Policies and Strategies to Optimize Generation and Environmental Benefits from New Hydropower Development in the U.S.

The purpose of this project was to analyze the technical and economic potential for new hydropower development in North America, to identify what barriers to new development exist and how they can be overcome, and to determine the best strategy, given current and projected costs, for Free Flow Power to pursue. The line of inquiry has been to review the technical and policy literature, begin to compile and process technical, financial, and permitting data from government websites, and begin contacting hydropower companies to compare benchmark cost estimates. 

The Capstone team concluded that:

• Hydropower generation on non-powered dams (NPDs) presents the greatest opportunity for development
• Regionally, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys provide the best resource potential
• Partnering with municipalities streamlines the regulatory process and facilitates access to capital
• NPDs become competitive with combined cycle gas (CCGT) at $5.17 gas. With the PTC, these facilities become competitive at $2.70 gas
• With low gas prices and PTC extension uncertainty, it is prudent to focus on consulting and other fee-based activities and limit development to targeted projects