Small hydroelectric potential at existing hydraulic structures in California. Bulletin 211

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6391955

The Department of Water Resources studied the feasibility and cost effectiveness of retrofitting existing hydraulic structures within California with facilities for generating hydroelectric power. A statewide survey identified 285 sites - 137 dams, 53 canals, and 95 pipelines - where hydropower could be developed. These sites offered a combined potential for generating 510 megawatts (MW) of power with an annual energy production of 2.4 billion kilowatthours (kWh). The 285 sites were categorized into six groups, based on the type and size of existing hydraulic structure. From these, 49 sites were selected for field investigations, and preliminary feasibility studies were conducted at 28 of these representative sites. Based on these studies, the cost effectiveness of each site was determined, and these cost data were used to estimate the cost effectiveness of the remaining sites for which limited data were available. The study showed that 167 (59%) of the 285 sites with an installed capacity of 468 MW are cost effective if developed immediately for initial operation in 1984. An additional 73 (26%) of the sites with an installed capacity of 36 MW would be cost effective by 1989. Out of the 285 potential projects 80 facilities - representing over 355 MW of the total installed capacity of 510 MW - have been completed, are under construction, or have had applications filed for them with FERC. The results of this study emphasize the value of utilizing all of our potential energy resources. Developing the small hydroelectric facilities identified here would make available over 2.4 billion kWh of electrical energy annually. Development of this resource would significantly reduce California's dependence on imported oil, provide a dependable, environmentally sound source of electrical energy, and would be an important contribution to the nation's goal for energy independence.

• Research Organization: California Dept. of Water Resources, Sacramento (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC49-80R910019
• OSTI ID: 6391955
• Report Number(s): DOE/R9/10019-T2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CALIFORNIA
WATER RESOURCES
SMALL-SCALE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
POWER POTENTIAL
DAMS
ECONOMICS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
INLAND WATERWAYS
PIPELINES
RETROFITTING
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCES
USA
WESTERN REGION
130100* - Hydro Energy- Resources & Availability
290400 - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources