Hydrokinetic Power Project

You've heard about 'green-power" - but have you ever heard about hydrokinetic generation? Well, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has just approved the installation of the nation's first ever, commercially-operational hydrokinetic power station. It's a way to re-use water power, and a way to get water power from previously untapped sources.

The landmark development by a Texas firm will be rolled out for the city of Hastings, MN. The plant will generate clean, emissions- Hydrokinetic power refers to the generation of electricity from moving water - without impoundments or diversionary structures that are typically used at conventional hydropower facilities. The technology operates in open rivers, tidal areas and oceans. Its the first surface-suspended system in the industry, and can be used downstream from existing hydropower facilities. This allows for new, environmentally- friendly power generation within existing projects.

The City of Hastings is installing such a project at its 4.4 megawatt run-of-river hydropower plant on the Army Corps of Engineers' Lock & Dam No. 2. The power generated by the two hydrokinetic units, which each hold a capacity of 100 kW, will be placed on the electric power grid through Hastings' existing electrical infrastructure. The Corps approved the project on November 18. One turbine will be installed in December and one in April 2009. Once the project is operational, extensive water quality, fish survival and avian studies will be performed by Hydro Green Energy. All tests point to no water quality and possibly no fish mortality and comprehensive study results will be made public as swiftly as possible, another first in the industry.

The Hastings Project has resulted in 61 green jobs in seven states over the past two years. The Hastings Project sits in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system. Located approximately 20 miles south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the City of Hastings was founded in 1857. It has long relied on its rivers for commerce and prosperity.