HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEC - Humpback Creek Hydro - REF Grant 7030009 2015Cordova, Alaska
Hydro project powers community with rainfall
Quick Facts
FERC Project Number: P-08889
Total Project Costs: $17,630,917
Funding: Renewable Energy Fund & Local Funds
Capital Costs: Development: $2,570,579
Construction: $15,060,338
Project Specifi cations
Make/Model/Output: (2) 500 kW Francis Turbines
Make/Model/Output: (1) 250 kW Turgo Turbine
Static Head: 174 feet
Hydraulic Capacity: ?
Diesel Fuel Off set
Estimated Annual: 293,040 gallons
Annual: 217,000 gallons
2012-2014: 871,000 gallons
Fuel Savings
Estimated Annual: $1,134,065
Annual: $762,000
2012-2014: $3,187,000
Benefi t/Cost Ratio: 4.54
Humpback Creek Hydroelectric Project
Project Overview
In partnerhsip with the Alaska Energy Authority
(AEA), the Cordova Electric Cooperative (CEC) com-
pleted the fi nal design, permitting, construction, and
rehabilitation of a hydroelectric run-of-river facility
on Humpback Creek. Funding for the construction
and rehabilitation of the project was provided by local
funds and two grants from AEA. During rehabili-
tation, the project relocated and replaced the intake
structure that had been destroyed by both a fi re in
2005 and a fl ood in 2006. Annual production is antici-
pated to exceed 4,000,000 kW per year.
Objectives
Th e main objectives of this project were to provide the
City of Cordova and the immediate area with aff ord-
able, renewable power and to reduce CEC’s depen-
dence on volatile, costly diesel fuel . In doing so, the
company has reduced emissions and provided cleaner
air for the community.
Economic Feasibility
Th e reconstructed project became operational July
13, 2011. Since then it has generated 11,396 Megawatt
hours of electricity and displaced 871,000 gallons of
diesel fuel. Th is has saved the community $3,187,000
in reduced energy costs. Over its 50 year projected
lifespan, the project has a calculated benefi t/cost ratio
of 4.54, meaning that the project will see a 454 percent
return on investment.
Project Specifi cations
Most hydroelectric projects throughout the United
States are required to go through a permitting and
licensing process with the Federal Energy Regula-
tory Commission (FERC). Th e Humpback Creek
Hydroelectric project was no exception. Aft er several
years, CEC had completed and acquired the necessary Aerial View of Hydroelectric Facility, photo Courtesy of AEA.
studies, permits, and licenses to begin construction
on the facility. Th e primary project features include a
dam diversion structure that ponds water at 174 feet
elevation above the power plant fl oor and develops a
12 foot deep pond of water that reaches approximate-
ly 500 feet upstream. A tunnel-and-pipeline power
conduit conveys water 1,900 feet to a powerhouse. A
17,000 foot underground and submarine transmission
line delivers power from the project to a landing at the
northern limit of the Cordova road system. Th e major
project changes during rehabilitation included a new
intake/diversion structure with internal and external
sluiceways, a 356 ft long tunnel to house the new pen-
stock, renovations to the existing penstock, and a new
powerhouse.
Allocation of Funding
Th e Renewable Energy Fund granted $8,000,000 and
local funds contributed $9,205,238. Out of the local
funds, FEMA contributed $2,970,000 and Cordova
Electric contributed $430,238. Th e grant funds were
used to construct the access road, tunnel, penstock,
power and communications, intake stucture, and dam.
Learning Experiences/Challenges
Accessible only via boat and helicopter, the project
required pre-planning and long-lead scheduling to
be successful. Water management was also a key to
successful completion; when the original plan for tem-
porarily bypassing the stream failed, the construction
manager engineered a temporary diversion tunnel,
drilled and blasted through the rock, and was able to
continue work. At the river intake site, a coff erdam was
installed to prevent environmental water quality issues.
Community Benefi ts
Th e primary community benefi t that this project creat-
ed was the increased availability of aff ordable, renew-
able power.
Th e Cordova area receives more than 170 inches of
rainfall annually in addition to abundant spring snow
melt. Consequently, Cordova was a prime area for
hydropower development.
Low cost energy has enabled local economic develop-
ment and has sustained commercial enterprises such
as
Project Contact Information
Parties Involved:
Clay Koplin, project manager
Email: ckoplin@ cordovaelectric.com
Phone: 907-424-5555
Case Study Author:
Zoe Tressel, AEA
Website: Akenergyauthority.org
Phone: 907-771-3000
Humpback Creek Hydroelectric Project
Blue Lake and hydro facility, photo courtesy of NOAA.
Humpback Turbine Installation, photo courtesy of AEA.
Published August, 2015