Feasibility of determination of low-head hydroelectric power development at existing sites. Big Blue River Co-dependent Hydroelectric Development: feasibility study

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5747025· OSTI ID:5747025

Wacker, H. Steve; Feuerberg, Stan; Lawrence, John D.; Pal, Parimal C.

The technical, economic, environmental, safety, and financial aspects of redeveloping 7 dam sites in Nebraska for hydroelectric power generation were studied. The Big Blue River Co-dependent Hydroelectric Development was found to be a technically feasible concept, for both redevelopment and in some cases rehabilitation of seven existing sites. The proposed redevelopment project will include seven installations with a recommended nominally rated redeveloped capacity of 3920 kW ranging from 120 kW at the northernmost site in Seward County to 1500 kW at Barneston. The average annual gross generation expected from the seven redeveloped sites totals 11,555,000 kWh. It is estimated that the total cost of redevelopment of these seven sites will be $14,090,000 at 1979 price levels, providing power at an average levelized cost of about 5.3 cents per kWh based on 7% cost of money, a mid-1983 commissioning date, and allowing for funds during construction and cost escalation over a 30-year period. Rehabilitation of original installations at Crete, Dewitt, Blue Springs and Barneston is technically feasible for a total installed capacity of 1415 kW with annual average gross generation of 6,675,000 kWh. The total cost of this rehabilitation is estimated as $3,372,000 at 1979 price levels, or about 2.4 cents per kWh, levelized on a similar basis. Rehabilitation of the Barneston site alone for an installed capacity of 760 kW and annual generation of 3,581,000 kWh is both technically and economically feasible. The total estimated cost of this alternative is $668,000, providing power at a cost of about 1.9 cents per kWh at 1979 price levels. The benefit-cost ratio for Barneston rehabilitation is estimated as 1.23.

• Research Organization: Nebraska Municipal Power Pool, Lincoln (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EW-78-F-07-1774
• OSTI ID: 5747025
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/01774-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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