Froelich Engineers, in partnership with Sorenson Engineering, has recently completed structural engineering work on MC6, a hydroelectric project near Boise, Idaho.
This project is part of a larger scope of hydroelectric renovation that the two firms are collaborating on across the United States. Generally, these projects approach existing dams that were installed for irrigation purposes and adapt them to increase their energy efficiency. This is achieved by diverting a portion of the irrigation flow over a turbine, which, in turn, produces lower-cost, reliable electricity, sometimes to communities with limited access to power. Froelich’s role is to provide the engineering work to make sure the housings for those turbines and the generators that supply them are structurally sound.
MC6 is projected to be operational by the end of this summer.