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birdlife conservation, a dedicated watchman will monitor and provide supplementary feeding for imperial eagles and golden eagles in the area. Other measures include a dovecote to promote prey species of birds of prey and a refuge for cave-dwelling bats, showcasing Iberdrola España’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Canada OPG’s Kakabeka Falls Generating Station set for redevelopment Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is gearing up to redevelop the historic Kakabeka Falls Generating Station, a hydroelectric facility situated in northwestern Ontario. At 117 years old, Kakabeka Falls GS stands as the second- oldest hydro station in OPG’s fleet and has been a steadfast contributor to Ontario’s power grid. The aging infrastructure, with much of its original equipment dating back to 1906, currently boasts a peak output of 24.4MW, sufficient to power approximately 25,000 homes. Recognizing the station’s imminent life expectancy, OPG has initiated plans for a comprehensive redevelopment project aimed at ensuring continued clean and reliable power generation for the next 90 years. Currently in the definition phase, which encompasses front-end engineering and design work, the Kakabeka Falls redevelopment project is scheduled to commence construction in 2025, with completion anticipated by 2027. The ambitious plan includes the construction of a new powerhouse extension situated upstream of the existing facility on the eastern bank of the Kaministiquia River. The new powerhouse will feature two
state-of-the-art turbine-generating units, capable of producing approximately 27MW of clean electricity – a 13% increase from the current capacity. Simultaneously, the existing generating units and ancillary equipment will be removed from the original powerhouse, which will be preserved in its current location. Additionally, the project entails the replacement of the four penstocks and the surge tank, designed to manage sudden changes in water pressure.
Paul Seguin, OPG’s Senior Vice-President of Renewable Generation, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: “This important project will help maintain and build on the legacy of Kakabeka Falls GS, which has provided clean power for Ontario for more than a century.” Situated within the traditional territory of the Fort William First Nation, the Kakabeka Falls GS redevelopment project is expected to yield economic benefits for local Indigenous communities. OPG has been working closely with the Fort William First Nation, ensuring community consultation and input are integral to the project’s planning stages. Originally established by the Kaministiquia Power Company to support the region’s flour
milling industries, Kakabeka Falls GS quickly expanded from its two initial units in 1906. Over the years, Ontario Hydro, OPG’s predecessor, acquired the station in 1949. Today, Kakabeka Falls GS is one of 11 hydro stations owned and operated by OPG in northwestern Ontario.
Nepal
Successful river diversion marks progress at Tanahu hydro project The Tanahu hydropower project achieved a significant milestone at the end of last year with the successful initiation of the river diversion around the dam site. The project, situated approximately 150km west of Kathmandu, boasts a storage-type hydropower design, aiming for a planned installed capacity of 140MW and an estimated energy generation of 585.7GWh within its first decade. The project’s concrete gravity dam, standing at 140m, will be the largest of its kind in the country, accompanied by a storage reservoir with a total volume of approximately 295 million m3
.
The river diversion ceremony on November 6, 2023, marked a key juncture in the Tanahu hydropower project’s progress. Hydro experts from Tractebel, in collaboration with Canadian- based Manitoba Hydro International, played a crucial role in various aspects of the initiative, including the preparation of tender documents, tender evaluation, construction supervision, design checks, and advisory services during project operation and maintenance. Construction of the Tanahu hydropower
project commenced in 2018, and it is anticipated to be commissioned in 2026. As of now, the Seti River, en route from the Annapurna Massif to the Bay of Bengal, has been successfully diverted around the dam foundation pit. Once the dam is completed according to schedule, the diversion tunnels will be permanently sealed. The dam is envisioned to create a substantial reservoir, serving as a buffer for the fluctuating river flow, ranging from tens of m3
thousand m3
/sec during the dry season to several /sec during the monsoon season
from July to October. Designed to operate at peak efficiency during the driest months of the year, the Tanahu hydropower project aims to generate renewable electrical energy year-round for several hours per day. This is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Nepal’s seasonal energy security, concurrently reducing reliance on imported energy sources. Recognizing the project’s national significance, Dr. Frank Zöllner, Acting Project Manager, Tractebel in Germany, stated: “The Tanahu project is characterized by its multidisciplinary nature, with a large gravity dam, several kilometers of tunnel systems, and an underground power plant of considerable size. The river diversion represents an important milestone, benefiting not only Tractebel and its partners but also Nepal, one of our most important markets for hydropower
development. The renewable, sustained energy provided by Tanahu will greatly benefit the Nepalese people and economy, stabilizing the national grid and contributing to economic growth through energy exports to neighboring countries such as India.”
US
EBMUD installs InPipe Energy’s HydroXS in-conduit hydroelectricity system The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has teamed up with InPipe Energy, a California- based clean energy company, for a project that generates electricity from the flow of water within its water system. This investment aligns with EBMUD’s ambitious energy policy goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and marks the first implementation of InPipe Energy’s HydroXS technology in California. The newly introduced in-conduit
hydroelectric system operates similarly to traditional pressure regulating valves in EBMUD’s water distribution system but incorporates a turbine to reduce water pressure in the distribution pipeline while simultaneously producing electricity. This approach establishes a reliable and clean source of power. Installed alongside EBMUD’s Piedmont
Regulator, InPipe’s in-conduit hydroelectric system mirrors the function of the existing regulator while yielding approximately 130,000 kWh of emission-free energy annually for onsite use. This system is projected to offset nearly 6 metric tons of CO2 emissions. “EBMUD is always looking for innovative opportunities to meet our goal to become a carbon-neutral enterprise and contribute to fighting climate change,” said Marguerite Young, EBMUD Board Member. “This project generates clean energy while accomplishing our mission of providing clean, safe water to our customers. I’m looking forward to seeing more projects like this in our service area and around the country.”
Since 2000, EBMUD has significantly
reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately half through initiatives such as solar energy generation, biogas utilization, and hydroelectricity production. This latest venture into in-conduit hydroelectricity generation presents another promising avenue for reducing EBMUD’s carbon footprint. As California’s second-largest water and wastewater retail utility, serving 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, EBMUD plans to assess the performance and economic viability of the pilot program. The evaluation will determine whether this site or other locations can serve as a cost- effective source of zero-emission energy. “We will continue to implement cutting-edge solutions to meet our energy and sustainability goals, which is good for our community and the planet,” affirmed EBMUD General Manager Clifford Chan.
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