Examining the Feasibility of Hydropower Generation in Irrigation Canals: Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

Irrigation districts in the American West and throughout the world have extensive canal networks that could be utilized to generate a significant amount of hydropower. As the world attempts to become less dependent on carbon-based energy resources, small-scale hydropower (SSH) is an attractive potential resource for new energy development. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) in central New Mexico has an extensive canal network, and hydropower is being considered as a viable form of renewable energy. Currently, the MRGCD has identified and categorized nine potential hydropower sites within its system with the goal of maximizing its contribution to the region’s energy needs. This paper addresses key issues related to hydropower in irrigation districts and examines the feasibility of incorporating hydropower generation in the MRGCD canal system. With full year-round implementation of SSH generation at the nine locations investigated, the MRGCD could have a generating capacity of 2.2 MW and produce over $10\mathrm{million}\mathrm{kW}·\mathrm{h}$ during the year. This represents an income from power generation for the MRGCD of $1.032 million at the current power prices. More importantly, implementation of SSH would result in 1,340 homes being powered by clean, renewable energy while concurrently delivering water to irrigators. It is the hope of the authors that the case study presented will aid irrigation districts investigating the incorporation of hydropower in their canal networks.