Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

SYLLABUSThe geographic area considered in this study encompasses the coastalcommunity of Valdez and tne interior communities of the Copper RiverBasin (Glennallen being the largest). In past years this area has beenimpacted by various economic "booms" and "busts." The latest boom wasthe construction of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, followed by thepost-pipeline construction slump, the latest DuSt. During these periodsthere have been corresponding increases and decreases in electrical usage.Although the econm~ is currently in a "slump," the outlooK for thefuture is for a large increase in the construction industry as the AlaskaPetrochemical Company (ALPETCO) begins worK on their complex in Valdez.This, in combination with the current expansion of the port facilities,will greatly increase electrical demand. Furthermore, ALPETCOanticipates approximately 720 permanent employees to remain for plantoperation. Additional population increases would be associated with theemployees' families and support facilities such as housing, stores, etc.The proposed plan consists of two elements to meet the future needs ofthe study area. The elements include the installation of a pressurereducing turbine (PRT) in the oil pipeline by 1984 followed by hydropowerdevelopment at Allison LaKe approximately 6 years later.The PRT would produce approximately 7.4 megawatts of power based on anoil flow rate of 1.5 million barrels per day. Tnis project has theadvantage of providing a relatively continuous amount of power year-roundallowing for more flexibility in the utilization of the Solomon Gulch andultimately the Allison Lake hydropower systems. Implementation of thisproject would be the responsibility of the local utility and AlyeskaPipeline Service Company.Tne second part of the plan, a lake tap at Allison Lake, would produceap~rox;mately 32,200 megawatt hours (MWH) of firm annual energy withS,050 MWH of secondary energy from an installed capacity of 8 megawatts.The estimated first cost is $34,301,000. Associated annual operation,lfIaintenance, and replacement costs are estimated at $200,000.