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<br />003417 <br /> <br />CHAPTER 3: POWER GENERATED IN COLORADO <br /> <br />All Sources <br /> <br />Understanding the mix of power-generation facilities in Colorado, which is <br />presented in Table 3.1, is important to understanding the production of <br />small-scale hydroelectric power in the state. <br /> <br />Coal-fired generation units constitute 70 percent of power-generating <br />capabilities in Colorado but they provide more than 70 percent of the <br />electrical energy used. Because they are designed to provide base-load power, <br />they are operated a larger portion of the time than peaking facilities. <br />Combustion turbines and internal combustion units, on the other hand, are for <br />peaking services: they constitute eight percent and one percent of the <br />capacity of the state. but they are sources of only a small part of the <br />state's electrical energy. <br /> <br />The capacity of pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities (which pump water to <br />high elevations during off-peak periods and produce power during peak periods) <br />is about four percent of the state total. Conventional hydro comprises <br />slightly more than eight percent (501 mw) of Colorado's generation capacity. <br />The Bureau of Reclamation owns 445 mw, PSCo owns 25 mw and Colorado-Ute owns <br />26 mw of hydro capacity; only 5 mw is owned by other parties. Although the <br />variety of circumstances discussed below are strengthening and broadening <br />interest in small-scale hydropower, its current contribution to the generation <br />of power in Colorado is negligible. <br /> <br />Small-Scale Hydro <br /> <br />A number of developers of small-scale hydroelectric sites have responded to <br />the incentives of PURPA and have begun to develop facilities in Colorado. No <br />sites have been completed, however, and technical details on most sites are <br />scarce. Much development activity was temporarily suspended when PURPA was <br />tied up in federal courts from early 1982 until mid-1983, but the resolution <br />of key issues in favor of small power producers has given a push to <br />small-scale power production in the state. <br /> <br />13 <br />