Chaudière Falls Hydroelectric Redevelopment
Chaudière Hydro LP
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Canada
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2014–2017
2018 Award of Excellence, Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards.
20,000 homes powered.
115,000 metric tons per year of GhG emissions saved.
29 MW generating capacity.
Challenges
- The existing hydroelectric generating facilities on Chaudière Island on the Ottawa River needed to be redeveloped.
- This involved construction of a new 29-MW generating station with an enlarged intake and discharge channel, and the retirement of the existing Ottawa No. 2 (6 MW) and Ottawa No. 3 (3 MW) stations from service.
- The redevelopments would help to generate clean, renewable energy while reducing the impact to the environment. It would also provide a public place for the local community while paying tribute to Canada’s native peoples and history.
Solutions
- Provided full EPCM services for the design and execution.
- Designed and implemented an enlarged and hydraulic-efficient intake and discharge channel, allowing a maximum of 340 m3/s through the facility.
- Design included a downstream passage protection system for the endangered American eel and a spawning habitat for lake sturgeon in the tailrace. An upstream eel passage was also incorporated into the permanent works.
Highlights
- The power facility design includes safe viewing platforms, greater public access along a corridor on the new hydro facility’s roof to the newly constructed public plaza, and uninhibited views of the existing dam and Ottawa River.
- Restored and repurposed two of the oldest existing buildings on the site.
"Overall cost estimates for the Chaudière Falls Hydroeletric Redevelopment Project were provided in the early stages by Hatch and were supported by detailed and accurate documentation and drawings. This has led to a significant reduction in the construction risk as well as competitive pricing for civil construction."
Project numbers
29 MW powerhouse4 turbine generator sets
164 GWh /year of power
Services & technologies provided