LIHI Certificate #64 - (FERC No. (3342) Penacook Hydroelectric Project, Contoocook River, NH
Portland, Maine (January 29, 2011) - At LIHI’s January 26, 2011 meeting, the Institute’s Governing Board determined that the Penacook Lower Hydroelectric Project meets the LIHI Certification Criteria. An original LIHI certificate will be forwarded to you once the Governing Board Chair and Secretary have executed it.
In reaching its decision to certify the Penacook Lower Hydroelectric Project, the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s Governing Board reviewed the application for certification, as well as the Application Reviewer’s report and recommendations. LIHI certification for the Penacook Lower Hydroelectric Project is granted for 5-year term beginning on August 13, 2010 and expiring on August 13, 2015.
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Portland, Maine (August 13, 2010) – The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) announced today that Briar Hydro Associates (“BrHA”) has submitted an Application for LIHI Certification for the Penacook Lower Falls hydroelectric project (“Project” or “PLF”). The Penacook Lower Falls Hydroelectric Project is located on the Contoocook River in the Village of Penacook, New Hampshire. The Village of Penacook is made up of a small portion of the Town of Boscawen and the northern end of the city of Concord. The Penacook Lower Falls hydroelectric project presently is owned and operated by BrHA, a New Hampshire limited partnership.
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On September 10, 1981 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued an Order Granting Exemption from Licensing of a Small Hydroelectric Project of 5 Megawatts of Less, FERC Project 3342-001, to New Hampshire Hydro Associates (“NHA”) authorizing the construction, operation and maintenance of the PLF project. The Exemption specifically limited the project to operating with a maximum surface impoundment of 272 feet m.s.l. and contemplated a net operating head of 28 feet. This development was based upon reconstructing the project based upon the height of the dam that existed in 1981.
During development it was recognized that the project capacity could be increased by raising the impoundment level to with only a minimal effect on resources . The NH Department of Fish and game and the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service found that the increase in elevation of six feet would inundate 2.9 acres of land, none of which was developed or developable. Construction of the project began in 1982 and on November 17, 1982, NHA relinquished its exemption and received a 40-year license issued by the FERC authorizing the construction operation and maintenance of the PLF project with a maximum surface elevation of 278 feet m.s.l. Construction was completed in 1983 when first power was generated.
Project Description - The project is operated as a run-of-river facility. The estimated average net head is 34 feet. Revised Exhibits F and G were submitted to the FERC in 1982 showing as-built diagrams with an approved operating head of 34 feet (Appendix 3-2). The project is required to maintain a continuous minimum flow of 338 cubic feet per second (ABF .5 cfs) or the inflow to the reservoir, whichever is less. Project works consist of: (a) a reservoir with an 8.4-acre surface area, and a useable storage capacity of 54 acre-feet; (b) a concrete diversion spillway with three 9.5 foot by 10.0 foot high timber gates and seven timber stoplog gates; (c) a concrete gravity auxiliary spillway, 316 feet long and a main concrete spillway, gated, and 106 feet long; (d) a forebay, 70 feet long; (e) a concrete powerhouse containing a single generating unit with an installed capacity of 4,110 kW; (f) a tailrace excavated in rock, 700 feet long; (g) transmission equipment and electrical facilities consisting of (1) generator leads; (2) one 4.16/34.5 kV, 7.5 MVA step-up transformer; (3) 200 feet of 34.5-kV line and facilities necessary to connect the project to Concord Electric Company’s system; and (4) appurtenant facilities. A concrete powerhouse is constructed to bedrock on the same alignment as the centerline of the river profile. The overall length of the powerhouse is 97.5 feet and the width perpendicular to the profile is 35 feet. A 55-foot wide rock filled access area connects the north face of the powerhouse to the north river bank. Upstream and downstream sides of the access area are contained by concrete retaining walls to bedrock. The powerhouse contains one horizontal tube-type 3-meter turbine encased in concrete.
The project is located downstream of the Penacook Upper Falls project (LIHI Certification #52). The project utilizes a previously existing impoundment and the plant is unmanned, but operation is monitored on a 24/7 basis.
Public Comment - We encourage public comments on this application. Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think this project meets our LIHI criteria. Review the program and criteria in greater detail and then review the Project’s application. Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, fish passage, etc) will be most helpful, but all comments will be considered.
Comments may be submitted to the Institute by e-mail (preferred) at info@lowimpacthydro.org with " Penacook Lower Hydropower Project comments" in the subject line; by fax at (206) – 984-3086; or by mail addressed to LIHI, 34 Providence Street, Portland, ME, 04103. Comments must be received at the Institute on or before 5 pm Eastern time on October 13, 2010 to be considered. All comments will be posted to the web site and the applicant will have an opportunity to respond. Any response will also be posted
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