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Hydropower Projects Frequently-Asked Questions
What is pumped storage hydropower? What is the difference between traditional pumped storage and closed loop pumped storage hydropower?
Pumped storage hydropower projects generate electricity to meet peak demand by moving water between two water bodies at different elevations. During periods of low electricity demand, excess power is used to pump water into the higher water body. Subsequently, during periods of high electricity demand, water is released from the upper water body to the lower water body through turbines, generating electricity. Closed loop pumped storage projects (CLPS) are defined as pumped storage hydropower projects using two off-channel reservoirs that do not disrupt existing aquatic ecosystems.
What is Symbiotics?
Symbiotics is a Utah-based energy development company that combines the resources and expertise of Ecosystems Research Institute (ERI) and Northwest Power Services (NWPS). Both firms have over 30 years of experience in the fields of environmental consulting and hydroelectric development. Since 1975, they have provided consultation on over 250 environmentally sensitive projects, assisted in the licensing of 19 hydroelectric facilities, and currently operate four hydroelectric plants for third party owners. Dr. Vince Lamarra, CEO Dr. Vince Lamarra, Symbiotics' Chief Executive Officer, has a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota where he specialized in ecology, behavioral biology, limnology, and fisheries science. Prior to co-founding Symbiotics, he served as the director of the Ecosystem Research Institute, a company he founded in 1981, and has over 30 years of experience as a consulting scientist for energy projects throughout North America. In addition, he served for over 20 years as the principal scientist of the Bear Lake Preservation Project and was responsible for water quality monitoring, stream and riparian restoration projects, and watershed management consultation. Brent L. Smith, COO Brent Smith, Symbiotics' Chief Operations Officer, has over 30 years of hydroelectric development consultation and operation experience in the United States and Central America. Prior to co-founding Symbiotics he served as president of Northwest Power Services, Inc, where he was responsible for operation, maintenance and regulatory compliance for various hydroelectric projects throughout the United States. He also spent seven years as a project manager at Bingham Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah. His expertise includes project design, site evaluation, permitting, contract negotiations, construction, and low-impact certification. Robert A. Klein, CFO Symbiotics' Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Robert Klein, has a Ph.D. in economics from Rice University in Houston, Texas, in addition to a B.S. in chemical engineering. He is the former Group Energy Risk Director for Scottish Power and served as PacifiCorp's Senior Vice President of Commercial & Trading. Dr. Klein has 40 years of experience in the energy industry, including top leadership positions with Coral Energy (Vice President), Vector Associates (President), Continental Controls (COO), Wright Killen and Associates (Vice President), Vista Chemical Corporation (General Manager), and Shell Oil (Engineer). He has authored numerous papers and taught courses at Carnegie Mellon University, Rice University, and the University of Houston. Dr. Klein’s diverse background in electricity, finance, leadership, risk management, technology and economics adds significant value to Symbiotics.
Why is energy storage important for securing additional sources of renewable energy?
Fluctuating electricity demands strain our electrical grid, and maintaining grid stability is invaluable for the expansion of intermittent forms of renewable energy. If the wind drops suddenly or electricity demand spikes unexpectedly the system must have resources at its disposal that can be dispatched in order to avoid grid instability. This is commonly accomplished with traditional hydropower or natural gas fired simple cycle generation. Energy storage provides the same benefits, but without carbon emissions or environmental tradeoffs. The presidential administration has called for the construction of a “smart grid” that will allow distant sources of renewable energy (such as wind power in the mid-western states) to be connected to consumers in major metropolitan areas. Energy storage supports this goal in two important ways.
As of September 2007, twenty-six states have RPS policies as a matter of state law, which set dates by which a certain percentage of the state’s energy produced or purchased must come from renewable sources. While the intent of the RPS is good, the migration from non-renewable energy sources to renewable ones can be a challenge for our electrical infrastructure, utilities, and ultimately, consumers. CLPS can provide the necessary infrastructure to transform wind, solar, and geothermal resources from intermittent supplements to reliable sources of electricity.
How can the project be considered clean or non-carbon when it uses excess electric capacity?
In the case of Symbiotics’ projects in Utah, CLPS replaces needed on-peak energy that would otherwise be provided by additional carbon-based generation. Almost 90 percent of Utah's electricity comes from coal-fired power plants. Pumped storage projects eliminate the need to create new greenhouse gas-emitting sources of on-peak energy in the region. On-peak energy is electricity that is generated and sold during the high demand hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays. On-peak hours are when residential and commercial demands compete directly with industrial demand and utilities become short on generation capacity. By effectively and efficiently shifting current production to meet demand, these projects will help avoid the increase of regional power generation that relies on fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases. In addition, CLPS increases the value and growth potential of intermittent forms of renewable energy including wind, solar, and geothermal. By storing intermittent renewables during periods of transmission congestion and shaping it into more valuable time periods when there is electricity demand but limited supply (no wind or the sun is not shining), CLPS encourages the expansion of these zero emission forms of renewable electricity.
Why should the citizens of Utah support a new energy project that appears to have only some of the components of a new renewable project and relies partially on existing electricity from the grid, when the direction we want to head towards is one in which we depend more on actual renewable forms of energy?
How do we get from here to there? “Here” is almost 90 percent of Utah’s electricity coming from coal-fired powered plants, and “There” is a sustainable future with a heavy emphasis on a variety of forms of renewable energy. This future will need to be based on sound energy policy that balances reliability, environmental stewardship, and affordability to consumers. Currently most forms of renewable energy cannot fulfill Utah’s peak energy demands, or provide the appropriate balance of reliability, environmental stewardship, and affordability that Utah’s working families demand. Utah’s electricity is based on a legacy of coal mining and coal-fired power plants. In 2006, 90 percent of the electricity generated in Utah came from coal-fired power plants. Although coal provides an inexpensive and reliable source of power, it cannot efficiently meet daily fluctuations in power demands. Other sources of peaking power generation include hydropower and natural gas generation. As hydropower provides less than 2 percent of Utah’s electricity, Utahans have relied on new natural gas generation to meet growing peak demand. The contribution of natural gas has doubled between 2006 and 2007 and now provides 15 percent of Utah’s electricity. Utah’s reliance on coal has dropped correspondingly. Although peaking generation meets peak demand, energy storage can do so more efficiently by taking advantage of unused base load power. Pumped storage hydropower is the most widely used form of energy storage technology and can effectively store large quantities of power that can be quickly and reliably accessed when needed. Other forms of renewable energy, including both wind and solar, will be important components in Utah’s growing renewable energy portfolio. However, these types of renewable projects cannot reliably provide on-demand electricity in the manner that hydroelectric or carbon-based generation can. Looking to the future, the North Eden and Parker Knoll pumped storage projects will bridge the gap between reliable coal and the further development of sustainable renewable energy sources by providing a storage mechanism for intermittent solar or wind generation in Utah.
What other types of energy storage projects are there?
Other types of energy storage technology include flow batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries, and compressed air energy storage. However, pumped storage hydropower is the most tested, efficient, and least expensive form of energy storage.
Where can I find independent information about Utah’s need for additional peak energy?
The Utah Foundation, a nonprofit, non-advocacy research organization, recently published a report about the growing demand for peak energy along the Wasatch Front. You can download a copy of this report at: http://www.utahfoundation.org/pdf2/rr663summary.pdf
Where can I find independent information about the Pacific Northwest’s need for wind integration and energy storage?
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Northwest Wind Integration Action Plan outlines how local utilities, environmental organizations, and regulatory agencies are attempting to address issues associated with the growth of wind energy. You can download a copy of the report at: Additional information can be found in this document by Bonneville Power Administration:
What is the Pre-Application Document (PAD) or Stage One Document, and does the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) acceptance of the document authorize the construction of the project?
Acceptance of the PAD or stage one document does not authorize construction; FERC will issue a license to authorize construction. These documents identify potential resource issues associated with construction and operation of the proposed project. They serve as the proponent's highly detailed first step in providing information about the project in a comprehensive manner to the FERC, local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, and non-governmental organizations. FERC's acceptance of the PAD or first stage document initiates the licensing process, which takes a minimum of three years to complete. After a license is granted, additional time would be required for construction. The licensing process is designed to include input from the public, local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, and, non-governmental organizations as integral parties in the project's design and licensing. This multi-disciplinary approach aids the proponent in designing a final project that can be considered both an environmental and economic asset.
What will CLPS projects look like?
Symbiotics is committed to building projects that are as unobtrusive as possible. The majority of features between the upper and lower reservoirs are below grade.
What happens if there is a mudslide or rock slide? What happens if the dam breaks?
All new dams and hydropower facilities have to comply with federal and state dam safety requirements during all phases of construction and during project operation.
How will this project impact the economy of the local community?
County residents and the surrounding area stand to benefit greatly from this billion dollar construction project. The economic benefit from wages paid by subcontractors, sales tax on materials, direct commerce with local vendors, 60 permanent family wage jobs, and local property taxes generated from a single project will greatly augment the county's current budget and provide resources to accommodate ongoing growth in the area.
Will this project affect local irrigators?
No. This project will not jeopardize existing water rights. CLPS projects recycle water and consumption is limited to a small amount of evaporation from the reservoirs. Symbiotics will secure a water right to offset losses from evaporation and will not affect local water allocation.
Will the new reservoirs be open to the public?
No. Because the reservoirs will fluctuate in elevation on daily basis, public access will be limited due to safety concerns.
Will the public be able to tour the finished project, including the powerhouse and turbines?
Yes. Tours of the facility will be available to public.
How can I get involved in this Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)?
The ILP process provides opportunities for public input during every step of the process. Specific information on public participation can be found on the FERC website at: http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/get-involved.asp.
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