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DOE OSTI · 1616754

Harnessing the Hydroelectric Potential of Engineered Drops (Final Technical Report)

Atkin, Sharon D.·Straalsund, Jerry L.
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Abstract

The potential for low-head hydropower in the engineered drops in both federal and private irrigation system is well known and significant. The environmental and socio/recreational impacts of harnessing this renewable energy resource in man-made conduits are much less, and often insignificant, compared with comparable hydro-electric potential in natural water features on rivers, lakes, and streams. Yet, few new plants have been commissioned in more than two decades. Over the same time period, low head hydro installations in Germany have more than doubled. The challenge is in finding economical ways to harness the hydro-electric potential in the engineered drops, and efficiently deliver the power to the grid. The objectives of Percheron Power, LLC's (Percheron Power) Project were to design, develop, permit, and operate an innovative low-head hydro-electric generation facility on an existing engineered drop of a large irrigation canal system. The hydro-electric generation facility was designed to employ a new type of turbine and technology, called an Archimedes Hydrodynamic Screw (AHS), to harness the existing potential of the engineered drop. The goal was to demonstrate the new lower cost AHS technology system to federal agencies, irrigation districts and other system owners and to support further development of new small hydropower projects at previously marginal low-head sites in the U.S. The objective of this funding opportunity of the Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office was to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for small hydropower to less than ${$}$0.07/kWh (${$}$70/MWh) to be competitive with existing base-load power sources such as coal-powered power plants.

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Atkin, Sharon D., Straalsund, Jerry L.. 2020-05-01. Harnessing the Hydroelectric Potential of Engineered Drops (Final Technical Report). https://doi.org/10.2172/1616754

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