| Simple Hydro Power model: (Head(ft) x Flow in | | | | month late summer season will typically be |
| Cubic Feet per Second) / 11.8 = KW output. or | | | | used as down time for maintenance of the |
| (Head(ft) x Flow in Cubic Feet per Second) / | | | | equipment. This will maintain a minimum |
| 8.8 = HP output. Then take KW output x Hrs | | | | instream flow to keep the creek ecologically |
| producing x Generating Rate ($/KWH) = $ | | | | balanced and healthy. |
| | | | |
| The planned DoradoVista Ranch system is based | | | | The ranch property owned by DoradoVista, Inc. |
| on a renewable energy resource - Run Of the | | | | has a significant portion of the available |
| River Hydro power. The water is not stored | | | | head (170 ft out of a total of 350 ft) and |
| except for head regulation and intake | | | | water flows sufficient to be considered as a |
| requirements, any excess water passes the | | | | likely site for small hydro development, |
| intake and continues downstream. There is | | | | according to the "Idaho National Labs - INL, |
| also an instream flow requirement that sets a | | | | Hydro Power Prospector". The INL web site has |
| minimum flow for continued health of the | | | | more on hydropower prospecting: This is a |
| stream critters between the intake and power | | | | great renewable Small Hydro energy resource |
| house. | | | | provided by the US Government, take a look at |
| | | | the GIS driven resource maps for an area. |
| In our case we will start with a Canyon Hydro | | | | Drive it around and get the feel for the many |
| -- 350 kW Pelton wheel similar to the one | | | | prospects and limitations for Small Hydro in |
| picture above. This unit has a 350KW GE | | | | the future. The site rates a solid five stars |
| induction generator with servo control and | | | | by DoradoVista Inc! |
| grid switching gear. It is currently a 28 | | | | |
| inch pitch Pelton wheel with a single 4.125 | | | | The Financial Goal of our Hydro system cash |
| inch dia. nozzle (3.5 in effective jet) which | | | | return is to Break Even in < 7 Yrs (BET) |
| can be upgraded to a two jet unit for more | | | | |
| flow and therefore power. Our potential head | | | | -- Model does not include finance costs |
| is less than the design head so we will seek | | | | otherwise so, expect typical 10 yr commercial |
| to increase flow. The variable jet control | | | | return. |
| combined with the extra nozzle and pelton | | | | |
| turbine gives a better range of efficiencies | | | | -- System should return $ ~predictably over 5 |
| for our variable flow regime. A crossflow | | | | yr interval. Just as Farmers know, rain is |
| unit would probably be a better match but it | | | | 'an act of God.' |
| has less efficiency. | | | | |
| | | | The key to any Hydro success is to set up |
| The goal is to produce renewable energy with | | | | statistically optimized cash flow structure |
| Net Zero green house gas and a minimum of | | | | such that the system is economically viable. |
| ecological impact. Just add water! | | | | We will need to keep a good multi year model |
| | | | of production and a good capital and |
| Our creek has a history of sufficient flows | | | | operating expense budget to match! Save cash |
| for a significant part of the year such that | | | | from peak rainfall years to help make up for |
| it should reasonably generate predictable | | | | missing cashflow on low years. |
| electric power for 9 months per year. The 3 | | | | |