Grand Rapids, MN (February 4, 2010) JDI Contracts Inc. (JDI) and Northern Industrial Erectors (NIE) played an important role in the successful deployment of a new innovative technology called DryFiningTM at Great River Energy’s (GRE) Coal Creek Station in central North Dakota.
The DryFiningTM technology refines lignite coal so that it burns more efficiently and releases fewer emissions into the environment. GRE placed its DryFiningTM system into commercial service in December 2009 following a major retrofit at its Coal Creek Station near Underwood, ND.
JDI, based in Grand Rapids, MN, was involved throughout the project as a construction manager and owner’s representative. They provided comprehensive services, including construction and site management, overall project scheduling, transition planning, contractor integration, materials management, and expediting. A combined project leadership team, led and facilitated by JDI, began work in mid-2007 to complete scheduling, transition, and construction plans. JDI also provided control systems engineering services for the project, provided startup leadership, and worked closely with a Great River Energy startup team, culminating in successful commercialization.
NIE, also based in Grand Rapids MN, provided general contractor services for the civil, structural, architectural, and machinery erection of the project. After completing the construction phase, which took more than two years, NIE also provided startup services and construction maintenance until the project was completed.
During the project, NIE employed over 200 full-time construction craft personnel. North Dakota had several major construction projects going on during this time, so the DryFiningTM project provided many craft workers from Minnesota and Wisconsin with much needed employment.
“We are so happy to be a part of a great project team that worked so hard and closely together to accomplish a demanding project schedule. In addition, we are very proud to be involved with a new leading edge technology,” said Stan Bostyancic, president of NIE.
Through the project, JDI provided over 20 management and engineering jobs, also generating business activity for their company during a recession.
“It is with great pride, as part of a delegation of northern Minnesota companies, including NIE, Barr Engineering, and North Engineering, that we were able to help with the development of a new technology with the great promise of DryFiningTM. The project resulted in over 800 jobs for local workers, new technology development, and positive business activity for our companies during this tough economic downturn,” said Roger L. Hoyum, president and founder of JDI Contracts Inc.
Coal Creek Station, like many power plants throughout the world, uses lignite coal to generate electricity. Lignite is considered a low-rank coal, due in part to its moisture content of 39.5%. The coal drying component of DryFiningTM reduces the moisture content to about 29.5%, which will result in a 14 percent reduction in fuel input by weight at the power plant. The system also separates particles by density, removing a significant amount of heavier compounds containing sulfur and mercury, rather than burning them in the boiler.
The overall benefit is a better burning coal, reduced fuel input into the boilers, increased overall plant efficiency, and a significant reduction in emissions.
The DryFiningTM system offers significant operating benefits for Coal Creek Station, which translates into immediate benefits for Great River Energy’s cooperative members. “The project is part of a larger, long-term strategy designed to lower costs and improve our environmental performance, while developing new technology and innovation to benefit the fossil fuels industry,” said David Saggau, president and CEO of Great River Energy.
About JDI Contracts Inc.
JDI Contracts Inc. (JDI) provides integrated leadership, technical, business, and field support services to production-oriented operations. Owner representation services are backed up by extensive real world experiences in management, engineering and design, accounting and finance, information technology, and construction and maintenance craft work. JDI leads diverse stakeholder teams through all project phases by collaboratively developing a complete project road map, then navigating to an in-service notification on time, under budget, and within specifications.
For more information, contact JDI at 218-328-0040 or via e-mail at contact@jdicontracts.com.
About Northern Industrial Erectors
Northern Industrial Erectors (NIE) provides full service construction, structural steel erection, and industrial maintenance services delivered by highly trained tradesmen. NIE is committed to business excellence, offers the highest industry safety standards, and exceeds OSHA and MSHA compliance requirements. NIE’s diverse experience with all types of heavy industry will save you time and money.
Northern Industrial Erectors
218-326-8466 • sbostyancic@nie-grmn.com • http://www.nie-mn.com/
2500 Glenwood Drive, P.O. Box 308 • Grand Rapids, MN 55744
JDI Contracts Inc., founded in 2003, is a Midwest-based professional services consulting group that provides experienced business and project services including: Owner representation, program and project management Integrated engineering services, process design, and integrated control system design Business planning, project accounting, and cost control services Site, contract, and labor management and related services
