8209 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The size of the small-scale hydroelectric energy resource is difficult to estimate due to a number of complicating factors. Regardless of the actual size of the resource, however, it is limited in practical terms by the economic feasibility of the sites. Many sites are not suitable for development at today's energy prices. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1981), at least 2,000 sites of less than 15 MW generating capacity could become economically feasible during the next few years; many more feasible sites exist in the 15-30 MW range. Small-scale hydro capa- city at existing dams is shown in Figure 1. It is evident that most development potential is in two regions: the Pacific/Western Rocky Mountain States (FWS Region 1) and the Northeastern States (FWS Region 5). Most of the projects now under active consideration are less than 5 MW in total rated capacity. There is some additional capacity in the very small (mini-hydro) range that is not evident from Figure 1 because developers of sma 11 pri vate projects often do not prepare formal economic feas ibil ity studies; therefore, their projects are not included in resource surveys limited to economically feasible projects. Aided by attractive Federal incentives under PURPA (Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act) legislation, which requires utilities to transmit and purchase electricity produced at high rates, allows developers to claim, for development, SSH sites they do not own, and gives substantial deductions from Federal taxes, small hydro projects became very popular in the early 1980's (Table 1). Recently, activity has slowed somewhat, probably due to a combination of reduced power demand during a recession, high interest rates, and decreases in the cost of competing fuels. A large amount of site assessment and design work was done in the 1970's, however, which makes it likely that the number of active SSH projects would increase rapidly should there be another energy "crisis." The remaining sections of this Chapter summarize the most important opportunities presented by the growth of small-scale hydroelectric develop- ment and the conflicts with other resources that this technology may present. 2.1 OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY SMALL-SCALE HYDRO 2.1.1 Economic, Engineering, and Social Opportunities Hydroelectric power is likely to become a more desirable power source for the United States as other energy sources become more costly and less available. Subject to the natural fluctuations in stream discharge, uncertainties of supply as a result of strikes, embargoes, and technolog- ical problems are less; local autonomy in energy is preserved; and many of the problems of pollution, waste disposal, and land use associated with other energy techno logi es are reduced or not present with hydropower. An established hydro site can have a very long service life. Figure 2 por- trays the Great Falls Hydroelectric Facil ity located in the Passaic River in Paterson, New Jersey. Water power from this site was first developed in 1794. The present plant, which wi 11 be retrofitted, was bui It in 1914 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1979). 6