Pittsfield NH dam repowering project

As governments and businesses consider the hydroelectric potential of existing non-powered dams, competition is heating up to claim and evaluate the best sites.  Federal regulators yesterday resolved a conflict between two developers by awarding a preliminary permit to a developer interested in studying the feasibility of repowering or rebuilding hydroelectric energy production at an existing mill dam on the Suncook River in Pittsfield, New Hampshire.

Another former mill dam in the heart of a New England village: the Doughty Dam in North Berwick, Maine.

Yesterday's order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (9-page PDF) granted a preliminary permit to KC Hydro LLC of New Hampshire to study the feasibility of the Pittsfield Mill Dam Hydropower Project.  Originally built for industrial purposes, the Pittsfield Mill Dam is currently owned by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

As described in KC Hydro's original permit application (11-page PDF), the project concept involved either restoring an existing but mothballed 415 kW turbine which previously operated under an exemption from licensing, or installing entirely new facilities (potentially with a 530 kW capacity) to capture the hydroelectric potential of the water already impounded behind the dam.

After KC Hydro submitted its preliminary permit, another developer - AMENICO Green Solutions, LLC - applied for a competing preliminary permit for the same site.  AMENICO proposed a similar project, which focused on restoring the existing 415 kW turbine.  AMENICO noted that it had property rights to the site, which it claimed KC Hydro did not.

Noting that the applications were comparable, FERC recited its standard for resolving the competing claims:

Staff has reviewed the applications and found no basis for concluding that either applicant’s plan is superior to the other. Neither applicant has presented a plan based on detailed studies or the results of agency consultation. Where the plans of the applicants are equally well adapted to develop, conserve, and utilize in the public interest the water resources of the region, the Commission will favor the applicant with the earliest application acceptance date.

Because KC Hydro had applied first, FERC awarded the preliminary permit to KC Hydro.  In doing so, FERC noted that a permit applicant is not required to have obtained all access rights to a project site as a condition of receiving a preliminary permit.  However, FERC did note that a preliminary permit does not grant a right of entry onto any lands, so a permittee must obtain any necessary authorizations and comply with any applicable laws and regulations to conduct any field studies.

With its preliminary permit in hand, KC Hydro now has 3 years to investigate the site and apply for a full project license.  Will the Pittsfield dam ultimately be repowered?

August 2, 2010 - my electricity supply mix; repowering small hydro

Do you know where the energy you consume came from? Electricity consumers in Maine like me get mailings detailing the fuel mix behind our electric generation. Here's the one I received last week:



This shows that the largest share of my kilowatt-hours (37.9%) comes from hydro-electric generation. Natural gas is next (25.8%), with nuclear from Seabrook close behind (23.1%). For the remaining renewables, I get 0.5% from biomass and 0.6% from municipal solid waste combustion -- totaling a renewable portfolio of 39%. This is well in excess of Maine's basic 30% RPS, suggesting that renewables can be very cost-effective at providing energy, at least in light of the current basket of renewable power incentives like grants, tax credits, and long-term contracts.

The mailings also provide information on air emissions from this generation mix.


This supplier's mix averaged 452.95 lbs CO2 per MWh generated, which is stated as 56.7% below the New England average. (Credit our reliance on renewables, as well as natural gas, for this number.) The supplier's mix also emitted 0.4 lbs NOx per MWh, and 0.7 lbs SOx per MWh -- all over 56% below New England's average.



An interesting bit of late-breaking news: Maine Governor Baldacci has nominated David Littell to fill the vacant seat on the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Dave is currently the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

After 378 years of continuous ownership and operation, what is believed to be the country's oldest family farm is up for sale.

As we look for renewable energy sources, many people are considering repowering small hydro dams. Many dams formerly had energy development, either mechanical or hydroelectric. Scribner's Mill, in the Maine town of Harrison, once had such a small dam and sawmill. Now, a group of historical enthusiasts called Scribner's Mill Preservation Inc. is proposing to rebuild the dam to power the restored sawmill. The Maine DEP is now reviewing their plans.