hydrokinetic energy for municipalities & public works joseph sweet connecticut center for...
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Hydrokinetic Energy for Municipalities & Public Works
Joseph SweetConnecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
University of Connecticut
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Technology
• Generate renewable energy from either low flow or high flow environments
• Low-impact: does not require damming, pressurizing or diversion
• Can withstand harsh environments
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Key Benefits
• Reliable, renewable energy at a low fixed cost
• Reduced harm to the environment• Energy diversification
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Comparative Benefits to Other Renewables
• Less NIMBY concerns – out of sight, low impact
• Higher reliability – 80 to 95% uptime• Integrates with existing infrastructure• No harm to environment or wildlife
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Comparative Benefits to Other Renewables
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Type Size Efficiency Cost AvailabilityHydrokinetic 4 Ft D 40% 10,000 80%Wind Turbine 23.3 Ft D 25% 26,000 20%Solar 750 Sq. Ft. 10-15% 10,000 20-50%
System requirements to generate 10kW
10kW provides annual energy needs for 8 – 10 US homes
Unit Perspective
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Diameter Unit Length Flow Velocity Availability Output3 ft 12 ft 7 to 8 fps 80% 45 to 57kW4 ft 12 ft 7 to 8 fps 80% 89 to 113kW5 ft 12 ft 7 to 8 fps 80% 153 to 191kW
10kW provides annual energy needs for 8 – 10 US homes
Utilizable Resources
• Pre-existing dams• Waste water treatment plants• Man-made conduits and water
diversion systems
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Statistical SummaryInterest Level
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Facility Type Consideration of
RenewablesHas Adopted Renewables
Wastewater Treatment 66% 22%
Aqueducts 93% 3%
Irrigation 87% 16%
Dams 84% 13%
Statistical SummaryConsiderations
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Primary Considerations of Public Works
% of Respondents
Cost 89%
Ease of Integration 84%
Statistical SummaryDeveloper Considerations
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Primary considerations for developers
Public Resource Facilities
Higher payback period Greater than 5 years
Regulatory ease Least restrictive
Installation Difficulty Pre-existing infrastructure
Political Shift
• Cap & Trade is considered dead• Renewable energy and green jobs is
still a concern• Republicans tend to be more hydro
friendly
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Political Shift
• Hydropower Improvement Act Increase capacity by up to 75,000 MW FERC Streamlining Increased financial incentives
• Hydropower Renewable Energy Development Act
Production Tax Credits (PTC) Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs)
• Small Scale Hydropower Development Act Outright full exemption if below 1.5 MW
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Project Financing
• Upfront purchase is typically $50k/unit• $0.07 to $0.09 per kWh PPA• Leasing + Royalty ($0.02/kWh + upfront
cost)• Government subsidies and grants (50%
on average) (http://www.dsireusa.org/)
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Financial Benefits
• Low fixed priced energy• Renewable Energy Credits• Potential revenue source
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Key Players
• eGen of CT (www.egenhydro.com)• Rentricity of NY (www.rentricity.com)• Hydrovolts of WA
(www.hydrovolts.com)
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Demo
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Thank You
Questions & Answers
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