FERC Issues Correspondence on Deviation Event at Colorado Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued correspondence to Xcel Energy regarding a deviation event at the Colorado Ames Hydroelectric Project. On November 4, 2022, a penstock leak developed in the project, requiring emergency repairs, which resulted in a deviation from the minimum instream flow requirement. The Commission has questioned the validity of not addressing the emergency repairs over the weekend and has emphasized the importance of having contingency plans in place to ensure timely repair of equipment malfunctions. The incident will be made part of the project's compliance history and will be taken into consideration in future reviews.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Colorado Ames Hydroelectric Project experienced a deviation event on November 4, 2022, due to a penstock leak that required emergency repairs.
  • The deviation resulted in a temporary cessation of minimum instream flow releases, which was not reported to the Commission for 12 days.
  • The Commission has questioned the validity of not addressing the emergency repairs over the weekend and has emphasized the importance of having contingency plans in place.
  • The project's compliance history will be updated to include this incident, and it will be taken into consideration in future reviews.
  • The Commission has reminded Xcel Energy of its obligation to survey downstream areas for impacts to aquatic resources in a timely manner during such deviation events.
  • The project's operators have agreed to consider opening an alternative valve to maintain flow releases to the Lake Fork bypass reach in the event of a similar situation in the future.

Statistics:

  • 3 cubic feet per second (cfs) is the minimum instream flow requirement at the Colorado Ames Hydroelectric Project.
  • The deviation event lasted for 3 days, from November 4 to November 7, 2022.
  • The Commission requested additional information and repair details regarding the deviation event, including estimated instream flows during the event and reasons for the prolonged deviation period.
  • Staff surveyed the bypass reach for stranded fish on Monday, November 7, 2022, and observed isolated pools but no fish.
  • The project's operators report that some leakage occurs even when the valve is closed, although an estimate of the leakage amount was not provided.
  • The Commission has emphasized the importance of having contingency plans in place to ensure timely repair of equipment malfunctions.

Sources:

  • FERC: FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC) Washington, D.C. 20426 OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS Project No. 400-073 -- Colorado Ames Hydroelectric Project Public Service of Colorado
  • FERC Correspondence dated March 6, 2023