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The San Diego County Water Authority has embarked upon a Capital Improvement Program to improvethe pipeline delivery system and to make the method of supplying the water throughoutthe county more flexible. Included in the CIP is the Emergency Storage Project (ESP),which is a system of reservoirs, interconnected pipelines, and pumping stations,designed to make water available to all communities in the San Diego region in theevent of an interruption of imported water deliveries due to an emergency such as anearthquake. An important component of the Water Authority's ongoing CIP is the Rancho Penasquitos Pressure Control/Hydroelectric Facility (RP PCHF) that not only increases water reliability, but also addresses energy reliability within the region. Located along a major aqueduct and connected to a 108-inch diameteruntreated water pipeline, this dual purpose facility not only controls water pressure andflow but also generates renewable energy. A key feature of the RP PCHF is the singlehorizontal Francis type turbine which makes use of available hydraulic pressure togenerate up to 4.5 MW of electricity. The RP PCHF is not only good for theenvironment by generating electricity without harmful emissions, but is alsoadvantageous to the rate payers by generating approximately $1.1 million annuallythrough the sales of electricity. This annual revenue will help to stabilize water rates forthe ratepayers and offset the Water Authority's operations and maintenance expenses.The RP PCHF was designed and constructed for seismic reliability and operationalflexibility. This paper presents a case study on the RP PCHF, focusing on how the Water Authorityovercame project challenges to take advantage of an untapped energy source whileimproving water delivery reliability to the region. Includes figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2009 Number of Pages: 25File Size: 1 file , 2.3 MB