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d. Nearby power transmission lines. <br /> e. Access for construction,operation and maintenance. <br /> 3) There are very minimal environmental impacts associated with this site and none that <br /> cannot be mitigated with the proposed technology. <br /> Alternative generation equipment was then considered for the site. Two turbines were considered <br /> to be appropriate for use with the infrastructure that exists at the site. The VLH© Turbine and the <br /> Natel SLH Hydroengine were compared for both technical and economic feasibility. <br /> TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY <br /> To evaluate the technical feasibility of a specific turbine for implementation into an existing low <br /> head site, the site conditions and geometry of the existing infrastructure must be considered. Low <br /> head sites have recently become more economically feasible with the introduction of innovative <br /> turbines that make use of the existing infrastructure to lower implementation costs. Also to keep <br /> the cost of these turbines low,standardized sizes are being manufactured.The turbine must both fit <br /> within the range of site conditions and be able to utilize the existing infrastructure to be considered <br /> technically feasible. <br /> VLH Turbine <br /> The VLH Turbine is offered in five sizes to <br /> accomidate a range of site conditions. This a ' <br /> turbine is intended to be installed in an open <br /> channel, and a head differential will be createdr g � � =� ' � <br /> across the turbine. The turbine will be offered <br /> in five sizes to accomidate a range of site _ <br /> conditions. Both the 3550 and the 4000 modeliiteis 4 <br /> were considered for this site. The 3550 would <br /> be capable of producing 325 kW using up to <br /> 500 cfs of flow at 10 feet of head. The 4000 <br /> would produce 414 kW using up to 650 cfs at // <br /> 10 feet of head. The site conditions do fall / <br /> within the range of these turbines, although <br /> during low flow periods the turbines would run at less than full capacity, which is typical of a <br /> hydropower facility. <br /> As shown in the photograph above, the turbine is installed between two concrete walls, and the <br /> turbine can be operated to maintain the head differential needed at the diversion dam between the <br /> upstream and downstream sides. The head is maintained by automatic adjustment of the runner <br /> blades as flow rates fluctuate. The 3550 is 15.4 feet wide and the 4000 is 17.7 feet wide, between <br /> the concrete walls. The existing concrete sand gate is only 10 feet wide. In order to install either of <br /> these turbines the center wall dividing the sand gates would need to be removed and relocated. The <br /> width of the turbines would leave between 3 and 4 feet for a sand gate within the existing two bays. <br /> The remaining sand gate may need to extend into the existing Ogee weir. <br /> Alterations to the area downstream of the turbine would also have to be made.There are minimum <br /> requirements for the elevation of tailwater or submergence downstream of the turbine. A <br /> significant amount of excavation would be needed to meet these requirements. <br /> Rio Grande Canal Water Users Association I Project Description 4 <br />