HomeMy WebLinkAboutAllison Creek Hydropower Final Feasibility Study Addendum - Jan 2011 - REF Grant 7060930January 2011
The Energy Company
Robert A. Wilkinson, CEO January 10, 2011
Copper Valley Electric Association H-327730
P.O. Box 45
Glennallen, AK 99588-2832
Dear Robert: Subject: Allison Creek Hydroelectric Project
Final Feasibility Study Addendum
We are pleased to submit herewith our Addendum to the Final Feasibility Study (FFS) for the Allison Lake Hydroelectric
Project. The FFS presented our analysis of six technically feasible arrangements for the project. This Addendum
presents our analysis of two additional options for the project. Together these documents comprise the results of
Hatchs study of the feasibility for hydropower development of the Allison Creek basin.
Alternative 4a (Alt 4a): A run-of-river development on Allison Creek commencing approximately 2,000
downstream of the outlet of Allison Lake consisting of a diversion structure and a penstock leading to a 6.5
MW powerhouse at the same location as considered for Alt 3c.
Alternative 4b (Alt 4b): The addition of an inflatable gate on the Solomon Gulch Spillway that would raise the
normal maximum water surface of Solomon Lake by five feet.
Our principal conclusions for these two alternatives as stated within the report include:
Alternative 4a
-A run-of-river Alt 4a development of the Allison Creek basin is not cost effective with operation within
the Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc.s (CVEA) existing system load.
-With the addition of 2 MW to the CVEA system load, the project would be competitive with the cost of
diesel generation.
-The reduced scale of the hydropower development of the Allison Creek basin as offered by Alt 4a would
reduce the risk of construction cost overruns, seepage and dam safety concerns and environmental
impacts as compared to Alt 3c.
-Alt 4a is superior to Alt 3c in all respects.
Alternative 4b
-The addition of inflatable gates to the Solomon Gulch Spillway as proposed for Alt 4b would add
approximately 2 GWh of energy to the CVEA system.
-The addition of inflatable gates to the Solomon Gulch Spillway as proposed for Alt 4b would require
amendment to existing FERC License for the Solomon Gulch Project.
-On the basis of the energy potential and cost estimates prepared for this evaluation, Alt 4b currently
would not be an economically viable project.
Based on these conclusions we recommend that the CVEA adopt Alt 4a as the preferred alternative for the development
of the hydroelectric potential of the Allison Creek basin and that further consideration of Alt 3c and Alt 4b be
terminated.
We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with you on this interesting project. If you have any questions regarding
the subject report, be sure to give us a call.
Yours very truly,
A. Richard Griffith, P.E.
Project Manager
Hatch Acres Corporation
6 Nickerson Street, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
Tel: 206-352-5730 • Fax: 206-352-5734 • www.hatchusa.com
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page i
Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 General..........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Alternative 4 General Arrangement.............................................................................................2
1.3 Alternative 4a Diversion Structure on Allison Creek with Penstock leading to
Powerhouse (Alt 4a).......................................................................................................................3
1.4 Alternative 4b Raising Solomon Gulch Reservoir Maximum Water Surface 5 feet with
Inflatable Gates on Spillway (Alt 4b) ..............................................................................................4
2. Power Studies..........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Unconstrained Run-of-River Operation ..........................................................................................6
2.2 System Loads and Resources..........................................................................................................7
2.2.1 System Loads........................................................................................................................7
2.2.2 System Resources.................................................................................................................7
2.3 AUTO Vista Model: Allison Creek Run-of-River Hydropower Development...................................8
2.4 Hydrology......................................................................................................................................8
2.5 Hydro Equipment Characteristics ...................................................................................................9
2.6 AUTO Vista Results........................................................................................................................9
3. Project Construction Cost and Construction Schedule..........................................................................13
3.1 Construction Cost Estimates .........................................................................................................13
3.1.1 Alternative 4a.....................................................................................................................13
3.1.2 Alternative 4b.....................................................................................................................14
3.2 Construction Schedule.................................................................................................................15
3.3 Economic Analysis.......................................................................................................................16
3.3.1 Cost of Power Alternative 4a...........................................................................................17
3.3.2 Cost of Power Alternative 4b...........................................................................................18
4. Regulatory and Environmental Considerations......................................................................................20
4.1 Alternative 4a...............................................................................................................................20
4.1.1 Regulatory Considerations..................................................................................................20
4.1.2 Environmental Field Investigations .....................................................................................21
4.1.3 Environmental Considerations............................................................................................22
4.2 Alternative 4b ..............................................................................................................................22
4.2.1 Regulatory Considerations..................................................................................................22
4.2.2 Environmental Field Studies ...............................................................................................22
4.2.3 Environmental Considerations............................................................................................23
5. Conclusions and Recommendations......................................................................................................24
5.1 Conclusions.................................................................................................................................24
5.1.1 Alternative 4a.....................................................................................................................24
5.1.2 Alternative 4b.....................................................................................................................24
5.2 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................25
6. References.............................................................................................................................................26
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page ii
Tables
Table 1.1 FFS Design and Economic Conditions..................................................................................1
Table 2.1 AUTO Vista Hydrologic Years ................................................................................................9
Table 2.2 Annual Generation Existing Condition, Loads and Resources ............................................10
Table 2.3 Annual Generation Alt 4a w/ Existing Load........................................................................10
Table 2.4 Annual Generation Alt 4b w/ Existing Load .......................................................................10
Table 2.5 Annual Generation Existing Resources w/ 2 MW Additional Load.....................................11
Table 2.6 Annual Generation Alt 4a w/ 2 MW Additional Load ........................................................11
Table 2.7 Annual Generation Alt 4b w/ 2 MW Additional Load........................................................11
Table 2.8 Annual Benefits Alt 4a & 4b...............................................................................................12
Table 3.1 Alternative 4a Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/2010)..........................................................14
Table 3.2 Alternative 4b Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/2010) .........................................................15
Table 3.3 Basic Assumptions for Economic Analysis.............................................................................16
Table 3.4 Alternative 4a First Year Annual Cost (2010 Dollars).........................................................17
Table 3.5 Alternative 4a Cost of Power.............................................................................................18
Table 3.6 Alternative 4b Cost of Power.............................................................................................19
Table 4.1 Summary of Major Environmental Field Studies ...................................................................21
Figures
Figure 1.1 Alternative 4 General Arrangement........................................................................................2
Figure 1.2 Alternative 4a Plan and Profile............................................................................................3
Figure 1.3 Diversion Structure Plan and Cross Section.........................................................................4
Figure 1.4 Typical Obermeyer Gate Installation......................................................................................5
Figure 1.5 Solomon Gulch Obermeyer Spillway Gate Cross Section.......................................................5
Figure 2.1 Allison Creek Annual Flow-Duration Curve............................................................................ 6
Figure 2.2 Allison Average Monthly Distribution of Energy Production ..................................................7
Figure 2.3 AUTO Vista Model Elements: Alts 4a and 4b..........................................................................8
Figure 2.4 Allison Powerhouse Unit Characteristics 2 x 3.25 MW Units..............................................9
Figure 3.3 Alternative 4a Construction Schedule................................................................................16
Appendices
Appendix A Alternative 4a, System Dispatch
Appendix B Obermeyer Gate Cost Estimate
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 1
1. Introduction
1.1 General
A fundamental premise of the studies leading to the Final Feasibility Study (FFS) for the Allison Lake
Hydroelectric Project (Project) of May 2010 was that an additional hydropower project is needed to
support the Solomon Gulch Project during winter months. Currently the Copper Valley Electric
Association, Inc. (CVEA) must rely on diesel generation to meet system load to make up for the
inability of the Solomon Gulch Project to generate during the winter period. The Allison Creek basin
exhibits the same basic annual pattern of inflow as the Solomon Gulch basin. The 7 months of May
through November are estimated to account for 98% of the annual inflow leaving only a 2%
contribution for the 5 months of December through April. Accordingly, the focus of the FFS was to
determine the most cost-effective manner to mobilize the potential storage capability of Allison Lake
to allow for generation during the low-flow winter-time period. In all, six different schemes, Alt 1,
Alt 2 and Alt 3a through Alt 3d, were reviewed and reported on as part of the previous studies for
the Project. The manner in the proposed design for each alternative provides the necessary storage is
described in Section 1.3 through Section 1.5 of the FFS.
The Project studies have shown that each of the six arrangements are technically and
environmentally feasible. However, the studies also reveal that each arrangement includes
significant challenges potentially affecting their long term economics and/or operational reliability as
listed in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1
Final Feasibility Report
Design and Economic Considerations
Alternative Design and Economic Considerations
Alt 1 Tunnel cost
Alt 2 Tunnel cost
Alt 3a Reliable operation of siphon and maintenance thereof during winter period, access
Alt 3b Drilling of micro-tunnel in glacial moraine
Alt 3c Embankment cost, foundation conditions for embankment, seepage, liquefaction & avalanches, access
Alt 3d Embankment cost, foundation conditions for embankment, seepage, liquefaction & avalanches, access
Subsequent to the completion of the FFS, the range of challenges as summarized above led to a
concern regarding the viability of a storage project within the Allison Creek drainage. However, the
high elevation of the first 2000 below the outlet of Allison Lake suggests that there would be a
significant amount of energy available from Allison Creek as a run-of-river project.
To date, the system load characteristics of CVEA has been such that much of this additional energy
would be stranded; i.e. there would be no load available for the project to serve. Recently, however,
a 2 MW industrial facility has been brought into the CVEA system. This additional load will provide
an opportunity to CVEA to more fully operate a run-of-river project to accommodate what would
otherwise be served by diesel generation.
The purpose of this Addendum to the FFS dated May 2010, is to present the evaluation of the
economic viability of alternative run-of-river arrangements for capturing the hydropower potential of
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 2
Allison Creek as a project to serve an expanded CVEA system load. This scheme is referred to as Alt
4. The scope of work leading to this Addendum to the FFS has included the following activities:
1. Development of alternative project arrangements consistent with the purposes of this
Addendum.
2. Review of Allison Lake hydrology as related to the run-of-river hydropower potential of the
identified alternatives.
3. Preliminary layout and cost estimate of hydroelectric project features for each of the
identified project arrangements.
4. Economic evaluation of the identified alternatives.
5. Environmental review of the of the identified alternatives.
6. Preparation of this addendum to the Final Feasibility Report including the resulting
conclusions and recommendations.
1.2 Alternative 4 General Arrangement
The primary features of the run-of-river project selected for this review include the following:
A low diversion structure on Allison Creek at El. 1300;
A 42 diameter surface / buried penstock;
A 6.5 MW powerhouse along Allison Creek at El. 130 with a 1.75 mile transmission line
leading to the Solomon Gulch switchyard; and
A permanent 1,000 foot access road to the powerhouse and a temporary 4,500 foot trail for
penstock construction access.
The general arrangement of these features for Alt 4 is shown in Figure 1.1. Two versions of Alt 4 are
reviewed herein as described in the following paragraphs.
Figure 1.1
Alternative 4 General Arrangement
ALTERNATIVE 4
Diversion Structure
Powerhouse
Penstock
Allison Lake
ALTERNATIVE 4
Diversion Structure
Powerhouse
Penstock
Allison Lake
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 3
1.3 Alternative 4a Diversion Structure on Allison Creek with Penstock leading to
Powerhouse (Alt 4a)
Alt 4a includes the primary features as described above. Plan and profile views of Alt 4a are shown
in Figure 1.2. The general details of the penstock and powerhouse are shown on Figures B.6 and
B.7 respectively within Appendix B of the FFS. The actual dimensions of the penstock and
powerhouse will be in proportion to the 42 penstock and 6.5 MW powerhouse as referenced above
for Alt 4 in lieu of the 36 penstock and 4 MW powerhouse for Alt 3c as shown in the FFS.
The access road to the powerhouse as shown in Figure 1.2 will be designed in accordance with the
criteria set forth in Appendix C.3 of the FFS. The design of the access trail from the loop road off the
Trans Alaska Pipeline System corridor to the point where the penstock crosses over a ridge will
follow the same alignment to that point as was studied for the construction access for Alt 3c.
However, the width of the corridor will be reduced consistent with the use of helicopters as the
primary access for construction of the penstock and diversion structure.
Figure 1.2
Alternative 4a – Plan and Profile
PLAN
PROFILE
The diversion structure will be located along Allison Creek at approximately El. 1300. The specific
location and type of diversion scheme to be used for the run-of-river option will be determined at the
next level of the design process. A conceptual drawing of the type of diversion structure used for the
present purpose is shown in Figure 1.3.
Surface / Buried Penstock
0+005+0010+0015+0020+0025+0030+0035+0040+0045+0050+0055+0060+0065+00100
500
1000
Elevation (ft)Station(ft)
Powerhouse
70+00Surface / Buried Penstock
0+005+0010+0015+0020+0025+0030+0035+0040+0045+0050+0055+0060+0065+00100
500
1000
Elevation (ft)Station(ft)
Powerhouse
70+00Diversion S truct ure
Powerhouse
S u r fa c e / B u r ie d P e n s to c k
AccessTrail
AccessRoad
Allison Lake
Diversion S truct ure
Powerhouse
S u r fa c e / B u r ie d P e n s to c k
AccessTrail
AccessRoadAccessRoad
Allison Lake
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 4
Figure 1.3
Diversion Structure – Plan and Cross Section
PLAN
CROSS SECTION
1.4 Alternative 4b Raising Solomon Gulch Reservoir Maximum Water Surface 5 feet
with Inflatable Gates on Spillway (Alt 4b)
Alt 4b adds additional storage to the Solomon Gulch reservoir by modifying the spillway with 5 foot
high inflatable gates extending the full length of the 450 foot long spillway. The proprietary
Obermeyer Gate System, which consists of steel panels that are raised up by inflating a rubber
bladder, has been selected for evaluation of Alt 4b on the basis that the rubber bladder gates without
steel panels are not sufficiently controllable. They must be either in the fully inflated or fully deflated
mode and can release too much water into the tailrace during the transition. The Obermeyer gates
can operate at any stage between up or down thereby controlling water release. A typical
Obermeyer gate installation and proposed profile view of Alt 4b are shown in Figure 1.4 and Figure
1.5, respectively.
1310
0 10 20 5030 40
SCALE IN FEET
1310
0 10 20 5030 40
SCALE IN FEET
0 10 20 5030 400 10 20 5030 40
SCALE IN FEET
EL. 1300
EL. 1306
WS EL. 1301 @ 80 cfs
WS EL. 1305 @ 800 cfs
15 20100 5
SCALE IN FEET
EL. 1300
EL. 1306
WS EL. 1301 @ 80 cfs
WS EL. 1305 @ 800 cfsWS EL. 1305 @ 800 cfs
15 20100 5
SCALE IN FEET
15 20100 5 15 20100 5 15 20100 5
SCALE IN FEET
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 5
Figure 1.4
Typical Obermeyer Gate Installation
Figure 1.5
Solomon Gulch Obermeyer Spillway Gate Cross Section
COLLAPSIBLE REINFORCED RUBBER
RESTRAINING STRAP TYP (3) PLACES
EACH 19.56GATE SECTION
TOP OF GATE EL. 690.0
STEEL GATE PANEL SUPPLIED IN NOMINAL
19.56LENGTHS. (23) GATE PANELS SPAN
450GATE LENGTH
DUCTILE IRON
CLAMP CASTING
EL. 684.5 INFLATABLE DUAL CHAMBER AIR BLADDER
SUPPLIED IN NOMINAL 19.56LENGTHS
RESTRAINING STRAP ANCHOR BOLT TYP
(6) PLACES EACH 19.56GATE SECTION
STAINLESS STEEL MAIN ANCHOR
BOLT TYP 12ON CENTER
COLLAPSIBLE REINFORCED RUBBER
RESTRAINING STRAP TYP (3) PLACES
EACH 19.56GATE SECTION
TOP OF GATE EL. 690.0
STEEL GATE PANEL SUPPLIED IN NOMINAL
19.56LENGTHS. (23) GATE PANELS SPAN
450GATE LENGTH
DUCTILE IRON
CLAMP CASTING
EL. 684.5 INFLATABLE DUAL CHAMBER AIR BLADDER
SUPPLIED IN NOMINAL 19.56LENGTHS
RESTRAINING STRAP ANCHOR BOLT TYP
(6) PLACES EACH 19.56GATE SECTION
STAINLESS STEEL MAIN ANCHOR
BOLT TYP 12ON CENTER
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 6
2. Power Studies
2.1 Unconstrained Run-of-River Operation
By definition, without a reservoir to regulate available flows at the intake, a hydropower project can
only be operated when instantaneous flows are within the range of physical capability of the
generating equipment. All flows greater than the maximum hydraulic capacity of the equipment
will flow past the intake as spill. In addition, all flows required for other instream uses as well as all
flows less than that required to operate the smallest hydropower unit at the site must be passed by
the intake.
This condition is illustrated in Figure 2.1 in the form of an annual flow duration curve for the run-of-
river hydropower arrangement described in Section 1. The curve, which is based on the hydrology
defined in the FFS, shows that a run-of-river facility installed on Allison Creek could operate
whenever the flows in the creek are between 85 cfs and 9 cfs for the condition:
The maximum turbine flow is 80 cfs;
The. minimum instream flow release is 5 cfs; and
The minimum turbine flow is 4 cfs.
Figure 2.1
Allison Creek Flow Annual Flow-Duration Curve
On this basis, the plant could operate approximately 62% of the time and the total amount of water
available for generation, Qgen, is represented by the blue cross-hatched area within Figure 2.1. The
difference in elevation between the diversion structure and the powerhouse times Qgen times 8,760
hours in a year provides an estimated 23.3 GWh as the average total amount of energy potentially
available from a run-of-river project on Allison Creek.
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ExcedenceInstream Flow
Qmin=5 cfs
Unit Qmin=4 cfs
Generation 23.3 GWh
(Unit Qmax=80 cfs)
Spill
Excedence
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ExcedenceInstream Flow
Qmin=5 cfs
Unit Qmin=4 cfs
Generation 23.3 GWh
(Unit Qmax=80 cfs)
Spill
Excedence
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 7
The same basic approach as applied to monthly flow duration curves results in the monthly
distribution of the 23.3 GWh as shown in Figure 2.2.
Figure 2.2
Allison Average Monthly Distribution of Energy Production
The above analysis is valid for the case that the energy from the Project is not constrained by system
load conditions. Specifically, the monthly distribution of energy as shown in Figure 2.2 is important
from the perspective of the ability of CVEA to assimilate energy from a run-of-river project on Allison
Creek into their system. For example, the Solomon Gulch Project can substantially accommodate
the total system under current load conditions for the month of July. Accordingly, the 4.8 GWh
available generation from Allison Lake could theoretically be stranded and the Allison Creek flows
would spill past the intake.
However, the complete loss of the 4.8 GWh will be offset to some degree by the storage capability
within Solomon Gulch by allowing Solomon Gulch to remain full longer into the fall season. The
analysis of this opportunity is with the AUTO Vista model as presented in the FFS is presented below
for Alt 4a and Alt 4b.
2.2 System Loads and Resources
2.2.1 System Loads
The AUTO Vista model operates on hourly intervals to meet system loads in the most cost effective
manner using available system resources as a function of their respective cost of production. For the
present study, two cases for the system load were considered as follows:
The system load as recorded by CVEA data for 2006, as was the basis for all previous
studies; and
The above case with the addition of a new 2 MW load to continuously serve Petro Star
for 50 weeks of the year.
2.2.2 System Resources
The system resources considered for the existing case included the combined diesel plant facilities in
Valdez and Glennallen, the combined cycle unit as operated under the contract with Petro Star, and
the existing hydropower facilities at the Solomon Gulch Project. The proposed development
0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
2.2
4.3
4.8
4.3
3.6
2.7
1.0
0.4
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Annual Energy
= 23.3 GWh
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 8
included the additions as discussed in Section 1 as well as retirement of the existing thermal
generation resources to the extent possible in each respective case under consideration.
2.3 AUTO Vista Model: Allison Creek Run-of-River Hydropower Development
AUTO Vista was used to evaluate the generation benefits of various upgrade configurations under
consideration for the Project during the studies leading to the FFS Report. As stated at the close of
Section 1, the focus of this Addendum includes Alt 4a and Alt 4b as discussed below. The following
is a description of the program and a discussion of the how AUTO Vista was applied for the
condition that the run-of-river operation of the Project is required to operate within the CVEA system.
The AUTO Vista model for the Project includes the drainage basins for both the existing Solomon
Gulch Project and Allison Lake. It is comprised of a series of arcs and nodes with each element
having its set of characteristics as defined in the FFS. The graphical model for the existing system, Alt
4a and Alt 4b as expressed in these terms is shown in Figure 2.3. Major features of the AUTO Vista
model are briefly described below.
Figure 2.3
AUTO Vista Model Elements: Alt 4a and Alt 4b
2.4 Hydrology
The hydrology used for the AUTO Vista model is based on the work done by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (COE) in 1982 as part of their evaluation of the potential project configurations for
maximizing the Allison Lake resource. The correlations developed from that study results in a 39-
year period of average daily flows from 1950 through 1989. A statistical analysis of this period of
record was performed to establish a representative smaller group of 7 years for use within the present
AUTO Vista. The set of 7 years was chosen on the basis of balancing the wet to dry conditions of
annual inflow to the two basins. The specific years chosen and the associated representative inflow
conditions are summarized in Table 2.1.
ALSQ
(Allison Lake
Inflow)
ALSS
(Allison Lake Spill)
ALSP
(Allison Lake
Power)
ALST
(Allison Lake TWL)
SLGR
(Solomon Gulch Reservoir)
SLGQ
(Solomon Gulch Inflow)
SLGP
(Solomon Gulch Power)
SLGT
(Solomon Gulch TWL)
S_SINK
(Source_Sink)
SINS
(Solomon
Instream Flow)
SLGS
(Solomon Gulch Spill)
SLGINS_RJ
(Solomon Gulch INS Junc)
ALSSPWY_RJ
(Allison SPWY TWL)
ALSR
(Allison Lake)
A_SINK
(Source_Sink)
ALSQ
(Allison Lake
Inflow)
ALSS
(Allison Lake Spill)
ALSP
(Allison Lake
Power)
ALST
(Allison Lake TWL)
SLGR
(Solomon Gulch Reservoir)
SLGQ
(Solomon Gulch Inflow)
SLGP
(Solomon Gulch Power)
SLGT
(Solomon Gulch TWL)
S_SINK
(Source_Sink)
SINS
(Solomon
Instream Flow)
SLGS
(Solomon Gulch Spill)
SLGINS_RJ
(Solomon Gulch INS Junc)
ALSSPWY_RJ
(Allison SPWY TWL)
ALSR
(Allison Lake)
A_SINK
(Source_Sink)
ALSR
(Allison Lake)
A_SINK
(Source_Sink)
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 9
Table 2.1
AUTO Vista Hydrologic Years
2.5 Hydro Equipment Characteristics
The performance curves for the Solomon Gulch powerhouse have been included as provided by the
CVEA. The performance of new units at the proposed Allison Lake powerhouse for Alt 4a is based
on Hatch Acres in-house generic data for Pelton units. Both alternatives include a 6.5 MW
generating station comprised of two 3.25 MW generating units. A plot of the characteristics used in
this analysis for each of the 3.25 MW units is shown in Figure 2.4.
All elements of the conduit system components for each alternative have been assumed to perform in
accordance with published engineering data.
Figure 2.4
Allison Powerhouse Unit Characteristics – 2 x 3.25 MW Units
2.6 AUTO Vista Results
Stacked bar charts indicating the most efficient dispatch of system resources as required to meet the
system load are included in Appendix A for the existing condition, Alt 4a, and Alt 4b. The first
charts compare the existing condition to the development alternatives for the 1961 water year, which
is the 50% year as indicated in Table 2.1.
Total Inflow
Year Percentile Acre-Feet
1969 10% 28,900
1984 25% 30,800
1954 25% 30,900
1961 50% 33,200
1957 75% 36,100
1977 75% 37,900
1989 90% 42,800
Average 34,400
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45Discharge (cfs)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Calculated Efficiency
Caculated Power
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 10
The annual generation for the base case of the existing load and resource condition for each of the 7
years included in the analysis is shown in Table 2.2 and the annual generation for Alt 4a and Alt 4b
for the existing load condition is shown in Tables 2.3 and 2.4 below.
Table 2.2
Annual Generation – Existing Condition, Loads and Resources
Table 2.3
Annual Generation – Alt 4a w/ Existing Load
Table 2.4
Annual Generation – Alt 4b w/ Existing Load
Generation (MWh)
Year Solomon Allison Total Hydro Diesel Cogen Total
196 9 51,900 0 51,900 11,300 23,100 86,400
1984 55,200 0 55,200 8,100 23,000 86,400
1954 55,700 0 55,700 7,600 23,000 86,400
1961 59,700 0 59,700 6,100 20,600 86,400
1957 58,500 0 58,500 7,200 20,700 86,400
1977 61,800 0 61,800 3,100 21,500 86,400
1989 62,100 0 62,100 4,400 19,900 86,400
Average 57,800 0 57,800 6,800 21,700 86,400
Generation (MWh)
Year Solomon Allison Total Hydro Diesel Cogen Total
196 9 54,60 0 13,700 68,400 50 0 17,500 86,400
1984 54,000 15,100 69,200 300 16,900 86,400
1954 49,500 13,800 63,400 500 22,500 86,400
1961 53,20 0 14,100 67,300 50 0 18,500 86,400
1957 55,100 11,800 67,000 500 18,900 86,400
1977 57,80 0 12,400 70,200 30 0 15,900 86,400
1989 57,900 10,300 68,200 400 17,800 86,400
Average 54,600 13,000 67,700 400 18,300 86,400
Generation (MWh)
Year Solomon Allison Total Hydro Diesel Cogen Total
1969 55,10 0 15,30 0 70,400 500 15,50 0 86,400
1984 55,000 16,200 71,200 400 14,800 86,400
1954 51,900 13,600 65,500 500 20,300 86,400
1961 55,30 0 14,40 0 69,800 400 16,20 0 86,400
1957 56,100 12,900 69,000 500 16,800 86,400
1977 59,30 0 12,90 0 72,200 500 13,70 0 86,400
1989 59,300 10,900 70,100 500 15,800 86,400
Average 56,000 13,700 69,700 500 16,200 86,400
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 11
The annual generation for the base case of the additional 2MW load and resource condition for each
of the 7 years included in the analysis is shown in Table 2.5 and the annual generation for Alt 4a and
Alt 4b for the additional 2MW load condition is shown in Tables 2.6 and 2.7 below.
Table 2.5
Annual Generation – Existing Resources w/ 2 MW Additional Load
Table 2.6
Annual Generation – Alt 4a w/ 2 MW Additional Load
Generation (MWh)
Year Solomon Allison Total Hydro Diesel Cogen Total
1969 57,000 18,100 75,100 3,000 25,500 103,500
1984 57,700 19,000 76,700 3,000 23,900 103,500
1954 53,500 17,800 71,300 8,200 24,100 103,500
1961 58,900 16,600 75,500 4,200 23,800 103,500
1957 59,600 15,200 74,800 4,600 24,200 103,500
1977 61,900 15,700 77,700 2,000 23,900 103,500
1989 62,600 14,000 76,600 4,600 22,400 103,500
Average 58,700 16,600 75,400 4,200 24,000 103,500
Table 2.7
Annual Generation – Alt 4b w/ 2 MW Additional Load
The annual general benefits from the AUTO Vista Analyses for Alt 4a and Alt 4b can then be
summarized for each load case as shown in Table 2.8 in terms of the incremental hydropower
generation and associated reduction on thermal power as required to satisfy the system load for each
of the alternatives under consideration. Please note that the minor differences between the hydro
and thermal generation values for each alternative are due to rounding within the AUTO Vista
modeling.
Generation (MWh)
Year Solomon Allison Total Hydro Diesel Cogen Total
1969 51,700 0 51,700 28,700 23,100 103,500
1984 54,800 0 54,800 25,600 23,100 103,500
1954 55,500 0 55,500 24,900 23,100 103,500
1961 59,100 0 59,100 21,400 23,000 103,500
1957 62,100 0 62,100 19,800 21,700 103,500
1977 66,000 0 66,000 15,200 22,400 103,500
1989 66,500 0 66,500 15,500 21,600 103,500
Average 59,400 0 59,400 21,600 22,600 103,500
Generation (MWh)
Year Solomon Allison Total Hydro Diesel Cogen Total
196 9 58,200 19,000 77,200 900 25,400 103,500
1984 58,500 20,200 78,700 1,000 23,900 103,500
1954 55,600 17,800 73,400 5,900 24,200 103,500
1961 60,400 17,100 77,500 2,300 23,700 103,500
1957 61,300 15,600 76,900 2,600 24,100 103,500
1977 63,800 15,700 79,500 300 23,700 103,500
1989 63,800 14,900 78,600 2,500 22,400 103,500
Average 60,200 17,200 77,400 2,200 23,900 103,500
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 12
Table 2.8
Annual Benefits – Alt 4a & 4b
Resource Existing Alt 4a Alt 4b Existing Alt 4a Alt 4b
Hydro 57,800 67,700 69,700 59,400 75,400 77,400
Fossil 28,500 18,700 16,700 44,200 28,200 26,100
Total 86,300 86,400 86,400 103,600 103,600 103,500
Benefit 9,900 11,900 16,000 18,000
Existing Load - Generation (MWh) 2 MW Addition - Generation (MWh)
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 13
3. Project Construction Cost and Construction Schedule
Construction costs and schedules were prepared and reported for the various upgrade configurations
under consideration for the Project during the Pre-Feasibility Study, Interim Feasibility Review, and
Final Feasibility Study. As stated at the close of Section 1, the focus of this Addendum to the Final
Feasibility Study Report is Alt 4a and Alt 4b as discussed below.
3.1 Construction Cost Estimates
All cost estimates are based on January 2010 bid price levels. The Direct Construction Cost for each
alternative is the total of all costs directly chargeable to the construction of the project and in essence
represents a contractors bid. Indirect costs include an allowance for contingencies, engineering, and
owner administration and are added to the Direct Construction Cost to result in the Total
Construction Cost. The contingency used for all alternatives is 25%. The assumed Engineering and
Owner Administration during the design and construction phase of the Project is 15% of
construction cost for all alternatives, inclusive of contingencies.
The period of time required to complete the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) pre-filing
licensing process can be expected to be approximately 3 years, which started in September 2008
with the receipt of the Preliminary Permit from the FERC. At this time, it is planned that a license
application would be ready to be filed with the FERC in the Fall of 2011. It is anticipated that the
subsequent post-filing process would result in a license issued by the FERC within approximately 2
years following submittal, resulting in a FERC Order Issuing License in late 2013. The winter site
conditions and the development and review of final construction plans as required by the FERC
would lead to a July construction start in 2014. Adding another 2+ years to construct the project
indicates a realistic on-line date for the Project would be in the range of late 2015 to early 2016.
Accordingly, it is appropriate to include escalation to the above costs to determine a realistic on-line
cost for the Project. However, for the purposes of the present economic analyses, 2010 dollars are
used herein to avoid the need to hypothesize what the cost of thermal generation may be that far into
the future.
3.1.1 Alternative 4a
The basis for the construction cost of the various elements of Alt 4a are listed below as follows:
Mobilization. The mobilization cost is taken directly from the estimates for Alt 3c on
the basis that the construction activities for the initial year of construction are nearly
identical.
Construction Access Trail. The cost of the 4,500 foot access trail to the high point of the
penstock above the powerhouse is estimated as 60% of the estimate for the access road
for Alt 3c. The overall length of the trail is approximately 30% of that of the route for
Alt 3c, and the width of the road bench for the trail will be two-thirds for that required
for Alt 3c. However, the alignment for the trail will be the same as that for the Alt 3c
road, which is by far the most difficult portion for construction.
Diversion Structure. The cost for the diversion structure is based on the unit costs for
similar features of the nearby diversion structure for the Humpback Creek project that is
currently under construction for Cordova Electric Cooperative.
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 14
Surface Pipeline / Penstock. The cost of the surface pipeline / penstock is based on the
detailed estimates developed for the comparable penstock segments of Alt 3c as
included in Appendix E of the FFS.
Powerhouse. The costs for the major equipment within the 6.5 MW powerhouse are
based on preliminary quotations from equipment suppliers while the cost for other
lower cost items were obtained from in-house cost data and from recently obtained bid
prices on similar construction.
Switchyard. The switchyard cost is taken directly from the estimate for Alt 3c.
Transmission. The transmission cost is taken directly from the estimate for Alt 3c.
The resulting construction cost estimate for Alt 4a is summarized in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1
Alternative 4a
Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/2010)
Item
1. Mobilization $1,573,000
2. Construction Access Trail $2,916,000
3. Dam, Intake & Spillway
a. Diversion Structure $2,230,000
b. Spillway $0
$2,230,000
4. Surface Penstock / Pipeline
a. HDPE Pipeline $0
b. Steel Pipeline $5,176,000
Subtotal $5,176,000
5. Powerhouse
a. Civil Works $2,594,000
b. Turbine & Generator $4,710,000
c. Misc. Mech. Equip.$683,000
d. Misc. Elec. Equip.$1,015,000
e. Bridge Crane $187,000
Subtotal $9,189,000
6. Switchyard $525,000
7. Transm. & Interconnection $310,000
Direct Construction Cost (Bid 1/09) $21,919,000
Escalation -$590,000
Direct Construction Cost (Bid 1/10) $21,329,000
Contingencies $6,076,000
Engineering & Owner Admin. $4,111,000
Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/10) $32,106,000
3.1.2 Alternative 4b
The cost for the addition of a Obermeyer Gate 5 feet in height on the top of the Solomon Gulch
Spillway was considered on its own as an incremental feature for the CVEA system. The cost of this
addition is based on a preliminary quotation for the gate materials and a configuration as suggested
by the Obermeyer company. The costs for modifications to the existing spillway and installation of
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 15
the gate are based on estimated quantities of construction and in-house unit costs. The resulting cost
for Alt 4b is summarized in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2
Alternative 4b
Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/2010)
Item
Labor $2,106,000
Equipment $235,000
Materials $1,951,000
Direct Construction Cost (Bid 1/10) $4,292,000
Contingencies $858,000
Engineering & Owner Admin. $773,000
Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/10) $5,923,000
3.2 Construction Schedule
The construction schedule for Alt 4a and Alt 4b is primarily controlled by the following major
factors:
Delivery time for major powerhouse equipment;
Access to Allison Lake for construction activity;
Four month window for construction activity at Allison Lake, generally from mid-July to mid-
October depending on conditions; and
Earliest most reasonable construction start in 2014 based on estimated timing of FERC
license issuance (as discussed above).
A similar approach has been used to develop a schedule for each alterative relative to the purposes
of the cost estimates presented above and the annual costs presented below for each alternative. The
schedule for Alt 4a is presented in Figure 3.3 as an example thereof.
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 16
Figure 3.3
Alternative 4a
Construction Schedule
3.3 Economic Analysis
Annual costs of the Project can be apportioned into fixed and variable costs. The fixed amount
includes amortization of the Total Capital Requirements less earnings on Reserves and is based on
7% interest rate financing over a 30-year term. Variable annual costs escalate each year and include
operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, administrative and general expenses, interim replacements,
and insurance. The basic assumptions for determining the annual fixed and variable costs of the
Project are shown in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3
Basic Assumptions for Economic Analyses
Item Value
Construction Period (Alt 4a) 25 months
Financing Term 30 years
Financing Interest Rate 7%
Reinvestment Rate Same as financing
Escalation of Project Costs 3% annually
Financing Reserve 1 year of debt service
Financing Expenses 3% of Total Investment Cost
Variable Annual Costs $500,000
Blaze trail to diversion structure
and foundation prep
Access to powerhouse
Laydown areas - powerhouse
Powerhouse foundation prep
Warehouses / offices
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4
Powerhouse
Switchyard
Transmission Line
2nd Season - 20151st Season - 2014 3rd Season - 2016
n Activity Duration (weeks)
Housing: Man-Camp in Valdez Housing: Man-Camp in Valdez
Access road to 45+00
100 / day single shift 9
Diversion structure
Penstock to 25+00
9
Penstock to 55+00 to 25+00
13
9
Penstock, PH to 55+00
Final anchor blocks, etc.
8
Blaze trail to diversion structure
and foundation prep
Access to powerhouseAccess to powerhouse
Laydown areas - powerhouse
Powerhouse foundation prep
Warehouses / offices
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4
Powerhouse
Switchyard
Transmission Line
2nd Season - 20151st Season - 2014 3rd Season - 2016
n Activity Duration (weeks)n Activity Duration (weeks)
Housing: Man-Camp in Valdez Housing: Man-Camp in Valdez
Access road to 45+00
100 / day single shift 9
Access road to 45+00
100 / day single shift 9100 / day single shift 9
Diversion structure
Penstock to 25+00
9
Penstock to 55+00 to 25+00
13
9
Penstock, PH to 55+00
Final anchor blocks, etc.
8
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 17
3.3.1 Cost of Power Alternative 4a
The Total Investment cost includes interest during construction (IDC) over an assumed 25-month
construction period. As outlined above, we have assumed that construction at the project site would
come to a stop during the winter months, with the exception of equipment installation within the
powerhouse structure. The development of the annual cost for Alt 4a is shown in 2010 dollars on
Table 3.4.
Table 3.4
Alternative 4a – First Year Annual Cost (2010 dollars)
As discussed in Section 2 above, the unit cost of power becomes a function of the extent to which
the power available from the Project can actually contribute to the CVEA system load on a day-to-
day, hour-to-hour basis. In this regard, three scenarios are presented including:
1. The AUTO Vista studies performed indicate that a total of 9,900,000 kWh from the
Project can be used within the existing CVEA system load.
2. With an additional 2 MW of load within the CVEA system, the AUTO Vista studies
performed also indicate that a total of 16,000,000 kWh from the Project can be
effectively utilized.
3. The review of the available flow data for Allison Creek indicates that a 6.5 MW run-of-
river project at the site would have the capability to produce a total of 23,300,000 kWh
at such time that the CVEA system load that would not constrain its operation.
The cost of power resulting from these three scenarios is presented in Table 3.5.
Item Cost
Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/10) $32,106,000
Interest During Construction 2,435,000
Total Investment Cost $34,541,000
Reserve Fund 3,127,000
Financing & Legal 1,036,000
Working Capital 100,000
Total Capital Requirements (1/10) $38,804,000
Annual Cost
Debt Service $3,127,000
O&M Cost 280,000
Administrative & General 112,000
Insurance 50,000
Interim Replacements 50,000
Earnings on Reserve Fund (219,000)
Total First-Year Annual Cost $3,400,000
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 18
Table 3.5
Alternative 4a – Cost of Power
3.3.2 Cost of Power Alternative 4b
As indicated by the results included in Table 2.8, the addition of the Obermeyer gate to the Solomon
Gulch spillway adds 2,000,000 kWh to the energy for the Alt 4a development with and without the
anticipated additional 2 MW of load to the CVEA system. Further, the Alt 4b contribution to the
CVEA system load is essentially the same without a run-of-river development of Allison Creek. The
resulting cost of power during the first year of operation is shown in Table 3.6.
Item Value
Alt 4a with Existing System Load (kWh) 9,900,000
First-Year Cost of Power (1/2010) ($/kWh) $0.343
Alt 4a with 2 MW Additional Load (kWh) 16,000,000
First-Year Cost of Power (1/2010) ($/kWh) $0.213
Alt 4a with Expanded CVEA System (kWh) 23,300,000
First-Year Cost of Power (1/2010) ($/kWh) $0.146
Total First-Year Annual Cost $3,400,000
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 19
Table 3.6
Alternative 4b – Cost of Power
Item Cost
Total Construction Cost (Bid 1/10) $5,469,000
Interest During Construction 255,000
Total Investment Cost $5,724,000
Reserve Fund 526,000
Financing & Legal 172,000
Working Capital 100,000
Total Capital Requirements (1/10) $6,522,000
Annual Cost
Debt Service $526,000
O&M Cost 280,000
Administrative & General 112,000
Insurance 50,000
Interim Replacements 50,000
Earnings on Reserve Fund (37,000)
Total First-Year Annual Cost $981,000
Added Hydro Generation, Existing System (kWh) 2,000,000
First-Year Cost of Power (1/2010) ($/kWh) $0.491
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 20
4. Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
Section 5 of the FFS presents our full evaluation of the regulatory and environmental considerations
relative to hydroelectric project development in general, and specifically, to a 4.5 MW storage
project at Allison Lake. Regulatory and environmental work continues to proceed toward
preparation of an Application for License to the FERC. This section presents the impacts on the
ongoing regulatory process and environmental investigations of the additional identified alternatives,
Alt 4a and Alt 4b.
4.1 Alternative 4a
4.1.1 Regulatory Considerations
CVEA issued a Preliminary Application Document (PAD), including the Draft Application for License
and Preliminary Draft Environmental Assessment (PDEA) (Draft Application) for the Allison Lake
Project on April 13, 2010. The PAD, including the Draft Application for License, described a
proposed 4.5 MW storage project and was prepared under the regulation for Major Unconstructed
Project Less Than 5 MW pursuant to 18 CFR 4.61.
The run-of-river modification to the Project would have an installed capacity of 6.5 MW and
therefore would be greater than 5 MW and the Application for License would be prepared pursuant
to 18 CFR 4.41, Major Unconstructed Project Greater Than 5 MW. This change in the applicable
FERC regulation would not significantly affect either the environmental work to date or the PDEA.
However, the change does necessitate that the engineering information be modified and expanded
as required under 18 CFR 4.41.
The change from the 4.5 MW storage project to the proposed 6.5 MW run-of-river project will
require:
1. Revision of the PDEA to present the run-of-river project description and related operation as
it differs from the storage project description and operation.
2. Preparation of the revised engineering exhibits. The Draft Application as provided on April
13, 2010, included a single engineering exhibit (Exhibit A) for the proposed 4.5 MW storage
project containing the required engineering information pursuant to 18 CFR 4.61. The
change to the proposed 6.5 MW run-of-river project changes the applicable FERC regulation
to 18 CFR 4.41 and the engineering exhibits expand to four exhibits (Exhibits A through D),
each containing greater detail and additional information beyond the single engineering
exhibit previously prepared.
3. Preparation and issuance of Revised Scoping Document 1 (SD1). SD1 was issued on April
22, 2010, and scoping meetings were held on May 10 and 12, 2010. The process for
issuing a revised SD1 was discussed with FERC staff. CVEA will not be required to hold new
scoping meetings, nor conduct an additional site visit (initial site visit was in 2005). FERC
Staff recommended that CVEA:
a. Issue a revised SD1 along with a revised PAD; and
b. Following provision of the revised documents, schedule a teleconference with the
resource agencies and other interested participants to discuss the revised proposed
Project.
In light of the above, the level of effort going forward for document preparation for the 6.5 MW run-
of-river option would be greater than that required for the 4.5 MW storage option due to the
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 21
redundancies involved with following the 18 CFR 4.41 process. However, the downstream benefits
in the activities for development of the run-of-river project would be greatly increased as discussed
below, greatly overweighing the additional effort required for document preparation and the
licensing process itself.
4.1.2 Environmental Field Investigations
In support of the preliminary permit, environmental field investigations began in 2008 for the
Project. The status of these field investigations and desk-top reviews as of May 2010 is summarized
in Section 5 of the FFS and the complete reports can be found in Appendix F to the FFS. The major
studies conducted are listed in Table 4.1.
All of the studies to date are equally applicable to the run-of-river project as discussed herein and
those arrangements considered in the FFS. Further, the selection of a run-of-river arrangement for the
project is not expected to require any new major areas of study to support the preparation of the
FERC License Application. However, as indicated by Table 4.1, on-going work will be required in
several areas as follows:
Water Use & Quality. The on-going work in this area will primarily be continued
monitoring of the two stream gages in order to develop and maintain a continuous record for
the flow regime for Allison Creek.
Biological Resources. The baseline work for fish populations and habitat, vegetation, birds
and mammals, and wildlife habitats is complete. Areas that will require further work
include:
-Aquatic Resources: Further work will be necessary to provide a basis for final
negotiation of the amount of flow required to maintain an in-stream flow between
the diversion structure and the powerhouse.
-Wetlands: Further work will be required to evaluate the extent of any wetlands
located along the selected transmission line alignment.
Archaeological / Historical Resources. The field work for the archaeological and historical
resources of the project area has been completed.
Table 4.1
Summary of Major Environmental Field Studies
Type of Field Investigation Conducted By Timeline
Geological Resources
(As described in Section 2) R&M Consultants Began: 2008
Completed: 2009
Water Use and Quality R&M Consultants Began: 2008
Completed: on-going
Biological Resources
- Fish and Aquatic Resources
- Vegetation
- Wetlands
- Birds and Mammals
- Wildlife Habitats
ABR, Inc. Began: 2008
Completed: on-going
Archaeological/Historical NLUR, Inc. Began: 2009
Completed: 2010
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 22
4.1.3 Environmental Considerations
While the regulatory framework for Alt 4a is more detailed than that associated for Alt 3c, the
associated scope of environmental issues is greatly reduced. The more significant elements of this
comparison are:
1. Allison Lake would be left in its natural state in the case of Alt 4a, which has not been the
case for all arrangements previously considered. The lake would have been drawn down by
as much as 100 feet during the winter season in the lake-tap alternatives. Conversely, the
lake would have been raised 43 feet in the case of Alt 3c thereby inundating the existing
east and west shorelines and the delta at the south end of the lake.
2. The construction activity of the dam near the outlet of the lake would disturb a significant
area with attendant concerns for water quality within Allison Creek to a much greater extent
than would be associated with the construction of the diversion structure for Alt 4a.
3. The construction of the diversion structure for Alt 4a would not require that a road be
constructed to the outlet of Allison Lake nor the extensive amount of traffic associated with
the construction of the major dam structure included with Alt 3c.
4. In the case of Alt 3c, there would be a potential for seepage beneath and around the dam
resulting in a loss of water available for hydropower generation as well as changed ground
water conditions in the glacial moraine downstream of Allison Lake. While not likely, any
seepage that may occur at the location of the diversion structure associated with Alt 4a
would be very minor.
5. In the case of Alt 4a, the flow regime within Allison Creek would remain unchanged
between Allison Lake and the diversion structure as well as within the reach downstream of
the powerhouse, the latter being the area of primary concern for the habitat for both resident
and anadromous fish species.
All of these factors would greatly reduce the level of effort required for Alt 4a as compared to Alt 3c
for agency consultation throughout the remaining licensing activities as well as for environmental
monitoring during construction and operation of the project.
4.2 Alternative 4b
4.2.1 Regulatory Considerations
An amendment to the existing Solomon Gulch Project FERC License (No. P-2742) would be required
for the proposed five foot raise in the normal maximum water surface of Solomon Lake as proposed
for Alt 4b. The amendment would require that agency consultation take place in a manner
comparable to that currently anticipated for the Allison Lake development. As part of the
consultation process, issues that were not resolved according to current practice during the original
licensing process would likely be revisited by existing agency staff.
4.2.2 Environmental Field Studies
Ostensibly, the environmental field studies would focus on habitat values within the additional area
to be submerged surrounding Solomon Lake as the result of the proposed five foot raise in the
normal maximum water surface of Solomon Lake. It can be expected, however, that agency
consultation would result in requests for further studies with regard to other aspects of the project
that were not studied in accordance with current practice as part of the original licensing process.
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 23
4.2.3 Environmental Considerations
No specific concerns of a fatal flaw nature have been identified with regard to the environmental
effects of the proposed five foot raise in the normal maximum water surface of Solomon Lake as
proposed for Alt 4b.
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 24
5. Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Conclusions
5.1.1 Alternative 4a
In addition to the general conclusions relating to the development of a hydropower project in the
Allison Creek basin as provided in the FFS, conclusions specific to the run-of-river Alt 4a gained as
the result of the present evaluation include the following:
The scope of the project as proposed for the run-of-river Alt 4a is significantly reduced from
that associated with Alt 3c.
A run-of-river Alt 4a development of the Allison Creek basin can produce 23.3 GWh of
energy on an average annual basis within the environment of an unconstrained system load.
A run-of-river Alt 4a development of the Allison Creek basin would produce 9.8 GWh of
energy on an average annual basis within the existing CVEA system load. The project is not
cost effective under this load condition.
With the addition of 2 MW to the CVEA system load, the Alt 4a average annual contribution
to the CVEA system load would increase to 16.0 GWh. On this basis, the project would be
competitive with the cost of diesel generation.
Further increases in the CVEA system load would in turn result in a further reduction in the
cost of power from Alt 4a.
The reduced scale of the hydropower development of the Allison Creek basin as offered by
Alt 4a would in turn minimize the risk of construction cost overruns relative to that
potentially associated with Alt 3c.
The diversion structure proposed for Alt 4a would entail a minimal, if any, risk of seepage or
other dam safety related issues in contrast to that potentially associated with the large dam at
the outlet of Allison Lake as proposed for Alt 3c.
On the basis that the installed capacity of the run-of-river Alt 4a is expected to be greater
than 5 MW, FERC 18 CFR 4.41 would be the required regulation for the preparation of a
FERC License Application for the project.
The reduced scale of the hydropower development of the Allison Creek basin as offered by
Alt 4a will result in an overall reduction in environmental effects relative to that associated
with Alt 3c.
In contrast to any of the storage project arrangements as previously considered for
development of the Allison Creek basin, the run-of-river configuration as proposed for Alt 4a
would maintain the existing flow and temperature regimes downstream of powerhouse. This
would be a major advantage for Alt 4a owing to the critical importance of this reach of
Allison Creek to resident and anadromous fish populations.
Alt 4a is superior to Alt 3c in all respects.
5.1.2 Alternative 4b
Conclusions specific to Alt 4b gained as the result of the present evaluation include the following:
The addition of inflatable gates to the Solomon Gulch Spillway as proposed for Alt 4b would
add approximately 2 GWh of average annual energy to the CVEA system for service to all
system load and resource conditions considered for the project, existing and future.
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 25
The addition of inflatable gates to the Solomon Gulch Spillway as proposed for Alt 4b would
require an amendment to the existing FERC License for the Solomon Gulch Project.
On the basis of the energy potential and cost estimates prepared for this evaluation, the
addition of inflatable gates to the Solomon Gulch Spillway as proposed for Alt 4b would not
currently be economically viable relative to the other resources available to the CVEA.
5.2 Recommendations
Based on the conclusions referenced and outlined above, we provide the following
recommendations:
Adopt Alt 4a as the preferred alternative for the development of the hydroelectric potential
of the Allison Creek basin;
Terminate further consideration of Alt 3c and Alt 4b;
Complete the analysis of the environmental effects of a hydropower development within the
Allison Creek basin on the basis of Alt 4a;
Optimize the capacity of the powerhouse for the run-of-river Alt 4a; and
Prepare a FERC License Application for Alt 4a pursuant to the provisions of 18 CFR 4.41.
Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc. - Allison Lake Hydroelectric Project
Addendum Final Feasibility Report
January 2011 Page 26
6. References
1. Hatch Acres Corporation, Allison Lake Hydropower Development FINAL FEASIBILITY STUDY,
prepared for Copper Valley Electric Association, May 2010 .
2. HDR Engineering, Inc., SOLOMON GULCH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT RESERVOIR
CAPACITY FEASIBILITY STUDY, prepared for Copper Valley Electric Association, November
1991.
Nov Dec Apr MayJan JunMarFeb Sep Oct NovAugJulAlt 4aGeneration (MW)AUTOVista ANALYSIS AUTOVista ANALYSIS ––ALT 4aALT 4aAnnual Dispatch w/ Existing Load Annual Dispatch w/ Existing Load ––19611961SG 2Allison 1DieselAllison 2CogenSG 1ExistingAppendix A -1
Nov Dec Apr MayJan JunMarFeb Sep Oct NovAugJulAlt 4aGeneration (MW)AUTOVista ANALYSIS AUTOVista ANALYSIS ––ALT 4aALT 4aAnnual Dispatch w/ 2 MW Added Load Load Annual Dispatch w/ 2 MW Added Load Load ––19611961SG 2Allison 1DieselAllison 2CogenSG 1Existing + 2 MWAppendix A -2
SOLOMON GULCH HYDROELECTRIC FACILITY OBERMEYER GATE INSTALLATIONConstruction Cost SummaryNEW INSTALLATIONBased on Dick Freeman's Avista- Nine Mile estimate dated Dec 18, 2007 and Jim Rutherford's Humpback Creek Estimate, 03/2009, and Obermeyer quote dated October 22, 2010TOTAL LABOREQUIPMENT MATERIALSNo. ItemCrewSizeHours / Crew Hours Rate Total Item Qty Rate Weeks Total Item Qty Rate Total1 Mobilization $57,200 $42,000 $15,200 $07 80560 75 $42,000 966 Loader1 4000 2$8,0001$0Flatbed trucks2 1500 2$6,000Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 2$1,2002 Remove Existing Splitter Piers $67,800 $52,500 $4,800 $10,5007 100700 75 $52,500 600 cfm compressor1 1800 2$3,600 Miscellaneous (20% of labor)10500 1$10,500Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 2$1,200$03 Drill and Set Anchors - 112 each $210,320 $144,000 $31,200 $35,1208 2401920 75 $144,000 $0 Miscellaneous5000 1$5,000$0 Anchors 1" x 15 ft x 56 ea x 2.67 lbs ea.5000 3$15,0000600 cfm compressor1 1800 4$7,200 Grout1680 9$15,120airtracks2 2700 4$21,600Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 4$2,4004 Pour Concrete $311,366 $180,000 $70,400 $60,966Description: Pour additional spillway concete to anchor Obermeyer Gate, middle spitter wall and create a right abutment. Approx. 524 CY of concrete with a 1:2:4 mix, 4 x 60 hour weeks $0Labor - 10 men working 6 (10) hour days10 2402400 75 $180,000Generator - 60 kw1 900 4$3,600 Miscellaneous5000 1$5,000Compressor - 66 cfm1 2100 4$8,400 Form lumber 27600 $0.50 $13,800Mix truck1 5500 4$22,000 Rebar - cut, bundled in town 32390 $0.80 $25,912Water truck1 2500 4$10,000 Cement 72 $90 $6,480Concrete pump10 600 4$24,000 Sand 171 $10 $1,710Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 4$2,400 Gravel 281 $12 $3,372Misc vibrators, saws, drills1 0 4$0 Additives/Curing (add 10% to all) 1.38 $3,400 $4,6925 Install Air Piping Along Crest $78,540 $60,000 $5,800 $12,7408 100800 75 $60,000 600 cfm compressor1 800 2$1,600flatbed truck1 1500 2$3,000Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 2$1,2002" pipe with fittings, galvanized530 20$10,600miscellaneous2140 1$2,14012 03 2010 Obermeyer Annual Cost_arg_joee.xls
SOLOMON GULCH HYDROELECTRIC FACILITY OBERMEYER GATE INSTALLATIONConstruction Cost SummaryNEW INSTALLATIONBased on Dick Freeman's Avista- Nine Mile estimate dated Dec 18, 2007 and Jim Rutherford's Humpback Creek Estimate, 03/2009, and Obermeyer quote dated October 22, 2010TOTAL LABOREQUIPMENT MATERIALSNo. ItemCrewSizeHours / Crew Hours Rate Total Item Qty Rate Weeks Total Item Qty Rate Total6 Set Obermeyer Assemblies in Place $1,764,325 $234,000 $43,600 $1,486,72513 2403120 75 $234,000 $0Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 4$2,400 Obermeyer $1,486,72560 ton crane1 7000 4$28,000 2 each 225' long x 5' high, assumed 600 cfm compressor1 1800 4$7,200 same cost as AVISTA, 9 mileflatbed truck1 1500 4$6,000 (250' long x 10' high)7 Install Abutment Seal Plates (both ends) $479,400 $405,000 $50,400 $24,00015 3605400 75 $405,000 $0Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 6$3,600 Drill bits, epoxy grout14000 1$14,000600 cfm compressor1 1800 6$10,800 Anchors600 1$600mish air tools13500 1 2$27,000 Concrete1200 1$1,200flatbed truck1 1500 6$9,000 Form lumber500 2$1,000Handrail platforms (lbs)1440 5$7,2008 Install Compressor, MCC, Local Controls $78,000 $60,000 $12,000 $6,0008 100800 75 $60,000 flatbed truck1 1500 2$3,000 Miscellaneous6000 1$6,00010 Ton Crane1 7000 1$7,000Miscellaneous1 1000 2$2,000Pettibone Fork Lift1 600 29 Raise Reservoir, Startup, Turnover $34,000 $30,000 $2,000 $2,0004 100400 75 $30,000 Miscellaneous2000 1 1$2,000 Miscellaneous2000 1$2,000SUBTOTAL $3,080,95180 1560 16100$1,207,500 $235,400 $1,638,051Supervision (% of labor) $301,875 25% $301,875Overhead (% of labor) $181,125 15% $181,125Overtime factor (% of total labor) $169,050 10% $169,050Profit on labor (% of labor) $148,764 8% $148,764Profit on materials (% of labor) $81,903 5% $81,903Contigency (20%) $792,734Engineering & Owqner Administration (15%) $713,460SUBTOTAL $5,469,86112 03 2010 Obermeyer Annual Cost_arg_joee.xls