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