Advantages of the Project’s Location
Unlike many new renewable energy facilities in the U.S., the Hastings hydrokinetic power station did not face any grid interconnectivity or transmission line access challenges.
"Tying into the electric power grid was an easy process as we were able to utilize existing infrastructure at the site," Krouse commented. "This is specifically one of the major attractions of the technology — no expensive infrastructure upgrades nor new installations are required. Our transmission line is less than 300 feet long. The turbine is connected to a synchronous AC induction generator."
Because the Hastings conventional hydropower facility operates as a run-of-river facility, there is a high CF (over 80%), which the hydrokinetic power station takes advantage of, he pointed out. This also means that the power generated from the hydrokinetic turbines is baseload and predictable, which makes it more valuable to the system operator. Furthermore, from an operations standpoint, because the hydrokinetic power station is located downstream from an existing hydropower plant, all of the water passing through its turbine already has debris filtered out. Additionally, the hydrokinetic power station’s location eliminates river traffic directly in front of the dam, which increases the safety of the installation.
Technical Innovations
The hydrokinetic turbines are installed on a one-to-one ratio with existing conventional hydro turbines, which number two at the Hastings site. Unit 1 of the hydrokinetic pair was installed in January and currently is operating; Unit 2 will be installed this summer.
"Based on our early analysis of the design, fabrication, and deployment of the first turbine, our engineers already know that the next unit, which will be deployed this summer, will be more efficient, more powerful, and less expensive to fabricate and install," said Krouse. "Progress of this magnitude in a matter of months impresses investors, as well as those looking to purchase equipment, partner on our developments, or purchase our power generation."
Even though there are no plans to install additional turbines at the site, Krouse pointed out that his company still intends to be open to introducing new technology at the power station.
"One great strength of our technology, which is the only surface-suspended design in the industry, is that our units are easy to modify or upgrade," he said. "If we develop a new blade design or other technical advances that achieve higher power output, for example, we can bring the existing turbine to the surface and modify the existing unit in approximately one day. So, if we are to increase power output at Hastings, it will be due to advances in design of our patented technology."
Email
Comments
Print
Reuse
Comments (1)