PUB00037

• Year: 1988
• Title: Colorado Joint Planning Study Economic Potential of Pumped Storage
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Author: Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority
• Description: Assessment of whether pumped storage facilities are economically attractive to Colorado utilities
• Publications - Doc Type: Water Resource Studies

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

The objective of this study is to provide an analytical assessment of the economic
potential of pumped storage development in Colorado by conducting a long-term
statewide joint planning study. The study reflected existing limitations on transmission
interconnections between utilities and investigated the possibilities of increases in
power exchanges among Colorado utilities.

The study also provides data to further the goal that both water and power suppliers as
well as their associated customers benefit from joint development of water and power
resources. Statewide summaries of potential generation expansion plans and the
relative economic feasibility of pumped storage are provided in this report to assist the
Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (Authority) and other
state, federal, and private entities in appraising water resource development proposals
with pumped storage components.

1.2 Study Phasing

The study, as initially structured, would have been the first phase of a multiphase effort
that might eventually involve the analysis of specific pumped storage projects and
larger geographical areas. Based on the results of this initial effort using generic
pumped storage parameters, the next logical step in the process would be a detailed
comparison of potential Colorado pumped storage projects. If the results of this
comparison indicate that there are potential projects that could be developed within
the cost range, unit sizes, and time schedule developed from this study, additional
evaluations may be warranted.

1.3 Study Participants

The Authority initiated this assessment of the economic potential of pumped storage in
Colorado as an outgrowth of its work on other water and hydropower projects. Those
efforts (including the St. Vrain, Cache la Poudre, Clear Creek, and Upper Gunnison-
Uncompahgre projects) evaluated potential pumped storage facilities using simplified
approaches to measure economic attractiveness at a prefeasibility level of detail. In
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