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Aug 27 , 2010
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Note the white sandbags, called weirs, lined up in the Spokane River. These temporary dams help divert
water during the aesthetic spill tests. They will be removed from the river once testing is complete. |
We received this message to conversation@avistautilities.com yesterday from a concerned customer. I thought this might be a question that other customers may be asking, so I’ve posted the full e-mail and our reply below.
E-mail
I have seen the crews at work on the Aesthetic Spill Pilot Test in the River Front Park area. It appears the purpose of this pilot test is to assess the feasibility of diverting water that would normally flow through the south channel to the north channel. Do any practical benefits exist for this kind of diversion? Or, as the pilot study name suggests, are the benefits purely aesthetic?
If the no practical benefits exist, I object to the use of my utility rates for a purely aesthetic project which only benefits a small portion of the rate paying customers.
Please shed some light on the driving force for this project.
-Jesse
Reply
Dear Jesse, Thanks for your inquiry about the work being done on the Spokane River channels in Riverfront Park.
As you may know, we received a new operating license for our hydro facilities last year. With the new license came some new conditions that we are required to meet. Among those is an aesthetic spill in the north and middle channels of the river.
Currently the requirement is for a minimum 500 cfs to be diverted from the south channel. But there is a provision in the license that allows us to attempt to modify the riverbed so that we can make the flows just as appealing with only 300 cfs.
What we are doing is filling in the artificial cuts in the rock that were done in the early days of Spokane’s development. These were done to divert naturally low river flows to various mill wheels and laundries, etc. Those same cuts prevent the aesthetic affect that people want to see in the river.
Presently we have a group of stakeholders evaluating the modified river flows for the most effective configuration. Once that is established we can begin to make permanent modifications and hopefully divert less generating water from the powerhouse at Upper Falls.
I hope that addresses your concerns. Please let me know if you have further questions.
-Hugh Imhof, Avista Communications Manager
Aug 04 , 2010
Watch video
Yesterday morning I was working at my desk when I heard a broadcast-quality voice coming from somewhere behind me. Something about a planned power outage. I heard it again. And again.
Then I went to investigate.
The voice was my co-worker, Communications Manager Hugh Imhof, recording phone messages that will be sent to customers who will experience a planned power outage in the near future. Since it’s construction season we’re upgrading and replacing portions of our system, which sometimes requires a short power outage. We want to make sure you know about them beforehand, whenever possible.
One of the best ways to let customers know is to call them, although door hangers and other means may also be applied depending on the location and circumstances.
I hear from a lot of people online who ask where Avista is tightening its belt and being more efficient – this is a great example of where it is happening every day. Hugh was recording three planned power outage messages for this week.
Our automated phone system (we call it EVP) is being used to gain efficiencies wherever possible. For example, earlier this year around 1,400 of our customers in Idaho had to be contacted by Avista. Previously two or three customer service representatives would handle the live calls – a process that could take up to a week. This year with EVP, it took two hours – a tremendous savings in time and money.
This system is also being used for updates on real-time power outages, inquires to customers about bills, and to handle many transactions when you call us at 1-800-227-9187. We want to make sure we always deliver great customer service to you, so my co-workers worked hard to make this system a reality and it’s certainly paying off.
Hugh isn’t the only voice you’ll hear if you get a phone call from us, you may also hear Communications Manager Laurine Jue and others. I invite you to watch a quick Q and A video that Hugh and I recorded about the messages he was recording yesterday.
Jul 16 , 2010
The installation of new operable spillgates at Nine Mile Dam began this week as Avista finished drawing down Nine Mile Reservoir Thursday to allow a work barge and crew to begin. The upgraded system will allow Avista to pre-program desired heights and give operators the ability to raise and lower the height of the spillway at any time, incrementally if needed, in order to maintain the reservoir pool at a more constant level throughout the entire year.
The reservoir level must be lowered during construction to allow the contractor to erect the new spillgates. During construction, the pool level will be 2 to 4 feet below the spillway crest (about 12-14 feet below full pool), which may be lower than what it has been in the past when the flashboards were erected each year in mid-summer.
As a side note, to announce this news, this week we used a new e-mail tool for communicating directly with customers, river users, property owners and stakeholders interested in operational and environmental activities related to our Spokane River Project. This is one more way we’ll try to get information about river and reservoir levels, stewardship work and other river operations to folks quickly and directly. If you’re interested in being part of Avista’s mailing list for Spokane River News, send an e-mail to spokanerivernews@avistacorp.com. Jun 17 , 2010
This summer and fall, Avista will replace the wooden flashboards at Nine Mile Hydroelectric Development with operable spillgates. The upgraded system will allow Avista to pre-program desired heights and give operators the ability to raise and lower the height of the spillway at any time, incrementally if needed, so that we can maintain the reservoir pool at a more constant level throughout the entire year.
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Click above to enlarge graphic. |
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Click above to enlarge graphic. | What will the new spillway consist of?
The new spillway will consist of metal gates supported by air-filled rubber bladders. Compressors will inflate the bladders to approximately 25 psi to raise the gates. When stream flows are high enough, the bladders will deflate to lower the gates so water can flow over the top. The new, automated technology will be much more flexible and precise when managing the reservoir elevation.
What is the construction plan and timeline?
While the timeline is subject to change, the construction period is anticipated to be from July through October 2010. The new spillgates have been ordered and we expect delivery in July.
Once the new spillgates are delivered, we will remove some concrete from the top of the existing dam and replace it with new concrete to provide a good foundation to erect the new gates. A trough will be excavated in the dam crest for the compressed air lines that will be used to inflate the bladders.
The reservoir level must be lowered during construction to erect the new spillgates. During this period, the pool level will be 2 to 4 feet below the spillway crest, which may bring the level lower than what it has been in the past when the flashboards were erected each year in mid-summer. Construction should be complete and the reservoir level back to full pool by November of 2010.
How will the new spillway change Nine Mile operations?
No change in the full pool level is planned after the new spillway is installed. To the extent possible, we will maintain the reservoir level at the normal full pool elevation year around.
In the past the reservoir had to be lowered each summer to accommodate installation of the flashboards. When the flashboards were pulled in early winter or spring of each year, the material was lost and had to be replaced. Additionally, erecting the wooden flashboards each year is a labor intensive operation. The new spillway will result in less regular maintenance for Avista and enable the generation of additional power.
For project information, contact Steve Schultz, Project Manager, Senior Engineer. Jun 15 , 2010
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The reservoir behind Avista's Nine Mile Dam. |
Spillway, other projects to begin summer 2010
Avista will hold an information meeting at Lakeside High School tonight, June 15 at 6:30 p.m., to update interested residents, property owners and customers on projects that will take place beginning this summer at the Nine Mile Dam and reservoir.
The major project at Nine Mile Dam is installation of a new rubber spillway that will eliminate the need for the wooden flashboards. Construction on the new spillway will begin this summer, and will require an extended drawdown of the reservoir while work is in progress.
The new spillway will consist of a rubber bladder, which will raise and lower a metal plate when inflated and deflated respectively. The spillway will be much more flexible and precise when managing the reservoir elevation.
Avista’s environmental and hydro operations staff will discuss the spillway project and future generation upgrades to the powerhouse. They will also discuss the environmental and recreation projects that are planned for the Nine Mile area.
The projects are part of Avista’s 50-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license to operate its five Spokane River hydroelectric facilities (Post Falls, Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile, and Long Lake).
For more information about the meeting, call Speed Fitzhugh at (509) 495-4998.
Mar 26 , 2010
Post by Dan Kolbet
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Massive 1950s era
substation transformer. |
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New substation transformer.
Roughly 20 feet tall. | I think there’s a misperception about what an “infrastructure upgrade” is. The idea of an upgrade says that you’re getting something extra, but maybe you don’t need it. I upgraded my burger combo meal to the large size or upgraded to a new socket set. I could have done without either one (especially the burger, trust me). So when Avista says we’re using ratepayer money to make “upgrades,” it just might make you say, “Nope, the same old system was fine, stick with that – no upgrades needed.”
The trouble is, we’re not able to mess around when it comes to the reliability of our system. And it’s a big system – we have about 275,000 poles for example, some of which are 60 to 70 years old. Now, I know plenty of 60 to 70-year-olds out there who are doing just fine, but they’ve probably not been working every second of every single day, exposed to the elements since the end of World War II like some of our poles and transformers.
Continuing to run a system and handle increasing demands means putting up new stuff.
So the idea of an upgrade rings true in this sense: When we put up a new transformer for example, it is more efficient, better for the environment and will last for decades into the future. That’s an upgrade over an aging piece of equipment. But these things are costly. The substation transformer shown on the top right cost about $35,000 in the 1950s. This equipment has long since been paid off, of course. Today its replacement, shown on the bottom right, costs between $300,000 to $500,000.
Why can’t Avista just tighten its belt and absorb those costs? In many cases, we have. A few examples include centralizing internal processes like supply chain, dispatch, meter change-outs; modifying company printers to default to black and white two-sided jobs, shelving plans to build an office building, continuing a hiring freeze, optimizing our automated phone system to handle more transactions, using more efficient and faster equipment in the field – and more. These savings, while good, just aren’t enough to off-set the capital dollars that have to be spent to “upgrade” our system.
Infrastructure upgrades are just one example of what we’re doing with the additional funds we’re requesting in these rate cases. We produced a video, titled “ Our Infrastructure: Providing Safe, Reliable Energy” that reviews this subject. It’s around two minutes long and worth a look if you want to know where the money goes. Mar 24 , 2010
The cost of energy itself (generating or purchasing) makes up about 60 percent of the cost customers pay each month. So, when those costs go up, it makes a significant impact on rates. To help work through this topic we created the video, “ Power Supply: What’s Driving Rates.”
The details
Avista generates about 93 percent of the power customers use with our own hydro, biomass, natural gas and coal generation resources. The additional power our customers need comes from resources owned by other Northwest producers via some long-term, low-cost contracts.
The demand for electricity continues to increase, so when those long-term contracts expire, as they have and will continue to do so over the next several years, we have to replace that low-cost electricity with reliable, but more expensive power.
Today, the commodity portion of a customer’s bill is about 4 and one half cents a kilowatt-hour for electricity. But, as those long-term contracts expire, the replacement power will cost between 7 and 11 cents, depending on the resource.
Mar 23 , 2010
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Utility pole from 1937.
Does this look like a tree
or what? |
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A transformer in use
since 1958. | Post by Dan Kolbet
No one around here is happy that we’re filing for a rate increase. We see everyday how the rising cost of energy impacts families in the communities we serve. It’s no small consideration in nearly every meeting I’ve had with my co-workers and our leadership on this subject. It’s one of the reasons we offer many programs to help customers with energy assistance. But the fact remains, that these requests are necessary to continue to provide you with the safe, reliable energy you depend on.
The demand for electricity is continuing to increase and that places a greater demand on our electric system. So each year we have to look at what our system needs to keep your lights on and comply with regulatory mandates. We refer to the work we need to do as upgrading our infrastructure – which isn’t the catchiest term - but probably the most accurate.
We have poles and transformers in our system that are 60 to 70 years old. Imagine what those transformers were used for in 1940 or 1950. Now think of how we use electricity today. Nearly everything in your house is wired.
Infrastructure upgrades are just one example of what we’re doing with the additional funds we’re requesting in these rate cases. We produced a video, titled “Our Infrastructure: Providing Safe, Reliable Energy” that reviews this subject. It’s around two minutes long and worth a look if you want to know where the money goes.
I know that filing rate cases will generate questions and we’re here to answer them. You can drop us a note in the comments section of this post or e-mail us at conversation@avistautilities.com. More info Click here to learn more about our recently filed rate cases. Jan 20 , 2010
Yesterday marked the end of an 80-year era for Avista, with the release of wooden flashboards at our Nine Mile Falls Dam on the Spokane River. Watch the two-minute video to see what it looked like to release the flashboards.
In 1928 Avista began installing the five-foot high, hand-built flashboards at the top of the face of the dam, extending the normal dam height to 63 feet (without the flash boards its 58 feet). Later, the flashboard height was doubled to a total height of 10 feet. Flashboards are installed annually in four sections: two upper and two lower. Yesterday we released the two upper sections, and we’ll release the remaining sections later this spring, for the final time.
The flashboards, constructed with sheets of plywood and solid wood beams, allow operators to hold back more water in the forebay for power generation when river levels are lower. They are installed each summer and removed in late winter or early spring, as river levels begin to rise again.
Beginning this summer, Avista will replace the wooden flashboards at Nine Mile with an automated spillway that will give operators the ability to raise and lower the height of the spillway as needed. This new spillway, required under our FERC Spokane River Project license, will allow us to maintain the reservoir pool at a more constant level throughout the entire year, partly because it eliminates the need to lower the reservoir each summer to install flashboards.
Just a reminder – if you’re out on the river for any reason, be careful. High river levels, run-off from recent storms and the flashboard release have resulted in extra debris in the water, especially downstream from Nine Mile Dam. The video shows a few rather large trees and other items floating down the river.
Oct 30 , 2009
Oftentimes a hydro dam looks like a block of earth and cement, just holding back water. Not much happening, right? Well, peel back the layers and you’ll find an incredibly high-tech operation that is constantly in motion.
As Avista’s largest single generation facility, the Noxon Rapids Dam in Montana is an impressive structure that has been in operation more than 50 years. But just like your house, after 50 years, it’s due for some upgrades.
One of the upgrades currently underway is the replacement of the turbine runner for Unit 3 in the dam. The dam’s five units are capable of producing as much as 548 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity. Unit 3 generates about 100 megawatts of electricity by itself.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28 I was at the dam and produced a video about the removal of the turbine runner – the massive section of the unit that is spun by water. Avista Electric Foreman Howard Johnson actually let me go inside the penstock (well-supervised) to see the final preparations for the removal of the turbine.
The penstock is normally filled with rushing water that slams into the turbine. It was a little creepy climbing through the tiny porthole to get in – I’m not shy about saying that. But today the penstock was filled with workers getting the turbine ready for removal and prepped for its replacement. The new turbine, which should be in around March will produce more electricity than its predecessor – saving customers money.
Upgrading our electric system isn’t just about power lines or the things you see every day, it’s also where the power comes from, like hydro dams. Most people don’t get to see work like this, so I produced this video to show the final prep work and removal of the Unit 3’s turbine.
The video shows some of the damage and maintenance on the turbine over the last 50 years and why a new one is prudent. Check out the video.
So the next time I write something about upgrading our system, think about this massive 250,000-pound turbine being lifted across the deck of the dam all in the name of producing hydro electricity better and cheaper for customers.
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