Apple Acquires Hydroelectric Project Close to Its Prineville Data Center

POST

MAIL

Posted April 12, 2014 at 10:33pm by iClarified

Apple has reportedly acquired a Hydroelectric Project close to its Prineville, Oregon data center, according to OregonLive.

The Bulletin newspaper in Bend first reported Apple’s interest in the 45-Mile Hydroelectric Project, which is near Haystack Reservoir, about 20 miles northwest of Prineville. It’s in a Jefferson County irrigation canal, screened from fish runs. The project’s previous owner, EBD Hydro, won $7 million in federal loan guarantees and a $1.5 million federal grant to help finance its construction. The company had planned to start work late in 2011; it’s not clear if the facility is operating yet -- Apple declined comment, and EBD did not immediately responded to inquiries on the deal.

According to previous proposals, the project would generate 3 to 5 megawatts, enough to generate 2,000 to 3,500 homes. However, OreganLive notes that the project will need to go offline during the winter months when the irrigation canal is closed.

Read More [via 9to5Mac]

Apple Acquires Hydroelectric Project Close to Its Prineville Data Center

Follow iClarified

Frank de Luca - April 18, 2014 at 11:27am

A brief technological introduction The volume of water that passes through the port (opening) determined by the project design determines the spin. It increases in velocity at a rate proportional to the height of the water column. This volume creates a perpendicular hydraulic force or pressure on the surface of the blades attached to the axel of the rotor of the turbine thereby creating the spinning motion of the rotor wich in turn powers the generator(s) . The size of the opening of the water passage flow is calculated to reach the maximum torque of the energy generator. The intensity of the hydraulic force is related directly to the force in the river flow. Each river has different flow intensity. This factor that determines the size of the port opening. The hydraulic force on the blades should be sufficient to produce torque superior to the force required by the generator at full operating or rated power. However it is necessary before this transformation to reconcile the velocity of the spin of the rotor with the water flow and the torque required by the generator. The positioning (lowering) of the turbines in the water causes the water to rise in front of them until it reaches the same height as the turbine support structure. The height of this column is regulated by steel plate which permits the control or adjustment of the speed of the turbine rotor as well as permitting the control of the potential power force. The height of the water column that accumulates in front of a turbine varies according to the equipment installed. Models for small and for large rivers are available. In each case a detailed study of the river conditions is essential for proper planning. The generating capacity is determined by the water flow and the conditions at the point of generation. Generators of 167 kWh and 316 kWh are available. An average of water flow of 9 m³/seg. Is necessary to generate 167 kwh. The installation of a units or units successively down stream depends on the volume of the river flow, the height of the river banks and the consistency of water volume. Market Potential The potential is only limited by river and climatic (icing) conditions. In Brazil for example there, are in the Amaxon region area at least 9000 potential generating sites. It is applicable in any country in the world. Economic Considerations In considering the real cost of a CARE installation in order to compare it with other hydro generation technologies such cost must be calculated based on the Power Actually or Effectively Generated and not the installed capacity which is internationally accepted. The proper formula that may be employed is the following: P(Watts) = 0 (1/seg.) x Hman x 9,81 m/seg2 x n Where P = IS power in Watts – W Q = river flow in literes per second L/seg. Hman Man metric Height in meters m N = Percentage of installed generation capacity The following is a detailed example demonstrating the impact of the final cost of a MW when the concept of Installed Capacity is employed vs. the Effective Generation. • According to information available here in Brazil the cost of installing a PCH which has as maximum efficiency 55% of installed capacity is R$5.500,00 per kWh (at an exchange rate of US$1.00 = to R$1.71. the value is US$2.924,00). In this example a PCH with 3000 kWh of installed capacity requires R$16.500.000,00 (US$9.649.000,00) • Considering generating efficiency of 55% for a PCH or similar the real cost of a kWh increases to R$9.166,67 per kWh or (US$ 5.361,00 kWh) This occurs because what is effectively generated is 1.800kWh vs the installed 3000 kWh. Since for each 1.000 kWh installed only 550 kWh are generated which increases costs in 83% for PCH generation. • Units may be established successively down stream and energy fed to existing distribution systems or directly to users

Reply · Like

Great! - April 12, 2014 at 11:13pm

And what does Dungsung do? How are THEY powering their data centres? Burning firewood?

Nitro Junkie - April 13, 2014 at 1:50am

Since they're from Korea and it's Samsung I think it's either rice or coal.

Nitro Junkie - April 13, 2014 at 1:11pm

Give me a break dude.