Hydro-Electric Services
D&A has recent experience in renewable energy studies, permitting, design and funding for water purveyors. The environment continues to change and evolve in the areas of renewable energies making projects more feasible. D&A has experience in determining the feasibility for projects using the latest funding mechanisms. We are also familiar with the permitting needs for renewable projects including PG&E’s interconnection agreement application and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing and exemption process.
One of our recent projects (El Dorado County Hydroelectrical Development Options Study) included the feasibility analysis for over 80 hydroelectric projects throughout El Dorado County and determined the top 10 projects recommended for more detailed analysis. D&A has also recently designed two in-conduit hydroelectric projects in California to replace existing pressure reducing stations.
D&A has also worked with the El Dorado Irrigation District to obtain a grant with the California Energy Commission (CEC) through their Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. The project is the El Dorado County Water Systems Energy Generation, Storage, Efficiency, Demand Management and Grid Support Project. The project objectives include identifying cost effective measures to integrate energy management.
Hydro-Electric Services
- Hydro-electric feasibility study and design
- Energy Management
- Analysis of funding alternatives - Feed-In-Tariffs (FIT), Net Metering, California Solar Initiative
- Clean energy grant and loan application preparation
- Permitting including - FERC licensing and exemption, PG&E interconnection agreement
Hydro-Electric Station Projects
Water Treatment Plant In-conduit Hydroelectric Station San Bernardino County, CA
Domenichelli & Associates recently completed a 310-kW in-conduit hydroelectric station design for San Gabriel Valley Water Company. The design for the hydroelectric station contained two pump-turbine type generators and building structure, built adjacent to the existing Energy Dissipation Structure. Project on-line November 2013.
Reservoir 7 In-conduit Hydro Design Project El Dorado County, CA
D&A provided design services for two small hydro projects (approximately 500KW each) located within an existing drinking water system in El Dorado County. These projects were identified during a study performed by a project team including D&A as the lead for evaluating project components, costs, and constructability. The design includes pumps as turbine (PATs) to replace existing in-line pressure reducing stations.
In-conduit Pumps as Turbines (PATs) Hydroelectric Projects Southern California
The D&A design team used innovative concepts in applications of system components to optimize power generation for these four in-conduit hydroelectric projects using converted centrifugal pumps as turbines. These high efficiency stations together generate approximately 2 megawatts of power and are able to generate during highly variable flow and head conditions without the need for complex control features. Most of the power generated by these stations are used on-site at water treatment plant facilities.
Other Hydro-Electric Projects
- Sandtrap Siphon Feasibility Analysis: Georgetown, CA
- Bear Valley Feasibility Analysis: Bear Valley, CA
- Pleasant Oak Main Res B Feasibility Analysis: El Dorado County, CA
- Bass Lake Pumped Storage Feasibility Analysis: El Dorado Hills, CA