Power Generation By Phelan Water Company Meeting Dave Nilsen

(Best Syndication) The Zone L Water Advisory Commission listened to a presentation by Dave Nilsen of the Sheep Creek Water Company at the November meeting in Phelan. The Sheep Creek Water Company is planning on generating electricity by harnessing the power of the natural flow of water from Wrightwood.




The company is in a unique situation where their water is taken from the mountain resort. Zone L must pump water from underground wells. Right now, the Sheepcreek Company must use water regulators to lower the pressure as the water flows down towards the Phelan community. The plan is to install hydro-flow generators along the pipes.

Because of the high water pressure generated by the fall (or difference in elevation) from Wrightwood, the company uses regulators to reduce the force. The first generator will be installed at their Sunnyslope Drive water tank. This modification will not eliminate the need for the regulators, but it will allow the company to generate revenue.

According to Nilsen, the Sheep Creek water district will be able to sell the power back to the power company. The first generator will cost $60,000 and is expected to pay for itself in three years (revenue will offset the initial cost). More generators are planned.

Zone L might be able to capitalize on their elevated water tanks and utilize a similar process. In Europe, electricity is generated using this process during the day after pumping water uphill at night. Since power is more expensive during the day, the Europeans sell the power to their grid at that time.

There would be a lot of details to be worked out first though. Action on this matter might be taken up after the formation of the Community Service District (CSD), if the CSD measure is approved by the voters in February. Both Al Morrissette and Mike Adams are on the Zone L water board and are candidates for the CSD.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• phelan
• pinon
• hills
• csd
• mike
• adams
• water
• board
• power
• generation
• night
• day
• electrical
• meeting

[vin8162005]

He almost put me to sleep... but he has a nice leather jacket

[AmesterW]

I grew up in Wrightwood and went to Pinon Hills & Serrano High!!!