The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is moving forward in its energy plans through two projects that will help map out the CNMI\u2019s future on energy.<\/p>\n
The two essential projects are the Geothermal Resource Assessment and Integrated Resource Plan and Energy Supply Analysis.<\/p>\n
According to CUC executive director Alan Fletcher, both projects are now underway following formal procurement and selection processes.<\/p>\n
The geothermal feasibility study will perform \u201cexploratory deep drilling\u201d on Saipan that will go three times deeper than the current groundwater and injection wells.<\/p>\n
This will help confirm any heat source that may be present and gather geological information such as the rock type, alteration, structural deformation, and permeability.<\/p>\n
\u201cA temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will indicate whether a viable geothermal resource exists in this area of Saipan, as has been suggested by previous findings of warm water in this same area during shallower, water well drilling,\u201d Fletcher stated.<\/p>\n
According to him, the prime contractor for the project is 4I\u2019s CNMI LLC, along with subcontractors Maevelle Energy and Alexander Drilling. <\/p>\n
Fletcher said that in October 2013, CUC had begun work with geothermal experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Southern Methodist University to draft a new request for proposal for Saipan.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing industry-wide advertisements, a source selection committee comprised of geologists and engineering professionals made the contractor selection. The contract negotiations with 4i\u2019s CNMI LLC was completed in the end of June and beginning of the meeting was July 7,\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
For energy solutions, Fletcher is working with Leidos Engineering, LLC.<\/p>\n
The integrated resource plan project\u2019s purpose is to determine the best combination of both base-load and renewable energy sources capable of providing reliable power at the lowest price to consumers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will determine the community\u2019s long-term energy plan and assuring that the best possible mix of technologies, management, and financing options is selected,\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
He said the first activity CUC conducted on the integrated resource plan was obtaining stakeholder input and developing a request for proposal for the base-load energy supply.<\/p>\n
\u201cCUC hopes to attract a wide range of responsive and responsible energy supply proposals by offering an open and competitive procurement,\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
He also said that Leidos will also conduct an independent third-party technical evaluation and monitoring of the proposals for a most \u201ccost-effective, long-term\u201d energy solution for consumers.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, fuel costs account for 70 percent of the electric bills in the CNMI and converting to another source of base-load generation has the greatest potential for economic savings for consumers,\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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