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

• Main Author: Polonsky, R.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Bethlehem Mink Farm, Littleton, OH (USA) 1979
• Subjects: Feasibility Studies; Construction; Economic Analysis; 130500 > Hydro Energy > Economic; Industrial; & Business Aspects; Data; Power Plants; Hydroelectric Power Plants; Financial Data; Industry; North Atlantic Region; 13 Hydro Energy; Usa 130100* > Hydro Energy > Resources & Availability; 296001 > Energy Planning & Policy > Electric Power Generation > (-1989); New Hampshire; Data Compilation; Numerical Data; Agriculture; Tables; Power Generation; Data Forms; Information; 29 Energy Planning; Policy And Economy; Economics; North America; Low-Head Hydroelectric Power Plants; Low Head; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/5698806; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1091051/

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.