Final License Application
Exhibit A: Description of the Project
White Pine Pumped Storage Project
FERC Project No. 14851
White Pine Waterpower, LLC
February 2023
List of Acronyms
BLM Bureau of Land Management
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
EBoP electrical balance-of-plant
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GSU generator step-up
MIV main inlet valve
NDCNR Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
NMWS normal maximum water surface
NNR Nevada Northern Railway
OPGW optical ground wire
pf power factor
PMP Probable Maximum Precipitation
Project White Pine Pumped Storage Project
SRD Snake Range Décollement
US93 US Highway 93
USFS U.S. Forest Service
WPW White Pine Waterpower, LLC
Units of Measure
A amps
AF acre-feet
cfs cubic feet per second
El. elevation ft feet
gpm gallons per minute
GWh gigawatt-hour(s)
kV kilovolt(s)
MW megawatt(s)
MWh megawatt-hour(s)
MVA megavolt-ampere(s)
rpm rotations per minute
Final License Application – Exhibit A White Pine Pumped Storage Project February
1.0 Proposed Project Location and Overview
White Pine Waterpower, LLC’s (WPW), White Pine Pumped Storage Project (Project) is proposed to consist of a 1,000-megawatt (MW), closed loop, pumped storage facility with approximately 2,250 feet of maximum gross head. Proposed Project features comprise two reservoirs interconnected by underground waterways that pass through an underground powerhouse complex including a generator step-up (GSU) transformer cavern. Access, cable routing, and ventilation to the powerhouse complex will be by two separate tunnels leading from the surface. The proposed power interconnection would extend from a new surface switchyard to the existing Robinson Summit Substation via a new 25-mile-long 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line. New construction and operation phase access roads to the dams and tunnel portals would also be established. The Project will be located approximately 8 miles northeast of the City of Ely in White Pine County, Nevada, largely on public land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Pumped storage projects move water between reservoirs located at different elevations (i.e., an upper and a lower reservoir) to store and generate electricity. Generally, when electricity demand is low, excess electric generation capacity in the grid is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When electricity demand is high, the stored water is released from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir through a turbine to generate electricity. A closed-loop pumped storage project is generally defined as a pumped storage project that utilizes reservoirs situated at locations other than natural waterways, lakes, wetlands, and other natural surface water features, and may rely on temporary withdrawals from surface waters or groundwater only for the purposes of initial fill and of the periodic recharge needed for project operation. This Project will be a closedloop facility.
Equipment is tentatively proposed to consist of three 333-MW, variable-speed, reversible pump-turbines totaling 1,000 MW of generating capacity, with the Project having an overall energy storage capacity of 8,000 megawatt-hours (MWh). Total annual gross energy production is projected at approximately 2,400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) (assuming operation for 8 hours per day, 6 days per week, 50 weeks per year). The rotational speed of variablespeed pump-turbines is continually adjusted so that the efficiency of pumping or generation is kept optimal as the flow rates and head change during a normal cycle
1.1 Site Description
The proposed lower reservoir is located in the Steptoe Valley, which is a broad, elongate valley between the Schell Creek-Duck Creek Ranges on the east and the Egan-Cherry Creek Ranges to the west. The proposed upper reservoir is located in the Duck Creek Mountain Range, 5 miles west of the larger Schell Creek Mountain Range. Elevations in the Project vicinity are widely variable. The approximate elevation of the proposed lower reservoir is elevation (El.) 6,500 feet (ft). The approximate elevation of the proposed upper reservoir is El. 8,500 ft. Terrain is rugged in the mountain ranges in the Project vicinity and relatively flat on the valley floor. Initial and secondary uplift of the region has created stream gradients such that the streams of the region have down cut into and incised into the existing landforms, creating dissected drainage patterns on the mountain slopes, which typically terminate in alluvial fans on the adjacent valley floors.
Most of the drainages at the Project site are ephemeral in nature, with runoff arising primarily from seasonal snowmelt. Runoff patterns in Nevada vary greatly both seasonally and geographically and are determined mainly by precipitation patterns (location, timing, and intensity) and other climate patterns, such as temperature. Other factors such as surface geology, vegetation, and land use affect the amount of runoff entering the watercourses.
The Project area has a semi-arid cold desert climate with large daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations due to the high altitude and low humidity. Climatic conditions at the Upper Reservoir site area are likely to be distinctly cooler than at the Lower Reservoir, especially during the summer months.
The region is characterized by north-south-trending mountain ranges separated by sediment-filled structural basins. The topography is strongly influenced by ongoing regional-scale tectonic extension. The extension is being accommodated by north-southstriking, range-front normal faults.
The western flank of the Duck Creek Range is a structural block that is bounded by a down-faulted graben forming the Duck Creek Valley. The Schell Creek Range is comprised of a west-dipping sequence of Neoproterozoic through Permian rocks overlain by Tertiary volcanic rocks along the faulted western flank of the range. The Snake Range Décollement (SRD) is locally exposed at the crests of the Schell Creek Range and the Duck Creek Range. The SRD represents a major detachment fault that has transported Middle Cambrian and younger rocks both westward and eastward over Lower Cambrian and older rocks as part of the Snake Range metamorphic core complex. The bedrock comprising the Duck Creek Range consists of Cambrian limestones, quartzites, and shales namely the Prospect Mountain Quartzite, Pioche Shale, Pole Canyon Limestone, and Lincoln Peak Formation.
Water for the Project will come from groundwater wells appurtenant to existing permitted water rights. The water will be diverted from a proposed new wellfield in the Steptoe Valley Basin, south of the proposed lower reservoir. Water from the wellfield will be used for construction, for initial fill of the reservoir system, and for annual make-up water as
required for losses from seepage, leakage, and evaporation WPW will lease water from White Pine County through the County’s established water rights and will apply for the necessary change permits allowing for diversion from the new wellfield from the Nevada Division of Water Resources.
Major surface waters within the Steptoe Valley Basin are Steptoe Creek and Duck Creek. Duck Creek, located approximately 2 miles northeast of the Project, is the closest body of water to the Project near the upper reservoir. The Steptoe Valley Basin drains approximately 1,942 square miles (Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resource [NDCNR] 1967).
1.2 Transmission Line Routing
The transmission line necessary for the Project will be sited in an existing permitted energy corridor identified under Section 368(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the Act). Section 368 of the Act directed the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, and Interior to designate corridors on federal land in Nevada and other Western states for both pipelines and electricity transmission and distribution facilities. The designations identified preferred locations for development of energy transport projects on lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and BLM. The locations were selected to avoid significant known resource and environmental conflicts, promote renewable energy and development in the West, improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of the national grid to deliver electricity (U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] undated).
The Project transmission line will be sited within the 110-114 Corridor (Ely to Milford Corridor) of Section 368’s Region 3 immediately north of the existing NV Energy transmission line #3430 (BLM serial number 63162). The 110-114 Corridor is designed to support connectivity to multiple energy generation sources and promote efficient use of the landscape by aligning the corridor with energy demand while minimizing environmental impacts (BLM, USFS, and DOE 2019).
1.3 Existing Facilities and Infrastructure
The proposed Project is a new development. There are no existing generating facilities. However, existing infrastructure that intersects the proposed Project footprint shown on Drawings in Exhibit F of the Final License Application will be addressed as described below.
US Highway 93 (US93) runs north-south along the eastern edge of the Steptoe valley connecting Ely to the south with McGill to the north of the Project. The Project access would be via this road, and road widening, establishment of signage, and pavement marking will be undertaken to facilitate a turnoff to the Project.
The Nevada Northern Railway (NNR) HiLine (Active) is a historic passenger railroad that traverses BLM-administered lands in the vicinity of the Project (Figure 1.0-1). WPW will work with the NNR during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing
process to accommodate Project construction and operation. No temporary or permanent rerouting of the NNR track is necessary for Project construction or operation. The Project’s tailrace tunnel is proposed to cross approximately 190 feet below the HiLine track. No effects on the railroad are expected from the proposed construction and operation of this deep underground facility. WPW proposes to consult with the NNR about an additional track crossing on the surface to facilitate heavy vehicle access for Project construction. The Project will establish a railway crossing with gated barriers, signage, and lights. The design of the excavation and support of the tailrace tunnel that crosses underneath the HiLine will be designed to limit ground disturbance and settlement.
The NNR Mainline (Inactive) traverses BLM-administered lands in the vicinity of the Project adjacent to US93 (Figure 1.0-1) The Project’s water supply system will include buried piping proposed to cross underneath the surface rail Mainline track(s) Limited provisions are being made to facilitate construction and operational traffic across the track(s) While currently inactive, this line may be maintained and reactivated in the coming years. Crossing provisions similar to those proposed for the active HiLine track will be made if this line is reactivated
Power Distribution Lines: Several power lines extend along the Steptoe Valley and will be crossed by the lower reservoir and western access road. Where possible, the siting of Project facilities has considered the locations of these utilities, although some re-routing and upgrading of distribution lines will be required prior to construction to avoid conflicts with the lower reservoir and facilitate crossings at the western access road The specific details of the rerouting and upgrades will be developed with the utility owners during the license application.
Local Roads: There are several unofficial unpaved roads or tracks that will be intersected by the proposed Project facilities and access roads. In general, no provisions have been made to reroute these roads or tracks, given their unofficial status, with exception to the ridge road that will be rerouted to bypass construction and permanent facilities as shown on Figure 1.0-1. Access along certain roads will be barricaded and blocked during construction, but provisions will be made to maintain recreational access across the Project site once construction is complete.
Robinson Summit Substation: NV Energy will design and construct a new bay at the Robinson Summit Substation for the interconnection of the Project.
1.4 Lands of the United States
Proposed Project facilities necessary for operation and maintenance purposes that comprise the FERC Project Boundary (Project Boundary) lie on both private and BLM lands as shown on Exhibit G maps. The private lands are situated along both the 345-kV high-voltage transmission route and on the Upper Reservoir Optional Access Road alignment. The total amount of BLM land within the Project Boundary is 1,095.76 Acres (Table 1.4-1)
2.0 Proposed Project Facilities
2.1 Salient Features
The salient Project features are summarized in Table 2.1-1 through Table 2.1-9.
All values indicated are estimated for Feasibility Study design and are subject to revisions through to completion of the design
*
Volume of water below MOL through the intake/outlet works to the draft tube gates in the lower reservoir system or to the main inlet valves in the upper reservoir system. For the lower reservoir, this is also equal to the dead storage volume, the volume of the reservoir that cannot be emptied of water using permanent reservoir facilities. The dead storage is the volume of water below the inlet to any outlet works.
Note: AF = acre-feet.
Table
Water Supply and Conveyance
Underground Waterways
* Maximum gross head with one unit operating at minimum flow
** Minimum gross head with three units operating at maximum flow
Final License Application – Exhibit A White Pine Pumped Storage Project
Note: pf = power factor
Final License Application – Exhibit A White Pine Pumped Storage Project
2.2 Upper Reservoir
The upper reservoir will be constructed near the edge of the escarpment of the Duck Creek range and arranged as a ring dam within a small topographic depression. The dam is proposed to be an approximately 167-foot maximum height, lined rockfill structure with a 25-foot-wide crest to provide vehicle access around the rim of the reservoir.
WPW selected the location to reduce the length of high-pressure headrace tunnels, maximize the operating head, and minimize earthworks. The upper reservoir will be formed using material recovered from the excavation to form a surrounding compacted rockfill embankment dam and balanced to achieve the required reservoir storage volume of 4,082 acre-feet (AF) sufficient for 8 hours of operation at 1,000-MW generation output.
The upper reservoir has a normal maximum water surface area of 46.8 acres and normal maximum water surface elevation of 8,605.0 feet (mean sea level), with a gross storage capacity of 4,258 AF.
A freeboard allowance of 7.5 feet above reservoir NMWS has been included to accommodate wave run-up during normal operation and to prevent overtopping from a combined over-pumping and probable maximum precipitation (PMP) event. As there is no surface water inflow to the upper reservoir from external sources, the preliminary design indicates that a spillway is not required for the upper reservoir. Further details are contained in Exhibit F: Preliminary Supporting Design Report
Both the upper reservoir and the upper reservoir dam are designed with an impermeable PVC liner to reduce seepage water losses. Further details are contained in Exhibit F: Preliminary Supporting Design Report and preliminary general design drawings.
In the event of a dam safety concern, emergency drawdown will be achieved by gravity flow through the inlet/outlet and underground waterways to the lower reservoir. No separate bottom outlet facility is provided.
Access for inspection and maintenance is provided around the perimeter at the toe of the embankment and along the dam crest, together with access down into the reservoir and inlet/outlet. A 10-ft-tall game fence will be installed around the outside edge of the upper reservoir perimeter road for security and to prevent wildlife from entering the reservoir.
2.3 Lower Reservoir
The lower reservoir will be formed using material recovered from the lower reservoir excavation to form a compacted earthfill embankment dam and balanced to achieve the required reservoir storage volume sufficient for 8 hours of operation at 1,000-MW generation output. The lower reservoir dam will be a 134-foot-maximum-height earth embankment with a 25-foot-wide crest that will provide vehicle access around the rim of the reservoir. The lower reservoir dam has been designed for 6 feet of freeboard at NMWS, which is sufficient to contain wave run-up during normal operation.
The lower reservoir will be sized to contain the volume required for the initial fill of the Project, including waterways, in addition to adequate freeboard to contain a PMP event. There is no drainage into the lower reservoir from external sources. The freeboard provided by the lower reservoir dam is more than sufficient to contain all water.
The lower reservoir has a normal maximum water surface area of 62.8 acres and normal maximum water surface elevation of 6,435.0 feet (mean sea level), with a gross storage capacity of 4,241 AF.
A small spillway will be provided to pass the unlikely combination of a full reservoir plus over-pumping from the wellfield, as described in Section 2.4.2. The unlikely discharge from the spillway and low-level outlet will pass through an energy dissipation structure and flow into an open conveyance channel that will convey water down to existing drainage swales along the west side of the US93.
A 20-inch-diameter, low-level outlet will be provided for emergency drawdown of the lower reservoir. The low-level outlet will empty onto the spillway chute. Both the lower reservoir and lower dam will be lined with an impermeable liner to reduce water losses from seepage.
As for the upper reservoir, access for inspection and maintenance is provided around the perimeter at the toe of the embankment and along the lower dam crest, together with access down into the reservoir and inlet/outlet.
A 10-ft-tall game fence will be installed around the outside edge of the lower reservoir perimeter road.
2.4 Inlet/Outlet Structures
2.4.1 Upper Reservoir Inlet/Outlet Structure
The upper reservoir will have an ungated vertical inlet/outlet bellmouth-type structure located at the bottom of the reservoir with a 65-ft-deep conical transition to provide efficient hydraulic flow into the 20-ft-diameter vertical headrace shaft.
The shaft capping structure incorporates a roof designed as a vortex suppression device and to enable efficient radial flow distribution during both pumping and generation modes of operation. The roof will include a 10-ft-diameter central access hole with removable conical-shaped steel plug to facilitate future inspection and maintenance operations.
Eight equal 16-feet x 16-feet clear openings between the bellmouth and hood will be fitted with trash racks that can be accessed and removed from the top of the hood.
2.4.2 Lower Reservoir Inlet/Outlet Structure
The lower reservoir intake/outlet structure extends more than 100 feet from the tailrace tunnel and is approximately 92 ft, 6 inches wide It is designed as a horizontal fan-shaped diffusor and to be hydraulically efficient during both pumping and generation operations. The structure subdivides the flow between four rectangular openings, each with dimensions of 26 feet x 20 feet and fitted with trash racks.
To isolate the reservoir from the tailrace tunnel, the structure will incorporate a pair of 10ft, 6-inch x 25-feet stoplogs installed in formed slots extending down from the inlet/outlet tower structure. When not in use, the stoplogs will be stored on dogging devices in the tower for ease of access.
During operation, access to the structure will be by a bridge extending from the eastern rim of the reservoir.
2.5 Water Supply and Conveyance
Water needed for construction, the initial fill water, and the annual make-up water for losses from seepage, leakage, and evaporation will be supplied by pumping groundwater from a new wellfield near the lower reservoir.
WPW proposes four new groundwater wells in the Steptoe Valley, located to the south of the lower reservoir. The water will be delivered to the lower reservoir via a new conveyance system network composed of well pumps, buried piping, valves, and associated instrumentation. The wells will be installed to a depth of about 800 feet with 14-inch casing. A total depth of 800 feet has been selected to ensure penetration of a suitable thickness of the alluvial aquifer. This is important to minimize the effect of vertical variation in hydraulic conductivity (vertical anisotropy) and ensure a productive and efficient well. Producing groundwater efficiently will minimize drawdown to local domestic or agricultural water users while supplying ample water to the Project.
Each well will contain a submersible pump capable of continuously producing approximately 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm), resulting in 3,000 gpm for the system with a 1,000-gpm redundant reserve. Each well connects to the approximate 4-mile-long buried wellfield conveyance pipeline shown in Figure 1.0-1 that increases in diameter toward the lower reservoir from 8 inches to 16 inches as the wells progressively connect to it. The wellfield conveyance pipeline passes through the dam structure in a buried concrete trench close to the crest of the lower reservoir dam.
A similar 500-gpm-capacity well with associated piping and valve components will be located near the upper reservoir for provision of water to support construction activities, hydrogeologic evaluation, groundwater monitoring, and initial fill of the headrace shaft. The well will be located just east of the Duck Creek Range crest and the upper reservoir, with a planned total depth of up to 2,600 feet. Production from this well will be intermittent and short-term while supplying water for reservoir construction, shaft sinking, and headrace filling.
At each well, a small shed will be established to house and secure the well headgear.
2.6 Underground Waterways
The underground waterways from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir include the headrace shaft, tunnel and manifold, penstocks, draft tubes, and tailrace tunnel as shown on drawings in Exhibit F.
The 20-ft-diameter, 2,260-ft-high vertical shaft is reinforced concrete-lined and transitions to the 20-ft-diameter, 240-ft-long horizontal high-pressure, steel-lined headrace tunnel.
The headrace tunnel feeds three steel-lined, 11-ft-diameter penstocks with a turbine main inlet valve just upstream of each pump-turbine unit.
Each pump-turbine draft tube connects to three 13-foot-diameter, steel-lined draft tube tunnels that transition to reinforced concrete lined just downstream of the transformer cavern. The draft tubes then converge into a 22-foot-diameter, 7,610-foot-long concretelined tailrace tunnel that terminates at the lower reservoir inlet/outlet structure.
2.7 Powerhouse and Transformer Caverns
The underground powerhouse cavern is 83 feet wide, 367 feet long, and 191 feet high and has been sized to accommodate installation, operation, and maintenance of the generating and pumping mechanical equipment and appurtenant plant infrastructure described in the following sections. The powerhouse cavern also houses the draft tube gates that can be used to completely isolate the pump-turbines from the lower reservoir and the main inlet valves (MIV).
The three-unit transformers will be located in an adjacent underground transformer cavern that is 62 feet wide, 300 feet long, and 93 feet high. The caverns are connected by threeunit busbar tunnels that house all the electrical bus cables, switch gear, etc., and an access tunnel.
Both the powerhouse and transformer caverns will be lined with fiber-reinforced shotcrete. Provision will be made for capturing and redirecting any groundwater seepages to the drainage gallery. Floor slabs will be supported by a series of reinforced concrete columns. The powerhouse cavern crane beams will be supported against the sidewalls of the cavern using a grouted anchor system.
2.8 Powerhouse and Transformer Cavern Plant and Equipment
2.8.1 Pump-Turbines
The three 333-MW (rated output power at rated power factor), variable speed, reversible Francis-type pump-turbines are tentatively proposed to provide a total of 1,000 MW of generating power and pumping load. The rated head for each unit (in generating mode) is approximately 2,034 feet, resulting in approximately 2,143 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow at full generating power and 1,593 cfs at full pumping power. Pump-turbine performance and dimensions are based on information supplied by reputable manufacturers (i.e., Voith, Andritz, and GE). The pump-turbine centerline will be set at El. 6,043 ft, which is 312 feet below the minimum operating level of the lower reservoir. The maximum spiral case width is 32 feet, 6 inches and the runner diameter is 13 feet, 6 inches
2.8.2 Generator-Motors
Three 350-megavolt-ampere (MVA) (333 MW @ 0.95 pf), 18-kV variable-speed generatormotors, each connected to one of three pump-turbines. Doubly fed induction machines are proposed for the generator-motors, which allow load following and frequency control in both the turbine and pump modes of operation. The equipment will provide overall cycle
efficiency for pumping and generating of approximately 77 percent. The estimated annual energy generation assuming operation 8 hours per day, 6 days per week, 50 weeks per year is 2,400 GWh. The regulating band in generating mode is estimated to be 170 MW to 340 MW, and 199 MW to 340 MW while in pumping mode. The inertia of each unit is 1,100 metric ton-meters2, and the short-circuit ratio is 0.7
2.8.3 Transformers
Unitized three-phase, main-generator step-up (GSU) transformers have been selected for the Project, and these will be located in the underground transformer cavern.
2.8.4 Gates and Valves
Each pump-turbine unit will be equipped with a spherical MIV at the end of the highpressure penstocks. The opening and closing of the MIVs will be by way of double-acting hydraulic servomotors. The MIVs will close safely and reliably under all normal and emergency conditions, including closure against maximum discharge.
Isolation of each pump turbine from the lower reservoir will consist of the combination of closing the draft tube vertical sliding gate and opening a horizontal maintenance isolation sliding gate. Both gates, the vertical and the horizontal, will be installed and integrated in the draft tubes of each unit and will consist of a gate body, housings with covers, and double-acting hydraulic cylinders for each of the horizontal and vertical gates.
2.8.5 Balance of Plant
The powerhouse complex will have several electrical balance-of-plant (EBoP) systems, including 18-kV power equipment (e.g., isolated phase busduct, generator circuit breaker, phase reversal switches, and accessories such as current transformers and voltage transformers), station services AC distribution system, DC battery and distribution system, and plant grounding system. Other EBoP systems include the control system along with protection, communications, security, small power and lighting, and fire detection systems.
The mechanical balance of plant systems will include turbine governors; a cooling water system; a turbine dewatering (blowdown) system; drainage and dewatering systems; a service air system; a bridge crane; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system; and a fire protection system.
2.9 Switchyard
The 345-kV switchyard for pump-turbine/motor-generator operation/collection will use a single-bus configuration (a standard power plant bus lineup) and is located as close as possible to the cable tunnel portal as shown on Figure 1.0-1 to minimize the underground transmission cable route from the portal to the switchyard. The switchyard footprint is approximately 400 feet x 370 feet and will be secured by fencing.
The three 345-kV underground transmission cables will tap into three 345-kV circuit breaker positions and corresponding double-end break isolating switches, each rated at 1,200 amps (A), in the switchyard.
The collector circuit breakers will tap into one 345-kV circuit breaker position and corresponding double-end break isolating switch rated at 2,000 A via an aluminum bus and will then transition into one overhead transmission line position using a 345-kV, deadend H-frame structure that will route to and tap into the Robinson Summit Substation interconnection location.
2.10 Transmission Lines
2.10.1 Underground Cables
The nine high-voltage (345-kV) generator-motor conductor cables, three medium-voltage underground power cables, and one underground fiber-optic cable will be conveyed from the unit transformers in the transformer cavern through to the cable tunnel portal where the cables will then be buried in a duct bank between the portal and the outdoor switchyard where they then terminate. The cables are to be conveyed in purposely designed cable trays supported along the walls of the transformer cavern and cable tunnel
At the new outdoor switchyard, the three underground circuits will be combined into a single 345-kV transmission line to connect the new outdoor switchyard to the Robinson Summit Substation.
2.10.2 High Voltage Transmission Line
Approximately 25 miles of 345-kV transmission line will be constructed to connect the Project switchyard to NV Energy’s existing Robinson Summit 345/525-kV Substation (2020F N-2.1 Robinson Summit Cluster interconnection) located 17 miles northwest of Ely, Nevada. The transmission line, shown on drawings in Exhibit F, will parallel the existing NV Energy Transmission Line and include a right-of-way width between 160 feet and 250 feet.
The transmission line will include 114 new transmission structures that are up to 150 feet tall and located approximately 1,000 feet apart along the length of the transmission line. The line will have up to two optical ground wire (OPGW) conductors to provide high-speed communications paths from the proposed White Pine Generation Station to the Robinson Summit Substation. An additional high-speed communications path, if required, will be provided by OPGW on a separate line, all-dielectric, self-supporting cable conductor installed as under-build, or a separate underground fiber-optic cable, or a combination of these to create the path.
2.10.3 Low-Voltage Distribution Line
In order to provide back up control power to the switchyard and the powerhouse, a 24.9 kV distribution line will be constructed from the switching station to the nearest acceptable
existing distribution line. Upgrades to the existing distribution line may be required if it is inadequate for the additional loads. A direct source of power may be available by distribution line from the Gonder Substation.
A transformer will be installed at the switching station to transform the power from local distribution standard levels to 35 kV for the powerhouse requirement. Power will be delivered from the switching station to the powerhouse by an underground power distribution line.
2.11 Access and Cable Tunnels
The primary access to the powerhouse and transformer caverns will be from the main access portal via the 4,290-ft-long, shotcrete-lined main access tunnel, which will also serve as the primary route to transport the largest pieces of equipment (transformers) down into the transformer cavern. Access during construction and operation can also be gained via the 4,950-ft-long, shotcrete-lined cable tunnel. Both tunnels work together to provide fresh air ventilation, smoke extraction, and dedicated enclosed emergency egress for the underground facility.
To support construction of the underground facilities, several construction access tunnels are required. These construction access tunnels also provide future operational access and emergency egress to various levels of the powerhouse and transformer caverns. Construction access tunnels that support the construction of the headrace shaft and tunnel and tailrace tunnel will be plugged, and no operational access will be provided.
3.0 Project Access Roads
The Final License Application presents the current proposed access road design and arrangement. As Project design advances, the proposed locations and uses of access roads may be revised. WPW continues to consider and evaluate access routes to reduce and eliminate potential impacts to land, resources, and habitat.
The proposed access road configuration is shown on drawings in Exhibit F.
3.1 Western Access Road
Construction and operational access to the main access portal will be provided from US93 via the 1.7-mile-long permanent, paved, dual-lane western access road.
The western access road also provides access to the various construction laydowns and staging areas, the wellfield conveyance access road, the lower reservoir perimeter and crest roads, and the 0.1-mile switchyard access road
The western access road crosses both tracks of the Nevada Northern Railway, namely the lower Mainline track and the upper HiLine track.
3.2 Upper Reservoir Access Road
Access to the upper reservoir perimeter and crest roads, the upper reservoir laydown and staging areas, and the upper reservoir well will be by the 7-mile-long, permanent, paved, dual-lane upper reservoir access road traverses up the Steptoe Valley from a tie-in along the western access road at Station 16+00, about 0.3 mile from US93.
The upper reservoir access road also crosses the active HiLine track of the Nevada Northern Railway further to the south.
An alternative access to the upper reservoir from the Duck Creek side, referred to as the upper reservoir optional access road, is still under consideration by WPW. This 3.5-mile, permanent, paved, dual-lane upper reservoir access road traverses up the Duck Creek range and crosses the Duck Creek from a tie-in along the White Pine County Road 29 (NV-486).
3.3 Wellfield Conveyance Access Road
The 3.2-mile wellfield conveyance access road will provide permanent access to the groundwater wells. The road is unpaved due to the limited use during operation and will require dust suppression during construction.
3.4 Reservoir Roads
Permanent, paved, single-lane access roads are provided around the perimeters of the reservoir dams and along the reservoir dam crests. Access down into the reservoir for maintenance and access is provided by concrete paved roads.
3.5 Other Access Roads
Access to various sections along the high-voltage transmission line right-of-way will be established through a combination of using existing access roads and tracks and new access along the right-of-way to facilitate construction. An access plan will be developed with contractors and in consultation with affected landowners.
Access to secured temporary explosives storage facilities will be along existing unpaved access tracks to the east of the main access tunnel portal.
WPW will make provisions to maintain recreational access across the Project site once construction is complete.
4.0 Other Features
4.1 Spoil Disposal
Most of the Project surface facilities, including the lower reservoir, staging and laydown areas, upper reservoir, switchyard, and roads, are being designed to optimize the cut/fill balance and limit the amount of surplus material to be spoiled. As such, it is expected that there will be limited spoil arising from the upper reservoir area.
A permanent spoil disposal site shown on drawings in Exhibit F will allow the storage of approximately 1,005,000 cubic yards of spoil arising from the lower reservoir and underground excavations that cannot be reused as fill material. Additional areas adjacent to the spoil disposal location have been identified, should the spoil area requirements grow through the development of the design. The location of the spoil area shown on Figure 1.0-1 has been selected to limit environmental disturbance and visual impacts on sensitive habitats.
4.2 Area Lighting and Fencing
4.2.1 Area Lighting
Operating exterior lighting will be minimal following construction Area lighting for the Project’s surface facilities will consist of lighting around the switchyard and main access tunnel portal and is proposed to incorporate both the International Dark Sky Association criteria and Occupational Safety and Health Administration outdoor workplace safety requirements.
In addition, lighting may be provided to facilitate inspections of the reservoir dams in the unlikely event of an emergency. Lighting there would be used only during such occasions and would be controlled by switch.
4.2.2 Fencing and Security
During construction, temporary security fencing will be erected around the various laydown and staging areas shown on drawings in Exhibit F as well as key work fronts as they are developed Signage and barriers along existing unpaved access routes will be established to prevent unauthorized access into the construction work zones
Upon completion of the lower and upper reservoirs, 10-ft-tall game fencing and other safety and security features as required for safe and secure operation of the facility will be established around the outside edge of the perimeter roads. Similar fencing and safety features will be established around the switchyard and main access portal Safety and security design features will address worker and public safety, as well as avoid or minimize potential Project effects on wildlife.
Final License Application – Exhibit A White Pine Pumped Storage Project
5.0 Literature Cited
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 2019. Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 368 Energy Corridor Review, Regions 2 and 3. August 2019. [Online] URL: http://corridoreis.anl.gov/documents/docs/Regions_2-3_Report.pdf. Accessed: August 24, 2021.
Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR). 1967. Water Resources Report 42. [Online] URL: http://images.water.nv.gov/images/publications/recon%20reports/rpt42steptoe_valley.pdf Accessed January 10, 2022.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Undated. West-wide Energy Corridor Information Center. [Online] URL: http://www.corridoreis.anl.gov/. Accessed: May 5, 2020.
White Pine County. 2020. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies. White Pine County Board of County Commissioners. [Online] URL: https://www.whitepinecounty.net/DocumentCenter/View/6656/CEDS-JULY-2020FINAL-DOCUMENT?bidId= Accessed January 11, 2022.