Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power station

Hydroelectric power is a renewable and clean source of energy that uses the force of water to generate electricity. However, hydroelectric power also poses some challenges and risks, such as environmental impacts, social conflicts, and safety issues. One example of a hydroelectric power station that faced these challenges and risks is the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station in Missouri, United States. This article will provide an overview of the history, operation, and future of the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this type of power generation. The article will also discuss the major accident that occurred at the power station in 2005, which caused significant damages and losses to the facility and the surrounding area. The article will conclude with some recommendations and lessons learned from the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station case study.

Location of the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station

Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station is located in the St. Francois mountain region of Missouri, about 90 miles south of St. Louis. It is situated on the on the East Fork Black River.

History of the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station

The history of the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station is as follows:

• The power station was constructed by United Electric (later Ameren Missouri) between 1960 and 1962 to provide a means of hydroelectric power generation during peak demand periods.
• It consists of an upper reservoir situated atop Proffit Mountain contained by a kidney-shaped rockfill dike, a lower reservoir and powerhouse impounded by a concrete gravity dam, and a 7,000-foot-long tunnel that connects the two.
• The power station uses a pumped storage system to store water in the upper reservoir and release it to the lower reservoir through turbines during peak demand periods, and pump it back to the upper reservoir during low demand periods.
• The power station was operational since 1963 with an initial capacity of 350 MW (175 MW for each unit). The units were upgraded in 1999 to 225 MW each.
• The power station suffered a major accident in 2005 when the upper reservoir overtopped and caused a breach in the rockfill dike that contained it. The water released from the reservoir flooded the nearby Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park and damaged the power station’s facilities. The accident was caused by a failure of the water level sensors and the lack of a spillway to prevent overtopping. The power station was shut down for repairs and reconstruction until 2010.
• It was rebuilt by replacing the rockfill dike with a roller-compacted concrete dam that is the largest of its kind in North America. The new dam has a spillway and a modern control system to prevent overtopping and monitor water levels. The reconstruction cost $490 million and took five years to complete.

The current status of the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station

The current status of the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station is that it is operational and generating electricity during peak demand periods. The power station has a capacity of 450 MW and uses a pumped storage system to store water in the upper reservoir and release it to the lower reservoir through turbines. The new reservoir has a capacity of 1.5 billion gallons. The power station has a FERC license that was issued in 2014.

What happened to the power station in 2005?

Who was responsible for the accident?

What were the environmental impacts of the accident?

The future of the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station

The power station has a capacity of 450 MW and uses a pumped storage system to store water in the upper reservoir and release it to the lower reservoir through turbines. The power station has a FERC license that was issued in 2014. The future of the power station may depend on factors such as the demand for electricity, the availability of water, the maintenance of the facilities, and the environmental and social impacts of the power station.

Impact on Economy

Advantages

Disadvantages

1. The Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station consumes more electricity than it produces, as it uses a pumped storage system that requires pumping water back to the upper reservoir during low demand periods, which may increase the operational costs and reduce the overall efficiency of the power station.
2. It suffered a major accident in 2005 that caused significant environmental and social damages, which resulted in a $179 million fine by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and a $53 million payment to the state of Missouri for restoration and recovery efforts. The accident also led to the resignation of the company’s president and chief executive officer.
3. It may have some environmental impacts on the surrounding area, such as affecting the water quality, quantity, and flow of the East Fork Black River, altering the natural habitat and biodiversity of the region, and creating noise and visual pollution.