Site Classification for Standard Modular Hydropower Development: Characterizing Stream Reaches by Module Need

Technical Report · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1463991· OSTI ID:1463991

Bevelhimer, Mark ^[1]; DeRolph, Chris ^[1]; Witt, Adam ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

The objective of site classification for Standard Modular Hydropower (SMH) development is to develop a framework for classifying potential SMH sites in terms useful for informing SMH development, such as module need and module design requirements. While the current vision for SMH has focused on applications for new stream-reach development, these site classifications are equally useful for other applications, such as modular development at non-powered dams and other hydropower co-development opportunities. We used K-means clustering to classify sites (i.e., stream reaches) into clusters (i.e., groups of sites with similar attributes) based on simultaneous consideration of physical and biological attributes of those sites. Stream reaches included were confined to those with mean annual flow > 50 cfs and < 25,000 cfs (~350,000 reaches). Site Classification was conducted separately for six modules: hydroelectric generation, water quality, sediment passage, fish passage, foundation support, and recreation. About 340,000 stream reaches across the contiguous US were classified into 10 groups for each of the 6 different module categories. For each module category, clusters are visualized on US maps and described based on the defining variables that differentiate clusters from each other.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Water Power Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1463991
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM--2018/898
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY