Free Flow Power

Free Flow Power (FFP) is one of the leading companies of hydrokinetic power in the U.S. Presently FFP is operational in Hasting Minn. on the Mississippi River. Rumor has it that they have been testing in Baton Rouge and their test have shown problems with their unit. All of us in the industry hope that they can get on track to develop all their sites on the Mississippi River.

Hydro-Gen Under the Radar

Hydro-Gen the innovator in hydro kinetic turbines have produce a new design for rivers with slow currents. Envision farms of these turbines in the rivers, in front of dams or in the ocean currents.

Hydro-Gen continues to be a hydro player under the radar located in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. The inventor, Mr. Dickie Lamp, continues to develop new products for different sites. For more information on Hydro-Gen and how much power it can produce call 409-201-3102 for Frank Schneider or email fschneider2003@yahoo.com

UK not USA, The Young Bros. of NV

UK not USA

The UK unlike the USA is trying to treble its hydro-electric power by the year 2020. UKs Environmental Agency is trying to increase hydro-electric power by 300% in 10 years it said last week.Hydro-electric power plants number 400 in the UK today. The number of these plants are expected to double by 2020. Licenses for 29 plants have been approved for this year. The UK is presently processing 166 more applications. Over 4,000 locations have been identified as potential sites. In the next 10 years the government is planning to increase its power generation capacity by renewable energies by 15%. When will the US really put emphasis on hydro?

The Young Brothers Hydro Project

The Young Brothers from Big Smoky Valley Ranch Nevada installed a hydro unit for their farm for irrigation. This unit was installed by Rett Jesse CEO Nevada Controls Co. Over 450,000 of kWh are produced per year. A rebate program exist in Nevada of $2.50 per watt. That translates to a one time rebate of $232,000 for the Young Brothers for 93kw hydro station. Wonder how many more people can be helped by this concept?

Ohio Leads the Way

This week Ohio's Governor, Ted Strickland, said Ohio leads the way in going green. Ohio's Legislature calls for 25% of all energy consumed by Ohioans to be from alternative energy by the year 2025.

Hydro-Gen Continues

Yesterday Hydro-Gen found out that we will be advancing our project on the Ohio River. A decision will be made within 10 days as to where Hydro-Gen will integrate the Siemens generator and soft ware with the water turbine. Two sites are being considered; the Mississippi River in New Orleans and on the Ohio River in West Virginia.

Siemens has run the data and will provide the generator for us either on the Mississippi River or Ohio River. They will also send 2 or 3 technicians to view the test.

A software company will also be there to incorporate their product.

All river speeds have been tabulated. Hydro-Gen now knows how much kws can be produced at each site. MW and kw produced will depend on the size of the turbine or turbines, plus the number of turbines in the water at each site.

Licenses are being permitted on each river.

Yesterday Louisiana put out the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) final recommendation of a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for the state. About one half of the 50 states have RPS. Louisiana is a little behind.

The LPSC has introduced the Renewable Energy Pilot Program (The Pilot). The Pilot is divided into two components: 1) a Research component; and 2) an RFP component.

Basically the Research component is to conduct research and perform evaluations of renewable energy projects specifically sited in Louisiana. Projects are sized to be no larger than 300 kW per project.

Component two is the RFP. This component will allow utilities to evaluate characteristics of larger renewable projects. Larger projects could come on-line in the 2012-2013 time frame. A total of 350 MWs will be the maximum amount of capacity that all of the utilities will request in their RFPs.

More to come after my meeting with the Staff Attorney for LPSC.

Oil Spill and EPA help RENEWABLES

The US government and BPs efforts in the Gulf of Mexico continue to baffle all involved. Residents, fishermen, and all businesses along the Gulf are starting to feel the effects of this catastrophe.

At the first of the week we heard as many as 5000 jobs would be lost. Today that figure has risen to 150,000. Our government does not realize that this tragedy will not have a ripple, but tsunami effect on our nation.

Another effect on our nation could be what happens if the Democrats push for Cap and Trade this summer?

Just this week the Senate voted down a measure by the Republicans to undo the EPS's findings that carbon emissions endangered human health. The vote fell 4 votes short of reaching a vote to proceed.

The vote saved the Senate on a rare roll call vote on federal plans to reduce greenhouse gasses. This vote cleared the way for a possible crucial vote this summer on Cap and Trade. Oil spill in the Gulf plus the Cap and Trade issues will put the EPA back on the front burner of issues.

All this will continue to emphasize the need for more and more renewable energy to be created for this nation. Wind, hydro, solar, and nuclear sources will continue to be more and more popular.