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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponses to November 25, 2009 Notice for the Chakachamna Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission No. 12660) 20095 E R V ICE 5 I LLC December 11, 2009 Ms. Kimberly Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street NE Washington, DC 20426 FILED ELECTRONICALLY Subject: Responses to November 25, 2009 Notice (Deficient Preliminary Permit Application) for the Chakachamna Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 12660). Dear Ms. Bose, On November 3, 2009 TDX Power Services, LLC (TDX) submitted an application for a successive preliminary permit for the Chakachanma Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 12660). By letter dated November 25, 2009 the Commission notified TDX that the application was deficient and requested that items identified in Schedule A (Attachment A of this filing) of the notice be corrected within 45 days. As requested, TDX is providing a revised Initial Statement (Attachment B) that specifies the name of the person authorized to act as agent for TDX Power Services, LLC as required by Section 4.81 (a)(3) of the Commission's regulations. We are also providing a revised Exhibit 1 (Attachment C) that provides, to the best of our ability, additional detail on the proposed nine- foot high grade control weir as required by Section 4.81(b)(1). The revised Exhibit 1 also identifies the federal land located within the proposed Project boundary and contains updated FERC Form 587 (2 sheets) that are reconciled with Exhibit 3 from our November 3 filing. Kimberly Bose, Secretary December 11, 2009 Page 1 of2 We look forward to working with the Commission as we continue to pursue this opportunity. As always, if you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact me at (907) 278-2312. Sincerely, r;,;,~ ~ Nicholas Goodman Manager Enclosures (3) cc: Service List Bureau of Land Management 222 W 7th Avenue #13 Anchorage, Alaska 99513 Attention: FERC Withdrawal Recordation 20091125-3002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 11/25/2009 Attachment A P-12660-002 3 Schedule A -Deficiencies Pursuant to section 4.32(e)(1) of the Commission's regulations, we have identified the following deficiencies with your preliminary permit application. Please file your revised application with the corrected deficiencies within 45 days from the date of this letter. 1. On page 2 of your application, you did not include the name of the person authorized to act as agent for TDX Power Services, LLC as required by section 4.81(a)(3) of the Commission's regulations. Please revise this part to include this information. 2. Section 4.81(b)(l) of the Commission's regulations requires that your application include the number, physical composition, dimensions, general configuration and, where applicable, age and condition, of any dams, whether existing or proposed, that would be part of the project. On page 7 of your application, you state that there would be a nine-foot-high grade control weir (i.e., dam) at the lake outlet. As required by section 4.81(b)(I), please provide an estimate of the physical composition, general configuration, and dimensions of the dam across the outlet, including the v-notch weir inverts and widths along the crest of the dam. 3. On page 9 of your application, you state that an estimated 1,009 acres of federal land would be located within the proposed project boundary. However, as required by section 4.81 (b)( 5), you did not identify the name of the federal land reservation( s) or tract( s). You also included a FERC Form 587 land description showing the townships, ranges, and sections of the federal lands. When cross-referencing the information shown in FERC Form 587 with your Exhibit 3 maps, we note that the FERC Form 587 does not include federal lands shown in Exhibit 3 in Township 12 North, Range 17 West, sections 11, 13,23, and 25. Also, you tabulate the federal lands by full sections even though your project boundary only encloses small portions of federal lands within each of the identified sections. We note that section 4.8 I (d)(3)(ii) requires that the proposed project boundary only enclose the smallest legal subdivision of a public land survey, which in this instance, would be quarter-quarter sections. Please revise Exhibit I of your application to identify the name of the federal land reservation(s) or tract(s) tabulated in FERC Form 587 and shown on your Exhibit 3 maps. Please also revise the FERC Form 587 to show the lands tabulated by quarter-quarter sections. Please also include the missing land parcels identified above in your tabulations. Please be sure that your Exhibit 3 maps and Attachment B-Response to Deficiency Item 1 A. Initial Statement (1) TDX Power Services, LLC ("Applicant") applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for ,a subsequent preliminary permit for the proposed Chakachamna Hydroelectric Project r'Project"), as described in the attached exhibits. This application is made in order that the Applicant may secure and maintain priority of application for a license for the Project under Part I of the Federal Power Act while obtaining the data and performing the acts required to determine the feasibility ofthe Project and to support an application for a license. (2) The location of the proposed Project is: State or Territory: County: Township or nearby town: Stream or other body of water: Alaska Kenai Peninsula Borough Tyonek Chakachamna Lake (3) The exact name, business address, and telephone number of Applicant are: TDX Power Services, LLC 4300 B Street, Suite 402 Anchorage, AK 99503 Phone: (907) 278-2312 The exact name and business address of each person authorized to act as agent for Applicant in this application are: Nicholas Goodman, Manager TDX Power Services, LLC 4300 B Street, Suite 402 Anchorage, AK 99503 Phone: (907) 278-2312 Fax: (907) 278-2332 Email: ngoodman@tdxpower.t:om It is requested that the following representatives also be included on the communication lists for this proceeding on behalf of Applicant: Eric Yould Wood Canyon Group,Inc. P.O. Box 3415 Palmer, AK 99645 Chakaehamna Project (P-12660) November 2009 Preliminary Permit Application Initial Statement Phone: (907) 745-8367 Fax: (907) 745-8368 Email: evould(Q)starband.net and Finlay Anderson Long View Associates 4022 NE Sth Ave Portland, Oregon 97212 Phone: (503) 335-5S06 Fax: (503) 345-3418 Email: (a1lder.von@jollgviassocates.com (4) Applicant is a corporation and is not claiming preference under section 7(a) of the Federal Power Act. (5) The proposed term of the requested permit is 36 months. (6) Chakachamna Lake was formed natnrally. There is no existing man-made dam. (7) The following exhibits are hereby made a pan of this Application for Preliminary Permit: Exhibit 1 -Description of Proposed Project (revised 12-15-2009 in response to November 252009 Deficiency Notice) Exhibit 2 Description of Stndies (as submitted November 3, 2009) Exhibit 3 Project Maps (as submitted November 3,2009 and subsequently revised on November 9, 2009) Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 2 Preliminary Permit Application Initial Statement Attachment C -Response to Deficiency Items 2 and 3 © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. Chakachamna Hydroelectric Project FERC Preliminary Permit Application EXHIBIT 1 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT . (1) The number, physical composition, dimensions, general configuration and, where applicable, age and condition, of any dams, spillways, penstocks, powerhouses, tailraces, or other structures, whether existing or proposed, that would be part of the project; TDX Power is studying the feasibility of developing a hydroelectric project on the Chakachatna and MacArthur Rivers, approximately 40 miles west of the Native Village of Tyonek and approximately 82 miles west of Anchorage in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. TDX is proposing a project that entails the interbasin transfer of water from a lake-tap near the outlet of Chakachamna Lake through an approximately 10.8 mile long hard-rock tunnel to an underground powerhouse that would discharge to the McArthur River. It is estimated that the project could produce roughly 1,300 gigawatt hours (GWh) average annual energy from an installed capacity of 300 MW. A control weir and fish passage facilities would be located at the outlet of Lake Chakachamna. Upstream and downstream fish passage would be provided through an operating plan that maintains a minimum pool to provide access through the natural channel during key migration periods, and fish passage facilities that are available when the lake level is not high enough to provide flow to the Chakachatna River. The power produced would be distributed to an existing substation on the Railbelt grid in central Alaska via approximately 42 miles of newly constructed 230-kilovolt transmission lines. Existing Structures and Roads: Existing Structures: There are no existing structures in the project area. Existing Roads: Existing roads from Trading Bay or North Foreland would provide access to the location of the Straight Creek crossing (located approximately half way to the Project site). From the Straight Creek crossing to the Project site existing roads would be improved in a northwest direction to the north of the Chakachatna River~ however, existing roads do not extent up the Chakachatna as far as the Project. Road improvements would take place on relatively flat land, crossing numerous creeks aDd "-wetland areas along the way. Thus no major slope stability issues are of concern and only improvements to gravel surfaces and/or culverts are expected. A new bridge construction at Straight Creek will be necessary. Overall review for improvement of the existing road conditions and river crossings will take into consideration transportation of the large pieces of equipment-including the tunnel boring machine, turbine and generator components-transportation of personnel, and delivery of construction equipment and materials. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 © 2009 TDX POWER LLC. Proposed Project Structures and Roads: Unloading facilities would be developed on tidewater at Trading Bay to include storage and small camp facilities for operating staff. All weather roads, including appropriate bridges and culverts, would be built to both the downstream power plant location on McArthur River and the upstream facilities at Chakachamna Lake. Camp facilities for workers would be constructed at both locations. Access Road to Powerhouse: Farther upstream from Straight Creek a new bridge and new access road are proposed to cross the Chakachatna River and proceed approximately 15 miles to the proposed powerhouse to be located on the left bank of the McArthur River. The road alignment will follow the topography along existing creeks and follow the mountain contours on the left margin of McArthur River. Several culvert crossings would be required along the way to the powerhouse, but no major slope or stability issues will be encountered because the alignment ofthis section of road follows relatively gentle topography. Access Road to Intake: The access road from the Straight Creek Bridge will follow the left bank of the Chakachatna River valley for about 20 miles to the proposed intake area. This alignment will almost entirely cross rugged topography. The Chakachatna River canyon is bordered by steep slopes that may be unstable at times, so stabilization measures will be needed; careful alignment of this portion of the access road will be needed. It may be possible to move the alignment north to keep a setback distance from potentially unstable areas or other areas with higher risk of rockfall. At least one river crossing will be needed to access the right bank of the river valley and the power tunnel intake area and the upstream and downstream portals of the fish tunnel. Several culverts will be required along this portion of road for adequate drainage. Power Tunnel: The tunnel alignment is shown in Exhibit I, Sheet 1 in Plan and Section. Topography from early 1960s United States Geological Survey quadrangle maps was used as it is believed to be the most accurate topography on hand. The power tunnel, which would be excavated with tunnel boring machines (TBMs), would be approximately 10.8 miles long and 21 feet in diameter. Since the bored surface would be relatively smooth, with small head losses, the tunnel would be unlined over most of its length. It is anticipated that the tunnel would cross faulted zones along the route, and the rock in these zones would not be self-supporting. These sections of tunnel would be lined with an integrated rockbolt and shotcrete lining. Immediately upstream of the penstocks, a surge shaft would be provided to control water hammer effects. Downstream of the surge shaft, the tunnel would be concrete lined and then pass into a steel lined section Exhibit 1, Sheet 2. Construction adits to access the top and bottom of the power-house and other chamber excavations and an access tunnel are also shown on Exhibit I, Sheet 2. As shown, the access tunnel would also serve as the route for the ventilation system and power cables. As the Project design progresses, it may be shown that a separate cable/ventilation tunnel is required. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 2 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 © 2009 TDX POWER SER ~7CES, LLC. Power Tunnel Intake: The power tunnel intake would be located in the right bank rock abutment (composed of quartz diorite) to provide for a secure structure protected against avalanches and rock-falls. The opening of the intake to the Chakachamna Lake would be located at an approximate elevation of 932 foot to insure adequate submergence to reduce attraction of fish into the power tunnel and to prevent vortex formation. Construction of the water intake would involve a lake tap and would have an upstream water control system located within a vertical shaft. The upstream control system would consist of a bulkhead gate as the primary maintenance gate and a fixed wheel gate as an emergency gate. The vertical shaft will be a wet-well type. The elevation of the platform in the shaft, for operation and maintenance of the gates, will be above maximum water level in the lake. An unlined intake tunnel will connect the bottom of the shaft to the lake. A rock trap would likely be installed to capture rock entering the power tunnel as a result of lake tap operation. These features are shown in Exhibit 1, Sheet 3. Surge Shafts: A single long tunnel is proposed to convey water from the intake to the three turbine units. Because of this long water conveyance, a surge shaft would be installed at the downstream end of tunnel, as close as possible to the powerplant. The location of the surge shaft would be selected so that the shaft will be located in rock. The surge shaft (with an approximate diameter of 60 feet) will be connected to the power tunnel with a smaller diameter. The purpose of the surge shaft is to reduce pressure changes caused by hydraulic transients resulting from load changes on the turbines and to reduce the water start-time relative to the mechanical start- time of the units, which would facilitate frequency regulation as well as load acceptance. Powerhouse: an underground cavern-type powerhouse will contain all mechanical equipment, including turbines and ancillary equipment Based on the equipment specifications identified below, the expected powerhouse footprint would be 60 feet wide by 200 feet long. • Turbines: The three turbines proposed for the Project are vertical axis Francis units with a rated output capacity of 122 MW at full gate and average reservoir level with only one unit operating. The total installed capacity of the power plant would be 300 MW. The turbines would be directly coupled to a synchronous air/water-cooled generator. Because Francis units operate at higher speeds, smaller generators, and therefore a smaller powerhouse cavern, would be needed. Additional mechanical equipment would include the governor, three turbine shutoff valves installed immediately upstream of the turbines, and a powerhouse bridge crane. The tailrace mechanical systems include stop logs and hoists to allow dewatering of the tailrace channel. • Transformers and switchyard cavern: The three-phase power transformers would be placed in an underground cavern connected to an underground gas insulated switchyard (GIS). Both the transformer and the switchyard cavern would be 40 feet wide by 85 feet long and connected to each other by an access tunnel and three bus tunnels. A single-line electrical diagram of the proposed facilities is provided in Exhibit 1, Sheet 4 Further study may show that there is sufficient space outside the underground powerhouse for the GIS. If this is so, the GIS will be located outside as a surface facility, and one of the underground chambers will be eliminated. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 3 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit I © 2009 TDX POWER LLC. • Powerhouse Tailrace: An approximately 1000-foot-long tailrace tunnel would connect the draft tubes to the river downstream of the Project Because of the length of this tunnel, a downstream surge sbaft, at the confluence of all three tailrace tunnels, would be needed to reduce pressure fluctuation in the tailrace tunnel. The interior of the surge shaft must be at atmospheric pressure: this is currently shown as a small diameter shaft to the surface, but a horizontal adit leading to the ventilation tunnel or the access tunnel is also an option. Fish-Passage Tunnel: Under the proposed operating plan, Chakacharnna Lake water surface elevation will be below the elevation of the natural Chakachatna River outlet elevation for part of the year, preventing flow into the river. A bypass tunnel will be constructed in order to provide a means of conveying water for required instream flow releases and to provide low water fish passage when access is not available via the Chakachatna River. Preliminary long-term averages indicate that the project could be operated such that the river channel would carry sufficient flow for fish passage during much of the season. Current indications are that fish passage technology in some form would be required more than 70% of the time in an average July and less than 10% on average for the months of August through October. Natural variation in precipitation and other conditions would be expected to result in years with significantly more or less use of the fish facilities. More study is needed to further define run timing, instream flow requirements and other parameters that impact project design and operations. At this time it appears that the system could potentially be optimized to reduce or eliminate use of fish passage facilities in September and October. The proposed tunnel for fish passage will be located on the southwest abutment connecting Chakachamna Lake to the Chakachatna River, about 2.5 miles from the lake outlet (Exhibit 1, Sheet 5). The adult entrance and juvenile outlet would be located at the downstream end of the tunnel. At the upstream or west end woul.d be a chamber containing the juvenile inlet and adult outlet. These features are described below, from upstream to downstream (west to east). At this stage of the preliminary design, it is anticipated that the proposed fish tunnel would be bored in an east-west direction, with the same TBM as the power tunnel, so the anticipated diameter would also be 21 feet. The tunnel will probably cross one or more fault zones, expected to be between 15 feet and 60 feet wide. As in the case of the power tunnel, in areas of good quality rock, excavation would need very little rock support, whereas in the fault zones, supporting the rock with an integrated lining of rock bolts and reinforced shotcrete is anticipated. Adult Outlet and Juvenile Inlet Structure: A chamber would be excavated about 40 feet into the rock-face at the shore of the lake, with inlet structures for passing juvenile fish and minimum instream flows. Facilities for adults would include a fish ladder, holding pool, and a fish lock for returning adults to the reservoir. • Adult Fish Facilities: Adults arriving at the upstream end of the tunnel would travel up a vertical slot fish ladder, with a rise of 19 feet over 19 pools up to an invert elevation of 1, 103 feet. At the top of the fish ladder, the fish would travel up a short channel and through a V-trap into a holding pond. The holding pool would be about 100 feet long and 16 feet wide and fitted with a fish crowder. Water depth in the holding pool would be a minimum of 6 feet. The water supply for the holding pool and fish ladder would come Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 4 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit J © 2009 TDX POWER LLC. from the ladder flow intake gate adjacent to the fish lock (Exhibit 1, Sheet 6). The energy of the water would dissipated in a stilling chamber and then upwell through floor gratings in the bottom of the fish lock and the holding pond. This flow of about 40 to 50 cfs would serve as fish attraction flow. The fish lock is 14 feet in diameter and about 60 feet high. It has three exit gates and a braille for crowding fish to the surface and out of the lock. Fish in the holding pool would be moved into the fish lock using the crowder Exhibit I, Sheet 7). The entrance gate to the lock would be closed, and the lock would fill from flow entering through the floor grating. After the lock is filled, the appropriate lock exit gate would be opened. To make sure that the fish leave the lock, a brail covering the area of the lock will be raised forcing the fish upward to the level of the exit gate. Water flowing through the open lock exit gate would attract fish into the lake. The flow through the exit gate would be withdrawn at the bottom of the lock into a pipe delivering the flow to the stilling chamber and into the holding pool through the floor diffuser. Although operation of this facility could be automated, personnel would be present to monitor operation. It is envisioned that the lock would operate for 16 hours per day during the peak adult upstream passage season. • Juvenile Fish Facilities: Juvenile fish would be attracted into the entrance structure through openings provided at four elevations (Exhibit 1, Sheet 6). The lowest is the instream flow gate, a 12-foot by 12-foot gate capable of producing the bypass flow at the design water surface elevation range of 1,083 to 1,150 feet. After passing through the gate, the flow would decelerate in a horizontal channel until reaching the junction with the channel from the juvenile bypass gates. The upper three gates are the juvenile intake gates at elevations 1,132,1,112, and 1,092 feet. Each of these gates is 6-foot by 6-foot and designed to admit 200 cfs into a ]6-foot wide channel, which has a series of I-foot drops over submerged weirs. At the downstream end of the drops is a chute, which accelerates the flow to same velocity as the in stream flow. The flows combine at the junction of the two channels about 120 feet downstream of the instream flow gate. Both adults and juveniles would pass through the fish passage tunnel when the lake level is not high enough to provide flow down the Chakachatna River that is adequate for fish passage. The tunnel would be about 13,800 feet long and 2] feet in diameter. It would contain the adult transport channel, the downstream migrant transport channel, the instream flow conduit, and a small access road. The tunnel would have a slope of about 0.116 percent Exhibit 1, Sheet 8). The adult transport channel would be in the upper right quadrant of the tunnel looking upstream. It would have the same overall slope as the tunnel and would contain baffles along its length to provide resting areas for adults. The flow in the channel would be 100 cfs and the average water velocity would be about 2 fps. The 100 cfs is made up of 40 to 50 cfs from the ladder and about 50 cfs from the instream flow diffused into the lower steps in the ladder. Lighting of the adult passage channel would be provided to improve adult passage. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 5 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. The lower half of the tunnel would be devoted to passage of the in stream flows and downstream migrants. During the passage seasons for both adults and juveniles, which do not overlap, the instream flow is assumed to be 1,094 cfs. This design flow will be evaluated and adjusted as appropriate through instream flow studies are conducted. During the juvenile passage season, all flow (1,094 cfs) would travel down the instream flow channel at about 7 fps. During the adult passage season flow in the in stream flow channel would be 994 cfs and travel at a velocity of about 7 fps. The remaining 100 cfs present in the juvenile channel during the juvenile passage season would be routed to the adult transport channel during the adult passage season. The channel would be'lined or unlined depending on the nature of the rock. through which the tunnel is bored. There would be a center wall in the lower half of the tunnel to support the adult passage channel and the roadway. An access roadway would be contained in the upper left quadrant of the tunnel (looking upstream). It would be about 9 feet wide at floor level and would provide access to the . adult exit and juvenile inlet facilities, It would also allow for inspection of the adult fishway channeL This roadway would be suitable for electric carts to transport personnel and equipment. • Adult Entrance and Juvenile Outlet Structure: As noted above, the adult and juvenile peak migration periods do not overlap, The minimum instream flow would pass down the fish passage tunnel during the year when the lake water level is below the lake outlet At the beginning of the season for fish passage, the facilities would initially be configured for juvenile migration. At the start of the adult migration season the ladder flow intake gate would be opened to provide flow to the ladder and holding pond. When the juvenile migration period is over the facility would remain in the same configuration for adult passage while maintaining the minimum instream flow. The structure would be reconfigured by installing or removing bulkheads, bar racks, and adjusting gates and valves. The adult entrance and juvenile outlet structure would be located between the downstream end of the tunnel and the wide area in the Chakachatna River just downstream of a bend and islands (Exhibit 1, Sheet 5). At this location on the river the water surface is 1,065 feet. Locating the terminus of the tunnel this far down the river is required to provide the slope necessary to deliver the instream flows and fish passage flows at the low design operating lake water surface elevation of 1,111 feet. The structure would include an outlet for juvenile migrants traveling in the instream flow release. The outlet would spread the flow over a wide area to create a low-velocity entry into the river and wider dispersion of migrants to decrease the chance of predation. The facilities for adults would consist of entrance gates for adult fish and a fish ladder of about 9 feet in height for fish to enter the fish passage channel in the tunneL An auxiliary water structure would be located adjacent to the fish ladder and adult entrance pooL This structure would take about 300 or 400 cfs from the in stream flow channel and add it to the ladder and entrance pool through diffuser gratings in the floors of these structures. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 6 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 © 2009 TDX POWER LLC. This would provide greater attraction flows for adults to enter the ladder. The remainder of the instream flow would be diffused through bar gratings at low velocities into the river to prevent adults from being attracted to this flow. • Fish Ladder at Chakacharnna Lake Outlet Control Weir: While there will be no dam associated with the project, there will be a concrete flow-control weir placed at the natural lake outlet for the purpose of helping to control lake storage and downstream flow releases. In addition, there will be a fishway downstream of the control weir for the purpose of facilitating fish passage into the natural lake. The precise design of the control weir will be determined pursuant to future power and in-stream flow investigations as part of the FERC licensing process. A reconnaissance level design of the control weir suggests a concrete structure 200 foot long and nine-feet-high placed at the lake outlet. Length of the weir will ultimately depend on down stream flow requirements to be determined in the future. The crest elevation of the weir would be at 1,142 ft and this coincides with recent stage readings from USGS stream gage records. Additionally, while the natural lake outlet invert has varied by as much as 10 feet in the past, the outlet weir would have a minimum V-notch elevation that would stabilize the outlet channel invert at approximately elevation 1,l33. A stable and predictable lake outlet elevation is important for operation of the fish facilities. The weir would be designed to safely pass flood waters over its crest. No other spillways are anticipated to be required. A pool-and-chute fishway would be incorporated into the weir to provide fish passage when the lake is full and water is flowing out of the lake. The pool-and-chute fishway concept is a conventional design developed by engineers at the Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife to provide full-flow fishways for low-height weirs and diversion structures. The fishway would consist of approximately nine long-crested weirs extending the full width, or a major portion of the width, of the control weir. The fishway weirs would bisect the stream at 90 degrees and are spaced about 10 to 30 feet apart depending on the design flows. These flows would be determined under further reservoir operations and power studies conducted as part of the FERC licensing process. The weir crests would have a slight "V" shape, i.e., the crest of the weirs would be higher at the sides and lower in the center; this would allow low flows to pass down the center and higher flows over the whole weir. (2) The estimated number, surface area, storage capacity, and normal maximum surface elevation (mean sea level) of any reservoirs, whether existing or proposed, that would be part of the project; Existing Reservoir: Chakachamna Lake is an existing natural lake with a water surface elevation of about 1,142 feet and a channel invert of 1,128 feet. The water surface elevation fluctuates with the normal advance and retreat of the Barrier Glacier at the lake outlet. High water marks indicate a maximum normal surface elevation of 1,155 feet. Total volume of the lake at maximum water surface level is 4,483,000 acre feet. This corresponds to a surface area of approximately 17,500 acres. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 7 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 co 2009 TDX POWER LLC. Proposed Reservoir Development: The proposed development would maintain lake level to a maximum nonnal surface elevation of 1,142 feet. Drawdown would be limited to a pool an elevation of 1,082 feet for an active storage of 886,500 acre feet and a surface area of approximately 14,200 acres. A low weir with crest at an elevation of 1,142.0 feet will be constructed at the natural lake outlet to the Chakachatna River. The general objective of proposed Project operation would be to generate at a level that is roughly proportional to the electricity loads in the Alaska Railbelt area. The Project would normally be operated to generate at a constant rate each day; to date there has only been consideration for seasonal load following. Daily and hourly load following would be examined at a later date once more economic data and ramping rate infonnation became available. The availability of substantial lake storage would be used to increase generation during the winter months when Chakachamna Lake inflows are low, but when the demand for electricity is relatively high. The powerhouse would not nonnally operate at capacity unless spill at the Chakachamna Lake outlet was occurring or was expected to occur. A summary of the basic proposed Project physical operating characteristics are shown on Table 1. Table 1. Summary ofPr~iect operating characteristics. Parameter Value Powerhouse rated capacity (MW) 300 Powerhouse maximum hydraulic capacity (cfs) 5,400 Powerhouse minimum operating capability (cfs) 360 Number of units 3 Turbine type Francis Power tunnel diameter (feet) 21 Maximum normal pool elevation (feet) 1142 Minimum normal pool elevation (feet) 1082 Active power pool storage (acre-feet) .886,500 Average tailwater elevation 210 Maximum normal static head (feet) 932 (3) The estimated number, length, voltage, interconnections, and, where applicable, age and condition, of any primary transmission lines whether existing or proposed, that would be part of the project; Chakachamna Transmission Line System: The power generated by the Project will be transmitted to the grid servicing the Railbelt. The closest connection to the Railbelt grid would be Chugach Electric Association's (CEA) Beluga substation, approximately 42 miles from the proposed new powerhouse. The new transmission lines would consist of 230-kilovolt (kV) lines designed to match the existing grid. Chakacharnna Project (P-12660) December 2009 8 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 © 2009 TDX POWER SERf7CES, LLC. Although there currently is no excess outbound capacity from the Beluga substation, it is understood that CEA's existing Beluga generation facilities will be nearing the end of their useful life at the time that Chakachamna facilities would be coming online, and that TDX will be able to reach an agreement with CEA regarding the Chakachamna Project's connection to CEA's facilities If excess capacity does not become available and/or an agreement cannot be reached with CEA, an alternate transmission line route from Chakachamna to the load center would be considered. Detailed transmission line designs, including loss calculations, have not yet been completed. Chakachamna Transmission Line Route: A tentative transmission line alignment has been developed to keep the transmission towers out of the alluvial fan of the Chakachatna and McArthur Rivers, to prevent scour damage to tower foundations (see Exhibit 3). The transmission line is proposed to be laid along the proposed access road from the powerhouse, then across the Chakachatna River, and then overland to CEA's Beluga substation. The proposed transmission route avoids the proposed Chuitna Coal Project, located between the Project powerhouse site and the Beluga switchyard. The transmission line would still intersect the conveyor infrastructure between the mine and the proposed port facility, but this intersection can be accommodated relatively easily. Additional study of potential engineering and environmental issues will be required prior to finalizing the proposed transmission line route. Transmission System within Project Areas: A 25kV power supply is proposed from the powerhouse to the intake to feed the intake area and fish passage tunnel power requirements. Another 25kV cable is proposed from the powerhouse to the residential area for Project operating personneL Because of the extreme weather conditions in the Project area, both cables would be buried. (4) The total estimated average annual energy production and installed capacity, the hydraulic head for estimating capacity and energy output, and the estimated number, rated capacity, and, where applicable, the age and condition, of any turbines and generators, whether existing or proposed, that would be part of the project works; Project would deliver an average annual generation of about 1,331,500 MWh, from an installed capacity of 300 MW. The total head would be approximately 902 feet, and the powerhouse elevation would be approximately 200 feet. This energy production would be provided by three Francis style turbines rated individually at 122 MW and through three generators with ratings of 135MVA. (5) All lands of the United States that are enclosed within the proposed project boundary described in Exhibit 3, identified and tabulated on a separate sheet by legal subdivisions of a public land survey of the atTected area, if available. If the proj ect boundary includes lands of the United States, such lands must be identified on a completed land description form, provided by the Commission. The project location must identify any Federal reservation, Federal tracts, and townships of the public land surveys (or official Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 9 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, ILC protractions thereof if unsurveyed). A copy of the form must also be sent to the Bureau of Land Management state office wbere the project is located; There is an estimated 1,009 acres of federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the proposed Project boundary. These BLM lands are identified and tabulated by legal subdivision of a public land survey of the affected area (See attached FERC Form 587,two sheets). (6) Any other information demonstrating in what manner the proposed project would develop, conserve, and utilize in the public interest the water resources of the region. The public interest would be served by IDX's development of this project. It would provide a source of non-polluting renewable energy for a region that is highly dependent on fossil fuels. Moreover, development by TDX would serve the public interest because TDX is ultimately owned and controlled by an Alaska Native village corporation whose mission involves protection of natural resources and economic support for native peoples. TDX Power Service's parent company Tanadgusix Corporation is an Alaska Native village corporation created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. The development of this Project is consistent with Tanadgusix Corporation's mission to provide economic development and environmental stewardship opportunities for its shareholders. These goals have been extended to the Tyonek Native Corporation (rnC) through a teaming agreement that describes how the two Native Corporations will cooperate in the investigation and potential development of this resource. The applicant has demonstrated commitment to developing long-term working relationships with the resource agencies and non-governmental organizations. As demonstrated through the initial list of study questions, the applicant is proactively identifying areas of concern that will warrant in-depth investigation prior to the development of a license application. Chakachamna Project (P-12660) December 2009 10 Preliminary Permit Application Exhibit 1 LAND DESCRIPTION Public Land States (Rectangular Survey System Lands) Form FERC-587 OMS No. 1902-0145 (Expires 07/30/2012) 1. STATE Alaska 2. FERC PROJECT NO. 12660 3. TOWNSHIP 12 N ---------------- 4. Check one: ____ License _x __ Preliminary Permit RANGE 17 W ----------- MERIDIAN _S_ew_a_rd __ Check one: _X_Pending __ Issued If preliminary permit is issued, give expiration date: ______________________ _ 5 EXHIBIT SHEET NUMBERS OR LETTERS . Section 6 5 4 3 2 1 • Exhibit 3. Sheet 5 Exhibit 3, Sheet 5 Ei2 of NW/4, WI2 of Wl2ofSW/4, NEl4, SEI4 of NEl4, NWI4 of SEl4 , Ei2 of SE/4ofSWI4 SEl4 i 7 8 9 10 11 12 i Exhibit 3. Sheet 5 Exhibit 3, N/2 of NW/4, SEl4 of NWf4. Wf2 of NEl4, Sheet 5 SEl2 of NEf4, SEf4 SW/4 of SW/4 18 17 16 15 14 13 Exhibit 3, Sheet 5 Exhibit 3, NWI4, SWI4 of Sheet 5 NEI4, NE/4 of SW/4, SEf4 SW/4ofSW/4 19 20 21 22 23 24 Exhibit 3, Exhibit 3, Sheet 5 Sheet 5 NW/4. SW/4 of NE/4. NEl4 of NEl4 of NE/4 SW/4, SEl4 of SEl4 30 29 28 27 26 Exhibit 3,25 Sheet 5 E/2 of NW/4 31 32 33 34 35 36 6. contact's name __ N_i_c_k_G_o_o_d_m_a_n ____ _ telephone no. ( (907) 278-2312 ) Date submitted __ D_e_ce_m_b_e_r_1_1_, _2_00_9 ___ _ This information is necessary for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to discharge its responsibilities under Section 24 of the Federal Power Act. 41 LAND DESCRIPTION Public Land States (Rectangular Survey System Lands) Form FERC-587 OMB No. 1902-0145 (Expires 07/30/2012) 1. STATE Alaska 2. FERC PROJECT NO. 12660 --------------- 3. TOWNSHIP 13 N RANGE 15 W MERIDIAN Seward ---------------- 4. Check one: __ License _x __ Preliminary Permit ~------- Check one: _X __ pending __ Issued If preliminary permit is issued, give expiration date: ___________ _ 5 EXHIBIT SHEET NUMBERS OR LETTERS Section 6 5 4 7 8 9 18 17 16 19 20 21 Exhibit 3. Sheet 5 Exhibit 3, Exhibit 3, Sheet 5 512 of NWI4, SWI4 of S/2 of SW/4, NEl4, NWI4 ofSWI4. SheetS 512 of SWI4, SI2 of SW/40fSW/4 SE/4ofSEl4 SEl4 30 29 28 Exhibit 3, Exhibit 3, Sheet 5 Exhibit 3, Sheet 5 Sheet 5 NW/4. EI2 of NEl4, NW/4, W/2 of SW/4 of NEl4, El2 SW/4, NW/4 of N/2 of NE/4 of SW/4, SEl4 NEl4 31 32 33 6. contact's name Nick Goodman telephone no. ( (907) 278-2312 ) Date submitted December 11 , 2009 3 10 15 22 27 34 2 11 14 23 26 35 1 12 13 24 25 36 This information is necessary for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to discharge its responsibilities under Section 24 of the Federal Power Act. 41 © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. Facility Overview Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities POWER TUNNEL PLAN & PROFILE <ID> MWH Project Features Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities , PD"t"~ rur..'~n l~'-n\:;l! PLAN N'Ill © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. 'tEttPmM"! to<S",kucm:'''J t.CCl~5 ~L;t.tND_ fOP prNsrOCK~ SECTIONAL ELEVATION N'lll SECTION Exhibit 1, Sheet 2 Powerhouse Plan and Sections SECTION ® <III> MWH Project Features Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. INTAKE AND GAlE SHAFT SECllON 1m Exhibit 1, Sheet 3 Intake and Gate Shaft Section <lMWH Electrical Overview Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. r p r /~' I i ) 0 ¢ I ') -<ID- CAllI' LOADS uamo CRClJIT 9MAI<ER DtSCONN£Cf SVltTDf .","""'0"91 Exhibit 1, Sheet 4 Single-Line Electrical Diagram of Proposed Facilities «II> MWH Fish Facilities Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. __ ------Jj ~ - .. '1YI"tCAl SECTION -SEE FlO 3.'-. o SITE PLAN ~ '"-'000" E)(hibit 1, Sheet 5 Plan and Profile .1:>.Ji.' .. ~:: ILJ.QD,l PROFILE HORlZ! I" -loa:J \'DIY: ,".200' «I» MWH T~ ,"; 't 1200· . """.;. Fish Facilities Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities .):.,"fN,,>' f/'-I·I.,(; GA'fS, 6' ): tf {!'tP ;"lr !) © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. ,~.':'irRt}~t.f fLO';; c .... 1'£ -_""'-" f'l/\N SCA.lf: l"""eo' (I" ~ J'JvE~jl'_f l~rT.o\~f Exhibit 1, Sheet 6 Adult Exit and Juvenife Inlet Structure U<CC:t'..R rlOW IN1M[ CiA!:':' I / ..... -·~r5.,' .. • £)('11 i ul,NL .. ,./"',./ -LOCK fJn GIt.",£ ·.,.;:---..--rf-....... v P<;,)t' LOCK (1A' (11M . r!s~~ 1.Ai)D!:R Sl<~:H:'L y STltL'iC CHJUABf;:n ...... ··!'>"UH!CA:. ~~Ol F-IS!-' lAotm~ 1,:=!;;;;~;;!:;;;;;;;!;;~;;;;;;;;!:;;;;;;~~~;;;;;;~!;;;;;;c.;·;·t;s:;~~;;~~~;;;;::'J"'::t'";-,-"C __ -, __ ~ __ :!A~')~~~('~::'-!:O:k_,, !I.oTfvlt . 'I~ [LE\/AllOhf ,/ 1~.iS·T~t:'\i..A ;"'_ow ;,/ ' CAn:: e[YOM)-/ (®MWH FiSh Facilities Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. Wftl£!-t tt<A\j~t~ Exhibit 1, Sheet 7 Adult Fish Passage Exit Section CD> MWH Fish Facilities Chakachamna Hydroelectric Facilities © 2009 TDX POWER SERVICES, LLC. UOl-l1 TYPICAL TUNNEL CROSS SECTION SCAlE: 1"~4'-O" 21' Dj" ruNNEl Figure E1-8 Adult Fish Passage Tunnel Section <II}) MWH * * T ran s m iss ion Res u I t Rep 0 r t (M e m 0 rY T Xl (Dec.17.2009 D ate /T i me: Dec. 17. 2 DOg 9 : 4 6 AM F i I e No. Mode Destination p g (s) 3210 Memory TX 919072873032 p. 9 Reason for error E.1) Hang uP D. line fai I E.2l Busy 9:49AM) * 1) A 1 DEA/AEA 2) ReSLlt OK E·3) No answer E . 4) No f a c s i mil e con nee ion ... 3 WEST tClRlliERN U9HTS BlVD JIINCHOiifAGE. fIUI2'JCA fIII60S !iID7 117'0-·31100 n::x.LF'nee~Orft.."Y)888J;300...8,5:W November 25, 2009 Subject: Power Plant Operator Training ATTN: Eledrlc UIIlily ()ope'arors 1IJ7/771 .... The Alaska Energy Aud10rity has IWo Power Plan! Opellllllf'Training classes beginning afl"rlhe IinIt of the year. The etasses ara eight weeks long and the fIlS! one is JanulllY 11,2010 II1l'Ough March 5,2010 and the I'I!IXt one begins Man:h 17.2010 through May 11, 2010. In CRIer In be considered for these claoses, VO!J must be currently ernp!oyW as a oower Dlant opera\Qr It your cmnmupily. The training is held in SewaRf III the AIas.ta Vocational Technical and Educational Center (AVTEC). The training program pays for your travel, lodging, meals and luilion. Thi6 year, the trainill9 program did not receive funding for supplies such as "",II< boots, cowraJls anti safety glasses tbal a.e m.!IlI!!:l!!! In paIIicipaIe in lraining. J>Ie_ fax the ""mpklted fonns to {9071771-3044. The dasses are fillec:l on .. first come, lim seMld basis so • is in your _ Infemst 10 submit your applicalion as soon as possible. III IIddftioo "fl'Ixing the appication, please mail the originals 10: Alaska Ene'llY AuIhOl1ty, 813 WEISt Northern I..igIrts BhId., Anchorage, AI< 99518. H you have questiOns II!lgIIrdlng the appIicaIioo. please contact me for aGSistance. Your appIicaIion _ be completely and c!!!!!!c!!y filled out in onIerto be considered for training. f you have any ql.lellllons, please call me at (907)771-3!126 or 1-asa..300-8534 ext. 3026. p. 1 * Page Not Sent