Summit Hydropower, Inc.

Dayville Pond Hydro
Dayville, Connecticut

The Dayville Pond site was originally built in 1924 and operated until 1968 when it was retired. After determining that it would be feasible to redevelop, SHI obtained a 94 year lease with the property owner, a 40 year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and a 30 year front loaded DPUC approved power sales contract from the utility, N.U.

In obtaining the license from FERC, it took SHI two years to perform required studies and prepare the license application and it took two years for FERC to grant it. The Dayville project is unique in that prior to SHI entering the scene the site was the subject of a DEP Consent Order due to potential flooding hazards. SHI was able to extinguish the order by performing a detailed dam breach analysis, rehabilitating the hydro, performing specific remedial measures and maintaining a specific operating plan. This saved the site owner significant expenses and it saved four beautiful 10-acre ponds that were slated to be drained due to potential flooding hazards.

SHI spent 1½ years rebuilding the generating equipment at Dayville. This included rebuilding the turbine and generator, building new switchgear, repairing the dam, building new trash racks, designing/building a new gate operating system and constructing the transmission line. Virtually all of the work was performed by SHI. In March of 1995 it was put on line and has been generating reliably since. Dayville consists of one generating unit: a vertical Holyoke Hercules Francis cylinder gate turbine directly connected to a 180 RPM, 600V General Electric synchronous generator.

Dayville Pond Hydro
Hydro trash racks, intake, and power house.
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SHI originally predicted that the project would produce an average of 350,000 kWh annually which is almost exactly what the average is to date. Dayville has an installed capacity of 100 kW and produces enough electricity for about 100 households. Although the Dayville Pond site makes virtually nil profit due to the cost of refurbishment, operation costs, maintenance costs and it’s small size, it is significant in terms of industrial heritage, historical preservation and renewable energy benefits.

Photos of the Dayville Pond Site
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Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	A bridge rebuild job at Dayville Hydro, February 2006. Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Trash racks and powerhouse Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	General Electric synchronous generator Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Illustration showing project history, design and rebuilding tasks performed Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Switchgear built by Summit Hydropower from used and new components Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Holyoke Hercules cylinder gate Francis turbine Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Spillway and new bridge. Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Generator showing stator, rotor, and guide bearing. Return to Top
Click photo to enlarge, use back button to return to page	Intake canal. Return to Top