measure for Acquisition
NTH ​worked to provide a complete review of the environmental permits, permit conditions, and mitigation measures for a wind farm project a utility client was in the process of acquiring, to add to their growing renewable energy portfolio. NTH assisted with coordinating, communicating, and reviewing the regulatory requirements and provided the scientific expertise to determine the environmental requirements and level of effort needed to operate the project within compliance. Upon completion of the review, NTH delivered a comprehensive matrix, breaking down all of the critical permit dates and reporting requirements, and the level of continued effort once the wind farm becomes operational.
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