I need a tip: Is there technology available that would enable a small rural community (approx. 600-1000 people) to build a low-tech hydro plant with sufficient capacity to keep power available for at least essential uses or on a rationed basis? Any ideas how expensive that would be? What about maintenance costs/availability of material and supplies to keep it running during shortages to be expected from y2k fallout? What about cost per Kw hour for the end-user? Can you direct me in the right direction, i.e., other web sites? Can "Nicola Tesla" be used for this? Hope these are no too many questions all at once. Thanks in advance.

Alex Wallenwein

-- Anonymous, July 11, 1998

Answers

Two part answer. First, I wouldn't try to build a low tech hydro as a solution to y2k. I have licensed, been around during construction, been responsible for the operation and maintenance of a 112 MW hydro facility and helped a number of other utilities with Hydro project. They are very hard to legally license. The size you would need is pretty good sized, so it would be difficult to construct in today's environmental laws. Also to really be independent, one needs to establish a load control area. That is a big deal and a computer intense (read that y2k) and embedded chip (read that RTU or remote terminal unit) undertaking. Without a load control/frequency control and adequate spinning reserves you are just kidding yourself about being better off than connected to a grid. (Mostly, because you could n't get it licensed between now and the year 2000).

Now for the cost: Depending upon the type of river you are going to harness, better consider between $1,000 and $2000 per kW. Hydro typically has a plant factor of about 20% unless you have a really big storage dam. Availability (ignoring any seasonal derating for fish, irrigation, kyaking, etc. ) would be about 95 to 99%. So to get a kWh, you need to multiply 8760 kWh per year by 0.2 and then 0.95 for each kW of installed generation. Next you need to figure out how many years you want to pay off the capital cost so you can figure out the annual capital amortization. Then you need to add Operating and Maintenance expenses to keep it running. Dont forget to add Administrative and General expenses like insurance, filling out FERC forms, local safety inspecitions, emergency action plans, etc. When you are all done, I think you find that the cost is way to high. But it is a good exercise.

As to the other kinds of power plants. Even the shortest leadtime plants of any real size take about 18 months from licensing to completion of construction.

Sorry.

Bob Schneider

-- Anonymous, July 11, 1998

Alex: I am not an expert on power, but am beginning to educate myself about small-scale solar power. There is a wonderful company, I think very small, named Real Goods that sells sustainable/renewable energy supplies. They also educate the public about alternative energy. Their catalogue has a brief section on Hydro Turbines. This would be a very-small scale solution for your community, but maybe neighbors could cooperate in linked committees of some sort.

Contact info: to ask for catalogue: 1-800-919-2400. URL =

Anne

-- Anonymous, July 14, 1998