Feasibility of determination of low-head hydroelectric power development at existing sites: Brighton Dam hydroelectric development. Feasibility report

Technical Report · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5746996· OSTI ID:5746996

Will, Alan L.

The redevelopment of the hydroelectric facility at Brighton Dam near Laurel, Maryland has been found to be both technically and financially feasible, the benefit to cost ratio being 1.53:1 compared with an equivalent coal-based generation source. Environmental impacts have been assessed as relatively slight, but some problems, due to poor water quality at the bottom of the reservoir are anticipated and solutions for these would have to be worked out. The benefit to cost ratio could thus be marginally decreased, but the relative costs of one alternative scheme compared to another would not be affected. There is no apparent impediment to proceeding with the work. The selected development would have a single hydroelectric generating unit of 500 kW rated capacity. The gross generation from the project would be 2,840,000 kWh in the year with average rainfall. It is estimated that the total project cost would be $734,000 (at third quarter 1978 price levels), with no allowance for funds during construction (AFDC). Based on 6.25% cost of money, the project would provide power at a levelized cost over the plant lifetime of approximately 23.3 mills per kWh with no AFDC or 24.6 mills/kWh with AFDC. At present, WSSC electrical power demands at Brighton Dam amount to 147,000 kWh per year which is met by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BG and E). This represents only 5% of the potential generation at the site and BG and E have agreed in principal to purchase the surplus power.

• Research Organization: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Hyattsville, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5746996
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/01787-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130100* -- Hydro Energy-- Resources & Availability
CENTRAL REGION
DAMS
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LEGAL ASPECTS
LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
MARYLAND
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RETROFITTING
SAFETY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
USA