HomeMy WebLinkAboutAllison Creek Hydropower Case Study - 2016 - REF Grant 7071015Allison Creek Hydro
Developing a hydro project in the Allison Creek drainage
is a concept considered for many decades. It was not
until recent years that modern equipment, efficient
contracting and construction, and funding from the AEA
REF program coupled with the dedication of Copper
Valley Electric Association converged to make the
project an economic reality. On October 5th 2016
members of CVEA, joined by Governor Bill Walker,
Senator John Coghill, Mayor Ruthie Knight, AEA, and
several key project contributors, celebrated the
completion and commissioning of the Allison Creek
Hydroelectric Project.
Like most rural Alaska regions, the high cost of fuel continues to plague CVEA members. Rural Alaskans
and CVEA members cannot control the cost of fuel and continually work to lessen their reliance on fuel
for power generation. It is with this goal in mind that CVEA worked toward its vision to reduce or
eliminate their dependence on fossil fuel and to stabilize the Cooperative's cost of generation with
regional, sustainable resources. AEA shares this vision.
AEA and CVEA believe hydropower is the most viable and cost-effective renewable resource to lessen
dependence on fossil fuels and both strongly supported the Allison Creek Hydroelectric Project since
development efforts began in 2008.
The Allison Creek Hydroelectric Project is located adjacent to the Prince William Sound, immediately
south of Port Valdez, Alaska. CVEA is a member-owned electric cooperative providing electric service to
a relatively large geographic area of Eastern Interior Alaska and Prince William Sound. CVEA owns and
operates the Solomon Gulch storage hydro project, located on the drainage immediately to the east of
Allison Creek, and a diesel electric and a combined cycle electric generation facilities.
The Allison Creek Project is a run of the river (ROR) alternative involving construction of a diversion
structure on Allison Creek at elevation 1,300 feet. Up to 80 cfs of water is diverted from the creek into a
40 inch buried steel penstock to generate 6.5 megawatts of power via a single twin jet pelton turbine at
the powerhouse elevation of 170 feet. Major features of the infrastructure include:
A 16 foot high diversion structure above a glacial moraine foundation spanning approximately
95 feet across Allison Creek.
A 7,900 foot long steel penstock ranging in size from 40 inch diameter at the intake to 36 inch
diameter at the powerhouse.
700 foot long 16 foot diameter tunnel housing the 36 inch diameter penstock.
A 65 foot x 65 foot powerhouse with a floor slab to peak roof height of 48 feet, pitched to guide
snow away from parking and entrance to the building. The building also supports a large crane
for handling the generation equipment.
A single twin jet 6.5 MW Canyon pelton turbine and a tailrace located above the anadromous
salmon reach of lower Allison Creek.
A 3.8 mile long 34.5 kV transmission line to the Copper Valley switching station near the Petro
Star facility along Dayville Road.
The average annual flow from the 6.2 square mile Allison Creek basin is about 47.5 cfs. The estimated
potential annual generation for the project is about 23 GWh. The Allison Creek operated in conjunction
with the Solomon Gulch storage project at present day demand reduces fossil fuel electric generation by
about 15 GWh annually. Because of the higher efficiency associated with the co-gen facility, the total
estimated fuel savings from the Allison Creek hydro will be about 725,000 gallons annually at present
day demand. The development of the $55 million Allison Creek hydro with a design life of 50 to 100
years, an inarguably beneficial renewable energy project, will generate power for the region perpetually
with minimal operation and maintenance effort.
The Allison Creek hydro would not have been possible without the dedication of CVEA, the funding
support from the State of Alaska through the AEA REF program, and the hard work of many dedicated
individuals committed to putting in high quality efforts to see the project through completion.
Quick facts:
Capacity 6.5 MW
Potential Annual Generation 23 GWh
Total Project Cost $55 million
Owner and Developer Copper Valley Electric Association
Grant Funding $23 million from State of Alaska via the Alaska Energy Authority
Renewable Energy Grant Fund.
Construction Contractor McMillen Jacobs Associates
Design Engineer McMillen, LLC
Feasibility & FERC Consultant Hatch Acres