Cataract hydroelectric development expansion study

• Main Author: None
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: 13 HYDRO ENERGY; LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; ECONOMICS; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; MAINE; HYDROELECTRIC POWER; DAMS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; 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/5931120; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5931120; https://doi.org/10.2172/5931120

The Cataract hydroelectric power plant and dam was constructed in 1937-1938 and has been operated continually since that date. This unit is a vertical shaft Kaplan type machine with a rated output of 6650 kW at a design head of 44 ft. Maximum output is 8000 kW. The feasibility of expanding this existing plant was studied. The results indicate the following: the available head and unused flow at the Cataract Project will support an additional 6250 kW of generating capacity; the estimated gross plant investment cost of this plant would be $5,230,000 at present day costs. If a fishway is required the investment is estimated to be $5,730,000; and based on the analysis of 60 y of historical flow records this capacity addition would generate an average of 15,910,000 kWh annually. This feasibility study indicates that redevelopment of the Cataract site is a marginally economic proposition which might offer some savings, over the life of the unit; however, two significant questions remain unanswered. First, will a fishway be required as part of the redevelopment. Second, can a new or renewed fifty year FERC license be obtained for the Cataract site. (LCL)