The Power of the Androscoggin

Berlin was built around the power of the Androscoggin River, which has long been linked to the city's settlement for its energy-producing potential as well as the railroads and continues to provide renewable energy today. Berlin is home to four hydroelectric dams that provide a total of 30 megawatts of renewable energy. A Francis style water turbine, developed in the late 1880's and still widely used around the world, was used to generate hydroelectric power at the Berlin power plant, and the turbine on display came from the Smith Hydroelectric Station just downstream, which produces 18 megawatts of renewable energy. The Francis turbine is a reaction turbine in which water changes pressure as it moves through the turbine and transfers its energy, requiring a watertight casement to contain the water flow, and such turbines are generally suited for dam sites between a high-pressure water source and a low-pressure water exit. Today, the city produces more clean energy than it consumes.

Berlin, New Hampshire · United States