The four projects will have a total capacity of 100MW and have the firm’s hydrokinetic technology, combined with traditional hydro, installed at US Army Corps of Engineers’ dam – the Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada and Sardis. The permits give exclusive rights for hydro development at the dams for three years.
In a statement, the company said that the move would enable the state to take a lead in the development of hydrokinetic energy technologies. The systems do not rely on impoundment or conduits, Hydro Green Energy added. The first patent for the technology was awarded in 2005, and additional patents are pending, it said.
While the system can be deployed at existing hydro facilities, the company is pursuing approvals for 11 projects in the US and internationally, both river and ocean-based.
