Site Feasibility Assessment

At this point you have a Ball Park Power Estimate that indicates you likely have some sort of opportunity to produce electric power worth investigating but if you’re not quite sure of it’s exact size or real world feasibility.

The Site Feasibility Assessment investigates the “real world”  feasibility of your project further, to identify any potential risks that may effect feasibility.

The 4 main areas looked at are:

  1. SITE SPECIFICS/FEASIBILITY

    We visit the site and inspect and measure it to assess if a screw can be installed at the site and the most probable location and layout and features required. We are looking to see if it can be done at the site, and if so the site specific features that will affect the cost.

  2. SIZE OF SYSTEM/ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT

    We attempt to get a better understanding of the size of the system and Kwh production from the system. Whereas the Ball Park Power Estimate is based on spot flow measurements (calculated using weir flow formulas from dam/weir widths and water heights provided by you.) These spot or “at a specific time” measurements are just that, a measurement of “hydraulic power” (power in water) at a specific time and are only as accurate as the information you supply. In the Site Feasibility Assessment we are concerned with estimating “electrical” power production in kilowatt hours for the year rather than hydraulic power at a specific point in time. This is an important step because Kwh production is going to determine revenue from the system. Therefore we attempt to obtain longer term historical flow and head data that may be currently available to provide a better idea of system size and Kwh production.

  3. ENVIRONMENTAL FEASIBILITY

    We identify the applicability of the site release process and identify potential environmental issues and concerns.

  4. CONNECTION FEASIBILITY

    We identify potential connection issues and concerns and also give consideration to the type of connection; FIT or Net Metering.

But before getting a quote from us to do a site feasibility assessment and paying that money to us, you’d really like to know more if this thing seems feasible. In other words you’d like a bit more comfort that the project is feasible before doing a feasibility assessment. It’s human nature and you’re not alone.

While there are many things that are hard to answer without doing the actual assessment, we’ve put together a list of things you can at least take a preliminary look at yourself.

  • Contact your local distribution company and ask about the feasibility of connecting a hydro system. When inquiring provide them with the upper kW limit of your Ball Park Estimate assuming this is the maximum size of any system you would likely install at the site
  • Contact the local Ministry of Natural Resources office regarding possible environmental concerns they may have should you proceed, with the understanding that you are you will require a Class Environmental Assessment for waterpower projects before proceeding.
  • We try to cover this last issue off in the Ball Park Power Estimate, however, sometimes we don’t get full enough information to determine if room exists to allow a screw installation. A screw installation has a footprint that is slightly bigger than the size of the screw and runs from the upper water level, pond or impoundment area to the lower water level, not necessarily all in a straight line, but the screw itself is obviously in a straight line. Therefore look for an area approximately 15 ft wide between these points where it looks like there is room for an installation and send us photos or videos of your area if you are uncertain.

We’ve also provided a simple financial tool for you to get a feel for the financial numbers. Using some assumptions and reasonable estimates you can play “what if” using the financial tool below.

Coming soon…

Based on these things you can do yourself, if you then believe your project is still feasible you can proceed with our site feasibility assessment if you wish to.

Request an estimate for a site feasibility assessment.