Waterpower Intelligence Theater – Sponsored Content

Presentations are:
Examining Why the Small Hydro Potential in the U.S. at Existing Civil Infrastructure Has Not Been Completely Realized and What Can Be Done About It, presented by Roger Hutton, New England Hydropower Company LLC

Details about each presentation and the speakers are below:

Examining Why the Small Hydro Potential in the U.S. at Existing Civil Infrastructure Has Not Been Completely Realized and What Can Be Done About It, presented by Roger Hutton, New England Hydropower Company LLC
There have been many a learned paper over the past 20 years highlighting the power generation potential at the many thousands of unpowered smaller dams across the USA and the many gigawatts that this represented as an opportunity for hydropower developers. That potential remains undelivered despite many valiant efforts and attempts.
This presentation on the 'great undelivered promise of hydropower' looks at the reasons behind the non-delivery and presents some ideas on how the dammed up potential can be released. It focuses on the role of legislation in this issue and looks at how other countries --such as the United Kingdom have found a way to enable rapid development of an accepted source of available electrical power.
Topics to be covered:
• The potential that could be released if a simpler way to permit and develop sub 2-Megawatt hydropower sites can be found.
• The impediments to doing that. Existing legislation and the moves being made to change that. The reasons why initiatives to date have failed.
• Case histories of the delays and cost of property disputes, resistance from grid operators, and a universal desire to not be responsible for dams. Impact of inter agency delays and the long timelines for responses.
• The UK approach: why it worked, and can it be replicated here?
• What is needed? Can it be done and the actions required.

Presenters

Randy Bowersox

Session Leader

Vice President; Director of Operations – Water, Energy, & Environment; Hydropower Market Executive at Gannett Fleming

Roger Hutton

Speaker

Chief Engineer at New England Hydropower Company LLC