Essex is providing energy engineering services to GDF Suez to identify and evaluate options to install additional generating capacity at an existing hydro station in Connecticut. The Scotland Station historically operated as a pond and release project – timing generation to coincide with peak demands and results in pond and stream flow fluctuations. To reduce these fluctuations and their associated environmental impacts, the new license will require run-of-river operations. Without modifications, the annual generation output would be significantly reduced. Our client is the incumbent licensee in a competitive Federal licensing process and is at risk to lose the project unless their new license proposal makes better use of the resource than the competitor. Essex is providing technical support to optimize the project including the installation of new generating equipment that can increase capacity and output and improve overall plant efficiently. The proposal for adding capacity will be the cornerstone of optimizing the resource and retaining the license.