Malibu Hydro...Quick Facts                                   To index Quick Facts: This information is listed from the water source at the lake to the end use at Malibu. It is difficult to get accurate information on some facts. Items proceeded by ? are unknown or based on reasonable assumptions from other projects of similar size. More info added as available. All questions will be answered. Email link at bottom of page. Lake lake elevation 2650 feet length 8200 feet. or 2.5 km width 2000 feet on average, or 0.6 km depth ? unknown water sources rain, snow melt, possible ground water / springs area 16.4 million sq ft, 1.5 million square meters available water 49 million cubic feet with 3 ft weir, provides 80 days at full power daily demand 605,000 cubic feet at 7 cfs, for full power out water level monitoring level available at Malibu by radio telemetry fish specis No fish in lake, no connection to ocean water access 3 hour hike from beach, float plane or helicopter Lake weir lake weir height 6 feet lake weir control 2 foot diameter manual control valve notch width 12 feet notch height 2 feet water flow by weir minimum 3 cfs for river life, monitored at Malibu Penstock Intake type of system 'run of the river', meaning no significant water storage, the lake dosen't count river weir concrete, avg 10 feet high and 2.5 feet wide concrete volume approx 85 tons of cement and sand / gravel weir elevation 1320 river weir control none stored volume about 6000 cubic feet for 5 foot draw down storage time 15 minutes, needed to settle silt lower notch width 19 feet 6 inches upper notch width 19 feet 4 inches notch depth 8 inches penstock filter 4 stainless cylindrical screens, 24 by 12 inches cleanouts two 8 inch drains below intake manifold Pipe Line length 4700 feet diameter 12 inches thickness 1/4 and 3/8 inch joints welded and mechanical couplings coating none other protection none planned, possible painted where exposed anchors direct burial and concrete thrust blocks operating pressure 520 psi penstock efficiency varies with flow,  90 to 95 % is typical of other systems head loss depends on flow, 10% is typical of other systems construction access existing logging roads Power House construction 2 by 6 framed walls on heavy slab size 24 by 32 feet elevation 75 feet above high tide line location about 500 feet back from shore, at 75 foot elevation access road / trail from beach Turbine turbine type Pelton wheel runner diameter approximately 24 inches pitch diameter nozzle diameter about two inches number of nozzles 1 only operating speed 1200 RPM capacity 580 kW operating head 1320 feet static water requirement up to 55 gallons per second control method jet deflector operated by oil servo motor and adjustable spear on nozzle protection computer monitored sensors on all points life expectancy decades, depends on water silt manufacturer Canyon Turbines of Washington State Model # 2225, SN 03-3054 Generator capacity 600 kva capacity 540 kW continuous power factor 0.90 voltage 4160 V, 3 phase amperage 83.8 A exciter 2.8 A, 45 V manufacturer National Oilwell, Texas excess power use governor limits water demand to balance load weight and size ? 5000 pounds + Model # G 636LNT-596, SN Z-65LNT040-1 Transformer location outside diesel room at Malibu - no transformer at hydro site. voltage ratio 4160 volts to 600 volts type outdoor, oil cooled capacity ? approx 1 Mega Watt protection ? transformer efficiency 95% is typical Underwater cable length 3.3 km, 10,835 feet diameter 3 inches conductors 3 conductors in one cable on bottom of inlet voltage 4,160 ampacity 165 amps wire gauge 2 AWG manufacturer from Germany cable cost approximately $ 700,000 anchoring on anchors chained to bed rock, direct burial on far side bottom profile steep on creek side, flat bottom, gradule on Malibu side water depth 900 to 1000 feet on a fairly flat sandy bottom Telemetry & control monitor and control stand alone PLC controller at power house lake measurements lake level, weir level, creek flow below weir, temperatures dam measurements dam level, penstock headder level, dam over-flow security door and environment alarms, video surveillance, audio feed data availability displayed at Malibu, data to be available on this web site under 'system data' Malibu side present fuel cost $130,000 per year plus repairs, (2005 fuel costs) $ value of hydro $ 3,600 per day at full output, (valued at 30 cents per kW oil equivalent) pay back time it took less than seven years storage of power no battery or other form of storage practical at Malibu excess energy use all generated power will be used, much of it to heat domestic water Please drop me a note if you want any specific information. All questions will be answered.