Transcript Holtwood Redevelopment Project

Susquehanna River
Hydroelectric Projects
• Conowingo/Muddy Run
Relicensing (2009 – 2014)
• Shad Passage Numbers
• Holtwood Expansion
Shawn Seaman
DNR Power Plant Research Program
Power Plant Research Advisory Committee
26 August 2008
FERC License Expirations
• Conowingo/Muddy Run – 2014 (Exelon)
• Holtwood – 2014 (seeking license
amendment to 2030) (PPL)
• Safe Harbor – 2030 (PPL/Constellation)
• York Haven – 2014 (First Energy)
Conowingo/Muddy Run Issues
• Pre-licensing discussions ongoing with
Exelon on the following issues:
– Fish passage efficiency and capacity,
including eel passage
– Flow management (minimum flows and pond
levels)
– Recreation and land management (fishing
access)
– Water quality (dissolved oxygen, sediment)
Shad Passage at Conowingo
Year
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
Total Shad .
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Conow ingo East
160000
Holtw ood
57%
180000
140000
Safe Harbor
York Haven
120000
100000
14%
63%
2006
40%
50%
2005
3.1%
20%
16%
20000
19%
40000
21%
60000
50%
80000
31%
Total Shad .
200000
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Year
Percent passage efficiency at Holtwood
2004
2007
2008
Holtwood Redevelopment Project Background
• 1993 Settlement agreement required
Holtwood to install fish passage
• Bottleneck to passage: from 1997 to 2008,
passage averaged about 32% of
Conowingo; poor performance in high flow
years
Holtwood Project Elements
• Construction of new 125 MW powerhouse
• Construction of new skimmer wall
– Reduce debris
• Doubling of hydraulic capacity
– produce more power
– reduce fish passage impacts during high flows
• Extensive in-river rock excavation to create additional
passage routes for American shad
Holtwood Fish Passage
• Upstream Fish Passage Goal:
– Tier 1 (3 years):
• Passive Integrated Transponders
(PIT)
• 75% of American Shad that pass
Conowingo pass Holtwood AND
50% pass within 5 days
– Tier 2:
• Radio Telemetry
• 85% passage of shad reaching
Holtwood tailrace
Holtwood Fish Passage
• Downstream Fish Passage Goal:
– Conduct discrete survival studies
– Goal:
• 95% of juvenile American Shad
• 80% of adult American Shad
• Operate project to achieve goal or maximize
survival rate
Future Holtwood Activities
• PPL goal: FERC license approval in 2008, construction
complete and on-line in 2011
• Final conditions still under discussion but mostly
resolved with agencies; FERC DEIS issued with
comment period ending last week
Holtwood Relicensing
Most Critical Issues from Maryland
Perspective
• Minimum Stream Flow
– 98.7% of the flow required at Conowingo
• American Shad / Eel Passage
• Additional Generation & Reliability