City completes critical paths forward on green energy project, Dee Hydro
The City’s water source comes from pristine groundwater springs located on the slopes of Mount Hood. Of the estimated 10 million gallons of water per day that the springs provide, the City is able to harness and use around five-million gallons of water per day. This water flows through a 24-inch waterline over 20 miles and drops 2,000 feet before reaching the City. In the process, the water builds enormous pressures that must be dissipated with a series of pressure reducing valves (PRVs). Back in 2019, the City embarked on a journey to harness that flow of water to generate energy through an in-line hydro system.
That same year, the Hood River City Council passed a resolution to lesson the City’s contribution to global warming and committed to reducing municipal greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2035. The in-line hydro system project, called Dee Hydro, is a substantial project to help realize the City’s sustainability goals. However, the project has had to overcome significant hurdles on its path to becoming a reality.
After an initial feasibility study to explore whether the City’s water system would be a good fit for an in-line hydro system, several critical tasks were required before the project could advance. These tasks included an approval of water rights, a negotiation of a private property easement to the site, and a pressure surge analysis to ensure the City’s water transmission line would be protected.
In particular, the pressure surge analysis was an important review for the City to ensure the community’s access to clean water would not be compromised. Engineers conducted a series of surge relief tests and reported sufficient results at the January 8, 2024, City Council meeting. From these findings, City Council was satisfied that outstanding issues had been resolved and directed the project to advance.
The project’s impact on energy generation and reduction of carbon dioxide will depend on various factors. More information will be available later this year after the annual energy analysis has been completed. Once installed, the project is estimated to generate approximately 16,000,000 kilowatt hours over the first 30 years.
With the critical tasks completed, the project will now move forward with the remainder of Phase two tasks which include final design, bidding and procurement support, engineering services during construction, and training services, among others, with construction slated to begin in Spring of 2025.
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