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