Taylor Park Hydro-Electric Plant, Gunnison County Electric, CO

Technical Advisor for a new 500 kW hydro plant located at the USBR’s Taylor Park Reservoir at 9000’. This is the largest known Single-Phase hydro plant in the world. 

 Nukissiorfiit is Greenland’s national utility company. They currently use diesel generators to provide electrical power to most of Greenland’s remote villages. They plan to develop renewable energy solutions and request technical assistance via the U.S. Department of State and Bureau of Energy Resources. Gary served as the Senior Hydropower Engineer on a 3-member team sent to two small settlements, one in South Greenland, the other in very remote East Greenland. They investigated potential sites for Hydropower and have drafted pre-feasibility reports.

Member of a team to collect information for the team regarding land availability, site conditions, topographical details, access issues, hydrological data, and general Hydro-powerplant layout suggestions. 

Member of a team to assess the existing condition of the dam and hydropower facilities. Made recommendations for 30-year costs and maintenance programs. Assisted in the design of a new 125’ deep sluice gate stem guide system utilizing full enclosure with SS pipe to repair failing stem guide support brackets.

Construction of a 312 KW Hydroelectric plant at 9000' in the Colorado Mountains. Work included the installation of a siphon intake into Humphreys Reservoir, 700 lf of 36” welded steel penstock, dewatering & in-river cofferdam, concrete powerplant foundation & tailrace, and installation of crossflow turbine and generator, vacuum system controls. Siphon vacuum & fill system & controls.

Raising of a concrete outlet works/powerhouse superstructure 22 feet. Various concrete repairs. Installation of overhead bridge crane and monorail crane. Appurtenant electrical and mechanical upgrades. Installation of 66” penstock valve and 30” penstock extension on the face of dam. Installation of Owner-furnished 16”, 24”, and 42” cone valves and 12”, 20”, and 36” free discharge valves, in addition to 16”, 24”, 30”, 36”, and 42” welded steel pipe. 1400 CY of controlled blasting and mechanical rock removal required adjacent to existing hydropower plant. Scaling and rock bolting of abutment required above operating electrical switchyard. Cofferdam installed in Williams Fork River. Construction of new 5,000 SF maintenance building , consisting of masonry block walls, joists & deck, interior offices, and evacuated solar tube radiant heat.  

Fabricated an engineered steel cofferdam for dewatering and accessing the draft tube repair area; saw cut and removal of approximately 10 c.y. of existing concrete and replaced with new concrete and reinforcement; and dredged approximately 270 c.y. of material in the power plant tailrace.

Rehabilitation of Buffalo Bill Dam Shoshone Power Plant included painting, window replacement, and miscellaneous metal work. Penstock & Generator Removal.

Work included forming, shoring, and placing second-stage concrete for a 4.5 MW power plant, including penstock & turbine embedment. Tight tolerances were strictly monitored.