FERC Licensing & Compliance
Providing Consulting Services, Evaluations and Assessments for Hydropower Relicensing
One of the biggest benefits we offer for FERC licensing and compliance is our people. Nationally renowned engineers and biologists work with you to develop the best practical approach to successfully negotiate the licensing process and meet the requirements of your existing FERC license. We complement laboratory studies with field studies and research to give you the most balanced results.
Because our staff has extensive experience with FERC licensing and compliance, we can work with you to develop your FERC license application, capacity amendment application, study plan, and exhibit drawings. In addition, we provide:
- Feasibility studies
- Detailed design
- Construction oversight
- Economic analysis
- Energy optimization
- Hydraulic evaluations
- Due diligence evaluations
- Modeling
- Field measurements
We have conducted numerous hydraulic model studies of hydroelectric stations and related structures such as intakes, outlets, spillways, stilling basins, fish ladders, and navigation locks. In addition to providing physical hydraulic and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling for your hydropower design and retrofit, we have worked on fish passage facilities, total dissolved gas (TDG) abatement, compliance with ESA regulations, dam safety analysis, risk reduction and remedial design.
Regulations, Compliance & Standards
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Featured Projects
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has funded laboratory studies at Alden on the biological efficacy of fine-mesh screens for safely collecting larval and juvenile fish. However, little information existed on the effects of fish return systems on larval or early juvenile survival. Alden performed two years of laboratory evaluations on factors affecting larval fish survival in fish return systems at cooling water intake structures (CWISs). The project provided the additional data necessary to determine the overall biological efficacy of larval fish collection and return systems. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of velocity, drop height, length, drops and bends on larval fish survival through a fish return system.
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Natural Resources & Environmental Planning
Fish Survival in Fish Return Systems at Cooling Water Intakes
Alden performed two years of laboratory evaluations on factors affecting larval fish survival in fish return systems at cooling water intake structures
In 2012, Alden developed a report providing an updated review of the state of knowledge on fish protection technologies for use at power plant cooling water intake structures (CWISs) to meet requirements of §316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). In general, power generating facilities have some flexibility in selecting fish protection technologies. The information provided in the report can be used by power generators, resource managers, and permitting agencies to determine the potential for different fish protection technologies to reduce impingement and/or entrainment losses at CWISs. Fish protection technologies are generally grouped into five functional categories—physical barriers, collection systems, diversion systems, behavioral guidance devices, and flow reduction. The performance, operational and maintenance issues, and documented installations of each technology in each functional category were described in the report. The results of the review indicated the importance of site-specific factors to the biological effectiveness and engineering practicality of a technology.
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Natural Resources & Environmental Planning
Development of the EPRI Technical Reference Manual for Fish Protection at Cooling Water Intake Structures
A report was developed to provide an updated review of the state of knowledge on fish protection technologies to meet 316(b) requirements
Alden’s engineers and biologists conducted extensive CFD modeling and biological evaluations to help the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department (HG&E) develop an effective downstream passage solution for endangered shortnose sturgeon at the Hadley Falls Station on the Connecticut River. The results of these studies produced engineering and hydraulic design criteria for an exclusion rack and downstream bypass. The CFD modeling examined flow conditions for several alternative rack designs, as well as the bypass discharge to ensure safe downstream passage of fish and minimal interference of upstream migrants trying to locate the entrance to a fish lift. Alden also developed conceptual designs and preliminary cost estimates for the preferred alternatives and conducted biological testing in a large laboratory flume with various configurations of bar racks and bypass entrance designs with juvenile shortnose sturgeon. Agency acceptance of the final design was obtained by HG&E after Alden completed a desktop analysis of total downstream passage survival using the laboratory bypass efficiency data and theoretical estimates of turbine survival.
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Natural Resources & Environmental Planning
Holyoke Hydroelectric, Hadley Falls Station
CFD modeling and biological evaluations were used to develop effective downstream passage for endangered shortnose sturgeon