Small Hydro and Pumped Energy Storage – IRRICAN Power

There is a network of reservoirs and canals that are used to irrigate farmland in Southern Alberta. They are already used for some hydropower generation and my research will estimate the run-of-river power generation potential at three newly identified sites in the vicinity of the Chin Reservoir in Southern Alberta. Furthermore, two of these sites also have the potential for pumped energy storage, and the energy storage capacity for this operating mode will also be determined. Next, the environmental impact of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) displaced through the added hydropower generation and energy storage will be calculated, along with any applicable renewable energy credits. Finally, power generation, energy storage modeling, and renewable energy credits will be used to determine the economic feasibility of the project. This multi-disciplinary research will include energy, environmental, and economic analysis of the prospective projects.

Faculty Supervisor:

Blake Shaffer

Student:

Partner:

Irrican

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Utilities

University:

University of Calgary

Program: