Click for larger view
Small Hydro East is a family owned company located in the mountains of Western Maine. Using high head, impulse turbine technology the three micro hydro plants produce an average of 550,000 kWh of energy a year.
In the early 1980's professional engineer Jim Sysko, the companies founder and owner, created three high altitude mountain ponds and installed underground pipelines from these ponds to the valley floors yielding operating pressures in the 140 to 180 psi range. All three of these plants are sited in remote areas and have an extremely low public presence and environmental impact.
The electrical capacities of the three sites are 30 kW, 40 kW, and 50 kW. The plants use induction generators that produce single phase power at 480 volts, stepped up to 7200 volts to match the line voltage of the local utility. Energy output is very consistent throughout most of the year with a normal reduction to about 25% output during August and September.
These plants have been selling power to Central Maine Power (CMP) continuously since 1982 under contracts that will terminate February 29, 2000. Small Hydro East is very interested in selling this energy output to a buyer that wants a verifiable quantity of clean, renewable, dependable and locally produced electricity.
Contact:
Jim Sysko at Gould Academy
Telephone: (207) 824-7730 (days)
Jim or Carrie Sysko
Telephone: (207) 824-3244 (evenings)