Tennessee Valley Authority
Technology Research Area:
Melton Hill Dam Sustainable Recreation Area
TVA is demonstrating how renewable energy, energy efficiency measures, water conservation and recycled coal combustion products can be integrated into a sustainable recreation area.
The Melton Hill Dam and Sustainable Recreation Area near Lenoir City, Tenn., is now equipped with solar panels and a wind turbine to generate clean, renewable electricity. Other technologies help reduce water and electric usage, which have the potential to lower operating costs. TVA will research which technologies provide the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly benefits.
TVA is also encouraging sustainable practices such as waste reduction through recycling, storm water runoff management and electric vehicle charging.
To create the sustainable project, TVA blended new technologies into existing infrastructure and a natural setting at the Melton Hill recreation area and campground. These enhancements include:
- Photovoltaic solar power arrays
- A wind turbine
- Energy efficient, solar-powered LED street and path lighting
- Solar water heating in the campground bath house
- Water conservation features in restrooms
- Energy efficient lighting control sensors
- Building and landscaping materials made from coal combustion products
- Stormwater management techniques to filter runoff
- Electric vehicle charging stations
Technology Sharing with You and Our Partners
TVA estimates that the renewable power generation and energy efficiency upgrades across Melton Hill have the potential to offset approximately 36 percent of the total power demand of the site.
As people enjoy the recreation opportunities at Melton Hill, they will be consuming less energy and using less water than people who stayed at the campground just one season ago. Visitors also will be helping TVA test the performance of new technologies.
TVA will gather research data on both the total energy consumption at the site and the performance of individual technologies. One example is the testing of eight different solar collection devices, to measure electricity generation output in real-world conditions.
TVA intends for the Melton Hill Sustainable Recreation Area to become a model for other TVA recreational sites, as well as federal, state and local recreation lands that TVA doesn’t manage. Research data will be provided to other recreational site managers to help other public recreation agencies meet their sustainability goals and make better technology investment decisions.
