Project Overview
Riverbank Wiscasset Energy Center
(“RWEC”) is a 1,000 MW underground hydro pumped storage
generation facility located 2,200 feet underground adjacent
to the decommissioned Maine Yankee site in Wiscasset,
Maine. The project is expected to accommodate peak energy
demands during the day and then “recharge” itself in the
evening with lower cost renewable energy from wind farms
in upstate Maine. Riverbank will help facilitate Maine’s
goal to develop and bring to market 3,000 MW of wind power
by stabilizing the variability and intermittent nature
of wind generation, essentially acting as a battery for
wind power.
The system will temporarily divert water, for up to six hours,
from the source using the force of gravity down 2,000 foot shafts
to an underground powerhouse, where it travels through four 250
MW turbines. This newly generated power is sent to the power
grid to help accommodate peak consumption periods.
Once through the turbines, the water is then temporarily
stored in enormous reservoirs at approximately the same depth
before being pumped back to its original source using lower
cost off-peak power. |
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Key Milestones
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| Pre-Feasibility Engineering |
| Interconnection Application |
| FERC Preliminary Application Acceptance |
| Real Estate Under Control |
| Public and Governmental Outreach |
| Public Announcement |
| Local and State Support |
| Local Planning Board Submission |
| ISO-NE System Impact Study Agreement |
| Geological Test Boring to 2,200 Feet |
| FERC PAD Submission |
| Environmental & Essential Habitat Studies |
| State & Federal Regulatory Submissions |
| ISO-NE Approval |
| Local, State & Federal Approvals |
| FERC Approval |
| Project Finance |
| Start Construction |
Facts |
Capacity: 1,000 MW
Operating Time: 6 Hours
Storage Capacity: 1.23 Billion Gallons
Location: Wiscasset, Maine
Depth: 2,000 feet
Project Cost: 2 billion
In Service Date: 2015
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