Hydropower Engineering
Feasibility & Planning
Our experience includes performing hydropower feasibility assessments for the upgrade potential of existing sites, development potential of new greenfield sites, and performing due diligence assessments at existing hydropower facilities nationwide.
Asset Modernization & New facility Engineering Whether the project involves developing a new “greenfield” hydropower plant, adding generation to anexisting non-powered dam, or rehabilitating an existing hydropower facility, hydropower engineers need a comprehensive understanding of the inter-relationship of all the project components. Our team has diverse backgrounds in civil, structural, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and geotechnical disciplines, which allow us to identify, evaluate, and develop comprehensive and integrated solutions.
Penstock Inspection & Design We routinely perform penstock inspections and evaluations to assess the condition of existing penstocks. Several staff members hold Level I certification with the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) and have the experience to perform penstock and hydraulic structure inspections using industrial rope access techniques. Our experienced inspection staff complete annual confined space training for entry into penstocks.
Valuations & Due Diligence Technical consultants are often required to evaluate a project or an asset portfolio. Our team of experienced, senior personnel offer specialized technical services to our clients and the lenders involved in the financing, sale, acquisition and development of hydroelectric and other electric assets. In meeting this need, Kleinschmidt has served as independent reviewers for lending institutions, private developers, utilities, and law firms.
Personalized Service for Every Project Need
Pumped Storage The need for large-scale energy storage is growing in response to the continued development of large-scale intermittent renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar power). We are an industry leader in managing the FERC regulatory processes and studies at pumped storage facilities. We have managed or had significant involvement in the relicensing of eight pumped storage projects and are currently managing three other pumped storage relicensings. This experience has allowed us to develop a robust understanding of the unique operations of pumped storage, as well as a strong appreciation of the relatively low impacts associated with these projects. Construction Services To confirm that a construction project is built according to the design specifications and to mitigate future liability, most owners require construction monitoring or inspection services to be performed by an owner’s engineer – someone whose primary responsibility is to consider the owner’s interests. These services may be limited to reviewing shop drawings, answering contractor questions during construction and occasional site visits; or for larger complex projects they may require full-time on-site engineering teams. We have experience with both scenarios and can provide the necessary hydro engineering construction services required to verify the quality, accuracy, and progress of the project.
Headgate Rehabilitation and Replacements Aging headgates can impact reliability, operational flexibility, and dam safety. Kleinschmidt helps owners evaluate existing conditions and develop rehabilitation or replacement solutions that restore performance while meeting today's operational and regulatory requirements. Our experience spans hundreds of dam safety inspections and rehabilitation projects involving gates, spillways, penstocks, and other critical water control structures. We focus on practical, cost-effective solutions that reduce lifecycle costs, limit operational disruptions, and improve long-term asset performance. From condition assessments through design and construction support, we help clients make informed decisions that enhance reliability, extend the service life of their infrastructure, and protect critical water resources. Spillway Crest Gate Rehabilitation and Replacements Kleinschmidt has decades of experience rehabilitating and replacing spillway crest gates at hydropower facilities across North America, including the largest spillway gate replacement project in U.S. history at Bartletts Ferry Dam. Backed by hundreds of dam safety inspections and structural assessments, we understand how to evaluate aging infrastructure and develop practical solutions that improve safety, reliability, and long-term performance. Our clients benefit from rehabilitation strategies that minimize outages, reduce construction risk, and maximize the return on capital investments. By combining engineering, constructability, cost estimating, and construction support, we deliver solutions that extend asset life, improve operational reliability, and keep projects moving efficiently.
