Advanced, Environmentally Friendly Hydroelectric Turbines for the Restoration of Fish and Water Quality

Conference · Mon Sep 06 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:7908

Brookshier, P A ^[1]; Cada, G F; Flynn, J V; Rinehart, B N; Sale, M J; Sommers, G L

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1. ORNL

Hydroelectric power contributes about 10 percent of the electrical energy generated in the United States, and nearly 20 percent of the world�s electrical energy. The contribution of hydroelectric generation has declined in recent years, often as a consequence of environmental concerns centering around (1) restriction of upstream and downstream fish passage by the dam, and (2) alteration of water quality and river flows by the impoundment. The Advanced Hydropower Turbine System (AHTS) Program of the U.S. Department of Energy is developing turbine technology which would help to maximize global hydropower resources while minimizing adverse environmental effects. Major technical goals for the Program are (1) the reduction of mortality among turbine-passed fish to 2 percent or less, compared to current levels ranging up to 30 percent or greater; and (2) development of aerating turbines that would ensure that water discharged from reservoirs has a dissolved oxygen concentration of at least 6 mg/L. These advanced, �environmentally friendly� turbines would be suitable both for new hydropower installations and for retrofitting at existing dams. Several new turbine designs that have been he AHTS program are described.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Geothermal Technologies (EE-12)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 7908
• Report Number(s): ORNL/CP-103291; 64 70 51 50 1; ON: DE00007908
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
Fishes
Hydroelectric Power
Turbines
Water Quality