NHA Files FERC Comments in Support of an Accurate Treatment of Hydro in the Capacity Market
On Friday, NHA filed comments at FERC in PJM’s Effective Load Carrying Capability (ELCC) proceeding. As the share of renewables and limited duration resources continue to grow, PJM stakeholders developed an ELCC proposal that more accurately counts the contribution to reliability of resources like wind, solar, batteries and run of river hydropower.
Each class of these resources receives a “class-wide” ELCC which is essentially a determination of how many megawatts they can sell in capacity auctions. While a class wide calculation makes sense for resources like solar, wind and batteries that share common technological and operational attributes, this approach, if applied to hydropower, would not accurately reflect capacity because every run of river hydropower facility has very distinct operating characteristics. These include the size of the reservoir, license restrictions, variations of in-flow, and maximum storage capability.
NHA and its members argued for PJM to tailor its treatment of hydropower through a resource-specific ELCC calculation for each facility in the RTO. This approach will lead to a more accurate reflection of each plant’s unique capacity capability. NHA’s comments support this approach. The comments also ask PJM to clarify how its ELCC for hydropower would apply to facilities that add another component (like solar or lithium batteries) as the filing does not appear to address this situation.
IN THE KNOW…
Klamath Dam: Historic Deal Revives Plan for Largest US Dam Demolition
Last week, a new agreement was reached that will pave the way for the largest dam demolition in U.S. history. If approved by FERC, the deal would revive plans to remove four hydropower dams on the lower Klamath River.
FERC Affirms PURPA Final Rule, Maintains Exemption for Hydropower
Last week, FERC affirmed the PURPA Final Rule, despite rehearing requests from a handful of trade associations. In response to NHA’s comments, FERC outlined several different circumstances under which small hydropower could receive an exemption from aspects of the Final Rule, including if the facility is run-of-river or located at a non-powered dam.
The PURPA Final Rule grants states broader flexibility to determine rates for qualifying facilities, including small hydropower. To date, no state has initiated proceedings to adopt this new flexibility. NHA will continue to monitor PURPA regulations at FERC and the states. If you are interested in receiving email alerts regarding PURPA, please contact NHA staff.
WHAT WE’RE BROWSING
- Utility Dive: Why Capital Markets are Continuing to Finance Utilities Facing Rising Flood and Other Climate Change Impacts
- Detroit Free Press: Lakefront Owners Group Takes Failed Midland Dams from Controversial Owner in Settlement
- Tech Crunch: Biden’s infrastructure plans could boost startups
- Gloucester Daily Times: Hydropower Project Faces New Challenge
NHA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Has your company made the news lately? Please alert us so we can share with other NHA member companies. Send your information to Marla Barnes, our senior director of industry collaboration at marla@hydro.org or text to: 816-588-4639
MEMBER UPDATES
Upcoming NHA Committee & Council Conference Calls and Webinars
- Pumped Storage Committee: Thursday, December 10th at 2:00 PM ET
NEW RESOURCE: CISA Releases Insider Threat Mitigation Guide
CISA has released a new resource titled, Insider Threat Mitigation Guide. The Guide brings together planning and preparedness resources from federal and private sector experts into one convenient and easy to navigate format that organizations can use to prepare for and respond to an insider threat with the highest level of success.
The comprehensive information CISA provided in this Guide provides organizations with guidance to help them develop an insider threat mitigation program, scaled for their organizational size and maturity.
REGISTER NOW: NHA’s California Regional Meeting
Don’t miss NHA’s 2020 California Regional Virtual Meeting Dec 15-16, featuring California ISO CEO and President, Elliot Mainzer, as the Opening Keynote Speaker.
Marine Energy Collegiate Competition: Is Your Alma Mater On the List?
Teams from the following colleges have been selected to participate in the 2021 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition. Competitors will create a market research-supported business plan for a next-generation marine energy technology. They’ll also have the opportunity to design, develop, and test their proposed devices. Innovators will work on cutting-edge concepts to support resilient coastal communities or provide power at sea.
- Boise State University
- Institute of Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico, partnering with Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Autonomous University of Baja California, University of Caribe, National Polytechnic Institute, Autonomous University of Mexico State and Faculty of Accounting and Administration
- Manhattan College
- New Mexico State University
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, partnering with University of North Carolina Wilmington – Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Oregon State University
- Purdue University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Riverside
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, partnering with St. Bonaventure University
- University of North Florida
- University of Plymouth
- University of Washington
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia Tech Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems, partnering with University of California, Los Angeles
The contest is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on behalf of DOE’s Waterpower Technologies Office.
Pilot Program: Opportunity for Asset Owners Looking to Increase Plant Efficiency
NuSTREEM announced it is inviting project owners to participate in a pilot. The pilot program involves installing NuTECH controllers in hydro projects and sharing of operational data. The new controller houses an efficiency-enhancing control algorithm, with the objective of significantly optimizing turbine performance without any change in conditions.
For more details about participating in the pilot, contact: Emily Robertson at NuSTREEM, 203-512-2601; emily.robertson@nustreem.com.
STAY UP-TO-DATE
Dates to Remember
December 4: Applications due for ORISE MHK Grad Fellowship
December 15-16: California Regional Virtual Meeting: Register Here
January 31: Applications due for Groundbreaking Hydro Prize: Learn More
Clean Currents 2021, A New Current Will Flow
With an eye towards 2021, and confidence in the nation’s ability to address COVID-19, NHA recently announced the creation of Clean Currents 2021, a new industry-led tradeshow and conference that will bring all waterpower technologies together – conventional hydropower, pumped storage, small hydro, and marine energy.
Clean Currents 2021, which will be held October 20-22 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, marks the evolution and growth of the waterpower industry.
GOING VIRTUAL: Waterpower Week & ICOE 2021
Waterpower Week is the chief platform for industry advancement and learning, while ensuring waterpower’s message is being heard within the Beltway.
ICOE 2021 is designed to showcase breakthroughs in ocean energy technology research and development, prepare ocean renewable energy to benefit the larger “Blue Economy” and the electrical grid, and identify research needed to further advance the state of the technology.
Due to concerns around COVID-19 regarding travel, NHA has made the decision to bring Waterpower Week 2021 and the International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) 2021 to a virtual platform. The events will continue to be held on April 28 – 30, 2021.
