Planning with Purpose
End to End Hydro Consulting
Kleinschmidt's staff has experience with identifying, studying, and preparing solutions to complex hydroelectric station issues, including having completed hundreds of projects involving FERC licensing, regulatory, permitting, fisheries and aquatic science, and a broad spectrum of engineering services such as condition assessments, feasibility studies, FERC Dam Safety, dam engineering, new and rehabilitation of powerhouses and equipment, fisheries and fish passage engineering. Kleinschmidt emphasizes collaboration with clients and stakeholders to ensure that projects align with project goals and objectives. This includes engaging in discussions to refine analyses, design, evaluation criteria and work products, ensuring that selected alternatives and design meet the client's needs and requirements.
As a company, Kleinschmidt primarily focuses on Hydropower projects such that every employee understands the hydropower industry, thus creating synergies between engineering, regulatory and environmental disciplines. From initial planning through start-up and commissioning Kleinschmidt provides our clients with optimal solutions
Early Planning Services:
Condition Assessments
Kleinschmidt routinely performs dam and penstock safety reviews to meet the requirements of federal regulators, and owners' internal audits and asset management programs. Our staff includes six senior dam safety specialists, with numerous support staff, who have reviewed hundreds of dams and have extensive experience assessing and analyzing dams. Our dam specialists obtain the information necessary to understand the dam thoroughly and make recommendations regarding the safety and longevity of the structures.
We have several engineers with the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) Level I certification and have the experience to perform penstock and hydraulic structure engineering inspections where access is difficult using industrial rope access techniques. Kleinschmidt inspection staff also complete annual confined space training for entry into penstocks.
Inside the powerhouse Kleinschmidt can assist plant owners and operators by developing and supporting inspection regimens, completing various diagnostics and condition assessments, and compiling equipment information management databases. They evaluate opportunities and needs for equipment upgrades by analyzing test data, evaluating adequacy of mechanical and electrical equipment for existing and future operating conditions, and providing recommendations for maintenance and equipment upgrades.
Alternative Analysis
Kleinschmidt conducts comprehensive alternative analyses to evaluate different project options. This process involves reviewing existing information, using inspections, collaborating with the owner, vendors, and regulators, to develop studies and preliminary designs to assess the potential for each alternative. The alternatives can include the lifecycle of a project, the determination of equipment inefficiency or failure, addressing safety issues, optimizing water usage for increased generation, modernization of existing civil structures, and meeting regulatory requirements such as fisheries, permitting and Part 12 dam safety obligations. The analysis includes a detailed comparison of alternatives, considering factors such as capital and maintenance cost, schedule implications, energy production, reliability, and regulatory and environmental constraints. The goal is to identify the most feasible and beneficial option for the client.
Safety concerns and economic regulatory risks of aging dams, water control structures and generating equipment are common problems for many older facilities. We provide our clients with comprehensive inspections, analysis, and design to assist with issues at their facilities. Our team diverse backgrounds in the hydropower industry which allows us to identify, evaluate and develop comprehensive and integrated solutions.
Business Case Development
Kleinschmidt focuses on providing a clear and concise summary of each alternative's scope, potential costs, and benefits in developing business cases. This includes life-cycle cost analysis and evaluation of various options to support the client's decision-making process. We recognize that every client is unique with their own set of values, circumstances and governance. Kleinschmidt values our clients, their circumstances and their relationships that drive decision making and the development of business cases. Our end to end understanding of the hydropower and utility industry brings value to our clients and helps ensure that the results of the business case bring the highest and best use and long-term value to a project.
Regulatory and Environmental Services
Kleinschmidt’s team brings deep expertise and decades of experience to support clients with all aspects of hydroelectric and utility regulatory operations. From FERC licensing and license compliance to routine permitting, our Regulatory team ensures seamless navigation of complex regulatory landscapes. We work hand in hand with project engineers to integrate regulatory requirements into project design and execution, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and project success from the ground up.
Our in-depth understanding of utility operations, combined with our strength in stakeholder engagement and agency consultation, makes us an ideal partner for supporting ongoing infrastructure maintenance and expansion (e.g. distribution and transmission) ensuring compliance with both the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Our staff are well-versed in securing local, state, and federal permits, including Hydraulic Project Approvals, Aquatic Land Leases, and Section 404 and 401 permits.
Beyond regulatory compliance, Kleinschmidt excels in public outreach and agency coordination—ensuring that stakeholder and community engagement is integrated into every phase of your project.
Kleinschmidt is proud to have a robust team of scientists with expertise spanning terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Our team supports a wide range of project needs, from wetland delineations and ecosystem assessments to species-specific habitat evaluations. We are experienced in designing and implementing habitat restoration and river restoration projects that balance ecological integrity with project goals. Whether it's a large-scale environmental assessment or a focused restoration effort, our scientists bring the knowledge and field experience needed to deliver sustainable, science-based solutions.