Analysis of the Tradeoff Between Irrigated Agriculure and Hydroelectric Power in the Pacific Northwest.

摘要

Hydrogeneration and irrigated agriculture are major competing users of the waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries. Irrigated agriculture requires the diversion of large amounts of water from the rivers,only part of which returns. As a result,streamflow is reduced and the generation potential of dams located downstream from points of irrigation diversion is reduced. In addition,irrigated agriculture involves the direct consumption of electricity to pump irrigation water and to apply it to crops in the field. The purpose of this report is to make a baseline estimate of the impact on the electrical generation system in the region of the level of irrigation development projected for year 2020by the states of Oregon,Washington,and Idaho. This baseline estimate reflects the assumption that current conditions will prevail in the future. The results,therefore,provide a standard against which the impacts of changes in current conditions can be measured. It is estimated that the projected development level of 11.4million acres of irrigated agriculture in Oregon,Washington,and Idaho by year 2020would result in foregone hydroelectric generation potential of approximately 17.8million megawatt-hours (MWh) annually and direct consumption of electric power for pumping and application of approximately 10.3million MWh's annually. Thus, a total of 28.1million MWh's of electric power generation will have to be traded off each year if irrigated agriculture is to be conducted on the projected scale. (ERA citation 04:032781)