EPRI Study: Variable Speed Pumping as Entrainment BTA

Variable speed pumping (VSP) is a candidate technology for minimizing entrainment impacts on aquatic organisms.  By using VSP technology, a generating station may be able to reduce the amount of water withdrawn, and thereby entrain fewer organisms.  VSP has increasingly been included in a suite of measures as Best Technology Available (BTA) for entrainment, particularly in the Northeast.  ASA and Alden Research Laboratory recently completed a survey for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) of facilities that had installed VSP to see whether it has performed as expected, and what issues arose during installation or operation.  The effort demonstrated a range of success at reducing entrainment that depends upon the operating mode of the facility.   VSP is most effective for stations that operate in a load-following mode, but far less effective for base-load and peaking facilities.   The research was funded by the Electric Power Research Institute’s Fish Protection Program (https://www.epri.com/#/portfolio/2020/research_areas/2/025043?lang=en-US).  Additional information about the research can be obtained by contacting John Young (jyoung@asaac.com), or Jon Black at EPRI (jblack@epri.com).

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