Optimal Development of Multipurpose Hydro Projects

The Environmental Protection Act has created many complications for any hydroelectric power project. For mixed agency (public and private) developments, there are broad effects resulting from recent court decisions under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The economic impact of fuel shortages and costs result in a necessity for reevaluation of existing hydroelectric projects. The writer's term Energy recovery projects refers to the conversion of hydraulic head breaking plants to power plants. On large-scale water distribution systems such a development can save the equivalent of many hundreds of barrels of oil per day. The basic problems unique to this type of development are examined. This paper examines the effects of these changes on proposed hydroelectric power redevelopments, and energy recovery projects. A practical example of optimal development of a power drop currently being considered for base load utilization is analyzed.