Small-Scale Hydroelectric Power Demonstration Project. Public Service Company of New Hampshire Drop No. 1 Power Plant Expansion of Garvins Falls Hydroelectric Plant. Final Technical and Construction Cost Report

摘要

This final report discusses the technical, institutional and financial aspects of planning and constructing the Garvins Falls Hydroelectric Redevelopment Project. The Garvins Falls Hydroelectric Station, located on the Merrimack River in Bow, New Hampshire, is part of Public Service Company of New Hampshire's (PSNH) generating system. Realizing the need to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, in order to better serve the energy needs of our customers, PSNH initiated studies to identify viable hydroelectric projects. Garvins Falls was recognized as being one of the potentially better projects because it would utilize an existing dam, and further study indicated that redevelopment of the Garvins Falls site was an economic proposition whose primary benefit would be the potential replacement of energy generated by the use of imported fuel oil with that generated by a renewable source. Therefore, PSNH decided to design and construct the plant. The resulting design proposed expanding the existing project by adding two 2.75 tube-type turbine-generators with a total rated capacity of 6500 kW in a new power plant located in the area of the old powerhouse, necessitating complete demolition and removal of the old powerhouse. Construction of the new project began on August 4, 1980 and both new units were in commercial operation by December 30, 1981. The total cost for the Garvins Falls Hydroelectric Development Expansion Project was $7,946,025, reflecting an installed cost of $1222 per kilowatt. The redeveloped site will generate an estimated average increment in energy of 18,500,000 kWh per year, displacing the use of approximately 33,000 barrels of oil per year and will supply enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 2600 households. (ERA citation 08:019960)