Cataract hydroelectric development expansion study

• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Central Maine Power Co., Augusta (USA) 1979
• Subjects: Hydroelectric Power Plants; Power Generation; Power Plants; Energy Sources; Usa 130100* > Hydro Energy > Resources & Availability; Economics; Technology Assessment; Environmental Impacts; Feasibility Studies; North Atlantic Region; Hydroelectric Power; Dams; Legal Aspects; North America; Low-Head Hydroelectric Power Plants; Renewable Energy Sources; 13 Hydro Energy; Retrofitting; Electric Power; Maine; Power; Low Head; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/5931120; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1101054/

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)