Project Overview
GCEA continues to diversify its supply portfolio through the addition of renewable and environmentally friendly, sustainable resources, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the contract with GCEA’s electrical supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. On October 31, 2024, the Taylor River Hydro facility was energized and now generates 3% of GCEA’s portfolio with clean, renewable energy.
Operating at or near full capacity 24 hours a day year-round, the 500-kilowatt (kW) hydro plant will produce an average of 3.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. This generation compares to a 2.5-megawatt (MW) fixed tilt-solar array and will provide clean electricity to approximately 500 local homes and businesses. The plant boasts the largest known single-phase power generator operating in North America.
Project History
Mueller Construction based in New Castle, Colorado began construction in May 2023 and Washington state-based Canyon Hydro delivered the turbine, generator, and controls. Construction was completed by September 2024 followed by weeks of testing and adjustments. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 22, 2024, and the facility was officially energized on October 31, 2024.
In early 2020, GCEA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA). GCEA and UVWUA formed a jointly-owned entity called Taylor River Hydro LLC to develop, own, and operate the plant. Project design, engineering, NEPA analysis, approval from the Bureau of Reclamation, county permitting, and construction development were all completed by early 2023.
In 2016, Telluride Energy created an assessment study indicating a 200 kW plant would be technically and economically feasible.
In 2013 to 2014, GCEA received a renewable system feasibility study through the USDA. GCEA partnered with the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA) on the project and they also contributed to the feasibility study. GCEA hired NEI Electric Power Engineering, Inc. to conduct an Electrical Interconnection and System Impact study. The NEI analysis concluded that a relatively small plant could be built with minimal changes to the distribution system or a larger plant could be constructed to take advantage of the available water resource but would require extensive power system upgrades.
In 2011, GCEA received a technical assistance grant from the Governor’s Energy Office. This study led the GCEA Board of Directors to move forward with further investigations.
In 2009, GCEA partnered with the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) and the UVWUA to apply for a grant from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. The partners provided $15,000 matching funds and hired URS to conduct a preliminary general feasibility study. While this “reconnaissance-level investigation” indicated that adding hydropower at the existing dam would be feasible from a technical and economic perspective, it recommended a more comprehensive feasibility investigation to refine the analysis.
When the Taylor Dam was constructed in the late 1930’s, it was designed with hydro power generation in mind. The project connects to the existing dam penstock and GCEA’s single-phase distribution line. GCEA’s board discussed upgrading the line to three-phase for a more powerful output of electricity, but felt the expense to do so would put too great a financial burden on the cooperative’s members. Instead, the 500-kW generator is the solution to produce the most power possible on GCEA’s existing single-phase distribution line.
Taylor Dam History
The Uncompahgre Project (PDF) is an article from the Bureau of Reclamation, written in 1994 by David Clark and edited by W.J. Simonds. The document describes the rich history of the development of water resources in the Uncompahgre Valley. The Taylor Dam is discussed in the final third of the document.
The Construction of Taylor Park Dam (PDF) is an article written by the Bureau of Reclamation engineer on the project during construction, Donald Jerman. This article was part of the “Reclamation Era” document released in May 1938. The construction details, diagrams, and vintage pictures are invaluable.