December 1, 2009

Top Plants: Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Angela Neville, JD

Looking Ahead

According to research conducted in 2007 by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, hydroelectric power accounted for approximately 6% of the electricity generated in the U.S. that year. Maas commented on the future function that hydropower will probably serve. "New hydro generation will probably play a very limited role as the overall demand increases in the U.S. for electricity," he said. "Wind and solar will play bigger roles in the renewable arena. There will be upgrades to existing units/hydro sites, but that will have a minimal effect on overall hydro generation."

He also discussed the potential for additional installed hydropower capacity at the Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant. "Yes there is potential for additional installed capacity," he said. "Current estimates project that an additional 8 to 10 megawatts of electricity could be generated with the same amount of water. However, there is no timeframe. A cost evaluation is performed every two to five years, depending on changes to the economic drivers."

Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant has a contract in place with the Secretary of the U.S. Army that runs at least until 2025, and possibly until 2040, for the use of the water that runs through the plant. According to Edison Sault sources, the plant may very well be expected to be operational until then.

Maas gave his estimate of the long-term production potential of the Edison Sault hydropower plant: "Probably at least another 50 years. It has been producing commercial power for Edison Sault Electric Co. since 1963 and had an industrial power operation history prior to that since 1902."

The future looks bright for this centenarian facility. After a successful run of 107 years, another 50 years of operation should be no problem for this hardy hydropower plant.

—Angela Neville, JD, is POWER’s senior editor.