Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ... Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 8.0 Hydro capacity was incorporated into the original design. Nevertheless the capacity of the penstock has also eroded over time due to corrosion on the inside of the steel pipe. Recommendations for rehabilitation of the conveyance canal and power plant have been made since at least the early 1980’s. The history of these recommendations are summarized in a February 2003 study by Pacific Hydroelectric Company. 84 The most recently proposed project would upgrade the plant from 500 kW to 800 kW by replacing the Iliiliula Intake trashrack, restoring the debilitated Iliiliula Flume, increasing the penstock diameter from 36 to 42 inches, and adding a 300 kW Pelton turbine at the existing powerhouse. Additional work to restore other segments of the conveyance system and increase its capacity to 32 MGD were assumed to take place in advance of this project. This additional work would include improving and restoring abandoned stream gages and adding a sluice gate to the Waioki Intake. Cost information for this project is summarized in a May 2003 Pacific Hydroelectric report. 85 Figure 8-6. Lower Lihue Plant 800 kW Turbine. 8.4.3 Wailua The Wailua River has been the subject of numerous studies in the last 25 years because of its productive watershed. In fact, Wailua is the only Kauai hydro project that is currently listed in the State’s Renewable Energy Resource Assessment and 84 Pacific Hydropower Company, Upper Waiahi Hydro: Preliminary Source Investigation and Feasibility Study for a Second Turbine, prepared for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, February 2003. 85 Pacific Hydropower Company, Waiahi Upgrade Budgetary Cost Estimate, prepared for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, May 2003. 21 March 2005 8-10 Black & Veatch
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 8.0 Hydro Development Program. 86 The proposed 6.6 MW scheme diverts water above Wailua Falls to a downstream power plant. It has the advantage of being located in already developed areas, ensuring ready access and avoiding disturbance of pristine habitat. In the 1980’s Island Power pursued a project and completed an Environmental Impact Statement. Reportedly, development was halted not so much from overwhelming opposition to the project, but poor presentation of the project details showing knowledge of local conditions. In 2001, Northwest Power, a hydropower developer operating under the name Symbiotics LLC, filed a Preliminary Permit Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the Wailua project. 87 This application was one of 250 filed by Northwest Power with FERC, but the only one in Hawaii. Concerned responses from individuals, local groups and state and federal agencies were filed shortly thereafter, primarily directed at environmental concerns. In 2004, under pressure from FERC to demonstrate progress on this application, Northwest Power, operating now under the name Pacific Energy Resources, filed a new Preliminary Permit Application for the same project. The application was accepted for filing under Project No. 12534 on December 17, 2004. Completion of the permitting process is expected to take three to five years. 88 To our knowledge, this makes Wailua the only project currently under active pursuit in Kauai. The project addresses the primary environmental concern of diverting water above the prominent Wailua Falls by maintaining minimum instream flows of 15 cubic feet per second. Wailua Falls is widely known because of its feature in the 1978-1984 television series, Fantasy Island. Project components are planned to be invisible from the Wailua Falls overlook, a popular tourist destination. Portions of the project fall within Wailua River State Park. Because the Wailua project is active, it presents a glimpse of current attitudes towards hydropower development in Kauai. Many on Kauai are in favor of renewable energy including hydropower. After a visit by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to a potential hydropower site near Wailua Reservoir near the Himalayan Academy, this Hindu monastery posted pictures of the visit with the comment that “a local renewable source will be a small contribution to the new world order of self-sustaining cultures.” 89 Some however, will apparently be opposed to this project regardless of how development is approached. The Kauai Development Digest urges petitions to FERC against the 86 State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Renewable Energy Resource Assessment and Development Program, 1995, updated in 2000 and 2004. 87 Symbiotics, LLC, Lower Wailua Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 12025, 4 pp., no data. 88 TenBruggencate, Jan, “Proposal for dam rekindled on Kaua’i,” Honolulu Advertiser, January 11, 2005, 21 March 2005 8-11 Black & Veatch
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Kaua’i <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative<br />
<strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Assessments</strong> 8.0 Hydro<br />
capacity was incorporated into the original design. Nevertheless the capacity of the<br />
penstock has also eroded over time due to corrosion on the inside of the steel pipe.<br />
Recommendations for rehabilitation of the conveyance canal and power plant<br />
have been made since at least the early 1980’s. The history of these recommendations<br />
are summarized in a February 2003 study by Pacific Hydroelectric Company. 84 The most<br />
recently proposed project would upgrade the plant from 500 kW to 800 kW by replacing<br />
the Iliiliula Intake trashrack, restoring the debilitated Iliiliula Flume, increasing the<br />
penstock diameter from 36 to 42 inches, and adding a 300 kW Pelton turbine at the<br />
existing powerhouse. Additional work to restore other segments of the conveyance<br />
system and increase its capacity to 32 MGD were assumed to take place in advance of<br />
this project. This additional work would include improving and restoring abandoned<br />
stream gages and adding a sluice gate to the Waioki Intake. Cost information for this<br />
project is summarized in a May 2003 Pacific Hydroelectric report. 85<br />
Figure 8-6. Lower Lihue Plant 800 kW Turbine.<br />
8.4.3 Wailua<br />
The Wailua River has been the subject of numerous studies in the last 25 years<br />
because of its productive watershed. In fact, Wailua is the only <strong>Kauai</strong> hydro project that<br />
is currently listed in the State’s <strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> Resource Assessment and<br />
84<br />
Pacific Hydropower Company, Upper Waiahi Hydro: Preliminary Source Investigation and Feasibility<br />
Study for a Second Turbine, prepared for <strong>Kauai</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative, February 2003.<br />
85<br />
Pacific Hydropower Company, Waiahi Upgrade Budgetary Cost Estimate, prepared for <strong>Kauai</strong> <strong>Island</strong><br />
<strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative, May 2003.<br />
21 March 2005 8-10 Black & Veatch
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