EETS INC

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power accounts for nearly 20% of global electricity generation and is recognized for being both clean and efficient. Once operational, a hydroelectric plant produces no direct waste and emits low levels of CO2. EETS has been actively involved in the water power movement since 1984, beginning with our first hydro project – the refurbishment of Virginia Ranch Dam in Yuba County, originally commissioned in 1962. Since then, EETS engineers have collaborated with both public and private sectors on a multitude of hydroelectric projects, with power production capacities ranging from 250kW to 685MW.

SPOTLIGHT

Hydroelectric Projects

IONE, CA

EBMUD PARDEE RELAY RETROFIT FOR HYDRO GENERATION

The Pardee Facility, operated by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), is a critical water treatment and storage site located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It encompasses the Pardee Dam and Reservoir, key components of the Mokelumne River water system, which supplies high-quality drinking water to over 1.4 million customers in the San Francisco East Bay region. In addition to supporting hydroelectric power generation and water storage and distribution, the facility plays a vital role in environmental stewardship and recreational resource management.
The Pardee Facility, operated by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), is a critical water treatment and storage site located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It encompasses the Pardee Dam and Reservoir, key components of the Mokelumne River water system, which supplies high-quality drinking water

to over 1.4 million customers in the San Francisco East Bay region. In addition to supporting hydroelectric power generation and water storage and distribution, the facility plays a vital role in environmental stewardship and recreational resource management.

To ensure the continued reliable operation of the Pardee Powerhouse, EETS was tasked with upgrading failing and outdated power infrastructure. This project included the installation of SEL-751A relays for enhanced protection and control at the following facilities:

  • Pardee Powerhouse Unit #1: Breaker Protection & Station Service Relay Upgrade
  • Pardee Powerhouse Unit #1 and #2: Station Service Relay Upgrade for Breaker #4
  • Pardee Powerhouse Unit #1 and #2: Station Service Relay Upgrade for Breaker #6
  • Pardee Powerhouse Unit #1 and #2: Station Service Relay Upgrade for Breaker #7

IONE, CA

EBMUD PARDEE DAM POWERLINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

EETS retrofitted Pardee Powerhouse, originally designed by Arthur Powell Davis, who also completed the concept design for the Hoover Dam. In response to the increased risk of wildfires in California, EETS was tasked with undergrounding overhead infrastructure and implementing additional changes to enhance the power system’s resilience and redundancy. Key project components included:

  • Replacing approximately 1.5 miles of overhead 7.2kV lines with a 12.47kV underground system, which involved replacing and adding transformers, installing 12.47kV sectionalizing cabinets and load interrupter switchgear, and adding fiber cable to establish new communication infrastructure.
  • Conducting field investigations and retrofitting the powerhouse and dam gallery to route circuits and fiber cable from an existing 12.47kV breaker. This also included installing a 2MVA 7.2kV:12.47kV transformer and adding new protective relays and network hardware.
  • Designing 12.47kV switchgear with PACS (Protection Automation Control System) in a new power building, featuring controls for the automatic operation of three (3) separate sources: 7.2kV Pardee Powerhouse, 12.47kV PG&E, and parallel 750kW diesel generators. This system included breakers, ATS, and relays.
  • Incorporating multiple SEL-751 feeder protection and Arc Flash relays into the control systems.
  • Developing a detailed cutover plan to minimize downtime for critical facilities during construction.

CLEMENTS, CALIFORNIA

CAMANCHE RELAY RETROFIT FOR HYDRO GENERATION

The Camanche Facility, managed by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), includes the Camanche Dam and Reservoir, located downstream of Pardee Reservoir on the Mokelumne River. Constructed for flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, the facility plays a critical role in regulating water flows and ensuring reliable water delivery to EBMUD customers in the East Bay. Additionally, the reservoir supports recreational activities, fishery management, and environmental conservation efforts, making it a multipurpose resource for the region.
The Camanche Facility, managed by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), includes the Camanche Dam and Reservoir, located downstream of Pardee Reservoir on the Mokelumne River. Constructed for flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, the facility plays a critical role in regulating water flows and ensuring reliable water

delivery to EBMUD customers in the East Bay. Additionally, the reservoir supports recreational activities, fishery management, and environmental conservation efforts, making it a multipurpose resource for the region.

To maintain the reliable operation of the Camanche Powerhouse, EETS was tasked with upgrading failing and outdated power infrastructure. This project included:

  • Camanche Powerhouse Switchgear Replacement Preliminary Design Analysis, which incorporated:
  • 4160V switchgear circuit breaker retrofit and modernization
  • Stator ground protection relay SEL-2664S
  • Field ground module SEL-2664
  • Generator protection relay SEL-700G
  • IRIG-B distribution module SEL-3400
  • Managed Ethernet switch SEL-2730M
  • Current transformers

Upper American River, California

SMUD Upper American River Hydro (UARP)

EETS was tasked with providing the electrical design for new PLC-based hydroelectric governors and turbine shutoff valve controls for ten hydroelectric units across seven locations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These locations include Loon Lake Powerhouse (1 – 82MW Pelton), Robbs Peak Powerhouse (1 – 29MW Francis), Camino Powerhouse (2 – 75MW Francis), Union Valley Powerhouse (1 – 46.7MW Francis), White Rock
EETS was tasked with providing the electrical design for new PLC-based hydroelectric governors and turbine shutoff valve controls for ten hydroelectric units across seven locations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These locations include Loon Lake Powerhouse (1 – 82MW Pelton), Robbs Peak Powerhouse (1 – 29MW Francis), Camino Powerhouse (2 – 75MW Francis), Union Valley Powerhouse (1 – 46.7MW Francis), White Rock Powerhouse (2 – 112MW Francis), Jones Fork Powerhouse (1 – 11.5MW Francis), and Jay Bird Powerhouse (2 – 72MW Pelton).
Powerhouse (2 – 112MW Francis), Jones Fork Powerhouse (1 – 11.5MW Francis), and Jay Bird Powerhouse (2 – 72MW Pelton).
Constructed primarily in the 1960s, these ten units represent approximately 685MW of generating capacity. Additionally, EETS was responsible for the electrical design for refurbishments at Slab Creek Powerhouse and Camp Far West.
EETS’s work scope included:
  • Formulate detailed Scope Plan
  • Review alternative governor architectures and vendor-specific solutions/procure and review requirements
  • Conducted a detailed review and cross-referencing of existing facility documentation at SMUD’s Fresh Pond office for governor and TSV control functions, including station drawings, operations and maintenance manuals, design data, machine and penstock model analysis, and commissioning test results
  • Design new 12kV electrical service from Pacific Gas & Electric
  • Reconnection of existing plant service at 12kV level
  • Design for new 750kVA solar field, step-up transformer and utility interconnection
  • Piping and instrumentation, one-line of governor and TSV functions
  • Programmable logic controllers and associated equipment
  • Process instrumentation and control systems

Alameda County, California

Alameda County Water District WTP #2 Energy Recovery Hydro

The six hydroelectric turbine generators had the capacity to generate 1.25MW of electricity from the incoming water flow of the South Bay Aqueduct. Four out of the six 250kW generators were replaced with 300kW turbine generator units. EETS engineers developed the electrical design for these four new induction generators, including their protection and control. This upgrade resulted in savings of upwards of half a million dollars for the water district, compared to the purchase pricing from PG&E.

Mokelumne County, California

PG&E-Electra Hydroelectric Power House

The Electra Powerhouse, constructed to replace the Old Electra Powerhouse and completed in 1948, plays a crucial role in the Amador Water System (AWS). It diverts water from Lake Tabeaud into the Amador Canal, which then supplies two water treatment plants, Tanner and Ione. Additionally, a portion of the water from Lake Tabeaud is channeled through the Electra Powerhouse for hydroelectric generation before being released
into the Mokelumne River, ultimately reaching the East Bay Municipal Utility District and its Pardee Reservoir. As the largest powerhouse on the Mokelumne, capable of generating over 100MW of electricity, Electra often serves as a control station for the entire system, particularly in terms of power interchange. The power is then delivered to one of the two 230kV transmission lines, combining with the output from the Salt Springs and Tiger Creek plants. Given that Lake Tabeaud functions as a forebay, the Electra Powerhouse is able to adjust its load in steps, contributing to grid stabilization. EETS engineers were responsible for the design work involved in replacing three field circuit breakers and three generator neutral grounding transformers, as well as the generator field cables for the three units.
The Electra Powerhouse, constructed to replace the Old Electra Powerhouse and completed in 1948, plays a crucial role in the Amador Water System (AWS). It diverts water from Lake Tabeaud into the Amador Canal, which then supplies two water treatment plants, Tanner and Ione. Additionally, a portion of the water from Lake Tabeaud is channeled through the Electra Powerhouse for hydroelectric generation before being released into the Mokelumne River, ultimately reaching the East Bay Municipal Utility District and its Pardee Reservoir. As the largest powerhouse on the Mokelumne, capable of generating over 100MW of electricity, Electra often serves as a control station for the entire system, particularly in terms of power interchange. The power is then delivered to one of the two 230kV transmission lines, combining with the output from the Salt Springs and Tiger Creek plants. Given that Lake Tabeaud functions as a forebay, the Electra Powerhouse is able to adjust its load in steps, contributing to grid stabilization. EETS engineers were responsible for the design work involved in replacing three field circuit breakers and three generator neutral grounding transformers, as well as the generator field cables for the three units.

Escondido, California

City of Escondido – Bear Valley Hydro

Design of a new protective relay and PLC-based control system with an HMI terminal for this 1.5MW two-unit hydroelectric facility, including an HMI interface with the City’s water treatment plant system. Additionally, the design of modifications to the existing plant’s power and instrumentation systems was undertaken.

Eldorado County, California

Slab Creek Hydroelectric Facility

Design of a Modicon PLC-based control and instrumentation system, along with a SCADA interface, for the refurbished 450kW induction generator Francis hydro unit. This also involved the review and revision of the unit’s protective relaying, as well as providing start-up support.

Auburn, California

PG&E Wise Hydroelectric Powerhouse

Wise Powerhouse, a key component of a system that includes reservoirs, canals, and other powerhouses starting at Spaulding Dam, is capable of generating 14 MW of electricity. Initially commissioned in 1917 by PG&E, this powerhouse has undergone numerous upgrades and refurbishments over the years. EETS engineers were in charge of designing a replacement generator neutral grounding transformer and field cables for the most recent refurbishment.

Generation Projects