HOOD RIVER — City council approved a pressure surge design proposal on Jan. 8 for the Dee Bridge Hydroelectric Project to ensure that pipes won’t burst during power loss. The hydroelectric project will help the city meet its goal of net-zero municipal greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
A pressure surge in the hydro system can happen when a power outage causes the turbine to lose resistive torque, causing it to spin faster and send water back up the pipes.
Located near the intersection at Punchbowl Falls Road and Lost Lake Road, the hydroelectric system will capture wasted pressure at a potable water vault. The system is estimated to generate about 120 kilowatts of renewable energy per hour. For scale, an average U.S. house consumes 29 kilowatts per day.
The final design of the project is expected by this summer, and construction completion by summer 2025. Public works staff will be trained to operate the hydroelectric system.
“I’m confident that the operators we have are more than capable of day-to-day operations,” Interim Director of Public Works Adam Schmid said.
The project is now estimated to cost $1.9 million, compared to its $1.2 million original estimate. However, NLine Energy, the company working on the project, stated that they secured $1 million in grant funding from Energy Trust of Oregon and Oregon Department of Energy.
The cost estimate increase is due to a building design change, surge mitigation, site security and inflation, according to NLine Energy.
PacifiCorp indicated that no new powerlines or generators will be needed. Through an agreement with PacifiCorp, the project will generate revenue once completed.
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