Hydropower Feasibility at Existing Dams

Powdermill Falls
1944- Ben Smith Dam

Mark Wamser, PE
Gomez and Sullivan Engineers
55 North Stark Highway
Weare, NH 03281
March 28, 2009 603-529-4400
 Hydropower 101- What makes power?
Power (kW) =
Turbine Flow (cfs) x Net Head (ft) x T/G Efficiency (%)
11.8

Net Head

Turbi
ne Flo
w

Source: Wikimedia Commons

T/G- Turbine/Generator
 Pre-Feasibility Study Steps
for Hydropower Assessment
• Quantify flow available for generation
(USGS gage)
• Estimate flow needs for aquatic resource
protection- unavailable for generation
• Identify site constraints
• Estimate energy & revenue
• Estimate development costs
• Conduct preliminary economic analysis
Coopers Mills Dam, Sheepscot River, ME

Dam

Potential
Powerhouse

Bypass
 Sheepscot River at Coopers Mills Dam, Average Annual Flow Duration Curve
Drainage Area= 81 square miles (prorated from USGS Gage No. 01038000, 1938-2004)
500

450 Assumptions:
•Run of River Project
400 •No Minimum Flow in bypass to protect aquatic resources

350

300
Q20 (Flow Equal or Exceeded 20% of Time)- Max Capacity- 220 cfs
Flow (cfs)

250

200

150

Water Available 0.25 x Q20= Min capacity- 55 cfs

100
for Generation

50

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% of Time Flow is Equaled or Exceeded (%)
 Sheepscot River at Coopers Mills Dam, Average Annual Flow Duration Curve
Drainage Area= 81 square miles (prorated from USGS Gage No. 01038000, 1938-2004)
500

450 Assumptions:
•Run of River Project
400 •Minimum Bypass Flow = 18 cfs below dam (continuous year-round)

350

300
Q20 (Flow Equal or Exceeded 20% of Time)- Max Capacity- 275 cfs
Flow (cfs)

250

200
0.25 x Q20= Min capacity- 55+18 cfs= 73 cfs
150 Water Available
for Generation
100 Bypass Flow= 18 cfs (ABF)

50

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% of Time Flow is Equaled or Exceeded (%)
 Average Annual Generation (MWH/yr) Potential under various Bypass Flows at Coopers Mills Dam,
Sheepscot River
650

600
Avg Annual Generation (MWH/yr)

550

500

Avg Annual Generation with Gross Head of 12 ft

450

400
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Bypass Flow (cfs)
 Estimate Revenue Sources
• Power generation sales ($)
• Capacity ($)
• Renewable Energy Portfolio- “green” power ($)

Source: FERC
 Estimate Development Costs,
Conduct Economic Analysis
• Turbine, Generator, Other
Equipment/Components
• Civil Works
• Regulatory (Licensing) and Legal
• Engineering and Administrative Costs
• Include Contingency Allowance
• Compare Revenue vs Development Costs
• Determine Payback Period (years)
• If project appears feasible, conduct full blown
feasibility study
 Feasibility Study
• More detailed studies to firm-up potential site
configurations, development costs and energy
prediction.
• Geotechnical/borings
• Hydraulic assessment
• Survey and bathymetry
• Preliminary design plans
• Re-assess economics
• Make go or no-go decision
 Order of Magnitude Cost Estimates
for Development

Project Available Capacity Ballpark Cost

Head (ft) (kW) ($)
ME 15 362 $3,000,000

NY 9 500 $3,900,000

VT 21 400 $2,960,000

Estimates are based on existing dams with no hydropower

Estimates do not include dam repair costs
Other Costly Considerations- Licensing
the Hydropower Facility
• Minimum flows to protect aquatic resources in bypass
(generation loss). Study needed to determine habitat
needs- takes away from generation.

• Upstream/downstream fish passage. If diadromous fish

are present, passage may be required. Costly.

• Entrainment and/or impingement of fish. Concern with

sucking in or impinging fish against trashracks.

• Impact of project operations or construction impacts on

rare, threatened and endangered species. Requires
study.
Other Costly Considerations- Licensing
the Hydropower Facility
• Impact of project operations or construction impacts on
wetlands and wildlife- typically wetland and vegetation
mapping required.

• Impact of project operations on water quality- typically

dissolved oxygen and temperature studies required.

• Impact of project operations or construction impacts on

archeological/cultural resource impacts. Phase IA study
required.

• Evaluate potential for hazardous waste issues in project

development location.

• Licensing Costs $150,000 to $500,000 (small dams, run-of

river projects, not as controversial)
 Take Home Messages
• Consider the full cost of hydropower development- licensing,
permitting, equipment, civil, mechanical and electrical works,
legal, etc.

• Most low-head dams with little drainage area (flow) have not
been feasible. Payback period simply too long.

• Federal: Energy Policy Act of 2005- tax incentives for

hydropower development.

• MA State: Green Communities Act includes financial

incentives for the development of hydro. Massachusetts
Renewable Energy Trust also awards grants for hydro
development.

• Most recent development has occurred at existing

hydropower dams- $ into upgrades or adding turbines
(expansion)