Overview
Chatuge is a 13.2 MW hydroelectric power plant operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the United States. It provides renewable energy generation from hydropower.
Chatuge is a hydroelectric power plant located in the United States, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). With a capacity of 13.2 MW, it is a small-scale hydro facility contributing to the regional power grid. The plant is operational and utilizes the flow of water to generate electricity. As a hydroelectric facility, Chatuge operates without direct fuel combustion, resulting in minimal air emissions compared to fossil fuel plants. The plant's technology relies on water turbines and generators, typical for run-of-river or reservoir-based hydropower. In the US, hydroelectric plants are subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing and environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The plant plays a role in TVA's diverse energy mix, which includes nuclear, coal, natural gas, and renewables. Hydropower provides grid stability and peaking capacity, supporting renewable energy integration. The facility's location in the southeastern US contributes to local energy resilience and low-carbon power generation.
Environmental context
As a hydroelectric plant, Chatuge has a low carbon footprint but may affect local aquatic ecosystems through altered water flow and habitat changes. The facility is located in a region with significant rainfall and mountainous terrain, supporting hydropower generation. Proximity to populated areas is limited, reducing direct human impact. The plant's small capacity minimizes large-scale environmental disruption, though dam operations can influence downstream water quality and fish migration.
Frequently asked questions
Chatuge hydroelectric plant is located in the United States, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Its coordinates are approximately 35.0191 N, -83.7914 W.
Chatuge power plant has a capacity of 13.2 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale hydroelectric facility.
Chatuge hydroelectric plant is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned corporation in the United States.
US hydroelectric plants must comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing, the Clean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which require environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures.
Hydroelectric power generation produces low greenhouse gas emissions but can alter river ecosystems, affect fish migration, and change water quality. Small-scale plants like Chatuge typically have localized impacts.