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Book Climate Change Impacts on High elevation Hydropower Generation in California s Sierra Nevada

Download or read book Climate Change Impacts on High elevation Hydropower Generation in California s Sierra Nevada written by and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To investigate the possible impacts of climate change on high-elevation hydropower generation in California, a linear programming model of the 11-reservoir hydroelectric system operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in the Upper American River Project was developed. Hydrologic conditions under climate change scenarios were derived from hydrologic results predicted for nearby locations by the Variable Infiltration Capacity model run using climatic output from two general circulation models under two emissions scenarios. Results showed that power generation and revenues dropped under all climate change scenarios, as a consequence of drier hydrologic conditions.

Book Modeling Multi reservoir Hydropower Systems in the Sierra Nevada with Environmental Requirements and Climate Warming

Download or read book Modeling Multi reservoir Hydropower Systems in the Sierra Nevada with Environmental Requirements and Climate Warming written by David Emmanuel Rheinheimer and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hydropower systems and other river regulation often harm instream ecosystems, partly by altering the natural flow and temperature regimes that ecosystems have historically depended on. These effects are compounded at regional scales. As hydropower and ecosystems are increasingly valued globally due to growing values for clean energy and native species as well as and new threats from climate warming, it is important to understand how climate warming might affect these systems, to identify tradeoffs between different water uses for different climate conditions, and to identify promising water management solutions. This research uses traditional simulation and optimization to explore these issues in California's upper west slope Sierra Nevada mountains. The Sierra Nevada provides most of the water for California's vast water supply system, supporting high-elevation hydropower generation, ecosystems, recreation, and some local municipal and agricultural water supply along the way. However, regional climate warming is expected to reduce snowmelt and shift runoff to earlier in the year, affecting all water uses. This dissertation begins by reviewing important literature related to the broader motivations of this study, including river regulation, freshwater conservation, and climate change. It then describes three substantial studies. First, a weekly time step water resources management model spanning the Feather River watershed in the north to the Kern River watershed in the south is developed. The model, which uses the Water Evaluation And Planning System (WEAP), includes reservoirs, run-of-river hydropower, variable head hydropower, water supply demand, and instream flow requirements. The model is applied with a runoff dataset that considers regional air temperature increases of 0, 2, 4 and 6 °C to represent historical, near-term, mid-term and far-term (end-of-century) warming. Most major hydropower turbine flows are simulated well. Reservoir storage is also generally well simulated, mostly limited by the accuracy of inflow hydrology. System-wide hydropower generation is reduced by 9% with 6 °C warming. Most reductions in hydropower generation occur in the highly productive watersheds in the northern Sierra Nevada. The central Sierra Nevada sees less reduction in annual runoff and can adapt better to changes in runoff timing. Generation in southern watersheds is expected to decrease. System-wide, reservoirs adapt to capture earlier runoff, but mostly decrease in mean reservoir storage with warming due to decreasing annual runoff. Second, a multi-reservoir optimization model is developed using linear programming that considers the minimum instream flows (MIFs) and weekly down ramp rates (DRRs) in the Upper Yuba River in the northern Sierra Nevada. Weekly DRR constraints are used to mimic spring snowmelt flows, which are particularly important for downstream ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada but are currently missing due to the influence of dams. Trade-offs between MIFs, DRRs and hydropower are explored with air temperature warming (+0, 2, 4 and 6 °C). Under base case operations, mean annual hydropower generation increases slightly with 2 °C warming and decreases slightly with 6 °C warming. With 6 °C warming, the most ecologically beneficial MIF and DRR reduce hydropower generation 5.5% compared to base case operations and a historical climate, which has important implications for re-licensing the hydropower project. Finally, reservoir management for downstream temperatures is explored using a linear programming model to optimally release water from a reservoir using selective withdrawal. The objective function is to minimize deviations from desired downstream temperatures, which are specified to mimic the natural temperature regime in the river. One objective of this study was to develop a method that can be readily integrated into a basin-scale multi-reservoir optimization model using a network representation of system features. The second objective was to explore the potential use of reservoirs to maintain an ideal stream temperature regime to ameliorate the temperature effects of climate warming of air temperature. For proof-of-concept, the model is applied to Lake Spaulding in the Upper Yuba River. With selective withdrawal, the model hedges the release of cold water to decrease summer stream temperatures, but at a cost of warmer stream temperatures in the winter. Results also show that selective withdrawal can reduce, but not eliminate, the temperature effects of climate warming. The model can be extended to include other nearby reservoirs to optimally manage releases from multiple reservoirs for multiple downstream temperature targets in a highly interconnected system. While the outcomes of these studies contribute to our understanding of reservoir management and hydropower at the intersection of energy, water management, ecosystems, and climate warming, there are many opportunities to improve this work. Promising options for improving and building on the collective utility of these studies are presented.

Book Considering Climate Change in Hydropower Relicensing

Download or read book Considering Climate Change in Hydropower Relicensing written by Joshua H. Viers and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Climate Change Effects on the High elevation Hydropower System with Consideration of Warming Impacts on Electricity Demand and Pricing

Download or read book Climate Change Effects on the High elevation Hydropower System with Consideration of Warming Impacts on Electricity Demand and Pricing written by Marion Guegan and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 106 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Climate Change Effects on High elevation Hydropower System in California

Download or read book Climate Change Effects on High elevation Hydropower System in California written by Kaveh Madani Larijani and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The high-elevation hydropower system in California, composed of more than 150 hydropower plants and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), supplies 74 percent of in-state hydropower. The system has modest reservoir capacities and has been designed to take advantage of snowpack. The expected shift of runoff peak from spring to winter as a result of climate warming, resulting in snowpack reduction and earlier snowmelt, might have important effects on hydropower operations. Estimation of climate warming effects on such a large system by conventional simulation or optimization methods would be tedious and expensive. This dissertation presents a novel approach for modeling large hydropower systems. Conservation of energy and energy flows are used as the basis for modeling high-elevation high-head hydropower systems in California. The unusual energy basis for reservoir modeling allows for development of hydropower operations models to estimate large-scale system behavior without the expense and time needed to develop traditional streamflow and reservoir volume-based models in absence of storage and release capacity, penstock head, and efficiency information. An Energy-Based Hydropower Optimization Model (EBHOM) is developed to facilitate a practical climate change study based on the historical generation data high-elevation hydropower plants in California. Employing recent historical hourly energy prices, energy generation in California is explored for three climate warming scenarios (dry warming, wet warming, and warming-only) over 14 years, representing a range of hydrologic conditions. Currently, the high-elevation hydropower plants in California have to renew their FERC licenses. A method based on cooperative game theory is developed to explore FERC relicensing process, in which dam owners negotiate over the available instream water with other interest groups downstream. It is discussed how the lack of incentive for cooperation results in long delay in FERC relicensing in practice and argued how climate change may provide an incentive for cooperation among the parties to hasten the relicensing. An "adaptive FERC license" framework is proposed, to improve the performance and adaptability of the system to future changes with no cost to the FERC, in face of uncertainty about future hydrological and ecological conditions.

Book Impact of Climate Change on Hydropower Production in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region

Download or read book Impact of Climate Change on Hydropower Production in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region written by Younis M. Elmabrok and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 106 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: California has the most extensive water supply systems in the country. California reservoirs, more than 1000 reservoirs, play a major role in meeting the state's water demand (ACWA, 2013). These reservoirs require careful planning and management in order to achieve the optimal balance between different demand sectors. Some of these reservoirs contribute to the state's power supply through different hydropower plants. Beside some hydraulic and design parameters, the amount of produced hydropower is determined by amount of released water and the available storage. The amount of released water from any reservoir is a function of many factors, such as: climate, precipitation and inflows, demands and environmental requirements downstream. This study examines the implication of Climate Change and Warming on Hydropower production in Sacramento River hydrological region. A simulation model of the study area is built using Water Elevation and Planning System (WEAP). Three main reservoirs for hydropower generation in the study area were included: Shasta Reservoir, Oroville Reservoir, and Folsom Reservoir. Snowpack in west upper slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains plays a major role in the hydrology of Sacramento River basin. Studies, (Franco et al. 2011) and (Rheinheimer et al. 2014), have shown a possible increase in the California's air temperature from 1.5 oC to 6 oC, with an expected greater impact on the upper Sierra Nevada Mountains. To assess the impact of such possible increase in air temperature, three warming scenarios were developed. The historical climate data (1964-2014) was collected for each catchment. Then for future projections (2014-2064), three air temperature increase scenarios were developed. The scenarios are 0 oC (no change, for comparison), 2 oC, 4 oC and 6 oC. Air temperature was the only parameter changed, other parameters such as precipitation remained unchanged. The result obtained from the model shows that the increase in air temperature can yield a considerable change in hydropower production. Under 6 oC increase scenario, the reduction in the total hydropower supply over the 50 years (2015-2064) was 9.43% for Shasta, 6.76% Oroville, and 6.44% for Folsom reservoir.

Book Changes to Whitewater Recreation in California s Sierra Nevada from Regional Climate Warming

Download or read book Changes to Whitewater Recreation in California s Sierra Nevada from Regional Climate Warming written by Scott Thomas Ligare and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitewater recreation is an aesthetic ecosystem service potentially affected by climate warming alterations to runoff. In California's Sierra Nevada, climate change is likely to reduce water availability with warmer air temperatures and potentially decreasing precipitation. The corresponding changes in the timing and magnitude of streamflow will affect whitewater boating opportunities. In this study 128 whitewater runs were identified on the west-slope of the Sierra Nevada within a 13 basin study area that ranged from serene float trips to remote, difficult, kayak expeditions. A spatially explicit one-dimensional rainfall-runoff model was used to estimate the unregulated hydrology at specific locations within flow thresholds amenable to whitewater recreation. Climate warming scenarios were simulated by increasing air temperature by 2°, 4°, and 6° C and assuming no change in other climate variables such as precipitation. Mild warming increases the average number of boatable weeks per year, but more extreme warming decreases the average boatable weeks per year across the Sierra Nevada. Runs in low elevation drainages, such as the Cosumnes and the Tule River Basins, are most vulnerable to changes in boatable weeks. Yet high elevation watersheds, such as the Kern River, also have a large reduction in boatable weeks. Watersheds in the central Sierra Nevada show an increase in boatable weeks due to its many gorge type runs at middle elevations. Overall, elevation, run type, and volume of snowmelt was the best predictor of resiliency for Sierra Nevada whitewater runs. Recreation is important for river management, yet it is difficult to quantify and to plan for. This research provides a sensitivity analysis of climate warming for the Sierra Nevada and presents a method that can be applied to other regions and whitewater rivers. Climate warming is forcing managers to make decisions with uncertainty in water availability, making allocation decisions difficult among often conflicting uses (e.g., ecology, hydropower generation and recreation). Reduction in whitewater recreation opportunities in unregulated rivers due to climate warming and continued increases in population will likely increase the importance of whitewater boating on regulated rivers, and thus the reliance on reservoir operations for meeting multiple demands.

Book Potential Effects of Climate Change on Streamflow Eastern and Western Slopes of the Sierra Nevada California and Nevada

Download or read book Potential Effects of Climate Change on Streamflow Eastern and Western Slopes of the Sierra Nevada California and Nevada written by Anne E. Jeton and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 58 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Climate Change in California

Download or read book Climate Change in California written by Fredrich J. Kahrl and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2012-08-02 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While California is undeniably unique and diverse, the challenges it faces will be mirrored everywhere.

Book Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts on California Water Resources

Download or read book Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts on California Water Resources written by Sebastian Vicuna and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 492 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United State

Download or read book Effects of Climate Change on Energy Production and Use in the United State written by Thomas J. Wilbanks and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2009-05 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report by the Nat. Science and Technology Council¿s U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) is part of a series of Synthesis and Assessment Products produced by the CCSP. This series of 21 reports is aimed at providing current evaluations of climate change science to inform public debate, policy, and operational decisions and is also intended to inform CCSP¿s consideration of future program priorities. CCSP¿s guiding vision is to provide the Nation and the global community with the science-based knowledge to manage the risk and opportunities of change in the climate and related environmental systems. This report will enhance understanding of the effects of climate change on energy systems in the U.S. Illustrations.

Book Climate Impacts on Energy Systems

Download or read book Climate Impacts on Energy Systems written by Jane O. Ebinger and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2011 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "While the energy sector is a primary target of efforts to arrest and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and lower the carbon footprint of development, it is also expected to be increasingly affected by unavoidable climate consequences from the damage already induced in the biosphere. Energy services and resources, as well as seasonal demand, will be increasingly affected by changing trends, increasing variability, greater extremes and large inter-annual variations in climate parameters in some regions. All evidence suggests that adaptation is not an optional add-on but an essential reckoning on par with other business risks. Existing energy infrastructure, new infrastructure and future planning need to consider emerging climate conditions and impacts on design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Integrated risk-based planning processes will be critical to address the climate change impacts and harmonize actions within and across sectors. Also, awareness, knowledge, and capacity impede mainstreaming of climate adaptation into the energy sector. However, the formal knowledge base is still nascent?information needs are complex and to a certain extent regionally and sector specific. This report provides an up-to-date compendium of what is known about weather variability and projected climate trends and their impacts on energy service provision and demand. It discusses emerging practices and tools for managing these impacts and integrating climate considerations into planning processes and operational practices in an environment of uncertainty. It focuses on energy sector adaptation, rather than mitigation which is not discussed in this report. This report draws largely on available scientific and peer-reviewed literature in the public domain and takes the perspective of the developing world to the extent possible."