Up Next: Micro Hydropower Dams

photo credit: Adrian Hoffmann

In the Pacific Northwest, hydropowered electricity is nothing new.  A number of major dams are situated along the Columbia River, providing a cleaner source of energy than coal-fired plants.  Hydroelectric power represents about 7% of the nation’s total electricity, and 71% of all renewable energy sources.

Still, the hydroelectric power must be transported hundreds of miles over transmission lines to reach the end consumer.

Not for long, if more utilities follow the lead of the Snohomish County Public Utility District.  In a first of its kind, micro hydropower dams can provide distributed generation electricity to meet close, local demands.

In 2008, the PUD purchased a micro hydropower dam, a mere 6 feet long and 35 feet wide, which now provides renewable energy to hundreds of homes in the Monroe, Washington area.  That project was such a success, that the utility has announced plans to construct as many as ten additional micro hydropower dams over the next decade in smaller streams and creeks.  Up next, the citizens of Sultan may be enjoying hydroelectric power from a small dam to be constructed by Snohomish County PUD.

Here’s an example of a micro hydroelectric generator in the U.K.:

Micro Hydro Power, image courtesy of jhoc on Flickr.com

In response to the expected criticism that dams are harmful to fish or water quality, the proposed hydroelectric generators must go through stringent state and federal environmental review, including licensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  The PUD states that there is little to no adverse effect on wildlife or habitat, except in the positive sense that green energy resources are utilized for electricity generation, instead of CO2 emitters:

Steve Klein, Public Utility District GM, states, “This region is blessed with natural resources: streams and creeks as well as tides and volcanic activity. It only makes sense to tap into them for energy.” Klein expresses,” The tides go on forever, the streams flow forever and the heat of the earth is virtually limitless.”

Of course, there are concerns about impact to fish migration, which can be offset with ladders and fishways.  Any potential adverse environmental impact that are proven will have to be mitigated before the project will be approved.  As with any proposed renewable energy project, a cost-benefit analysis of the big picture – including the accelerated rate of global climate change and the resulting impacts of continuing to use a large percentage of coal-based electricity – must be considered.

While most of the hydroelectric power in the U.S. is generated in Washington, Oregon, California and Montana, you do not need giant, powerful rivers to turn turbines.  Mini hydroelectric power plants can be constructed along smaller creeks and rivers in just about any area where waters regularly flow.  By one estimate, we’ve tapped into less than 1/3 of the economically feasible potential for hydroelectric power in our country.

Could you make a difference by encouraging your local utility to explore the potential of micro hydropower dams?  This is an excellent idea for our upcoming Build Baby Build Week, May 31-June 6.

Why not gather a group of people to help support the effort to bring mini hydropower dams to your region?

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