Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

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Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 8.0 Hydro 8.1 Basis for Assessment Hydropower potential for Kauai was assessed based on information available in numerous public reports provided by KIUC, other individuals, or available on the internet. These reports are referenced throughout this section. Current information on the status of potential projects and attitudes toward hydropower development were based on conversations with individuals associated with hydropower development on the island. Studies completed by the Department of Energy have evaluated hydropower potential in Hawaii on a regional basis based on general rainfall and topography. 71 However, even screening level studies have to be based on site specific input because of the complex interrelationship between rainfall, topography, geology and water use. Because of this, more than other types of renewable energy sources, hydro project costs and feasibility are very site specific. The assessment of hydro potential was therefore based largely on published reports by the federal government, state government, and private developers looking at specific project sites. In order to supplement information found in the reports with current activity and perceptions, telephone contacts were initiated with the following individuals: • Dennis Watt, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boulder City, NV • Laurie Ho, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Lihue, Kauai • Mina Morita, District 12 State Representative, Honolulu, Oahu • Maria Tome, Alternative Energy Engineer, State of Hawaii, DBEDT • David Rezachek, Consultant/former DBEDT • Mike Kido, University of Hawaii Center for Conservation Research & Training • Jerry Ornellas, President, East Kauai Water Users Cooperative • Jeff Deren and Joe McCawley, KIUC, Lihue, Kauai • Charlie Okomoto, Finance Director, Gay & Robinson, Kaumakani, Kauai • Owen Moe, Engineer, Gay & Robinson, Kaumakani, Kauai • Randy Hee, former McBryde Sugar engineer, Kekaha, Kauai • John Wehrheim, Pacific Hydro, Kauai • Brent Smith, Northwest Power (Symbiotics), Rigby, ID • Kearon Bennett, Ottawa Engineering Limited, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Maria Tome, Mike Kido, Jerry Ornellas, John Wehrheim and Kearon Bennett were unavailable for comment. 71 U.S. Department of Energy Report DOE/ID-11111, “Water Energy Resources of the United States with Emphasis on Low-Head/Low Power Resources,” April 2004. 21 March 2005 8-2 Black & Veatch
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 8.0 Hydro 8.2 Assessment of Contributing Resource The flow of water in a river basin is largely a function of size, topography and climate. In many respects, Hawaii, and Kauai in particular, is an ideal location for development of hydropower resources because it is endowed with hydropower’s two main needs: precipitation and elevation drop. Due to the island’s small size, tributary drainage areas are small, which is not typically ideal for hydropower. Nevertheless, on Kauai, basins are often productive hydrologically due to their topography and rainfall. 8.2.1 Topography The conical topographical shapes produced by the volcanic origins of Hawaii result in relatively steep gradients from the volcano crater to the ocean. In general, this is a benefit for hydropower. Hydropower is most economical when there are drops in elevation of hundreds of feet in short distances since penstock and access costs as well as hydraulic head losses are a function of distance. For run-of-river projects, often volcanic slopes do not have gradients steep enough to result in economical projects. Fortunately, Kauai has the advantage of being the oldest of the major Hawaiian Islands. The forces of erosion have over time created steeper canyons where high short drops in topography are available. The Waimea Canyon is one such location. Waterfalls abundant on Kauai provide another “natural” location to derive benefits from hydropower. 8.2.2 Rainfall The summit of Mount Waialeale on Kauai is known as “the wettest spot on earth” because of its average annual precipitation over 400 inches. Waters flowing from the summit of this mile-high mountain produce 61 perennial streams and many more intermittent streams. 72 Rainfall along the coast drops to as low as 20 inches per year. As in other tropical climates, rainfall on Hawaii can vary greatly from year to year. In high rainfall areas, monthly averages can vary as much as 200 to 300 percent between years. 73 Monthly variation in rainfall can be seen for select stations in Figure 8-2 below. Mount Waialeale is the wettest of the rainfall stations and Makaweli on the southwest coast is the driest. The two Wainiha stations are representative of rainfall in areas of existing and proposed hydropower plants. It can be seen that dryer summer months (May through September) give way to wetter winter months (October through April), but that unlike some other parts of the United States, precipitation is generally year-round. This is useful for hydropower from the standpoint of power generation. 72 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Newcomb’s Snail; Final Rule, 50 CFR, Part 17, August 20, 2002. 21 March 2005 8-3 Black & Veatch
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