Financial Analysis of the 2018 Glen Canyon Dam Bug Flow Experiment
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
This report examines the financial implications of the macroinvertebrate production flows (MPF) experiment conducted at the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) from May 1, through August 31, 2018. It is the first report examining the financial implications of a MPF experiment since the 2016 Record of Decision (ROD) was adopted in December 2016 (Reclamation 2016). The 2016 ROD implemented the Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP) regime. Experimental releases may have either a positive or a negative impact on the financial value of energy production. For these experimental releases, financial costs of approximately $165,000 were incurred because this experiment maintained flat releases on the weekends and holidays. This study identifies the main factors that contribute to MPF costs and examines the interdependencies among these factors. It applies an integrated set of tools to estimate financial impacts by simulating GCD operations under two scenarios: (1) a Baseline scenario that mimics MPF operations during the period of the experiment when it complies with the 2016 ROD operating criteria, and (2) a counterfactual Without Experiments scenario that is identical to the baseline except it assumes that the MPF experiment did not occur. The Generation and Transmission Maximization Superlite (GTMax SL) model was the main simulation tool used to simulate the dispatch of the GCD hydropower plant and associated water releases from Lake Powell. GCD is a Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) power resource that is a component of the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP). The research team used extensive data sets and historical information on SLCA/IP power plant characteristics, hydrologic conditions, and Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA’s) power sale prices in the modeling process. In addition to estimating the financial impact of MPFs, the team used the GTMax SL model to gain insights into the interplay among ROD operating criteria, exceptions made to criteria to accommodate the experimental releases, and WAPA operating practices.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Western Area Power Administration (WAP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1526634
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-19/19; 151429
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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