Feasibility determination of low-head hydroelectric power development at existing sites. Final report

• Main Author: Polonsky, R.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: 13 HYDRO ENERGY; 29 ENERGY PLANNING; POLICY AND ECONOMY; LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; NEW HAMPSHIRE; AGRICULTURE; CONSTRUCTION; DATA COMPILATION; ECONOMIC ANALYSIS; FINANCIAL DATA; NUMERICAL DATA; POWER GENERATION; TABLES; DATA; DATA FORMS; ECONOMICS; HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; INDUSTRY; INFORMATION; NORTH AMERICA; NORTH ATLANTIC REGION; POWER PLANTS; USA; Low Head; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5698806; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5698806; https://doi.org/10.2172/5698806

This report contains the feasibility study, economic analysis, and information relevant to reactivation of the dam in Bethelehem, NH. It outlines a plan of development which calls for sale of the power to a local utility for the first few years of the project and then predominately on-site use of the power in an innovative plan for controlled-environment agriculture. The economic analyses indicate that reactivation of the dam would be a successful venture based on the present market value of 4.5 cents/kWh. The success of the second phase in the dam's use rests on the increasing financial attractiveness of locally grown produce in a state that currently imports over 90% of its food and is experiencing the spiraling costs of food, energy, and inflation. The best-suited turbine package for the site is an Ossberger 750-kW unit which would provide 4,014,000 kWh per year with a plant factor of 61%. The total capital costs of the project are $827,935.