PROJECTS

Riverdale Mills Hydroelectric Project FERC P-9100 Draft License Application

Young Energy Services (YES) was selected by Riverdale Power & Electric Company Inc. to produce the Draft Application for New License for the Riverdale Mills Hydroelectric Project, a small run-of-river hydro project located on the Blackstone River in Northbridge, Massachusetts. As the leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality welded mesh wire fabrics, Riverdale Mills has been generating hydroelectric power for on-site use since 1985.  This project features a restored 1901 150 kW Francis turbine with an average generating capacity of 785,000 kWh per year. Northbridge has received the distinct honor of being named as one of the most ‘BioReady’ communities in New England by The Boston Globe. This title is presented to communities that help foster a welcoming atmosphere, offer State incentives, and have increased adoption of local policies, all of which greatly ease the pathway for renovation or new construction of biotech laboratory and manufacturing facilities.

 

Carthage Paper Makers Mill Project FERC P-10887
Notice of Intent, Pre-Application Document, and TLP Request

Carthage Specialty Paperboard awarded the contract to Young Energy Services (YES) for the task of producing their Notice of Intent, Pre-Application Document, and TLP Request for submission to the FERC in order to successfully relicense their 800-kW Carthage Paper Makers Mill Hydroelectric Project located on the Black River in West Carthage, New York.

This small run-of-river project sits in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and features a powerhouse established in the 1930’s, transmission facilities, and the State Dam, whose original construction dates back to 1912. Capable of producing more than four million kWh of clean energy per year, Carthage Paper Makers Mill utilizes an open flume vertical Kaplan turbine generator installed in 1938.

 

Zompopero Hydroelectric Project Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Expert Review

Young Energy Services (YES) was selected by Mead & Hunt to provide an expert review of and develop contributions for the Zompopero Hydropower Project (ZHP) Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS) Report. The ZHP proposes to set up a hydropower facility in Zacapa, Santa Bárbara, Honduras with a total capacity of 14.8MW. This facility will utilize the hydropower potential of Ulúa River. The proposed ZHP will add 14.8 MW (61.15 GWh) to the grid annually and contribute to the rural renewable electrification of the country. The power generated from the facility will be sold to the Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE), the Honduran utility based on a power purchase agreement (PPA) that is in force with ENEE.

 

New Summit Pumped Storage Project FERC
P-14612 Notice of Intent and Pre-Application Document

New Summit Hydro, LLC has entrusted Young Energy Services (YES) with the preparation of their Notice of Intent and Pre-Application Document for a proposed 1,500 MW closed-loop pumped storage project located just outside of Akron in Norton, Ohio.

The project would utilize the Norton limestone mine as a lower reservoir with a newly constructed upper reservoir in an effort to generate over four billion MWh of clean energy annually. New Summit also recognizes the potential for various ancillary facilities, including recreation sites that would enhance the appeal of this project.

 

Great Falls Hydroelectic Project FERC P-2814
Notice of Intent, Pre-Application Document, and TLP Request

Young Energy Services (YES) was awarded the contract to develop the Notice of Intent, Pre-Applciation Document, and the TLP Request by the Great Falls Hydroelectic Company (Eagle Creek Renewable Energy); and the City of Paterson, New Jersey to relicense the historic Great Falls power station, which is a 10,950-kilowatt hydroelectric generating station located on the Passaic River in the city of Paterson, New Jersey. Situated at the base of Great Falls, the second-largest waterfall by volume east of the Mississippi River, this project is nestled in the heart of the historic industrial district of Paterson that surrounds the falls and dates back to 1792, when an industrious and cutting-edge plan developed by Alexander Hamilton was initiated to harness the power of the Passaic River. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and became a National Historical Park in 2011.

The current hydroelectric powerhouse was completed in 1914 and operated with its original equipment until 1969. The current three vertical Kaplan turbine generators were installed in 1986, and produce approximately 30 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in a typical year.

 

FERC Form 80 Licensed Hydropower Development Recreation Reports

Young Energy Services (YES) was awarded contracts to perform Form 80 studies for two major utilities at six different FERC licensed hydropower developments. Every five years, FERC requires licensees to complete a FERC Form 80: Licensed Hydropower Development Recreation Report, where the licensees must research the available recreational facilities and collect use data at each recreation access area located within the FERC project boundary and/or those that provide direct access to project lands and/or waters. In addition to YES collecting use data at the recreation areas in 2014 utilizing multiple spot counts, electronic vehicle and trail counters, and user intercept surveys; existing sources of information were reviewed.

AEP Generation Resources, Inc.

The Racine Hydropower Development is a conventional hydroelectric project on an existing US Army Corps of Engineers locks and dam on the Ohio River, in Racine, Ohio. Young Energy Services (YES) conducted the FERC Form 80 study for AEP Generation Resources, Inc., the licensee of the project. Existing recreation facilities were surveyed, documented, and their use was determined using an electric traffic counter and multiple spot counts conducted with the assistance of the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands.

Indiana Michigan Power Company

For the Indiana Michigan Power Company (IMPC), Young Energy Services (YES) surveyed and conducted the FERC Form 80 study for five licensed conventional hydroelectric developments on the St. Joseph River, in five towns in northern Indiana and southern Michigan: Constantine, MI; Mottville, MI; Buchanan, MI; Elkhart, IN, and Twin Branch (Mishawaka), IN. Existing recreation facilities were surveyed, documented, and their use was determined using electronic vehicle and trail counters, staff observation, and multiple spot and calibration counts. The projects had various features. Specific recreation amenities appear to be more popular at each development and account for a significant portion of annual recreation use. The Constantine development offers a tailwater fishing platform just downstream of the powerhouse, as well as reservoir boat launching and parking facilities on the west side of the Constantine Dam. The Mottville development provides the most extensive licensee-owned recreation facilities with a tailwater fishing platform just downstream of the powerhouse on the western shore of the St. Joseph River and launching and fishing facilities on the eastern shore as well as additional recreation opportunities at Mill Creek Park. The Elkhart development provides a popular tailwater fishing platform, as it offers access to a recreational fishing experience within an urban environment. Recreation access (boat launches and fishing access) sites not owned and operated by the licensee at County Road 17, within the Elkhart impoundment were also determined to be well utilized. The Twin Branch development had the highest recreational use due to the popularity of salmon fishing from the Twin Branch Dam Park tailwater fishing platform. The Buchanan Hydroelectric Project had the least use, though provides reservoir fishing and boat-docking facilities, a portage, and a downstream tailwater fishing access site that reopened for public use in August 2014. 

 

Peabody Trout Creek Reservoir (PTCR) Project
P-14446 and URS Corporation

Peabody Coal selected URS to assist in the licensing of their Trout Creek Reservoir Project (PTCR). Young Energy Services (YES) assisted in formulating the PAD and in addressing some of the FERC related aspects of licensing the project. During the licensing process, YES continues in their FERC advisory role and further assists by conducting a recreational users inventory, and developing a Shoreline Management Plan and Recreation Management Plan. The Project is located on Trout Creek, a tributary of the Yampa River, 15 miles from Steamboat Springs in Routt County, Colorado. Peabody seeks to construct and operate a multi-purpose project that will provide (1) a long term sustainable water supply for industrial and mineral processing, (2) hydroelectric power generation, (3) fish propagation, and (4) residential development. Recreation facilities will be included into the proposed master plan. The hydropower generation will have an installed capacity of approximately 500 kW, thereby qualifying it as a minor water power project subject to the requirements of 18 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 5.18 (5)(1). This would require Peabody Coal to prepare Exhibits A, B, C, D, F, and G pursuant to Section 4.61 of FERC’s regulations. Exhibit E – Environmental Exhibit would need to be prepared pursuant to Section 5.18(b) using the Integrated Licensing Process approved by FERC.

 

Mein River Mini Hydropower Plant Scoping and Environmental Assessment – Winrock International and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The Mein River Mini Hydropower Plant (MRMHP) would be located in Liberia, specifically in the Suakoko district, Bong County, approximately 175km northeast of Monrovia. The installed capacity would be 1000kW at 4m3/s flow with a 32m net head. The main Project components would be a permanent weir across the Mein River, an intake structure, an approach canal, a settling basin and forebay, a steel penstock pipe, a powerhouse, tailrace canal, substation, and about 27km of 33kV transmission line. Through a major consulting company, Young Energy Services (YES) Staff, with Kevin Young serving as a Senior Environmental Consultant, was directly responsible for drafting the Scoping Statements and the Environmental Assessment, allowing the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency to approve the presented scheme. The request for contractors has been released for many aspects of the design, supply, installation, construction, testing and commissioning of the civil works, hydro-mechanical works, electro-mechanical works, and the transmission and distribution networks.

 

Environmental Guidelines for Renewable Energy Projects – Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Knight Piésold

Through a major consulting company, Young Energy Services (YES) Staff with Kevin Young serving as Project Manager was directly responsible in the research, development, and drafting of the Environmental Guidelines for Renewable Energy Projects approved for use by OPIC in their determination for funding renewable energy projects around the globe. YES is very proud of our work on these guidelines, which will help keep the critical balance between development of energy infrastructure projects abroad and limiting potential adverse affects on the environment.

 

Independent Review of Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) for a Major Utility

Young Energy Services (YES) was commissioned to review multiple SMPs of various utilities for a confidential client. This review allowed the client to evaluate the use of any current and future SMP needs. YES drafted a report that outlined the differences and similarities of SMPs within the client's region and also reviewed the adherence of the client's current documents with FERC requirements.

 

Environmental Review of Various Hydro, Wind, and Biomass Projects – Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Knight Piésold

Through a major consulting company, Young Energy Services (YES) Staff with Kevin Young serving as Project Manager was directly responsible for the environmental review of Wind, Hydro, and Biomass Projects in several countries seeking potential OPIC investment.

 

Bison Peak Pumped Storage Project - Strategic Planning, Licensing Review, and Financial Planning

Young Energy Services (YES) addressed the FERC licensing requirements for Bison Peak Pumped Storage Project. Presentations were developed, targeted to potential project investors. FERC issued Bison Peak Pumped Storage, LLC a preliminary permit to study the feasibility of the proposed Bison Peak Pumped Storage Project to be located in the Tehachapi Mountains south of Tehachapi, California in Kern County.