The PCWA Board of Directors awarded the contract to F&H Construction of Lodi, California, for purchase of hydroelectric generation equipment from ORENCO Hydropower, which will be added to the PCWA Lincoln metering station. The winning bid for the equipment package was $745,000.
ORENCO Hydropower is working with F&H Construction, the general contractor on the project. The equipment package includes two vertical Francis turbines, induction generators, valves, switchgear and control systems. The project also includes integration, design, materials and services necessary to complete the equipment manufacture and supply contract; including supervision, testing, start-up and commissioning.
The contract has two phases: the first phase, design of the hydropower system, is nearly complete. The second phase, equipment procurement, is underway and scheduled for completion in September 2014. The turbines and generators are being sourced from Fuzhou Fang Yuan Machinery and Electricity Co. of Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The controls and switchgear are supplied by Bat Electric of Redding, California. Startup is expected in late 2014.
According to Mark Matousek, Vice Chairman of ORENCO Hydropower, its U.S./Chinese team is pleased to provide a bid that features significant value. "It is rewarding to be able to offer a bid that combines low cost and high output," said Mr. Matousek. "We were very pleased to provide a strong bid to the Placer County Water Agency, which is due in large part to our access and long-time relationships with different equipment suppliers. This allowed us to match the specific needs of the Lincoln Metering and Hydroelectric Station project with the best providers."
The project will allow the Placer County Water Agency to generate hydroelectric energy using the water that flows from PCWA to the City of Lincoln. The micro-hydro plant will produce about $175,000 worth of electricity per year, which will be sold to the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
The new hydroelectric turbines will be installed at PCWA’s existing Lincoln Metering Station. Currently, pressure-reducing valves at the Lincoln Metering Station dissipate excess water energy as water flows from PCWA’s water treatment facilities downhill to the City of Lincoln. The design is typical of many water treatment and conduit systems in California, where water flows from reservoirs high in the Sierra Nevada mountains to lower-elevation cities and towns to the west.
Historically, pressure-reducing valves made more economic sense than small hydropower systems. But today, clean energy is at a premium. By installing the turbines, PCWA will supply 1,700 kWh per year of clean energy to the PG&E grid without changing its water delivery schedule. Because the new turbines will be located at the existing station, the civil works required are minimal; the turbines do not require installation of a new dam or long pipeline.
The conduit delivers clean drinking water to the City of Lincoln. This presents a unique certification requirement for the hydro turbines. Although turbines do not cause water contamination, the materials in the turbine have been carefully reviewed, and the turbines will receive certification according to the strict requirements of NSF-61* in compliance with California’s water quality and health laws.
When complete, the new hydropower system will operate seamlessly with the existing valve station and enhance PCWA’s control capabilities. As a result, the new equipment will improve system monitoring and operational capability in the case of a power outage, thereby helping ensure water delivery to the City of Lincoln.
The PCWA project demonstrates the economic benefits of in-conduit hydropower systems. With current market conditions, a vast number of similar sites are ripe for development. Of note is recent federal legislation passed with unanimous congressional support and signed by President Barack Obama that eases requirements for in-conduit hydropower projects. Previously, licensing cost and risk have been significant barriers to development of small hydro projects; this new legislation opens the door for further development, which helps provide additional renewable energy at lower cost.
