Hydropower Resource Assessment at Existing Reclamation Facilities

Chapter 1Introductionfinancial incentives. Most programs focus on solar, wind, and geothermal powersources. Incentive programs vary by state, but provide a financial mechanism tomake hydropower development more economical.1.1.1 Federal Memorandum of Understanding for HydropowerOn March 24, 2010, an MOU for Hydropower was signed between theDepartment of the Interior (DOI), the Department of Energy (DOE), and theDepartment of Army (DOA) that represents a new approach to hydropowerdevelopment – a strategy that can increase the production of clean, renewablepower while avoiding or reducing environmental impacts and enhancing theviability of ecosystems. By signing the MOU, the Federal agencies agree tofocus on increasing energy generation at Federally-owned facilities and exploreopportunities for new development of low-impact hydropower. The MOU aimsto increase communication among Federal agencies and strengthen the longtermrelationship among them to prioritize the generation and development ofsustainable hydropower.Objectives of the MOU include:Identify specific Federal facilities that are well-suited as sites forsustainable hydropower;Upgrade facilities and demonstrate new technologies at existinghydropower locations;Coordinate research and development on advanced hydropowertechnologies;Increase hydropower generation through low-impact andenvironmentally sustainable approaches;Integrate policies at the Federal level; andCollaborate to identify total incremental hydropower resources atfederal facilities.1.1.2 Section 1834 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005Section 1834 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Section 1834) required the DOI,DOA, and DOE to “jointly conduct a study assessing the potential for increasingelectric power production at federally owned or operated water regulation,storage, and conveyance facilities.” The agencies completed the study entitled“Potential Hydroelectric Development at Existing Federal Facilities” (1834Study) in May 2007. The 1834 Study inventoried sites that have potential, withor without modification, of producing additional hydroelectric power for publicconsumption. The initial sites for the DOI included 530 sites at Reclamationfacilities and 123 sites at Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities. The 1834 Study1-2 – March 2011