GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 24, 2015 – Colorado School of Mines was one of seven organizations selected to receive $6.5 million from the Energy Department to advance the manufacturing and installation of low environmental impact hydropower technologies.
Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Marte Gutierrez will conduct a study on innovative methods and materials for cofferdams—provisional structures for water diversion projects, such as dams, locks, bridge footings and piers and hydroelectric power plants. He will be looking at ways to make them more permanent and safe structures for hydropower generation. In addition, a study will be conducted on the environmental and economic benefits of the proposed cellular cofferdam-based designs in comparison to traditional hydropower dams.
“As a lead researcher, I am excited about the possibility to make the hydropower generation more economical and sustainable with less impacts on the environment during construction and decommissioning,” Gutierrez said. “This project supports Mines’ mission of balancing energy resource utilization with environmental protection, and its goal of promoting responsible stewardship of the Earth and its resources.”
Mines’ grant was one of two university projects (the other being North Dakota State University) funded by the Energy Department on advancing the low environmental impact of hydropower technologies.
See the full list of selected low-impact hydropower technology projects.
Contact:
Kathleen Morton, Digital Media & Communications Manager / 303-273-3088 / kmorton@mines.edu
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / kgilbert@mines.edu