Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments
3.0 Renewable Energy Technology
Options
possible that plasma arc gasification of MSW may become commercial in a 10 to 20 year
timeframe. In such case, it could be expected to generate approximately the same amount
of electricity as MSW and RDF options.
Year Energy,
GWh
Table 3-17. Developable Potential from Plasma Arc Gasification.
Capacity,
MW
3 0 0
5 0 0
Notes
Technology not expected to be fully commercial for
utility power applications
10 43.8 7.1 Assumes construction of one 300 TPD unit
20 65.7 10.7 Assumes addition of a 150 TPD unit
3.5 Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric power is generated by capturing the kinetic energy of water as it
moves from one elevation to a lower elevation by passing it through a turbine. Often, the
water is raised to a higher potential energy by blocking its natural flow with a dam. The
amount of kinetic energy captured by a turbine is dependent on the head (distance the
water is falling) and the flow rate of the water. Another method of capturing the kinetic
energy is to divert the water out of the natural waterway, through a penstock and back to
the waterway. Such “run-of-river” applications allow for hydroelectric generation
without the impact of damming the waterway. The existing worldwide installed capacity
for hydroelectric power is by far the largest source of renewable energy at
740,000 MW. 32
Applications
Hydroelectric projects are divided into a number of categories based upon size.
Micro hydro projects are below 100 kW. Systems between 100 kW and 1.5 MW are
classified as mini hydro projects. Small hydro systems are between 1.5 and 30 MW.
Medium hydro is up to 100 MW, and large hydro projects are greater than 100 MW.
Medium and large hydro projects are good resources for baseload power generation
because of the ability to store a large amount of potential energy behind the dam and
release it consistently throughout the year. Small hydro projects generally do not have
large storage reservoirs and are not dependable as dispatchable resources.
32 International Energy Agency, 2002.
21 March 2005 3-42 Black & Veatch