According to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the city of Hastings, Minnesota will soon rely on patented technology from Hydro Green Energy to generate clean, emissions-free hydrokinetic power from the Mississippi River.
Hydrokinetic power refers to the generation of electricity from moving water without impoundments or diversionary structures that are typically used at conventional hydropower facilities. Hydro Green Energy’s technology operates in open rivers, tidal areas and oceans. This marks the first time that FERC has approved the installation of a hydrokinetic device at an existing project, where it will generate power into the nation’s electricity grid, claims the company.
FERC said that, the licensee for the existing project, the City of Hastings, plans to install two 35-kilowatt hydrokinetic units suspended below a floating barge in the tailrace of the dam. The hydrokinetic units would have an average annual generation of 364 megawatt-hours.
Wayne Krouse, chairman and CEO of Hydro Green Energy, said: “Hydro Green Energy applauds all of the commissioners for their commitment to ensuring that the US enjoys a cleaner energy.”
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. It also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects.
