Follow Up and Next Steps
Low Impact Hydroelectric Symposium
For Central and Southern Berkshire
Thank you to the 48 attendees of the November 6, 2009 symposium, the first of its kind in our region. This meeting of environmental, regulatory, engineering, and funding professionals along with owners and managers of facilities made for an informative exchange.
At the conclusion of the panel discussion we identified a way to get the original power grid for our region back on line at no cost to the owners. The implication for energy production would be significant. Revitalizing a hydroelectric facility can be an ongoing energy and financial source to our community, for generations to come. For example, from our preliminary assessment, Rising (Hazen) Paper Dam on the Housatonic could produce up to $500,000 in benefits per year. Presently, this energy is being wasted, as it is for most of the dams in our region.
The process to get our regional dams and conduits on line at significantly lower costs to owners and accelerated time frame is outlined below.
Dams:
1. Collaboration
The approach begins with collaboration. This means working jointly with dam owners, environmentalists, and engineers in the Housatonic Basin in Central and Southern Berkshire County. The symposium on November 6 was a good start.
2. Profiling
An initial scan of 48 dams revealed potential ongoing generation of 180,000 KW. Of these, twenty facilities deserve further investigation. See notes from symposium for data.
3. Screening
The next step is to screen the dams from Step 2. This will consist of a more detailed analysis of each dam using data provided by dam managers. This will be part of the application for a grant to fund a feasibility study. Up to 12 dams would be included in the feasibility phase. The template developed for this screening is attached; your participation in the next steps requires this information.
4. Feasibility Study
This step involves an environmental analysis with the key players from the state including Caleb Slater and Robert Kubit. These sites will be assessed for recreational use, such as portage. Each site will go through a dam safety inspection and evaluation. An engineering analysis will be done to configure the generating project and develop estimates for costs and energy output. If the resulting project is truly low impact, meets dam safety requirements, and produces sufficient benefits – building it would create a valuable asset for future generations.
5. Funding
With this asset identified, funding is possible through a variety of means such as banks, grants, and community bonds.
6. Permitting
The FERC application process will begin while other phases are underway. The up front due diligence will help eliminate dams from consideration that would be difficult to license – speeding up the approval process. Working closely with environmental and recreational use experts will further accelerate permit approvals.
7. Installation
Equipment will be purchased and installed.
8. Maintenance
The project outcome will produce a steady flow of income and renewable energy to the community – while helping to sustain the environment. The life of a generator is approximately 100 years.
Conduits:
The same process outlined above would apply to twelve conduit projects in our region. The model presented by Bruce Collingwood for the City of Pittsfield demonstrates their conduit project at a municipal water distribution facility. The $100,000 incremental costs to purchase and install equipment would quickly be reimbursed by revenues and savings of $50,000 per year.
Using a similar approach as the dams, the process would identify the conduit as an asset. This provides a means for further funding; the cost to the owners should be zero. If you have a facility with sufficient flow and head height, please use the attached form to apply.
Next Steps:
Attached are notes from the symposium along with a form to help with Step 3. The information from the symposium is provided on a power point. Please use it to help educate others of the potential that exists through collaboration and being responsible stewards of our Common Wealth. Thanks to Essex Engineering, Co-Act, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and the town of West Stockbridge for providing the attached material.
We look forward to collaborating with you on accessing our common wealth to benefit our local communities.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Paul Deslauriers, Co-Act Director, at (413) 232-7888 or paulnrg@aol.com.