Mussel Fouling Prevention At Shepaug Hydroelectric Station

While the population of invasive mussels was very low along the Housatonic River in 2015, the population was expected to increase in the coming years. Firstlight Energy, a subsidiary of GDF Suez and operators of a number of hydroelectric facilities in Connecticut and Massachusetts, was concerned about the detrimental effect the anticipated increase would have on the cooling water systems of the Shepaug Hydroelectric Station, with a nameplate capacity 43 megawatts. As cooling loops become clogged with mussels, it has a detrimental effect on flow and heat transfer systems. Firstlight Energy decided it must take proactive measures to protect its cooling water system from invasive mussels.