This 101 talk on how regional electric grids and markets work, and how hydro fits in to the electricity landscape, will help river advocates engage in discussions about project economics in a meaningful way during relicensing, and begin to think about coming issues for hydropower in the continuing energy transition.
The Hydropower Reform Coalition is committed to fighting climate change, and to doing so in a way that prioritizes and increases the resilience of ecosystems and local communities. Hydropower has a place in a 100% clean energy economy, but that place must be carefully determined to both ensure that hydropower assets accelerate climate change mitigation and to minimize the worst impacts from this energy source.Â
This report by Lee Emery, Fishery Biologist for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is the result of an analysis conducted of all dam removals and dam removal proposals for FERC-licensed projects. The report focuses on a case study of the Sturgeon River Project (P-2471), which has been removed since this study was written.
FERC conducts economic analysis for projects using the methodology required by the 1995 Mead decision, which prevents forecasting energy prices. While this made sense at the time, climate change and renewable energy sources make this approach outdated.