Case Study: Tacoma Power achieves restored fish migration and 3.6 MW of additional hydropower with Rockwell Automation

Tacoma Power Restores Fish Migration, Generates Power for 1,700 Homes

Tacoma Power, a city-owned utility in Washington, needed to renew its power license while restoring fish passage around two dams and automating a new powerhouse at the Cushman Northfork project. To meet regulatory requirements and support migrating steelhead, sockeye, salmon, and juvenile fish, the company turned to Rockwell Automation products, including the Integrated Architecture System, ControlLogix PACs, and PowerFlex drives.

Rockwell Automation helped Tacoma Power implement a fully automated system that controls hydro generation, river flow, and fish collection/hoisting from a remote operations center. The project restored fish migration, added 3.6 megawatts of hydropower, and created enough renewable energy for 1,700 homes, while avoiding on-site staffing costs and helping Tacoma Power maintain its license through 2048.

Tacoma Power

Ozan Ferrin

Generation Automation Supervisor