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Overall, the geometry of the existing infrastructure is not ideal for the implementation of this <br /> turbine. Modifications to the infrastructure will increase the overall cost of the facility. <br /> POWER PRODUCTION <br /> Based on the estimations of available flow in the Rio Grande River, the VLH-3550 could produce <br /> approximately 1,600 MWhrs annually, and the VLH-4000 could produce approximately 1,850 <br /> MWhrs annually. These estimates assume that the turbines are not able to operate for about 3.5 <br /> months due to icing conditions on the river. <br /> COSTS <br /> Budgetary estimates from the VLH manufacturer are as follows for the equipment only; <br /> VLH3550-$997,500 <br /> VLH 4000 -$1,320,000 <br /> This price does not include unloading and setting of the equipment, assembly and installation, civil <br /> work,switchgear substation and connection to the grid, or line protection equipment. <br /> The above described modifications to the existing civil infrastructure, installation and electrical <br /> requirements are estimated to cost approximately$750,000 for both alternatives. <br /> ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY <br /> One measure of the economic feasibility of a project is the simple payback period. These two <br /> alternatives range in total development cost between $1,747,500 and $2,070,000. Annual gross <br /> revenue is estimated between $64,000 and $74,000. Ignoring both operation and maintenance <br /> costs and interest payments,these projects have a simple payback period between 27 and 28 years. <br /> SELECTED ALTERNATIVE <br /> PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br /> A SLH-100 turbine was chosen as the ideal size for this site,both technically and economically.This <br /> turbine is designed to operate at 225 cfs of flow, with the 10 feet of head available. Flows in the <br /> river do reach over 3,000 cfs during peak flow, although this turbine was sized to run at maximum <br /> efficiency over a long period of time instead of utilizing the highest flows. This size allows for the <br /> generation of almost 900 MWhrs annually with an initial investment of less than $600,000. The <br /> economics of the project were considered heavily when sizing the turbine. This project yields a <br /> simple payback period of only 17 years. More detailed economics are provided in the Financial <br /> Feasibility Analysis. <br /> Rio Grande Canal Water Users Association I Project Description 5 <br />