Overview
Hydropower is becoming increasingly important in the global energy transition, and with new considerations such as the Inflation Reduction Act it’s crucial for all in the industry to attend this one-day course—whether as a review or as an introduction to hydro and its incentives.
This program will cover:
- Types of hydro projects and characteristics
- Dams, turbines, and generators
- US, Canada, and international hydropower
- Regulatory and cost considerations
- Hydro in electricity markets
- Hydro’s role in the energy transition
Hydropower 101 is designed not just for water personnel, but for engineers, environmental consultants, federal and state employees, and anyone else who is curious about this realm of the industry. Stories, current challenges, and open discussions are encouraged throughout the program.
Learning Outcomes
- Review the definition of waterpower and discuss hydropower project types and characteristics
- Study turbines and generators and how all of their components work together
- Examine international hydropower and how it’s contributing to global renewable energy
- Determine hydropower costs, including calculations, limitations, and the differentiators between hydro vs. other electric power sources
- Consider the regulatory aspects, such as who regulates hydro and builds the projects, FERC and State roles, major issues and mitigation, and sustainability
- Discuss Infrastructure & Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act incentives and how they impact the global energy transition
Agenda
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time
Introduction
- Waterpower: A Simple Definition
- A Very Old Technology
- Anatomy of a Hydropower Project
- Hydropower Project Types & Definitions
Kinds of Hydro Projects & Characteristics
- Run of River Projects
- Peaking with Reservoir Storage
- Pumped Storage Hydro: Open and Closed
Dams
- Types
- Safety
Turbines and Generators
- Types of Turbines
- Generators
- Electric Transmission
- How it All Works
International Hydropower
- Hydro’s Contribution to Global Renewable Energy
- Who’s Building Large and Small Hydro and What Kinds
- Electrification in the Developing Work
US & Canadian Hydropower
- Hydropower: Leading States and Provinces
- Installed Capacity and Ownership of Project
Hydropower Costs
- Power Calculations, Costs, and Limitations
- Cost of Hydro vs. Other Electric Power Sources
Regulatory
- FERC: A Brief Introduction
- Who Regulates Hydro and Who Builds the Projects
- FERC and State Roles in Hydropower Regulation and Licensing
- Major Hydropower Issues and Mitigation
- Making Hydropower Sustainable Through Relicensing
Value of Hydro in Changing Electricity Markets
- Restructured Electricity Markets and Regulated Electric Utility Markets
- Revenue Streams for Hydropower Project
- Closed-Loop and Open-Loop Pumped Storage Projects
- Green Power, Renewable Energy Certificates, and Low Impact Hydropower
- Hydropower and Green Hydrogen Production
Hydropower’s Role in the Global Energy Transition
- Infrastructure & Jobs Act Incentives
- Inflation Reduction Act Incentives
- Pending Hydropower Projects and Projects Being Studied at FERC
- FERC National Environmental Policy Act Reviews
Instructor
Tom Russo, Principal, Russo on Energy, LLC
Tom Russo is an Energy and Environmental expert with unique FERC regulatory skills in siting hydropower, natural gas and liquefied natural gas infrastructure, and NEPA environmental impact assessment, as well as in how energy markets, prices, and physical/cybersecurity affect infrastructure investments.
Prior to founding Russo on Energy LLC in May 2015, Mr. Russo worked for over 30 years as a Manager and Sr. Energy Industry Analyst at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). During that time, he amassed experience in hydropower licensing, NEPA environmental impact assessment of energy projects, business process reengineering, and natural gas and crude oil market oversight. He is very active in hydropower and natural gas matters and writes an Energy and Environmental column for the Natural Gas and Electricity Journal.
Mr. Russo is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He earned a credential as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) in 2010. He also graduated with an MBA in Finance from George Washington University and an MS in Biology from the University of Alabama.