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» Definitions
» Applications
» Benefits
» Technology Comparison
» Environmental
» Resource Assessments
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In-Stream Hydrokinetic and Ocean
Energy Benefits
Waterpower is the lowest cost renewable energy source. In-stream
river and ocean current energy projects have the highest capacity
factor of all renewables, meaning that they operate in baseload,
continuous fashion, which is important for electric grid reliability
and better helps the U.S. meet its growing demand for new power.
Some benefits of Hydro Green Energy’s in-stream river and ocean
current projects include:
• In-stream river and ocean current Capacity Factor can be above
98%, whereas wind energy’s Capacity Factor is roughly 25% and
the Capacity Factor for solar power is often less than 40%
• Increased generation at existing off-shore wind farms with deployment
of ocean current power projects
• There are an abundance of river, tidal and ocean locations in
North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Oceania
waiting to be developed
• In most locations, demand centers and transmission and distribution
infrastructure exist within less than 10 miles of the resource
• Current-based hydrokinetic energy is predictable, dependable
and forecastable
• River and ocean hydrokinetic power projects are environmentally
and marine life friendly
• There is minimal visual impact, zero emissions, no noise and
no fuel use
• Scalability only limited to resource quality: in-stream river
and ocean energy are highly and scalable, which greatly reduces
project costs
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