May 08 - Bulletin. Northwest Public Power Association
Full scale testing has begun on new hydropower turbine technology designed to increase the survival rate of migratory fish. The state- of-the-art technology, which was installed this fall at Grant County Public Utility District's (PUD) Wanapum Dam, will also increase efficiency and power output.
Grant PUD recently reported the new turbine is expected to improve survival
of young migrating salmon and steelhead moving down the Columbia River to the
Pacific Ocean. The new design addresses the entire hydraulic passageway and
incorporates many improvements and modifications to reduce fish injury and
mortality. The design geometry focused on making water flow through the unit as
smoothly as possible. After three designs and the most detailed turbine model
testing ever, the state-of-the-art turbine is now in operation.
"We operate with the belief that power generation and fish protection
are compatible and sustainable. That is why we put such a huge effort into the
design and development of this new turbine," said Stephen Brown, Grant PUD
director of natural resources and former chairman of NHA's R&D Committee.
The new six-bladed turbine is already living up to its promise. Early
Eebruary testing showed a 14 percent increase in power output and an average
three percent increase in water-use efficiency over conventional turbines. Fish
passage testing began in mid-February, and will be completed prior to the spring
fish migration period.
Assuming the testing goes as expected, all 10 Waiiapum Dam turbines will be
replaced over an eight-year period. Power output will increase from
approximately 900 megawatts to 1,100 megawatts. The estimated cost of all 10
turbines is $150 million.
During design development, NHA advocated for federal funding for the
Department of Energy's (DOE) hydropower program, which resulted in $2.5 million
provided to Grant PUD for design and testing of the Advanced Hydropower Turbine.
Unfortunately, future funding is greatly in doubt. The Administration
recently recommended to significantly reduce, then abolish, the DOE hydropower
program at the end of 2006.
"While we understand the Administration's desire to reduce federal
spending, the decision to reduce, then end, the DOE hydropower program must be
reconsidered. This program's progress over the past decade in developing
advanced turbine technologies is about to yield significant results that will
lead to more clean and inexpensive hydropower while reducing impacts on fish.
Once commercialized, these technologies will pay for themselves countless times
over while reducing conflict and legal disputes," Ciocci said. "We
hope Congress will reconsider the Administration's decision and restore funding
to the program and ensure that it is not abolished.
"As this year marks the 125th anniversary of hydropower in the United
States, it is fitting that we embark on an ambitious new project that elevates
the industry's commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint while
providing clean, renewable, low-cost energy for millions of consumers. Success
of this testing should lead to the enhancement of our existing hydropower
infrastructure, as well as to the development of the nation's vast unused
hydropower resources. We hope policymakers will see the importance of this work,
as well as hydropower's unique value to a diverse national energy supply."
NWPPA
Copyright Northwest Public Power Association