Environm ental Considerations Environm ental Considerations
Tim Brush and Jen Stone Normandeau Associates Westmoreland, NH
And how they may affect the role of hydro in New England’s energy future
Environmental Considerations
• • • • • •
Waterpower Technologies Facts of the Matter Typical Environmental Issues Regulatory Drivers Some Specifics Bottom Line
Outline
•Dam •Head •Turbines •Spillway
Conventional Hydropower
Waterpower Technologies
•Upper and lower reservoirs •Pumps/turbines •A twist, but high value
Pumped Storage
Waterpower Technologies
•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
Hydrokinetic
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
• • • • • • •
Instream Flow Recreation Connectivity Water Level Fluctuations Endangered Species Non--native Species Non Special Interests
Typical Environmental Issues
• • • • • •
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
Regulatory Drivers
• Instream Flow
Some Specifics
• Connectivity – Migratory Fish
Some Specifics
• Fish Passage
Some Specifics
•Non Non--native Species •Contaminants •Water Quality •Watershed Development
Other Limiting Factors
Some Specifics
• 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’
Bottom Line
Tim Brush Normandeau Associates www.normandeau.com
Thank you
And how they may affect the role of hydro in New England’s energy future
Environmental Considerations
• • • • • •
Waterpower Technologies Facts of the Matter Typical Environmental Issues Regulatory Drivers Some Specifics Bottom Line
Outline
•Dam •Head •Turbines •Spillway
Conventional Hydropower
Waterpower Technologies
•Upper and lower reservoirs •Pumps/turbines •A twist, but high value
Pumped Storage
Waterpower Technologies
•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
Hydrokinetic
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
• • • • • • •
Instream Flow Recreation Connectivity Water Level Fluctuations Endangered Species Non--native Species Non Special Interests
Typical Environmental Issues
• • • • • •
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
Regulatory Drivers
• Instream Flow
Some Specifics
• Connectivity – Migratory Fish
Some Specifics
• Fish Passage
Some Specifics
•Non Non--native Species •Contaminants •Water Quality •Watershed Development
Other Limiting Factors
Some Specifics
• 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’
Bottom Line
Tim Brush Normandeau Associates www.normandeau.com
Thank you
