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Why is Hydro is Hot Again?

Why is Hydro is Hot Again?. Panelists: Dave Carlson Southeast Alaska Power Agency Jim Holeman The Louis Berger Group Erik Steimle Symbiotics /Riverbank Ken Dragoon PNW Power & Conservation Council Mark Jones BPA Moderator Michael Manwaring HDR|DTA Heidi Wahto Hatch.

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Why is Hydro is Hot Again?

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  1. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Panelists: • Dave Carlson Southeast Alaska Power AgencyJim Holeman The Louis Berger Group • Erik Steimle Symbiotics/Riverbank • Ken Dragoon PNW Power & Conservation Council • Mark Jones BPA • Moderator • Michael Manwaring HDR|DTA • Heidi Wahto Hatch

  2. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #1 • What are the current energy dynamics in Alaska that are making hydro look attractive for people to invest it? What are the major impediments that hydro development is facing in the different areas of Alaska (Railbelt, Southeast, Bush)? Follow up: Is this similar to other areas of the PNW and across the United States?

  3. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #2 • With gas prices rising again, President Obama asking for a Clean Energy Standard, talk of a national RPS, the need for energy storage, and new nuclear developments, what does the future look like regarding energy in the western United States?

  4. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #3 • How will/has the Pacific Northwest Protected Areas policy help benefit the environment in the PNW and what will the impact be on future hydropower development?

  5. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #4 • How does the lack of suitable transmission infrastructure impact hydro development? Follow up: What projects are being developed to alleviate these issues?

  6. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #5 • What has been the effect of state renewable portfolio standard policies on hydro development in the Pacific Northwest? Follow up: How have the Pacific Northwest states (WA, OR, ID & MT) fared at developing hydropower compared to the rest of the country?

  7. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #6 • Is new pumped storage needed in the PNW and why (renewable integration, energy arbitrage, etc.)? • Follow up: What is the likelihood of a large capital project actually getting built?

  8. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #7 • With the potential for the Susitna Project to be developed, what will the impact be to the hydropower and hydrokinetic industry in the Railbelt and other areas of Alaska?

  9. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #8 • Should all hydropower count as renewable? If not, should there be future limits on how big other renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, or geothermal) could get before it is no longer considered renewable? • A wind turbine the size of the Eifel Tower? (8 MW towers are not far away) • A solar project that covers Rhode Island? • A geothermal project that alters the frequency of Old Faithful?

  10. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #9 • If you were Energy Czar for a day, what one thing would you most try to accomplish to help with our nation’s energy policy and how would that change if you were both the Energy Czar and Climate Czar?

  11. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? • Question #10 • FERC has recently instituted several measures, including a new website, templates and webinars, to help small hydro developers get licenses. A major assumption of the new templates to facilitate the licensing of small hydro projects is that compliance with other federal laws including Clean Water Act, ESA, and section 106, can be accomplished pre-filing. • Is that a realistic assumption, especially where NMFS or the USFWS might have jurisdiction?  • Follow up: What should the role of states to help facilitate this?

  12. Why is Hydro is Hot Again? Additional Questions With the recently enacted MOUs between FERC and federal agencies for retrofitting existing dams with generating facilities, there has been a significant increase in project activity (studies, licensing, etc), but will these projects be economically feasible in the long run to construct and operate?

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