Hydro Flashcards
What are the types of hydropower? (2)
(1) Pumped hydro - pump water into higher elevation reservoir with cheaper energy when demand is low; release water to create higher-cost electricty when demand is high
- Purpose: peak shave
- best & largest battery available by saving upto 70% of energy put in (economic efficiency only) with 23GW capacity (= 23k MW)
(2) Conduit hydropower - use existing water ways (canals tunnels)
- 4.5 MW capacity
Scope of hydro (2)
- PNW > CA > NY
- In the era of dam decommissioning
What are the benefits of hydropower? (5)
- “OG” renewable power - zero GHG emissions
- Load-following: follows demand with quick ramp up/down
- Peaking Power: can generate maximum electricity at the moment of peak demand
- Regulation: ability modulate the frequency
- Black start: instantaneous power production
What are the downsides of hydro? (5)
- Kills fishes & wildlife
- Inundates land behind dam (displaces people & destroys historic sites)
- Significant downstream risks to pople if dam bursts
60% of dams likely need maintenence and/or close to failure - Vulnerable to climate change (variation in rain patterns)
- Needs transmission lines bc dam is far from major demand hubs
What is pumped hydro and how is it relevant to big themes in our class?
Pumped hydro generates electricity to peak shave when demand is high. Though only 30% of the input power is lost this way, it is more economically efficient.
What is the biggest difference between federal and non-federal dams?
- Federal Dams - managed by Bureau of Reclamation & Army Corp of Engineers. Free from federal licensing processes bc authorized by specific legislation.
- Still subject to NEPA & ESA!
- Non-federal Dams - follows the hydropower licensing process under FPA (FERC)
Are the federal dams still subject to NEPA and ESA?
???
- Yes, NEPA is a report writing requirement
- ESA prevents agency actions that may jeapardize endangered species, even if Congress has appropriated $ to the dam. In the Salmon Wars, even re-licensing a pre-existing dam is constrained by the ESA (TVA. Hill)
What is the salmon war and how did we get here? (5)
- 8 dams along the Columbia & Snake River Basin destroyed salmon runs that only 4% of spawning salmons returned to Idaho
- Orcas and pacific gray whales were washing up ashore because they depend on the salmon
- Govt attempts to mitigate - fish ladders & seal bombs - not enough
- Judge overseeing litigation hesitant to order an injunction under ESA, so litigation continues
- Current solution - use hydro revenues to trap & haul fish around dams (while river is used to transport other goods?) - hydro is politically viable still in PNW (clean)
What are the key hydropower provisions in the FPA? (3)
4(e): FERC shall give “equal consideration” to conservation, protection of fish & wildlife, recreational opportunities
10(a): project adopted shall be “best adapted to comprehensive plan for improving or developing waterway, and for other beneficial uses
10(j): State and federal agencies can impose license requirements; if FERC wants to reject, must explain in writing.
What is the hydro licensing process under the Federal Power Act? (5)
FERC issues
1. Preliminary permits - applicants can collect data, prepare maps, and plan for license applications
2. License - actual construction and operationf hydroelectric facilities (50 yr)
3. Re-license - for another 30-50 yrs
4. Decommission or accept surrender of licenses
- Surrender - due to increased costs, technical infeasability, new env’l conditions
5. Permits are subject to CWA sec. 401 & NEPA & ESA
Explain the Section 401 certification process in the context of hydropower licensing, and discuss why it enhances the states’ role in that context. (5)
- CWA sec. 401(a) - any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct any activity which may result in a discharge shall provide a certification from the state where the discharge will originate.
- No agency license shall be granted without the state certification or a waiver.
- The discharge need not be of a pollutant, like other sections of CWA
- CWA sec. 401(d) - any certification (necessary to insure compliance with state law) shall become a condition on any fed license or permit - FERC may enforce
- States may inject itself in the hydro-licensing process w/ minimum stream flow req– but are there any limits to the conditions? is it subject to a takings liability?
Explain the process for decommissioning dams and discuss whether hydro suffers from negative value property issues. (5)
- FPA is silent re: decommissioning (assumes that dams will be eternal)
- FPA does envision (1) surrender of license (2) transfer of license to public entities with (3) preference to municipalities
- FERC had to determine the scope of its own authority under FPA & promulgated regulation - power to surrender = power to dismantle dam
- No litigation yet challenging FERC’s power over this; only a handful are dismantled
- NVP issue - has not quite arose?
What is the difference between Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Clean Energy Standards (CES)
- RPS – requires utilities to generate certain % of electricity sales (15-20%) from renewable energy sources
- CES – mandate that upto 100% of electricity sales come from carbon-free energy sources by a certain date
What market failure(s) are hydroelectric regulations attempting to address?
Negative externality on wildlife
Explain the Electricity Consumer Protection Act amendment, its goals, and whether it succeeded in meeting its goals. (5)
- ECPA amendment was designed to require FERC to actually give “equal consideration” under FPA 4(e) to conservation of fish & wildlife and recreational opportunities, *since decisionmakers at FERC are typically more energy-oriented. *
- ECPA also required FERC to rconsult w/ state & fed agencies to recommend conditions on the license for the “protection, mitigation, and enhancement” of env and wildlife
- But, the vague text of the statute did not substantially raise the bar for courts to enforce against FERC, as seen in DOI v. FERC.
- And, FERC has ultimate discretion over incorporating the recommendations.
- To reject, FERC only needs to resolve the difference and publish a finding (that the rec is inconsistent with FPA purpose – set forth a comprehensive (not piecemeal) plan for develpment of water resources
