2023 Plant Retirement

Comprehensive Project Execution Case Studies

May 16-17, 2023 | Detroit, MI

0523-plant-retirement

The conference is well attended by owners who have performed the work and they are willing to honestly share good & bad experiences.” Business Development, Brandenburg

“Rather than a typical conference with consultants & contractors vying for client contacts/opportunities, this conference provided great insight into major utility’s successes and best practices for plant decommission.” Principal Engineer, Anchor QEA

“The quality of the presentations was outstanding! The topics covered were very relevant and the information shared will be very helpful to me.” Manager-Decommissioning, DTE Energy

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“Hearing other companies talk about the decommissioning process and their “lessons learned” is a valuable resource to the newcomers in this type of work. Knowing what not to do helps guide us to knowing what to do.” Senior Engineer, Santee Cooper

“Very informative sessions and enjoyed the discussion.” Plant Manager, Newfoundland Hydro/Nalcor Energy

“I really enjoyed the conference and have a much better understanding of all of the constituents needed to decommission/mothball a power plant.” Sr. Business Analyst, Southern Company

“Presentations provided valuable information on a timely subject affecting the power industry.” General Manager, Wisconsin Public Service

“This was a great introduction to and overview of utility experience in decommissioning and repurposing closed coal sites. I learned a lot for a new job role.” Sr. Program Manager, Wastewater Treatment, TVA

“An excellent conference to gain knowledge and share experiences with other stakeholders in the power industry.” General Manager, Business Support & Administration, Jamaica Public Service

Closing fossil fuel generation sites are complicated projects for all involved. For the asset teams and individuals that might be new to the process, as well as more experienced individuals, this program will provide relevant and immediately applicable knowledge and lessons that can be applied to your own projects including next steps in the plant closure process. The conference will also include a question-and-answer session of what owners should know during the closure process as well as a tour of a power plant closure in progress. Register for this program today and gain invaluable information on power plant closure and cleanup.

Learning Outcomes

• Review what DTE Energy has done and is doing with their generation facility closures
• Hear lessons learned and best practices in unit separation during partial closure of a facility
• Evaluate a decision analysis regarding liability transfer versus self-managed facility closure
• Make note of a demolition contractor’s perspective on planning from pre-bid, through early project preparations
• Explore the challenges after cessation of operations with the need to manage water and wastewater streams
• Review a closure case study on the relocation, specifications, equipment recovery, active plant activities, new construction, and demolition
• Expand on the regulatory cost considerations for remediating power plant sites
• Engage in a subject matter expert panel discussion on the challenges and unknowns
• Review the planning and progress for a successful clean-up and closure of a 1950’s coal plant
• Engage in a walking tour of DTE Energy’s in-progress River Rouge Plant

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

8:30 – 8:40 a.m. :: Announcements

8:40 – 8:45 a.m. :: Introduction

Michael Banks, Platform Director – Major Enterprise Projects Generation & Facilities, DTE Energy

 

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. :: Welcome

Renee Tomina, Sr. Vice President – Major Enterprise Projects, DTE Energy

 

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. :: Lessons Learned in Separation of Units for Independent Operation

This discussion will provide lessons learned and best practices to employ in unit separation. Consumers Energy’s Karn 1 & 2 are coal-fired power generating units capable of producing 255 and 260 MW of electricity and commissioned in 1959 and 1961, respectively.  Karn 3 & 4 are oil- and natural gas-fueled power generating units commissioned in 1957 and 1977, respectively, that can collectively generate more than 1,000 MW.  The cessation of Units 1 & 2 is currently scheduled for May 31, 2023; however, Units 3 & 4 are scheduled to continue to operate until 2031.  As Units 3 & 4 were commissioned after Units 1 & 2 and over years of collective service, select utilities and plant services were shared.  To complete decommissioning, demolition, and restoration of Units 1 & 2 while allowing Units 3 & 4 to continue operation, separation activities were required as this presentation will show.

Erin Busby, Project Manager, Consumers Energy

Keith Kotimko, US East Decommissioning and Demolition Leader, WSP

9:45 – 10:05 a.m. :: Networking Break

10:05 – 10:45 a.m. :: Gallagher Generating Station Liability Transfer Evaluation

This presentation will discuss the evaluation of options for Duke Energy’s Gallagher Generating Station and CCR Facility Closure.  A review of decision analysis regarding liability transfer versus self-managed facility closure and retirement.   We will also review the process used to manage proposals from liability transfer companies and demolition contractors.  We will present the criteria used in the evaluations and the selected path forward for the site.

Mike Wertz, GM CCP Midwest O&M & Plant Retirement, Duke Energy

10:45 – 11:25 a.m. :: Power Plant Demolition – Contractor Early Planning

This presentation will cover some of the early planning from pre-bidding, through bidding and early project preparations from the Demolition Contractor’s perspective.  The demolition projects are sizeable undertakings for the Owners and Engineering Representation, but also from the Contractor’s perspective in ensuring all the proper preparations are in in place to make it a safe, effective and successful job for all involved.  The presentation will be open to lively discussion and input from all the shareholders in the room on how we can work together for successful projects.

Douglas A. Thomas, P.E., Executive Project Manager, Independence Demolition

11:25 – 12:05 a.m. :: Planning for Post-Demo: Renewable Development on Brownfield Sites

This presentation will discuss opportunities for developing renewable energy projects on previously unusable land, such as landfills, brownfields, and coal combustion residual sites.  Topics of discussion will include approaches to project development, environmental and permitting requirements, design challenges, and lessons learned.

Andrew P. Vardakis, P.E., Vice President – Civil Engineer, WSP

12:05  – 1:00 p.m. :: Group Luncheon

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. :: Post-Cessation Challenges for Water Management

This discussion covers the challenges related to cessation of plant operations and the ongoing need to manage water and wastewater streams. Specifically, when plant shutdown occurs the overall volume of process water discharged through the permitted National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) will significantly decrease, resulting in an increased concentration of contaminants in the wastewater for future discharges. Therefore, solutions are required to allow discharge of water from the site in compliance with the NPDES Permit and applicable effluent limits. 

Brad Runkel, Project Manager, Consumers Energy

1:45 – 2:25 p.m. :: Preparing for Demolition in a Crowded Plant

A look at the demolition of a 365MW coal burning plant from a planning perspective.  Lessons learned on utility relocation, specifications, and equipment recovery ahead of demolition along with coordinating active plant activities, new construction, and demolition.

Michael Dammer, Production Engineering, Lakeland Electric

2:25 – 2:45 p.m. :: Networking Break

2:45 – 3:30 p.m. :: Rate Cost Recovery for Closing and Remediating Retired Power Plant Sites

This discussion will cover regulatory considerations for including the costs of retiring and remediating power plant sites.  The considerations include revenue requirements and accounting issues.

Richard Aaron, Member and Director of the Energy Industry Group, Dykema

 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. :: Panel Discussion: Plant Closure Complications

This moderated question-and-answer session will dive into the various unknowns and challenges that make these closure projects complicated operations. Topics such as closure expense budgeting, contracts, best practices, and lessons learned on demolition will be addressed.  Attendees should feel free to ask their questions of these expert panelists.

Neil Mortensen BSCM, MAOM, PMP, Project Manager, DTE Energy

Erin Busby, Project Manager, Consumers Energy

Mike Wertz, GM CCP Midwest O&M & Plant Retirement, Duke Energy

 

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Note: The second morning will occur at the River Rouge Power Plant site

 

8:00 – 8:15 a.m. :: Board Bus for the River Rouge Tour

The bus will be parked in front of DTE Energy, 1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, and will leave at 8:15 a.m. to take us to 1 Belanger Park Dr, River Rouge, MI 48218 for a presentation and tour.

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. :: Networking Continental Breakfast at River Rouge Power Plant

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. :: Welcome and Reminders

9:05 – 10:05 a.m. :: Retiring a 1950’s Power Plant

DTE Energy’s River Rouge coal-fired power plant was constructed on 100 acres on the banks of the Detroit River in the city of River Rouge and went into commercial operation in 1958 with two generating units of 260 megawatts each and a third at 320 megawatts. On May 31, 2021, River Rouge supplied its final megawatt of power and the closure process began. This presentation will review the process undertaken since and the next steps to complete the clean-up successfully.

Neil Mortensen BSCM, MAOM, PMP, Project Manager, DTE Energy

Matthew Pierson PE, PMP, Supervising Engineer – MEP, DTE Energy

10:05 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Tour of River Rouge Power Plant

Attendees have the option of driving or ridesharing to the site themselves as parking is available. In addition, those riding the bus have the option of leaving the tour site on their own. The site is closer to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport than downtown is. Otherwise, attendees can return to the downtown DTE Energy building on the bus.

This walking tour will look at this 1950’s retired plant that has three generating units. This walk of River Rouge will discuss the progress made and plans for the final removal of the facilities.

PPE is required for the tour. Feel free to bring your own, but DTE Energy will provide hard hats, safety glasses, vests, and hearing protection for tour attendees.

12:00 p.m. :: Tour and Conference Concludes

12:20 p.m. :: Return from Tour to DTE Energy, 1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI

• Richard Aaron, Member and Director of the Energy Industry Group, Dykema

• Erin Busby, Project Manager, Consumers Energy

• Michael Dammer, Production Engineering, Lakeland Electric

• Keith Kotimko, US East Decommissioning and Demolition Leader, WSP

• Neil Mortensen BSCM, MAOM, PMP, Project Manager, DTE Energy

• Brad Runkel, Project Manager, Consumers Energy

• Douglas A. Thomas, P.E., Executive Project Manager, Independence Demolition

• Renee Tomina, Sr. Vice President – Major Enterprise Projects, DTE Energy

• Mike Wertz, GM CCP Midwest O&M & Plant Retirement, Duke Energy

 

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

2023 Plant Retirement

May 16-17, 2023 | Detroit, MI

Buy 4 in-person seats and only pay for 3! For this event every fourth in-person attendee is free!

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RELATED WORKSHOPS:

Tour of River Rouge Power Plant

May 17

Individual attendee(s) - $ 0.00 each
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Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before April 14, 2023 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.0 CEUs for this event.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, and group discussion will be used in this event.

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Conference CPE Credits: 11.0
There is no prerequisite for this Conference.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Live
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

As of December 16, 2021

EUCI considers the safety of all those onsite at event name as our top priority including our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and event staff. In these efforts to host a safe and productive event, we pledge to follow all guidelines and mandates set by State and local authorities as well as CDC guidelines.  Please note, these guidelines and mandates may change from time to time.

On-Site Safety Practices Include:

• Acceptable face coverings required of all Attendees at the Event who are not fully vaccinated, or for all participants where required by venue. Participants are responsible for providing their own face coverings.
• Daily self-health screenings for all attendees
• Reminders to socially distance when appropriate, wash your hands often, cover your cough, or sneeze and stay home if you are sick
• Modify gathering and seating areas to allow for appropriate physical distancing
• Attendees will have the option to indicate their comfort level for personal interaction through the use of Green/Yellow/Red stickers displayed on their conference badge.  Unless otherwise indicated with a Green sticker by both attendees, handshakes and other physical contact should be avoided
• Provide access to appropriate first aid personnel and share local resources for pharmacy, urgent care, and hospital

 Prior to arriving at the Event, we encourage each attendee to do the following:

• Visit the Event Website for any updates to our Health & Safety Guidelines
• Familiarize yourself with the Event’s Onsite Terms & Conditions. Acknowledgement and acceptance will be required to pick up your badge onsite.

Event Management has the right to remove or exclude anyone from the event if they do not follow our Health & Safety policies or do not follow Health & Safety instructions set forth by the Event or venue staff.