U.S. Department of Energy, Attn: Brad G. Bauer, Procurement Services Div., Idaho Operations Office, 850 Energy Drive, MS-1221, Idaho Falls ID 83401-1563

A -- PHASE IIA-ADVANCED HYDROPOWER TURBINE-DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL MONITORING HARDWARE SOL DE-RP07-96ID13473 DUE 081296 POC POC Robert L. Pence, Contract Specialist, 208-526-6518; Brad G. Bauer, Contracting Officer, 208-526-0090 The U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID) is soliciting expressions of interest on its proposed plan for Phase IIa of the Advanced Hydropower Turbine (AHT) program. Phase IIa will be a cost-shared, industry-government project to develop advanced instrumentation needed to visualize the flow path taken by fish passing through a hydroelectric turbine. The information derived from the application of this instrumentation would subsequently be used to develop biological design criteria/specifications for the next generation of environmentally friendly hydropower turbines. The AHT Program was initiated in 1993 to help the U.S. hydropower industry incorporate advanced technology into hydropower turbine designs. The first phase of the AHT Program is underway. The objective of Phase I is to stimulate the U.S. industry to explore new concepts and apply cutting-edge technology to create conceptual designs for new turbine prototypes that will be environmentally friendly, and that balance environmental, technical, and cost considerations. The concepts being developed under Phase I include designs that would provide for increased survival of turbine-passed fish and increased dissolved oxygen content of water discharged from the powerhouse. Based on the findings of Phase I, the subsequent Phase II effort will be divided into three parts: (1) Phase IIa, the development of biological design criteria/specifications for advanced turbines, (2) Phase IIb, the design and fabrication of fully engineered models of advanced turbines, and (3) Phase IIc, independent testing of the models constructed in Phase IIb. This notice relates only to Phase IIa. An initial step in the development of biological design criteria for advanced hydropower turbines is to come to an improved understanding of the path taken by turbine-passed fish and the physical stresses experienced by fish along that path. It is known that in passing through a hydroelectric turbine a fish can be exposed to rapid and extreme changes in hydrostatic pressures (both positive and sub- atmospheric), cavitation, and shear forces. In addition, the fish may suffer injury from contacting the turbine blade or other obstructions (strike), passing through narrow openings or gaps (grinding), or rubbing against the interior surfaces of the turbine or draft tube (abrasion). Less well understood are the levels of these stresses which fish are exposed to in a turbine and the fish's responses to the stresses. Consequently, an objective of Phase IIa will be the development of new technologies that can identify (visualize) the flow path taken by fish entrained in an operating turbine. The pressure and shear regimes experienced by turbine-passed fish, as well as the probabilities of striking the runner, gates, or walls, will be quantified. Laboratory studies can then be designed to examine the effects of these stresses on fish under controlled conditions. In addition, observed fish behavior within turbine passages will be compared to predictions of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) engineering analysis of the same passages. This information will allow turbine designers to build new turbines within which the component stresses of turbine passage are at acceptable levels for fish survival. This Notice of Intent (NOI) is being distributed in order to determine both the level of interest and the types of advanced technologies that might be applied to the problems of visualizing the paths taken by fish in a hydroelectric turbine and quantifying the associated physical stresses. These technologies could include light-emitting diodes and low light sensors, hydro acoustic techniques, or micro-instrumentation attached to the fish or to neutrally buoyant particles that would detect and record the stress history of fish that pass from the intake to the tailrace. Ideally, these technologies should be adaptable to existing hydropower plants, portable (i.e., readily set up at a variety of hydro- electric sites across the country), and would not involve major alterations to the power plant's civil works in order to install instruments. The most promising technologies will be selected for development and ultimately will be tested at operating hydro- electric sites in order to provide needed information for later work in Phase IIa. It is the goal to track passage of instrumented fish (or surrogate devices) on a 3D CADD-generated model while documenting fish behavior through the passage. Field testing of one or more technologies is anticipated to begin in March, 1997, although further development could continue into 1998. DOE does not intend to provide any kind of specifications for Phase IIa other than meeting the objectives and requirements listed above. This notice is also intended to promote the formation of industry partnerships, to stimulate interaction among potential participants, and to encourage the implementation of organizations to investigate creative solutions. Dependent upon funding, up to $8 million will be available to support two or more awards for a period of up to two years. DOE seeks a cost share goal of 50%; however, offerors will be required to propose a minimum of 20% cost share for Phase IIa. Failure to respond to this notice will not disqualify anyone from participating in the solicitation, but those that do respond to this notice will be issued the RFP and notification of related activities, if they indicate that desire. Expressions of interest must be in writing; no telephone calls will be accepted. The expression of interest should include the names, addresses, telephone numbers and facsimile numbers of the primary contact person, and an indication of whether or not the respondent wishes to receive a copy of the RFP. DO NOT SEND A PROPOSAL. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. The responses should be received by August 12, 1996. (0206)

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