Environmental Considerations
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Transcript of Environmental Considerations
Environmental Considerations
And how they may affect the role of hydro in New England’s energy
future
Tim Brush and Jen StoneNormandeau Associates
Westmoreland, NH
Outline• Waterpower Technologies• Facts of the Matter• Typical Environmental Issues• Regulatory Drivers• Some Specifics• Bottom Line
Waterpower TechnologiesConventional Hydropower
•Dam•Head•Turbines•Spillway
Pumped Storage•Upper and lower reservoirs•Pumps/turbines•A twist, but high value
Waterpower Technologies
Hydrokinetic•Tidal/Wave/Lock•Velocity component of Bernoulli’s equation•Small energy output relative to conventional because of no head (except for lock application)•Value in use of arrays and as components of meeting Renewable Portfolio Standards
Waterpower Technologies
• We have impacted our landscape in many ways, including virtually all rivers
• We cannot revert to “pristine” condition• Dam removal – many should go but…• Cost of compliance with agencies and special
interest demands very high – costs come back to you
• Ancillary benefits of hydro – no other industry compares
Facts of the Matter
• 23,000 MW could be developed by 2025 without building a single new dam
• In many (if not most) cases, fish restoration targets are overly optimistic
• Licensing/Relicensing Costs, Time, and Uncertainty
…Facts of the Matter
Typical Environmental Issues
• Instream Flow• Recreation• Connectivity• Water Level Fluctuations• Endangered Species• Non-native Species• Special Interests
Regulatory Drivers
• Federal Power Act• Endangered Species Act• Clean Water Act• Magnuson Stevens Act• States law• Others
Regulatory Drivers• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC)– FPA Section 18– CWA Section 401– Licensing/Relicensing Process– PM&E’s– Special Interest Groups– Years to complete process
Some Specifics
• Instream Flow
Some Specifics
• Connectivity – Migratory Fish
Some Specifics
• Fish Passage
Other Limiting Factors
•Non-native Species•Contaminants•Water Quality•Watershed Development
Some Specifics
Bottom Line
• Technically - waterpower technologies could be implemented in short order
• 23,000 MW without any new dams!• There are new incentives to help achieve this
but many obstacles remain• From an environmental perspective, it’s my
opinion that this is a ‘no brainer’
Thank you
Tim BrushNormandeau Associateswww.normandeau.com