Fish Ladders

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52259_19092-46291--,00.html

Fish ladders allow fish to migrate upstream past a dam or other barrier. 

Dams tend to fragment aquatic ecosystems, however in the case of the sunshine reservoirs, they are off channel and do not affect the fivers ecosystem.  If the ecosystem is fragmented, entire species of fish can be lost in a particular system. 

No one fish ladder can accommodate every species of fish at a particular location so the ladder must be designed to meet the species needs.  These needs can include barrier heights, water speed and size and spacing of pools.

Some of the types of ladders are shown below.

VERTICAL SLOT FISHWAY

The vertical slot fishway is effective for alot of species and is not effected by the upstream water level.

POOL - WEIR FISHWAY

The Pool-Weir fishway is one of the oldest types of fish ladders.  This design works well for jumping species like trout and is effected by upstream water levels.

STEEPPASS FISHWAY

The Steeppass fishway uses a large number of baffles to simulate rapids.  This type of ladder is effective for a large number of species and can handle a large range of upstream water elevations.

HAPPY FISH

Hydropower in Norway, New Environmental Concerns

http://www.5min.com/Video/Hydro-Electric-Power-Projects-in-Norway-495320551

I can no figure out how to post this video directly to my blog but this link will take you directly to the video. 

Norway uses more electricity per capita than any other country in the world, about 10 times the world average.  This is because electricity is cheap due to the number of hydroelectric projects. 

The problem now is that the Noriegans are concerned about the environmental impacts of building dams.  Damage to fish populations, loss of habitat and the dislocation of people are some of their concerns.  There is an interesting piece on fish ladders used to facilitate fish migration.

There is an interesting question at the end of this video, Are the people crying about environmental impacts willing to reduce their use?  The answer to this question is going to be an interesting one.

A New "Twist" on Hydropower

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/17/10megawatt-tidal-power-station-approved-hebrides

Scotland has approved a new 10Mw tidal power station that will power the homes and distilleries on the inner Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura. 

These turbines are underwater versions of wind turbines and will be placed in a deep channel between the two islands.  The channel will act as a funnel causing the water to speed up as it passes through the turbines (6.7 mph).  This will be the largest tidal array in the world and will bring millions of dollars of investment into Scotland. 

The Islands have a trust which will receive a share of the profits.  This money will be reinvested into more green energy projects including solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars.

Wyoming Water Law, what a pain in the butt

http://seo.state.wy.us/PDF/b849r.pdf

Wyoming water law like most western states is based on prior appropriation.  Prior appropriation means that the first in time is the first in right.  When you begin to put the water to beneficial use, you establish a priority.  In times of shortage, those with earlier priorities can continue to use water when those with newer priorities are shut off.  All water in Wyoming is property of the state. 


When a water right is adjudicated, that water right is permanently attached to that piece of land.  Water rights are adjudicated based on 1 cfs per 70 acres of land.  Water rights prior to March 1, 1945 are entitled to 2 cfs per 70 acres.  If there is enough water, post 1945 and pre 1981 can draw 2 cfs before any water is given to post 1985 water rights.  It is not illegal to divert more than your right if all other rights have been satisfied, the stream is not in regulation and you are not wasting the water. 


When there is not enough water to meet demands, water for preferred use takes precedent over non preferred use.  Hydropower is a non-preferred use.

Selecting a turbine

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609552/turbine/45669/Turbine-selection-on-the-basis-of-specific-speed

http://hydropower.inel.gov/techtransfer/pdfs/feasibility_studies_for_small_scale_hydropower_additions-16.pdf

A turbine is selected based on its specific speed.  The equation for specific speed is

N = specific speed

n = number of revolutions per minute

P = the output power

H = the head in feet

The available head determines what type of turbine will be used and the rate of flow determines the capacity of the turbine.  Hydraulic turbines are classified as impulse or reaction, reaction turbines are the most widely used.  Reaction turbines can be francis turbines or propeller turbines.  In a francis turbine, the water enters and flows radially, around the turbine shaft.

In a propeller turbine, the water flows axially to the shaft.

Francis turbines can be operated over a range of 40 to 105 percent of their rated discharge and 60 to 125 percent of their design head.  Francis turbines have a peak efficiency of 88 to 90 percent and can be mounted horizontally or vertically.  We have been in touch with Voith Hydro and have decided to use a horizontal francis turbine.


It was very difficult finding a turbine company that was willing to work with us and we would like to thank Voith Hydro for helping us with this project.  

WHAT WE KNOW

There have been studies done for the Greybull Valley irrigation district in the past.  These studies can be found at http://library.wrds.uwyo.edu .  I will be listing all pertinent information found on these studies here so that it can be used to build a project model.

There are restrictions that we must adhere to on this project.  A certain level must be maintained in the reservoirs (head).  Specifed flow rates must be maintained in the rivers after water is diverted to the reservoirs, the flow rates are in cubic feet per second (cfs).


Total irrigated acres: 80,000
Total storage capacity (all 3 reservoirs): 143,000 acre-ft
Irrigation season: April - October
Diversion to Upper: 900 cfs
Wood River diversion: 600 cfs
Sunshine creek: 250 cfs, 500 cfs with erosion protection
Avg diversion into upper (April -October): 53, 300, 601, 502, 307, 141, 59 cfs
Average diversion into lower: 67 472, 835, 674, 395, 187, 85 cfs
Roach Gulch Dam:
 Max gross head: 147 ft
 Avg. daily gross head: 100 ft April-July
                                    80 ft August
                                    65 ft September
                                    60 ft October
Upper Sunshine Dam:
 Max gross head: 150 ft
 Avg daily gross head: 122 ft all months


Lower Sunshine Dam:
 Max gross head: 170 ft
 Avg daily gross head: 139 ft all months


This information along with gaging station information in the Greybull and Wood rivers will be used to build a model representing likely fill and release procedures.  This model will determine if this project is economically feasible.

Environmental Impacts of Hydropower

The U.S. Department of Energy points out several negative impacts of hydropower.  Most of these impacts do not apply to the Lower Sunshine Reservoir Project due to the fact that the dam is off channel.  The one factor that does apply to this project is injury to fish.


The Department of Energy has developed four turbine designs to limit the damage to fish passing through the turbine.  One turbine design uses technology used in the food processing industry.  This design can be seen in the picture below.

I applaud the desire to be environmentally friendly, but I also see a potential for taking it too far.  We have to solve our energy problems, and yes, a few fish will be lost in the process.  I think these fish families would be proud that their loved ones gave their life in service to their country. 


http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_rd.html

PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR GREEN ENERGY

I know what your thinking but no, I haven't been drinking Al Gores' cool-aid.  A poll by Reuters ( http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/12/14/us-energy-idUSN1431302220071214) found that Americans are willing to pay 20% more for green energy. In fact, their  poll showed that 70% of over 2000 people surveyed around the world were willing to pay more for green energy.   


What does this mean to the world of Hydropower?  Plain and simple, it means money.  We are now able to develop projects that were not feasible at the rates paid for fossil fuel energy.  It means that the irrigation districts that build these projects will become self sufficient and be able to spend more money on their other projects.  As they improve their infrastructure, they will become more efficient which will allow more water to be used for the production of power and less for irrigation.


However, a recent ezine article (http://ezinearticles.com/?Will-Consumers-Pay-More-For-Green-Products-and-Technology?-Not-Yet&id=5320946) discussed the findings a little differently.  This author showed that even though people said they supported government subsidies, they were not willing to pay more than 5% more.


This issue is far from indisputable, but I believe that it is something that needs to be looked at.  A poll could be taken in the local area to determine if the customers who would use this new energy source are willing to pay more for green power.  A 5% increase means a $10,000 increase in annual profit for the Greybull Valley project, that is not something to be taken lightly.

The Site

Here is an image of the Upper and Lower Sunshine reservoirs taken from Google Maps.  This project will focus on placing a hydropower turbine at the Lower Sunshine outlet works.  These reservoirs are south west of Meeteetse Wy.  The reservoir on the right is Lower Sunshine Reservoir and will be the site of the turbines.  The reservoir on the left is Upper Sunshine Reservoir and is used to store reserve irrigation water.

Comparing my blog to two field related blogs.

I have reviewed 2 blogs that relate to Civil Engineering in order to get ideas for organizing my blog page.

Dave’s landslide blog contains many interesting images that really help to get the point across.  I will add some images to my blog to help people visualize what is happening.  I think Dave’s blog is very professional; it is obvious that he put a lot of effort into composing this site.  There are a lot of links on Dave’s blog that help lead you to some very useful information.

Engineering &… is a blog about how engineering affects the world.  There are articles, videos and pictures.  This blog presents materials in an easy to read format.  I do think that the look of the blog could use a little work.  I think that having some kind of background would help this site look a little more appealing.

The Project

I am a college senior in civil engineering and am currently taking a senior design course in water resources.  The project we are researching is the construction of hydropower facilities on existing reservoirs along the Greybull River in the Greybull Valley Irrigation District.  This Project has been studied previously by various consultants and our goal will be to determine if this project is economically feasible.  At the conclusion of this study, a report will be written detailing our findings.  I am currently reading the previous studies and will submit the data as soon as I have it compiled.