Alcoa and U.S. Department of Energy commissions the modernization project at the Cheoah hydroelectric dam

Alcoa and U.S. Department of Energy officials yesterday commissioned the $110 million modernization project at Cheoah Dam in Robbinsville, NC, one of four hydroelectric dams that make up Alcoa Power Generating Inc.'s Tapoco Project. The modernization effort has increased the dam's efficiency and energy output and increased the life of the facility by at least another 40-50 years.

(Pictured L to R): Paul Tran, APGI Hydro Modernization Engineer; Erik Mauer, Department of Energy Wind & Water Power Program Senior Engineer; Matthew Hess, Department of Energy Renewable Energy Technologies Project Officer; Sheree Haus, Alcoa Contracts Manager, ATC; and Mark Gross, APGI Hydro Operations Manager stand in front of Tapoco's Cheoah Dam in North Carolina. The representatives from Alcoa and the Department of Energy attended the Cheoah Dam Modernization Project Commissioning held on Tuesday, September 25. (Photo: Business Wire) "This project demonstrates a partnership and cooperation among private industry and government to protect and sustain renewable energy for future generations," said Mark Gross, Alcoa Power Generating Inc. Hydro Operations Manager. "The Cheoah Modernization project directly supports green energy growth, the use of renewable energy resources and enhanced recreational opportunities."

DOE objectives for the project specified that ultimately, the full four-unit modernization would result in a 28 percent increase in generating capacity. "We are pleased to be able to announce that Cheoah Dam has actually demonstrated a 50 percent increase - from 88 MW to 132 MW," Gross added.

In addition to the capacity improvements, the modernization efforts have eliminated the use of circuit breaker oil and minimized the need for transformer oil, resulting in a net decrease in total oil volume in high voltage equipment of almost 40,000 gallons. And by using air-cooled transformers, cooling water requirements have dropped by 122,000 gallons per day.

The modernization project received a jump start when the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Alcoa a $12.95 million grant as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy issued the grant. U.S. Department of Energy representatives - Matthew Hess, Renewable Energy Technologies Project Officer; and Erik Mauer, Wind & Water Power Program Senior Engineer - joined Gross at the commissioning ceremony.

The overall project includes upgrades to four of the dam's five power generation units, along with process and utility systems, such as transformers, switchgear, power and control wiring, piping and fire protection equipment. Another two units will be upgraded during phase two of the project and are estimated to be completed by spring of 2013.

Alcoa Energy is a global producer, controlling nearly 3 GW of generating capacity to provide for the energy needs of Alcoa's worldwide smelting and refining system as well as the needs of regional wholesale markets. The business includes Alcoa Power Generating Inc, which currently owns and manages the 351-megawatt Tapoco system.

In June of this year, Alcoa announced that it had reached an agreement to sell the Tapoco Project to Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.