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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGustavus Electric Company - Falls Creek Hydro REF Grant 2195387 2016Gustavus, Alaska Hydro project provides 100 percent renewable energy Quick Facts FERC Project Number: P-11659 Total Project Costs: $8,500,000 Funding: Renewable Energy Fund, Local, State, & Federal Funds Capital Costs Development: $1,700,000 Construction: $6,800,000 Project Specs Turbine Make/Model: Canyon Hydro 2 Jet Pelton Output: 800 kW Static Head: 600 feet Hydraulic Capacity: 23 cubic feet per second (cfs) Annual Energy Generation: 1,925,000 kWh Diesel Fuel Offset Estimated Annual: 117,000 gallons Actual Annual: 140,000 gallons July 2009-Dec. 2014: 760,000 gallons Fuel Savings Estimated Annual: $566,000 Actual Annual: $534,000 Falls Creek Hydroelectric Project Project Overview In partnership with the Alaska Energy Authority, Gus- tavus Electric Company completed the construction of an 800 kW run-of-river hydroelectric facility in Falls Creek near Gustavus, AK. The project was built to displace expensive diesel generation and currently provides 100% of the community’s electric needs. Objectives The main objective of this project was to provide the community of Gustavus with affordable electricity and potable water. By constructing the run-of-river hy- droelectric facility and powerhouse, they were able to accomplish these goals and essentially eliminate diesel fuel consumption using a renewable resource. Economic Feasibility The project became operational in July of 2009. Since then, it has generated 13,676 Megawatt hours of electricity and displaced 977,000 gallons of diesel fuel. This saved the community of Gustavus $3,631,000 in reduced energy costs. Project Specifications The power plant takes its water from behind a 12-foot cement wall high above two waterfalls on Falls Creek. The water is then diverted 600 feet downhill through two miles of buried pipe to generate electricity before it is put back into the stream. It is diverted to the up- per limit of where salmon spawn to ensure the health of the habitat and fish populations. The diesel genera- tor that formerly supplied the village’s fuel remains as a back up. In 2014, the project license was transferred from Gustavus Electric to Alaska Power Company. A Aerial project view, photo courtesy of AEA. llocation of Funding Renew. Energy Fund Grant $750,000 Denali Commission Grant $2,800,000 USDA Rural Utility Service $1,500,000 AK Capitol Appropriations $1,450,000 AEA Loans $1,000,000 Private Investor Loans $300,000 Equity $400,000 Local Matching Funds $300,000 Learning Experiences/Challenges The biggest setback to the project was the time it took to acquire the necessary permits and government backing to begin the project. Falls Creek is in an area originally designated as national wilderness-as such, any sort of development here was prohibited. After several years of work and an act of Congress (the Glacier Bay National Park Boundary Adjustment Act), Falls Creek lands were swapped in exchange for lands in Klondike Gold Rush National Park and Cenotaph Island. The remaining permitting was trivial given the significant environmental benefits and strong local and state support. The project had several construction challenges. Due to the elevation and steep terrain of the area, construc- tion crews had to put erosion controls and re-vege- tation in place. The facility is also located down in a canyon, making it vulnerable to landslides and access difficult. Gustavus Electric created a prevention and mitigation plan as a result. An ongoing challenge GEC faces is the icing in their facility during the winter. Community Benefits This project is quite the community celebration: Dick Levitt, electrical engineer and starter of Gustavus Electric, has been dreaming of going hydroelectric for 27 years. After a ton of hard work and perseverance through project challenges, his dream was finally real- ized. Because of this project, Falls Creek has been generat- ing all of Gustavus’ power needs since July 24, 2009, and the plant is still only producing a third of its Project Contact Information Parties Involved: Gustavus Electric Company Phone: 907-679-2299 Case Study Author: AEA Website: Akenergyauthority.org Phone: 907-771-3000 Falls Creek Hydroelectric Project Falls Creek run-of-river facility, photo courtesy of AEA. potential power. This means that people could use electricity for heat in addition to power, allowing the dis- placement of even more diesel fuel. The project has reduced electric- ity costs by 30 cents per kWh per person and has eliminated the exhaust-spewing diesel generator, helping res- idents breathe cleaner air as well. Falls Creek waterfalls, photo courtesy of Pat Forgey. Published July, 2016 “Because of this project, Falls Creek has been generating all of Gustavus’ power needs since July 24, 2009.”