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BWL restarts Moores Park hydro dam; renewable energy enough to power 200 homes
The Lansing Board of Water & Light has gone “back to the future” by resurrecting the century-old Moores Park Dam for electrical generation.
The hydroelectric dam, built in 1893, became operational this week after a series of tests. The electricity generated is about 500 kilowatts, enough to furnish electricity daily to about 200 homes.
“Bringing our Moores Park hydro facility online is a small but significant step toward our goal of delivering more electricity from renewable energy sources,” said General Manager J. Peter Lark. “We will continue to explore other renewable energy options that will be announced in the coming months.”
The dam actually has two, separate generation units. The south unit was damaged in 2004 during spring flooding. It was returned to service late in 2006, but was later taken offline because it required more modernization.
The north unit has been offline since 1992. The BWL is acquiring cost estimates for repairing the north unit, which may be returned to operation in the future.
The Moores Park Dam was purchased by the BWL in 1919. It has gone through extensive repairs and renovations since then. However, some of the machinery, and the building that houses the turbines and generators, are more than 100 years old.
Water power is one of the oldest means of making electricity. In Moores Park 's case, the force of water turns a turbine. The turbine is connected to a shaft, which operates a generator. The generator produces electricity.
While the amount of electricity generated is modest judged against the overall needs of BWL customers, it does add to the BWL's green energy portfolio. The BWL is the first and only utility in Michigan to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard that sets specific goals for generating or acquiring renewable energy.
The BWL has set a goal of having 7 percent of its total electricity needs come from renewable sources by 2016.
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