In a letter issued to Tidewater Associates on November 3, FERC has determined that tidal barrage projects do not qualify for a hydrokinetic pilot license but will have to obtain license as conventional hydropower.
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Traditionally, when we think of hydropower, we think of it in the context of a dam, a reservoir, and a powerhouse. However, because our nation is facing an ever-increasing demand for energy, we are witnessing many new technologies surface, such as solar and wind. One of these emerging technologies is tidal power – a way of harnessing ocean energy from the tides ebb and flow through bays, inlets, and rivers. Recently a slew of tidal power preliminary permits have been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in costal regions of the country. Tidal power technology can take many forms, but generally projects are damless and take the form of underwater rotating turbines. The idea of generating hydroelectricity from a technology that does not impound water and block miles of upstream fish habitat is exciting. However, tidal energy is a new technology and we have yet to fully understand its impacts. The Hydropower Reform Coalition will continue to monitor these projects to ensure that tidal hydropower projects are not rushed to development without a thorough understanding of their impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Related NewsTidal, Wave Hydrokinetic Projects on the move in the Pacific Northwest
By: Rich Bowers Tuesday February 26, 2008
Ocean and Wave Hydrokinetic Projects on the move in Northern California, Oregon and Washington  First Hydrokiinetic License Issued for Washington's Makah Bay Project
By: Rich Bowers Tuesday February 26, 2008
FERC issues first hydrokinetic license for the Makah Bay Offshore Wave Pilot Project (FERC No. 12751-000) located offshore of Waatch Point in Challam County, WA. Growth of Hydrokinetic ProjectsHydrokinetic technologies i.e. electricity generation from current, wave and tidal energy, are being increasingly talked about. Although the prospect may be huge, we do not know the potential impacts such project can have on the river ecosystem. Read the full article by Rich Bowers, the HRC NW coordinator on where this technology is going and how the government is dealing with it. FERC issues first hydrokinetic licenseFERC issued its first ever hydrokinetic license to the 1 MW Makah Bay Project in Washington state on Dec 20. FERC receives first license application for tidal hydrokinetic project
By: John Seebach Tuesday November 21, 2006
AquaEnergy Group filed a license application with FERC for its proposed Makah Bay tidal hydrokinetic project (P-12751). While FERC has already issued several preliminary permits for tidal hydrokinetic projects, this will be the first licensing of a tidal project. FERC Allows Unlicensed Testing of New TechnologyIn an April 14, 2005 order, FERC permitted Verdant Power to test its new "damless" hydropower technology without a license on Roosevelt Island in the East River in New York City. At the end of an 18-month test period, Verdant must return to FERC and seek a new license in order to continue operating. |
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