Deliberations on the $140 million budget increase revealed a divide among board members. Some advocated for a cautious strategy, suggesting incremental additions to the budget as required, while others argued for approving the full amount to ensure the momentum of project development. Though the General Manager clarified that any significant expenditures would still necessitate board approval, the necessity of such a large investment upfront was debated. The board ultimately agreed that careful consideration was vital before endorsing this substantial budget escalation.

The discussion on budget allocation also touched upon the potential for collaboration with other municipal light departments. The necessity for a thorough vetting process was emphasized, with some members proposing a reduction of the budget to $60 or $50 million until a comprehensive understanding of the carbon capture fuel cell project was achieved. The importance of progressing with necessary projects immediately to avoid stalling was also highlighted.

The board’s discussion on the long-duration battery centered around a collaborative effort with Form Energy to design a solution for the service territory. Form Energy proposed an iron-air battery system capable of storing 10 megawatts of energy for 100 hours. The benefits of this multi-day storage, such as peak reduction and the ability to offset mandatory load reductions during grid reliability issues, were discussed. The estimated cost of the project is between $30 to $40 million, with potential grant opportunities to offset expenditures.

The dialogue included technical debates over the iron-air battery technology and its comparison to lithium-ion batteries, pointing out advantages like domestic sourcing and non-flammability. Representatives from Form provided insights into the technology, which is expected to contribute to a clean energy transition and has a projected factory in West Virginia capable of producing 500 megawatts per year.

In terms of energy generation, the board reviewed a technology assessment study by Violi North America. It evaluated options including wind, solar, carbon capture, fuel cells, geothermal, and hydrogen engines based on various criteria such as capacity, costs, emissions, and land requirements. Discussions also explored the potential for geothermal, despite its current high costs and need for technological advancements.

The potential for residential solar arrays was also on the agenda, with the board considering ways to incentivize solar use. A due diligence trip was summarized, detailing a visit to a carbon capture system on a fuel cell at an apartment complex, which removed approximately five tons of CO2 daily. The board is contemplating the implementation of carbon capture technology that could provide 20 megawatts of base load capacity and potentially market the captured CO2 for use in various products.

The meeting further addressed concerns regarding legislative and regulatory challenges that could affect the carbon capture project. The need for a successful demonstration of carbon capture technology before integration with a fuel cell was underscored, given the associated risks and complexities.

On the topic of infrastructure, the board discussed the concept of a 345 KV ring to support future load needs, highlighting the challenges with transformers and switching gear when dealing with additional current. The planning for expected load increases over the next 10 to 20 years was seen as critical, with discussions on peak shaving and the economic benefits of long-duration energy storage systems. A motion was passed to enter into negotiations for such a system.