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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