Small-Scale Hydropower: An Inside Look at Making Renewable Energy

Image Gallery The Bowersock Mills and Power Co. is a small hydropower plant in Lawrence, Kan., that is certified as a low impact hydroelectric facility. This is a “run of river” plant, meaning that it doesn’t significantly alter the river’s flow. PHOTO: MEGAN PHELPS

Hydropower is a major source of renewable energy, and it’s not just big dams that are supplying all the power. Some are small, low-impact hydropower plants, such as the Bowersock Mills and Power Co. in Lawrence, Kan. This small hydroelectric facility on the Kansas River  is planning to expand — a move that would triple the dam’s power production with almost no additional environmental impact. Here’s a conversation with Sarah Hill-Nelson, who is a co-owner of the plant and has been running the business for seven years. She talked to us about how hydropower works, the business of selling renewable energy, and why she loves her job. 

Hydropower History

How much electricity does the Bowersock plant produce?

In an average year we produce about 11 million kilowatt hours (kWh). The plant is rated at 2.35 megawatts (MW). On a good day, we make enough electricity to power about 1,800 homes.

How long has it been in your family?

My great, great grandfather, J.D. Bowersock, completed the current dam in 1878. It was in our family until 1923, when it was taken over by another business partner. My dad bought it back into the family in 1972 and it’s been with us ever since.

What do you like most about your job?

I love generating renewable energy, and I love working on the river. I love the history of the plant. I also enjoy being around staff that’s doing interesting work that requires intelligence and strength. I don’t think there are that many jobs that offer both intellectual and physical challenges. I like the business aspect of trying to run a tight ship. There are very few things that I don’t like about my job.

How many people work at the plant?

Right now we have five full-time employees.

And the powerhouse is always generating power, so is there someone here all the time?

Yes, we have someone here 24-7. We don’t have to do that. Our plant manager, Rich Foreman, actually lives here, but if he goes out of town or something we have an on-call system, so if a problem comes up we can take care of it right away.

Let’s talk more about the challenges of the work that you mentioned. What kind of issues do the staff here deal with on a regular basis?

A lot of times we might have a problem with a turbine or a generator, and the guys have to figure out how to solve it. Sometimes it’s an ongoing problem, such as something that’s getting out of alignment all the time. Well, why is it getting out of alignment? What part is not functioning? There are so many moving parts to these turbines and the generators that the problem could be any number of things.