Chicopee Hydroelectric Project. Feasibility assessment

• Main Author: Not Available
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: 13 HYDRO ENERGY; LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; ECONOMICS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; MASSACHUSETTS; HYDROELECTRIC POWER; DAMS; LEGAL ASPECTS; POWER GENERATION; RETROFITTING; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT; ELECTRIC POWER; ENERGY SOURCES; HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; NORTH AMERICA; NORTH ATLANTIC REGION; POWER; POWER PLANTS; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; USA; Low Head; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5766717; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5766717; https://doi.org/10.2172/5766717

The results of a feasibility analysis for hydroelectric generating facilities at the Chicopee Falls Dam in Chicopee, Massachusetts are presented. The project has been examined for economic, engineering, and environmental viability. The projected facility controls a 714 square mile drainage area and would utilize 16 feet of gross head developed by the Chicopee Falls Dam and an additional 10 feet of head at the site of a former dam 580 feet downstream. The plant would generate 9,000,000 kWh of electricity annually with an installed capacity of 1600 kW. Project cost is estimated, based upon a preliminary design effort, to be $4,053,750 at 1978 price levels. This yields a capital cost per kilowatt of $2534. It was assumed that this program would be implemented by the award of a fixed price contract to design, construct and turn over to the buyer on a turnkey basis the hydroelectric facility described herein. The site is typical of many in New England. The dam is soundly constructed and there are no factors to indicate that installation of hydropower at the dam would increase flood risk or cause other changes that would place insurance costs in a special category. The city has placed no value upon property or water rights so that the projected costs reflect only improvements to the site. Environmental impacts of the proposed development have been judged to be minor, and negative impacts seem to be balanced by several favorable effects. The feasibility of the Chicopee project has been measured against difficult criteria. The method used to assign a value to power produced by the hydroelectric project is disadvantageous to the project but is to the advantage of CMLP's customers.