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The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Advanced Turbine Development

Michael J. SaleConference on Environmentally Enhanced Hydropower Turbines

Washington, DC, May 19, 2011

Hydropower is a well-established industry

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• Clean, renewable energy since 1901• ~2000 operating power plants in U.S.• ~280 TWh average annual generation

Even “mature” technology changes• What hasn’t changed

– Power equation:

P = k * H * Q– Turbomachinery options

• What has changed– Environmental demands

• Fish passage• Instream flows• Water quality

– Competition• Other uses of water• Alternative energy sources• ROI expectations

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There is a lot of old equipment out there.

Median AgesTVA 18Corps 44Reclamation 49FERC-licensed 58

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Opportunities exist for significant additional generation:

New Opportunities in Hydropower

1) Improvements at existing power plants:• Efficiency upgrades• Capacity upgrades

2) Development of non-powered dams

3) Small hydropower (< 5 MW):• Low-head dams or

conveyance structures• New sites (waterfalls or

diversions)• Water distribution systems

4) Pumped-storage hydropower

Multiple forces drive technology development

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Advanced Hydropower Turbine Systems Program

• 1992 Kansas City R&D Forum started new thinking

• February 1994 meeting of DOE, EPRI, and NHA led to formation of AHSTP

• Industry collected $500K and asked DOE to match it

• Hydro Research Foundation formed to manage industry funding

• Steering and Technical committees established for management and oversight

Charter MembersDOEEPRINHA

Chelan County PUDIdaho Power Co.

New England PowerGeorgia Power

Grant County PUDNiagara Mohawk PowerPacific Gas & Electric

TVAWashington Water Power

Example of partnerships

First, focus on conceptual designs• DOE solicitation to study new turbines with improved

performance issued in October 1994– Variable speed/pitch runners and generators– Self-aerating turbines– Innovative, cost-effective fish passage technologies– Durable, lightweight, cavitation-resistant materials

• Two teams selected competitively; 1995 awards to:– Harza-Voith-TVA-Normandeau-GaTech focused on modifications to

traditional Kaplan and Francis machines– Alden-NREC focused on a new, innovative design

• Final reports completed 1997– Voith Hydro Inc., Rpt. No. 2677-0141– ARL, Inc. and NREC, ARL Rpt. No. 13-97/M63F, DOE/ID-10571– Summary report, Odeh 1999, DOE/ID-13741

• Supporting R&D at DOE Labs on Design Biocriteria

AHTSP Phase I

Second, build and test fully engineered prototype models

• Testing of Alden-NREC design was needed with fish to validate concept

• Closed-loop test facility constructed at Alden Research Lab, along with prototype runner– Design report, Sept. 2000– Full operation, Sept. 2001

• Fish survival for multiple species, measured under controlled conditions, with and without wicket gates

• Active Technical Committee direction and oversight

AHTSP Phase II

Changes in fixed-bladed reaction turbines

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Third, build and test full-scale turbines in the field

• Competitive solicitation in two steps:– Notice of Interest for

technologies to study– RFP for sites to apply them

new technology• Three financial assistance

agreements, September 2002:– Osage Project, AmerenUE– Priest Rapids Project

(Wanapum Dam), Grant Co. PUD

– Box Canyon, Pend Oreille PUD

• Additional joint-funded work with Corps of Engineers via Interagency Agreement

Osage

Wanapum

AHTSP Phase III

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Investments will dictate Hydropower’s future

• Equipment will have to be replaced eventually– What will it be replace with?– Win-win possibilities strongest with Best Available

Technology

• We have proven that innovation is possible in conventional hydropower (AHTSP and others)

• Both public and private investments are critical for successful technology development

• Looming federal budget problems mean that partnerships of all types will be more important than ever

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BACKUP SLIDES

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