New England Hydropower Company LLC (NEHC) Environmental ...
New England Hydropower Company LLC (NEHC) Restoring North America’s original renewable energy resource ™ Presentation to:
Environmental Business Council of New England Renewable Energy Subcommittee
September 25, 2012
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
1
Who we are
The New England Hydropower Company, LLC (NEHC) develops, operates and manages small-scale regional and local hydroelectric facilities. This is our sole focus.
New England Hydropower Company Private & Confidential
2
Why Consider Small Scale Low Impact Hydropower?
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
3
Small Hydropower Potential New England needs low-cost, renewable, emission-free electricity:
NE states rank near top for electricity cost NE has approximately 8000 existing, regulated dams 48 inches average annual precipitation RPS mandates are coming due The DOE/EERE April 2012 Report: Assessment of Energy Potential at NonPowered Dams in the U.S. ranked: • Rainy NE at highest regional potential to convert rain to stream-flow • The capacity factor for NE sites as being ~55% • Zero Emission RECs can accelerate small hydropower development • • • • •
For New England, small hydropower can be a stable and sustainable resource
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
4
Small Hydropower Development for New England • Develop exemption-eligible projects at existing dams that are a legacy from the water powered era • Utilize sites located in good watersheds • Provide a platform for dam repairs • Satisfy environmental constituencies – preserve wetlands, promote fish restoration efforts • Meet state RPS mandates • Complement wind and solar with predictable base-load • Provide a fast start capability • Meet all these requirements with proven, cost effective technology
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
5
NEHC Model Working with the Federal Agencies, States, municipalities, and private individuals we seek to: •
Deploy our combined US/UK/EU experience
•
Identify potential for low impact small-scale hydropower sites
•
Identify sites for dam rebuilding/restoration projects
•
Meet all regulatory requirements
•
Work with local communities and environmental groups
•
Develop repeatable processes for evaluation, development and implementation
•
Operate, manage and maintain the facilities
•
Optimize the financial returns on the sites
New England Hydropower Company Private & Confidential
6
Traditional Hydroelectric Power
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
7
The World View of Hydropower
New England Hydropower Company LLC. Company Private www.nehydropower.com
8
Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
9
NEHC’s view is more modest
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
10
This is what a turbine looks like
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
11
NEHC has an economy version
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
12
These turbine sheds require a little investment
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
13
NEHC’s require a smaller investment
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
14
NEHC Vision of Small Hydropower
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
15
NEHC uses a Modern Adaption of an Ancient Technology
Archimedes of Syracuse 287-212BC
Developed this technology in Alexandria
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
16
Using tried and tested materials
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
17
Modern version: tried and tested materials
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
18
The Generator: Proven Technology, New Application Archimedes Screw Generator — modern version of ancient invention • Based on design by Archimedes of Syracuse in 3d century B.C. • Draining the Dutch Polders and moving wastewater for over 100 years • Generating power in the U.K. and Europe for a decade Durable design and low impact operation • Slow rotor speed, large cylinder size • 30-year plus useful life, low maintenance • Capacity factor typically 50% or more • Fish friendly — as established by U.K. studies • Big pockets of slow-moving water • Fish passage without damage • Low turbidity, low erosion • “Run of river” with no change to river flow • Debris tolerant • Standard generator package
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
19
The Installation – Scalable, Integrated, Comprehensive • Scalable to fit site constraints • Integrated into existing dam structures • Comprehensive systems for grid, safety and monitoring
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
20
Licensing and Permitting
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
21
Permitting Presents a Challenge Archimedes Screw the Opportunity •
Existing environmental review and permitting processes are complex
•
Available exemptions and fast-track mechanisms tend to apply to small (< 5 MW) projects
•
States are developing fast-track and streamlining programs for renewable energy projects with de minimus impacts and are seeking alternative coordination methodologies with federal partners
•
FERC is reviewing and revising its approach to small hydropower
•
Electric distribution company rules allow interconnection and net metering
•
Established technology deployed in existing installations demonstrates the Archimedes Screw’s low-impact, fish and environment-friendliness
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
22
Revenue from Power
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
23
Project Site Selection
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
24
New England Dam Investigations NEHC assessed approximately 4,000 dams in New England during 2012 •
• •
Of the dams initially assessed, NEHC visited ~ approximately 450 dams, based on a series of metrics, including: • Power Potential • Constructability • Dam Integrity • Interconnection • Natural Resources • Historic and Cultural Status • RPS Programs, Net Metering Considerations Developed real-time inventory and ranking of all screened sites Proceeding on sites with greatest quantitative & qualitative potential
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
25
Examples of Existing Installations in the U.K. and Europe
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
26
Questions? Comments? Contact Information: Carol Wasserman Regulatory Affairs New England Hydropower Company, LLC [email protected]
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
27
Environmental Business Council of New England Renewable Energy Subcommittee
September 25, 2012
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
1
Who we are
The New England Hydropower Company, LLC (NEHC) develops, operates and manages small-scale regional and local hydroelectric facilities. This is our sole focus.
New England Hydropower Company Private & Confidential
2
Why Consider Small Scale Low Impact Hydropower?
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
3
Small Hydropower Potential New England needs low-cost, renewable, emission-free electricity:
NE states rank near top for electricity cost NE has approximately 8000 existing, regulated dams 48 inches average annual precipitation RPS mandates are coming due The DOE/EERE April 2012 Report: Assessment of Energy Potential at NonPowered Dams in the U.S. ranked: • Rainy NE at highest regional potential to convert rain to stream-flow • The capacity factor for NE sites as being ~55% • Zero Emission RECs can accelerate small hydropower development • • • • •
For New England, small hydropower can be a stable and sustainable resource
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
4
Small Hydropower Development for New England • Develop exemption-eligible projects at existing dams that are a legacy from the water powered era • Utilize sites located in good watersheds • Provide a platform for dam repairs • Satisfy environmental constituencies – preserve wetlands, promote fish restoration efforts • Meet state RPS mandates • Complement wind and solar with predictable base-load • Provide a fast start capability • Meet all these requirements with proven, cost effective technology
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
5
NEHC Model Working with the Federal Agencies, States, municipalities, and private individuals we seek to: •
Deploy our combined US/UK/EU experience
•
Identify potential for low impact small-scale hydropower sites
•
Identify sites for dam rebuilding/restoration projects
•
Meet all regulatory requirements
•
Work with local communities and environmental groups
•
Develop repeatable processes for evaluation, development and implementation
•
Operate, manage and maintain the facilities
•
Optimize the financial returns on the sites
New England Hydropower Company Private & Confidential
6
Traditional Hydroelectric Power
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
7
The World View of Hydropower
New England Hydropower Company LLC. Company Private www.nehydropower.com
8
Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
9
NEHC’s view is more modest
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
10
This is what a turbine looks like
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
11
NEHC has an economy version
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
12
These turbine sheds require a little investment
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
13
NEHC’s require a smaller investment
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
14
NEHC Vision of Small Hydropower
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
15
NEHC uses a Modern Adaption of an Ancient Technology
Archimedes of Syracuse 287-212BC
Developed this technology in Alexandria
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
16
Using tried and tested materials
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
17
Modern version: tried and tested materials
New England Hydropower Company LLC. ©Company Private www.nehydropower.com
18
The Generator: Proven Technology, New Application Archimedes Screw Generator — modern version of ancient invention • Based on design by Archimedes of Syracuse in 3d century B.C. • Draining the Dutch Polders and moving wastewater for over 100 years • Generating power in the U.K. and Europe for a decade Durable design and low impact operation • Slow rotor speed, large cylinder size • 30-year plus useful life, low maintenance • Capacity factor typically 50% or more • Fish friendly — as established by U.K. studies • Big pockets of slow-moving water • Fish passage without damage • Low turbidity, low erosion • “Run of river” with no change to river flow • Debris tolerant • Standard generator package
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
19
The Installation – Scalable, Integrated, Comprehensive • Scalable to fit site constraints • Integrated into existing dam structures • Comprehensive systems for grid, safety and monitoring
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
20
Licensing and Permitting
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
21
Permitting Presents a Challenge Archimedes Screw the Opportunity •
Existing environmental review and permitting processes are complex
•
Available exemptions and fast-track mechanisms tend to apply to small (< 5 MW) projects
•
States are developing fast-track and streamlining programs for renewable energy projects with de minimus impacts and are seeking alternative coordination methodologies with federal partners
•
FERC is reviewing and revising its approach to small hydropower
•
Electric distribution company rules allow interconnection and net metering
•
Established technology deployed in existing installations demonstrates the Archimedes Screw’s low-impact, fish and environment-friendliness
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
22
Revenue from Power
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
23
Project Site Selection
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
24
New England Dam Investigations NEHC assessed approximately 4,000 dams in New England during 2012 •
• •
Of the dams initially assessed, NEHC visited ~ approximately 450 dams, based on a series of metrics, including: • Power Potential • Constructability • Dam Integrity • Interconnection • Natural Resources • Historic and Cultural Status • RPS Programs, Net Metering Considerations Developed real-time inventory and ranking of all screened sites Proceeding on sites with greatest quantitative & qualitative potential
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
25
Examples of Existing Installations in the U.K. and Europe
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
26
Questions? Comments? Contact Information: Carol Wasserman Regulatory Affairs New England Hydropower Company, LLC [email protected]
New England Hydropower Company LLC www.nehydropower.com
27
