Small scale hydroelectric development and the environment: issues, challenge, and opportunity
A small scale hydroelectric (SSH) facility is defined as an existing dam that can be retrofitted to produce 25 MW or less capacity. An estimate of the total SSH potential in the United States indicates there are 4979 sites with 8775 MW capacity and 25,126 GWh average annual energy. This represents approximately 1% of existing total installed electrical capacity from all sources in the US. Some of the major environmental issues that must be analyzed to determine potential for adverse impact at SSH sites include dredging, fish passage, water level fluctuation, and instream (minimum) flow. Each of these issues is discussed. It is concluded that development of the SSH resource represents a good energy investment and that the attributes of renewable energy and the emphasis on existing dams as opposed to new dam construction are positive features from the environmental standpoint. (LCL)
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 6810136
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-801203-4
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: National conference on renewable energy technologies, Honolulu, HI, USA, 7 Dec 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Comparison of environmental issues related to development of small hydropower resources at new versus existing sites
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Related Subjects
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
USA
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
DAMS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
RETROFITTING
SITE SELECTION
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
130600* - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects
130100 - Hydro Energy- Resources & Availability