Projects

Renewable Energies

GEORGE CAIRO ENGINEERING, INC. (GCE) is on the forefront of conservation efforts for the southwest's most valuable natural resource: water. We work to innovate and integrate green-state of the art solutions to address the climate challenged water and energy nexus. Global Challenges such as climate change, drought, resource scarcity, ecosystem degradation, and the growing energy demands have called for creative solutions through canal solar projects, water conservation, nextgen agriculture, and supporting a Circular Bio-Economy.

Representative Projects

  • Buckeye Water Conservation & Drainage District (BWCDD) - Diversion Intake Structure Modernization & Canal Energy System Project, Buckeye, AZ. GCE is working with the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District (BWCDD) to engineer a multi-renewable energy generation Canal Energy System, which will be the first of its kind in the world. GCE is designing the modernization BWCDD's existing manually controlled concrete diversion intake structure on the Gila River, and concrete lining 600 to 1,600 feet of their earthen Main Canal downstream of the diversion. The new diversion structure includes multiple Rubicon FlumeGate flow control gates to control and measure flows with SCADA. In addition, a new by-pass slide gate sluicing structure will be constructed to manage trash and sediment for reliable diversion from the river. Future phases of the project include the construction of a regulating reservoir in the Gila River to capture winter flows and allow for reduced groundwater pumping during the growing season. The project also includes the design and installation of a “State of the Art” Canal Energy System (CES), which includes an 876-kilowatt solar array over the Main Canal combined with in-line micro hydrokinetic turbines. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of about 16,639 acre-feet, which is currently lost to evaporation, seepage, operational spills, and over-deliveries. GCE completed a feasibility study for the Canal Energy System, and prepared successful grant applications to obtain project funding including a Reclamation Water and Energy Grant for $5 million dollars, and a WIFA Grant for $3 million dollars. Estimated construction cost is about $10.8 million dollars with construction starting in winter of 2024. Design team included George Cairo Engineering, Inc., Water Xience, and Tectonicus, et al.
  • Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) - Solar Over Casa Blanca Canal Phases 2-A and 2-B, Casa Blanca, AZ.
  • Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) - Solar Over I-10 Level Top Canal Design Project, Chandler, AZ. This project is a State-of-the-Art concept of developing a Canal Energy System (CES) on the P-MIP Level Top Canal with a Canal Spanning Solar Panels (CSSP) system. In fact, this is the first CES designed in the United States and anticipated to be the first constructed in the western hemisphere. The CSSP system will generate renewable energy for sustainable growth and the system is designed to span across canals supporting Photovoltaic (PV) arrays without disrupting valuable agricultural lands or native desert. GCE provided overall technical oversight for planning and final design for the GRIC Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) Solar Over Canal Interstate 10 (I-10) Level Top Canal Design Project. Design consisted of approximately 1,624 solar panels spanning the I-10 Level Top Canal to conserve approximately 7.98 ac-ft of water annually (5.40 ac-ft from evaporation + 2.576 ac-ft from thermoelectric energy usage) and provide approximately of 876kW of nameplate power capacity generating approximately 1,667 MWh annually to the Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority (GRICUA) electrical grid to offset the Community irrigation district groundwater extraction system operational power expenses. Over the life cycle (25 years life cycle) of the project, this equates to saving about 200 ac-ft of water. The CSSP system includes major galvanized steel frame sections mounted with solar panels to cover a length of about 962 feet of the canal. The solar array will include two hinged solar frames on either end of the Level Top Canal for operation and maintenance access, while all other arrays will be fixed with pin connections removable for access to the canal. There are 29 frames, each with 56 solar panels connected to 15 pairs of inverters that are networked to tie-into the GRICUA MTD transformers. All major frames will be mounted onto drilled concrete shafts one at each corner of a major frame installation. The project included planning, design, survey, cost estimating, technical specifications, and full bidding package. Project scope also included the preparation of federal grant applications for construction funding. Design team included George Cairo Engineering, Inc., Water Xience, and Tectonicus, et al.
  • Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) - Canal Energy System, Solar Over Casa Blanca Feasibility Study, Sacaton, AZ. GCE was tasked to complete a Canal Energy System (CES) feasibility study focused on a canal spanning solar panel system over the Casa Blanca Canal. The feasibility level study was divided into three distinct projects to include the following: 1) An approximate $5 million dollar design and construction budget project assuming the project limits straddle Interstate-10 west and east along the Casa Blanca Canal alignment. 2) An approximate $10 million dollar design and construction budget project assuming the project limits continue to the west and east of the project defined in the above $5 million dollar project along the Casa Blanca Canal alignment. 3) The third project will assume analysis of the entire limits of the Casa Blanca Canal about 16 miles, to include a design and construction budget for the overall project limits to the east, and west side of Interstate-10. The feasibility analysis included an assessment of the canal alignment and elimination of canal reaches that are not economically viable due to distance to power infrastructure connectivity, safety concerns, in-line structures and appurtenances, or other factors. Canal cross sections, O&M, and operations were also considered in study assumptions. Based on the determination of feasible solar coverage limits, an energy generation analysis was completed using utility scale solar generation modeling software to estimate solar power generation. Assumptions were made with respect to frame support systems and ancillary features. Cost estimates at a feasibility level including design and construction were developed for the three proposed projects. Connectivity to the GRICUA power distribution system was also evaluated including line capacity, optimal connection locations, limitations in the system, and required upgrades or improvements needed to allow the proposed Canal Energy System power generation to be input to their distribution system. All work was documented in a final Canal Energy System Feasibility Report.
  • Private Philanthropic Group and Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) - Canal Energy System (CES) Solar Over Casa Blanca Water Benefits Study, Sacaton, AZ.
  • Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP) - Canal Energy System (CES) Solar Over Casa Blanca 20-Million Dollar Project Feasibility Study, Sacaton, AZ.
  • San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage District (SCIDD) - Florence Canal Modernization Canal Energy System Feasibility Study PL-566 Update, Florence, AZ.
  • 8 Minute Energy - Photovolatic Solar Plant Project, Niland, CA.
  • California Renewable Energies (CRE) - Sugar Cane Ethanol Generation Plant General Engineering Services, Brawley, CA.
  • 8 Minute Energy - Photovolatic Solar Plant Permitting, Imperial Valley, CA.
  • Buckeye Water Conservation & Drainage District (BWCDD) - APS HUB PVNGS Pipeline Bridge Crossing, Buckeye, AZ.
  • Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) - Imperial Irrigation District Reservoir Bathometric Surveys, Sediment Quantity Estimates and Disposal Plan, Imperial, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) Efficiency Conservation Definite Plan, Imperial, California
  • Barioni Lakes Development Project - Constructed Lake Design, Imperial, California
  • New River Task Force (Task Force) and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - NR 19 Constructed Wetland Conceptual and Final Design, Imperial Valley, California
  • Paradyne Corporation - Eyherabidi Dairy Waste Management System, Litchfield Park, Arizona
  • Tohono O’odham Farming Authority - Water Management Plans, Tohono O’odham Nation, Arizona
  • Tohono O’odham Farming Authortiy - Papago Farm Expansion and Redevelopment Feasibility Study, Tohono O’odham Nation, Arizona
  • Tucson Water - Roger Road Recharge Phase III and Sweetwater Recharge Facilities Modifications, Tucson, Arizona
  • Frito Lay, Inc. - Wind Drift Analysis, Casa Grande, Arizona
  • TCCA - Fish Passage Improvement Project at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, Willows, California
  • CALFED - Agricultural Water Quality Criteria Study - Bay Delta, California
  • Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) - Tributary Production Enhancement Program - Central Valley, California
  • East County Water Supply Management Study Phase II (ECWUA), Contra Costa County, California
  • California Rice Industries Association (CRIA) - Environmental and Conservation Balance Sheet for the California Rice Industry, Sacramento, California
  • USBR Mid-Pacific Region - Butte Creek Water Supply and Fish Passage Plan, Chico, California
  • Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) - Lower Santa Cruz River Effluent Diversion Feasibility Study, Tucson, Arizona
  • Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) - Irrigation Project Development Plan Update, Parker, Arizona
  • Maricopa Water District (MWD) - Beardsley Canal Station 13 Automated Emergency Spillway and Energy Dissipation System, Waddell, Arizona
  • Maricopa Water District (MWD) - White Tank Foothills Development Cross-Cut Canal and Lateral 9 Facility Improvements, Waddell, Arizona
  • Maricopa Water District (MWD) - Cortessa Development Cross-Cut Canal and Lateral 8 Confluence Facility Improvements, Waddell, Arizona
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - South Alamo Canal State Route 7 (SR-7) Crossing Dual 60-Inch Siphon, Imperial Valley, California
  • University of California Davis - Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) - Desert Research and Extension Center (DREC) Irrigation Water System, El Centro, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - State Route 7 (SR-7) System Impacts, Imperial, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - Highway 111 Brawley Bypass Stage I System Impacts, Imperial, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - Highway 111 Units 1, 2 & 3 and System Impacts, Imperial, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - Brawley Bypass Stages II & III, Impacted Irrigation and Drainage Facilities Design, Imperial, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - All-American Canal Lining Project, Imperial, California
  • Bard Water District - Reservation Main Canal Improvement Project, Yuma, Arizona
  • Marine Corps Air Station - Station Ordnance Area Phase II - Part C Irrigation System Relocation, Yuma, Arizona
  • Granite Construction Company - P-MIP Southside Canal Interstate-10 Realignment Design and Construction Staking, Sacaton, Arizona
  • P-MIP - Gila River Indian Community - Southside Canal Reach II - Rehabilitation and Lining Project, Sacaton, Arizona
  • Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) - Irrigation System Rehabilitation Project, Parker, Arizona
  • City of Tracy - Food Process Water Reuse Facility, Phase 1, Tracy, California
  • Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) - Water Duty Study, Phoenix, Arizona
  • Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (P-MIP - Main Canals Right-of-Way Surveys and Parcel Maps, Sacaton, Arizona
  • New River Task Force (Task Force) and Imperial Irrigation District - Land Surveying and Analysis for Potential Wetland Sites, Imperial Valley, California
  • Imperial Irrigation District (IID) - 230KV KN/KS Transmission Line Pole Upgrade, Niland, California
  • Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) - Tribal Project Development (TPD) District 4 ADOT SR-587 Improvements, Sacaton, Arizona
  • Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency - Import Pipeline Alignment, Watsonville, California
  • City of Avondale - Indian School Road 20 inch Waterline, Avondale, Arizona
  • Birchfield Park - Birchfield Mobile Home Park Sewer Main Extension, Gila Bend, Arizona
  • Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) - Clearwell 1C Emergency Overflow Conveyance System, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) - Sacramento River Crossing Study, Redding, California
  • West Basin MWD - Supplemental 12 inch Potable Water Supply Pipeline, Torrance, California
  • Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency - 66 inch Import Pipeline and Distribution System, Watsonville, California