A short survey on the different types of electricity generation from a variety of sources including nuclear, fossil, Hydro, biomass, etc.

1. Energy: It’s Use, Generation, Costs, and PM
Presented by:
David Tennant, PE, PMP
770-846-0828
dvtent@windward.ws

2. Dilbert by Scott Adams

3. A little bit about me:
Experience includes Engineering, Marketing, Executive
Management, Managerial Consulting and Coaching
Successfully implemented over $3.5-Billion in projects
Currently developing two alternative energy projects in
North America
Possess BS, MS and MBA, registered Engineer in
Georgia, PMP certified Project Manager
Project assignments include USA, Finland, Canada, the
Caribbean basin, Honduras, Germany, New Zealand, Czech
Republic
David Tennant
Windward1@comcast.net

4. Power Generation and PM
Today’s Objectives:
• Introduce you to different types of power production (energy)
(Pros and Cons)
• Share the costs associated with each
• Discussion of PM in the energy industry

5. When you flip on the light switch at
home:
• Where does electrical energy come
from?
• How is it made?
• How is it transported to your home?
• Is it safe?
• How much does it cost?
• What kind of fuel is used to create
electricity? Why should I care?

6. Additional Types of Energy not common in SE (yet)
Biomass:
• WTE, Waste-to-Energy (i.e. garbage)
• Human & animal wastes
Other:
• Wind
• Solar (limited at present to demo plants)
• Geothermal

7. Coal used in many power plants around the world
Pro:
Plentiful
Relatively inexpensive
Large reserves in USA
Con:
Hard, dangerous work for miners
Contributes to greenhouse gas/global
warming and air pollution

8. Coal power plants
Control Room

9. How Electricity is Made from Coal

10. Notice coal pile for this fossil-fueled power plant

11. Water: used in power plants near a
high source of water
Pro:
Very inexpensive
Several large hydro-electric
facilities in USA
Clean Energy –no pollution or
greenhouse gasses
Con:
Limited– all the good sites have
already been developed
Some controversy about downstream
ecologic damage (fish, river banks)

12. How Electricity is Made in Hydro Facilities

13. Hydro-electric Facilities

14. Hydro-electric Facilities

15. Uranium: used in nuclear power
plants
Pro:
Moderate cost
Clean Energy—no greenhouse
gasses of any kind
Safe
One plant generates a huge
amount of power
Con:
Nuclear waste from spent fuel stays radioactive
for tens of thousands of years
Where to store the wastes
An accident could have wider, more serious
consequences than other power plants
Spent fuel must not fall into terrorists hands

16. Nuclear Power Facts:
430 nuclear plants worldwide
104 nuclear plants in USA
77% of power in France is nuclear
65% of power in Lithuania is nuclear
20% of power in USA is nuclear
A nuclear power
Facility in Switzerland

17. More facts:
Uranium is found in nature as U-238 and has a ½ life
of 4.5-billion years. This decay is a natural process.
It has been around since the planet was formed.
U-235 is used in both nuclear power plants and for
nuclear bombs.
It is also found naturally; but must be processed for
use as a fuel. It gives off alpha radiation.
Splitting the atom releases heat and gives of gamma
and beta radiation. Uranium must be enriched by 3%
for fuel; 90% for bombs.
One pound of U-235 (enriched) is equal to about 1-
million gallons of gasoline in energy content.

18. How Electricity is Made from Uranium
Turbine - Generator

19. Reactor Containment Vessel

20. Nuclear Plant in SE
Reactor fuel bundles
(About 200)
Fuel storage
pool

21. Natural Gas: Power Production
Pro:
Clean—some greenhouse gases, but
much less than coal
Large supply in the United States
Con:
Getting expensive
Natural gas not
available in all states
Natural Gas Power Plant

22. Remember, Biomass includes:
• Wood
• Plant materials such as peanut hulls,
pecan shells, sawgrass, etc.
• Sugar cane residues
• Garbage
• Human and animal wastes

23. Biomass: Power Production
Pro:
Clean—some greenhouse gases, but
much less than coal
Large supply worldwide
Minimal air emissions
Con:
More expensive than
traditional energy sources
Plants are limited in size
and power output
Fuel must be available
within a 50-mile radius

24. Wood-fueled Power Plants
Energy content of:
Wood: 4,500 btu/lb
Coal: 15,000 btu/lb

25. Poultry Litter power plant

26. Garbage: Wastes-to-Energy Power Production
Pros:
• Good way to dispose of waste when running out of landfill space
• Good when water table is too high for landfill use (Florida)
• Good for islands with limited space (Caribbean, others)
Cons:
• Expensive
• Serious air emissions challenges
• Usually a lot of truck traffic

27. How Electricity is Made from Garbage

28. WTE Plant
Massachusetts
WTE Plant
Hawaii

29. Wind Energy
Pro:
• No air emissions or greenhouse gasses
• Competitive costs
Con:
• Not much power output per unit
• Hazardous to birds
• What if there’s no wind?

30. Solar Energy Pro:
• Clean, non-polluting
• Energy Source is free (sun)
Con:
• Very Expensive- not yet
competitive
• Technology for PV’s is
still being perfected
Photo-voltaic cells on rooftops
Generate 18 kW
Critical to commercial success of PV technologies are advances in
module efficiencies; and improvements in cost and reliability.

31. Also used to create steam for use in power plant turbines
Solar collectors near Newnan, GA

32. What about costs?

33. Project Management Challenges
In
The Energy Industry
Always assess your risks…

34. Project Management Challenges
In the Energy Industry
• Not yet “in tune” with PMI
• Haven’t adopted new techniques
• Some utilities are changing (competitive issue)
• Technology of energy production has evolved but
PM has not
• Not familiar with PMP designation
• Believe that “Technical Manager” is best suited
for this type of project

35. Project Management Challenges
In the Energy Industry
Techniques that Energy Biz would really find useful:
• Risk Reviews
• Use of Earned Value to Track Projects
• Communications Planning
• Team Building Techniques
• Better Project Planning
• Stronger Definition of Roles and Responsibilities
• Improved Documentation

36. Project Management Challenges
In the Energy Industry
Project Managers need key managerial
skills more than technical skills:
• Strong communication skills—written & verbal
• Ability to grasp situations and its implications
• Can sell ideas and obtain executive support
(negotiations)
• Motivate the team
• Staying focused on the deliverables and end results
• Managing client expectations
• Resolving conflict

37. Project Management Challenges
In the Energy Industry
Yearly Utility Conferences:
PowerGen
Power Engineering
ASME Power Conference
IEEE
More recently, a variety of biomass power conferences
have been conducted

38. Project Management Challenges
In the Energy Industry
Key Points in Energy:
Energy biz is growing--worldwide. Especially in:
• Nuclear
• Wind
• Biomass
• Alternative fuels (bio-diesel)
Not growing:
• Coal (at least in USA)
• Ethanol

39. Project Management Challenges
In the Energy Industry
Positions available:
•Project Management
•Engineering
•Marketing
•Sales
•Planning
•Safety
Note that alternative energy will most likely be funded
with Federal spending. The private sector is taking a
“wait and see” approach.

40. Summary Points
• The demand for energy is growing world wide
• There is a shift away from coal—in the USA
• There is an emphasis on a mix of alternative energy sources:
Biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear
• These alternative sources of energy are more costly than
traditional energy (coal, gas, oil)
• Project Management can and should play a leading role in
the energy industry
• There are career opportunities for strong PMs—esp if you
have a technical background

41. Dilbert by Scott Adams

42. Thank you!