Company History
The international oil crisis of the 1970s sent our nation into a conscious re-evaluation of our country's energy resources. Specific focus was upon renewable resources for electrical generation and incentives were offered to encourage the industry to pursue development of renewable energy. During the late 1970s and early 1980s hydropower projects under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdiction increased dramatically. The vast majority of these comprised development at existing dams. Of the 75,187 existing dams in the United States, less than three percent are used for hydroelectric generation. Retrofitting existing dams provides increased capacity with minimal environmental effects. Hydroelectric projects can enhance wetlands and support healthy fisheries. In addition, wildlife preserves can be created around reservoirs, which in some cases provide stable habitats for endangered or threatened species.
Hydroelectric power supplies 7 percent of the total electrical energy output of the United States, and 75 percent of actual renewable resource generation. During the late 1970s and early 1980s hydroelectric power sources were eagerly pursued because, as a renewable resource, no other possessed the efficiency, potential or environmental compatibility without building new dams. However, without the incentives provided at the outset, most projects, although technically feasible, were deemed economically unfeasible, as electrical energy from other sources was available at only $20/MWhr.
Electrical energy costs are currently over $45/MWhr and have exceeded $300/MWhr on the spot market during the summer of 2001. Although the price of power appears to have stabilized, the consensus is that additional electrical energy is required to not only keep pace with present demands, but mandatory for future growth.
The current power crisis dictates the need to develop all potential sources of energy including fossil fuels, solar and wind, so long as they are in harmony with the environment. Hydroelectric power development has gained much over the past several decades and modern plants can and do live in concert with the environment.
Symbiotics LLC (Symbiotics) was founded under the principle that there are existing hydroelectric facilities and sites that can be retrofitted to produce a significant amount of electrical energy at prices competitive with alternate sources.
Symbiotics is a joint venture between Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services. The principals involved in this relationship bring over 20 years experience in selecting, permitting, construction and operation of hydroelectric facilities throughout the western United States.
Symbiotics has completed FERC permit applications for a large number of projects that have been evaluated in a pre-feasibility study and are considered to be economically feasible for development.