HomeMy WebLinkAboutSuWa210Alaska Resources Library & Information Services
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document
ARLIS Uniform Cover Page
Title:
Hydropower prospects for Southcentral Alaska
SuWa 210
Author(s) – Personal:
Nicholas Goodman, Eric Yould
Author(s) – Corporate:
TDX Power
AEA-identified category, if specified:
AEA-identified series, if specified:
Series (ARLIS-assigned report number):
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project document number 210
Existing numbers on document:
Published by:
[Anchorage, Alaska : TDX Power, 2007]
Date published:
October 30, 2007
Published for:
Prepared for Renewable Energy Project Alaska
Date or date range of report:
Volume and/or Part numbers:
Final or Draft status, as indicated:
Document type:
Slide presentation. No commentary.
Pagination:
[30] p.
Related work(s):
Pages added/changed by ARLIS:
Notes:
All reports in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document series include an ARLIS-
produced cover page and an ARLIS-assigned number for uniformity and citability. All reports
are posted online at http://www.arlis.org/resources/susitna-watana/
Hydropower Prospects for Southcentral AlaskaTDX PowerNicholas GoodmanEric Youldfor Renewable Energy Project AlaskaOctober 30, 2007
HydropowerStatewideSouthcentralSusitna projectChakachamna
Characteristics of HydropowerRenewable energyHigh front end costLow annual costsLong lead time for permitting and constructionLong operational life (200 years or more)Can be very environmentally benignCan impart major environmental impact
Inventory of Alaska HydropowerPotentialU.S. Bureau of ReclamationU.S. Army Corps of Engineers256 sites with continuous power greater than 2500 KW192 billion KWH energy potential40% of the United States’ untapped hydropower
Potential Major AlaskaHydropower ProjectsProject NameRiver SystemInstalled Capacity(Megawatts)Energy(Million KWH/yr)Holy CrossYukon2,800 12,300 RubyYukon1,460 6,400 RampartYukon6,000 34,200 PorcupinePorcupine530 2,320 WoodchopperYukon2,160 14,200 Yukon-AaiyaYukon3,200 21,000 SusitnaSusitna1,500 6,500 ChakachamnaChakachatna320 1,600 Wood CanyonCopper3,600 21,900 StikineStikine2,260 9,900 Note: Chugach Electric Energy Sales approximately 2,500 million KWH
Existing HydropowerStatewide40 projectsMost located in Southeast
Existing HydropowerSouthcentralEklutna37.5 MWBradley Lake 90 MWCooper Lake 5 MW
Susitna Project Location
Susitna Four Dam Scheme
Profile of Watana-Devil CanyonDevelopment
Devil Canyon Site Layout
Watana Facilities Plan
Results of Screening Process
Alternatives Outside theSusitna Basin
Hydro Alternatives
Chakachamna HydropowerInvestigationsDepartment of InteriorLate 1940sReconnaissanceU.S. Army Corps of Engineers1970sReconnaissanceAlaska Power AuthorityEarly 1980sPre-feasibilityTDX Power2006FERC permit
Chakachamna Hydro PowerStudied by Alaska Power Authority in early 1980’sDivert stream flow from Chakachatna River to a powerhouse on the McArthur River by way of a 10 mile 25 foot diameter power tunnelMinimal dam on Chakachamna LakeInstalled capacity of 330 MW, generating 1.6 billion KWH annuallyTotal cost of project in 1980 dollars = $1.0 billionProject is 40 miles from Chugach Electric power facilities at Beluga
Chakachamna Project Location
Chakachamna Aerial View
Chakachamna Dam Site
Power Plant Site
Chakachamna Selected Plan
Chakachamna Lake Tap Gate ShaftInflow to Power Tunnel
McArthur River UndergroundPowerhouse (Chakachamna)
Chakachamna Lake Outlet Plan
CHAKACHAMNA FISHERIES5 species of salmon use the basinSockeye the main salmon speciesDolly Varden ubiquitous in the streamsLake trout observed in lakeNot a large anadromous fishery but worthy of protectingFish ladders at lake outlet requiredPossible temperature enhancement to river
CHAKACHAMNA WILDLIFE56 species of birds16 species of mammals Moose, wolves, lynx, bear, wolverine, other fur bearersNone on the endangered species listLess impact than other hydro projects of similar size
Geotechnical ConsiderationsSeismic – Castle Mountain FaultVolcanic – Mount Spurr (1992 & 1953 eruptions)Glacial – Barrier, Blockade, McArthur, Shamrock
Geotechnical Overview
Next StepsPreliminary permitinvestigations 36 monthsFERC licensing18-36 monthsProject construction76 monthsPower on line2015