A municipal hydroelectric facility and its turbine required replacement after reaching the end of their useful service life. The City of Redwood Falls hired Barr to design a new powerhouse and turbine support structure and coordinate the electrical and structural work with the suppliers of the new turbine and generator. The existing hydro turbine was replaced with a 500 kW turbine. Because the facility was rated for 500 kW, Barr coordinated with FERC and the city to keep the upgrade within facility limits, so that no relicensing would be required.
Barr designed a new reinforced-concrete and masonry superstructure powerhouse in line with the existing concrete penstock. HVAC and electrical components of the building were included in the design. To tie the new structure into existing facilities, Barr first performed an inspection and survey of the site, penstock, and adjacent utility building as well as a geotechnical investigation. Site improvements included design of topographic features, surface water drainage, and a reinforced-concrete retaining wall. Barr prepared the civil, structural, electrical, HVAC, and piping plans and specifications in accordance with FERC requirements and coordinated the evaluation, design, and construction with both FERC and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We also provided construction observation.