Hydro Green Energy’s Dam+™ Technology
The United States has nearly 80,000 dams that are used for a variety of purposes. Less than three percent of these dams produce hydroelectric power. Hundreds, if not thousands, of these “non-hydro” or “non-powered” dams are primed to be utilized for the development of new, low-impact, clean, renewable hydropower.
The enormous growth potential for hydropower (low-head hydro) is well understood and documented by the U.S. Department of Energy and others.
In 2004, a DOE study of undeveloped hydropower potential found 165,000 MW of new hydropower potential, with approximately 50,000 MW of it being low-head/high power hydro and 21,000 MW of low-head/low power capacity (Water Energy Resources of the United States with Emphasis on Low Head/Low Power Resources, DOE, April 2004). Other more recent studies have found similar potential.
At non-powered dams with head of less than 30 feet, HGE deploys a “plug-and-play” modular hydropower system that minimizes the civil work and the time consuming, costly and environmentally disruptive installation process of conventional hydropower. At non-powered dams, Hydro Green Energy will install adjacent to the dam or just downstream from dam a patented hydropower technology designed and developed by the company.
The foundation of HGE’s technology, which is known as “Dam+™,” was successfully demonstrated at HGE’s hydrokinetic power project in Hastings, MN (FERC P-4306). With its unique approach to hydropower project development and the use of its Modular Bulb Turbine (MBT), Hydro Green will unlock scores of low-head hydropower sites that have been uneconomic to develop over the past several decades.
Due to Hydro Green Energy’s ability to license and manufacture in parallel, projects could be brought on-line in approximately 18 months. And, while not needed to ensure profitability, its low-impact hydropower projects are eligible for a variety of state and federal renewable energy incentives, increasing their attractiveness. Hydro Green Energy is presently developing 28 hydropower projects in 14 states. The company’s project pipeline will initially result in the development of nearly 300 MW of clean, renewable energy.
Additional highlights of HGE’s low-head hydropower technology are below.
- Based on over 130 years of hydropower production in the United States.
- Based on methods and designs commonly used for fabrication and installation of modular offshore oil, gas and LNG systems.
- Independent third party engineering validations of technology and development approach.
- System is comprised almost entirely of components that are “off-the-shelf,” dramatically reducing product development, costs and operational uncertainty.
- Power generating system is modular in nature, which simplifies installation and maintenance.
- No hydraulic lubrication in the design.
- Use of debris screens to greatly minimize and interactions with project.
- No interference with existing operations of existing dams.
- Vast majority of installation is “work in the wet.”
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