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 EBC Dam Management Program Small Hydropower Developments in New England Environmental Business Council of New England Energy Environment Economy

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EBC Small Hydropower in New England

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  • EBC Dam Management Program

    Small Hydropower

    Developments in New England

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

  • Welcome

    Chad Cox, P.E.

    Chair, EBC Dam Management

    Committee

    Civil Engineer / Principal

    GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

  • Introduction to Program

    William Felton

    Program Chair & Moderator

    Partner / Client Business Development

    Willis

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

  • Stephen Mockler

    Director of Major Projects

    Brookfield Renewable Energy Group

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

    New Development, Acquisitions

    and the Challenges for Small

    Hydropower

  • Brookfield Renewable A Leader in Renewable Power Generation

    Brookfield Renewable Energy

    Westborough MA, February 13, 2015

    Meeting between Brookfield and EBC New England

  • 6 6 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This presentation contains forward-looking statements and information, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, safe harbor of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations, concerning the business and operations of Brookfield Renewable. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements in this presentation include statements regarding the quality of Brookfield Renewables assets and the resiliency of the cash flow they will generate, Brookfield Renewables anticipated financial performance, future commissioning of assets, contracted portfolio, technology diversification, acquisition opportunities, expected completion of acquisitions, future energy prices and demand for electricity, economic recovery, achievement of long term average generation, project development and capital expenditure costs, diversification of shareholder base, energy policies, economic growth, growth potential of the renewable asset class, the future growth prospects and distribution profile of Brookfield Renewable and Brookfield Renewables access to capital. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, scheduled, estimates, intends, anticipates, believes, potentially, tends, continue, attempts, likely, primarily, approximately, endeavours, pursues, strives, seeks, or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Although we believe that our anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information in this presentation are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, we cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to have been correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information as such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: our limited operating history; the risk that we may be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act; the fact that we are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as a U.S. domestic issuer; the risk that the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting could have a material effect on our business; changes to hydrology at our hydroelectric stations or in wind conditions at our wind energy facilities; the risk that counterparties to our contracts do not fulfill their obligations, and as our contracts expire, we may not be able to replace them with agreements on similar terms; increases in water rental costs (or similar fees) or changes to the regulation of water supply; volatility in supply and demand in the energy market; exposure to additional costs as a result of our operations being highly regulated and exposed to increased regulation; the risk that our concessions and licenses will not be renewed; increases in the cost of operating our plants; our failure to comply with conditions in, or our inability to maintain, governmental permits; equipment failure; dam failures and the costs of repairing such failures; exposure to force majeure events; exposure to uninsurable losses; adverse changes in currency exchange rates; availability and access to interconnection facilities and transmission systems; health, safety, security and environmental risks; disputes, governmental and regulatory investigations and litigation; local communities affecting our operations; losses resulting from fraud, bribery, corruption, other illegal acts, inadequate or failed internal processes or systems, or from external events; risks relating to our reliance on computerized business systems; general industry risks relating to operating in the North American, Brazilian and European power market sectors; advances in technology that impair or eliminate the competitive advantage of our projects; newly developed technologies in which we invest not performing as anticipated; labour disruptions and economically unfavourable collective bargaining agreements; our inability to finance our operations due to the status of the capital markets; the operating and financial restrictions imposed on us by our loan, debt and security agreements; changes in our credit ratings; changes to government regulations that provide incentives for renewable energy; our inability to identify sufficient investment opportunities and complete transactions; risks related to the growth of our portfolio and our inability to realize the expected benefits of our transactions; our inability to develop existing sites or find new sites suitable for the development of greenfield projects; risks associated with the development of our generating facilities and the various types of arrangements we enter into with communities and joint venture partners; Brookfield Asset Managements election not to source acquisition opportunities for us and our lack of access to all renewable power acquisitions that Brookfield Asset Management identifies; our lack of control over our operations conducted through joint ventures, partnerships and consortium arrangements; our ability to issue equity or debt for future acquisitions and developments will be dependent on capital markets; foreign laws or regulation to which we become subject as a result of future acquisitions in new markets; and the departure of some or all of Brookfields key professionals.

    We caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements represent our views as of the date of this presentation and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to January 30, 2015, the date of this presentation. While we anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. For further information on these known and unknown risks, please see Risk Factors included in our Form 20-F.

  • 7 Brookfield Asset Management Experienced Investor and Asset Manager

    Brookfield is a global alternative asset manager with approximately $200 billion in

    assets under management

    PROPERTY RENEWABLE POWER INFRASTRUCTURE PRIVATE EQUITY

    $113 billion AUM $19 billion AUM $31 billion AUM $23 billion AUM

    Over 350 million sq. ft1:

    office, retail, industrial,

    multifamily and other

    investments

    235 hydro facilities,

    28 wind farms

    ~6,700 MW

    Ports, rails, toll roads,

    natural gas pipelines,

    transmission lines,

    timberlands and

    agrilands

    Private equity in our

    areas of expertise,

    residential development

    and service activities

    1) Includes active developments and current projects in planning

    Note: AUM above excludes Asset Management and Services, Cash and Financial Assets and Other Assets totaling $6 billion

    Property, Infrastructure and Private Equity include BIM assets under management

  • 8 Brookfield Renewable Overview

    One of the largest public pure-play renewable power businesses in the world

    100 years of experience in power generation

    Over 1,300 employees with strong operating, regulatory and power marketing experience

    $19B POWER GENERATING ASSETS

    235 generating

    facilities

    84% HYDROELECTRIC GENERATION

    Situated on

    72 river systems

    ~6,700 MEGAWATTS OF CAPACITY

    13 markets

    in 5 countries

  • 9 Established global operating platform

    BREP maintains integrated operating platforms on three continents

    with local operating and marketing expertise

    North America

    ~$15 billion AUM > 5,700 MW 900 employees

    Europe

    ~$1 billion AUM 330 MW 75 employees

    Latin America

    ~$3 billion AUM 670 MW 340 employees

  • 10

    10

    Key Items For Development & Acquisition

    Indication Insight & Understanding of Key Stakeholders & Challenges Impacting Development

    Clear Understanding of Costs & Revenue Knowledge of Critical Information Available Information & Time Schedule Knowledge of Key Material / Insight Necessary Summary of Key Factors for Successful Development & Acquisitions

    Investors Are Looking For

    Investors want a return on their investment Investors need certainty & information risks understood

    Keep your Investors hat on!

  • 11

    The Objective

    New Renewable Energy

    Federal and State Agency

    Missions

    Legislation and Mandates

    The specific Rules, Regulations,

    Interpretations Also Known as the weeds!

    Least likely to succeed Most likely to succeed

    Analyze opportunities with the OBJECTIVE in mind, and determine how to make the regulations work.

  • 12

    12

    ENVIRONMENT

    for HYDRO

    DEVELOPMENT

    ILP / TLP

    Law

    yers

    Key Stake Holders & Items Involved With Development & Acquisitions

  • 13

    Development-Acquisition Costs Vs Revenue

    Cost & Risk To Build/Operate VS Revenue

    Need to understand cost to build/acquire and risks around cost increases

    Need to understand revenue stream and upside/downside scenarios as well as market & generation trends/expectations

  • 14

    14

    Successful Development - Information and Time

    - Make a Build or No Build Decision at the lowest possible cost

    - Gather and analyze information move through decision gates

    Information

    Accurate and complete

    Allows risks to be evaluated

    Improve cost estimates of key

    project variables

    Update total project cost

    estimate

    Time

    Directly relates to the financial

    and human capital consumed

    At each gate, need to

    demonstrate that project has

    sufficient value to justify

    continued spending

    Both Information and Time must be well managed as they

    directly impact the Cost of Development and ultimately Project Cost

  • 15

    15

    Development Process Gates Development costs increase as additional information is obtained

    Origination Prospect Feasibility Advanced Construction

    $M Outreach program NOI/PAD preparation FERC Study Plan determination Interconnect application and studies Completion of first EA studies Site technical assessment

    Develop cost data base for major project components & use as a sanity check on project cost estimates

    Continued stakeholder outreach Completion of EA studies Interconnection Agreement Issuance of FERC license USACE Access MOU

    Final optimization design

    Tender process Contract terms Marketing terms Finance terms

    TIME

  • 16

    16

    Project Development & Acquisition Process

    Project $

    TIME

    Initial estimate

    New information

    Updated estimate -

    Project cost investment limit - $60M

    $50M

    $58M

    $55M

    What else

    may change?

    Time Pressures = >Preliminary Permit expiration dates

    >License expiration dates

    >Construction Contract key dates

    >Limited Due Diligence Time

    Acquisition Process Possibly The Complete

    Opposite From Development

  • 17

    17

    BRP Key Elements for Project Development & Acquistition

    Principle aspects of a project or acquisition that must be investigated and understood:

    Land (Site Control) - Long-term rights necessary to construct and operate a power

    generating facility and an understanding of lands as part of an acquisition.

    Permits and Licenses - All material permits and licenses are obtained or sufficient

    certainty to obtain as scheduled. Completed environmental assessment process or

    sufficient certainty to complete as scheduled;

    Stakeholders Alignment of critical stakeholders to the project has been achieved or an understanding of key stake holders involved with an operating asset to be acquired;

    Engineering - Firm price, schedule and contract with equipment suppliers and

    reputable contractors;

    Interconnection (Transmission) Studies complete and certainty of interconnection capacity availability. Certainty in applicable transmission, interconnect and upgrade

    costs and an understanding of any expiration of IAs associated with an existing assets

    Revenue Long term Power Purchase Agreement or acceptable view of relevant wholesale market.

    Relicensing Understanding of upcoming relicensing criteria and possible impact.

    Environmental Understanding of potential environmental issues (fish passage) and impacts to capital spending and operations

  • 18

    18

    Examples of Information Required

    Drawings and original design info

    Site meetings to review Preliminary Permit plans ok to drill a hole in the dam?

    Ongoing stakeholder input

    Navigation

    Fish passage

    Sediment issues

    Flood control

    Relicensing items

    Each of these will be evaluated as a risk

    Can they be managed and resolved in a timely and cost effective way?

    Post / re-license issuance - Operating items impacting revenues

    Once in development or acquisition required planning documents, design revisions, final acceptance of operating plans, changing regulations/stake

    holders over the anticipated life of the projects

  • 19

    19

    Factors that will facilitate development & acquisition investment

    Start with Point People who develop an understanding of the project challenges From both the Developer and REG and Other perspectives Critical decision points time, technical requirements, resources

    available

    Investment depends on managing risks and costs

    Clear and consistent rules similar interpretation among Federal Agency Regions Uncertainty and surprises can materially impact a project

    Differences between Government agency Missions and various regions challenge new development at sites such as USACE.

    Predictable time schedules The shorter the better, but predictable will help for new development, longer time periods better for

    acquisitions

    Environmental impacts Local regulations (USACE, Wind Ordinances, Etc) Known ESA & other environmental impacts to development or operations

    Maximize coordination between agencies Any steps that improve the process by sharing information or approvals

    Expense of construction / operation versus relatively low power prices

    Managing multiple critical path items and achieving required timeframes. Time passes quickly and its important to stay ahead of the curve

    Communicate, Coordinate, Communicate

  • Noreen E. Kuziak

    Director, Underwriting

    The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and

    Insurance Company

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

    Risk and Hydropower Development and Operations

  • February 13, 2015 EBC Dam Management Program Small Hydropower Developments in New England Noreen E. Kuziak, CPCU, ARe

    Risk and Hydropower Development and

    Operations

  • Agenda

    Focus:

    How different aspects of a hydroelectric plant translate into insurance pricing,

    terms and conditions. To that end, well discuss:

    1. Information Upfront

    2. Design Attributes of Dams and Penstocks

    3. Catastrophe Considerations Flood and Earthquake

    4. A Word About Risk Management

    5. Questions to ask about Builders Risk or Operational

    2/18/2015 22 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Information Upfront

    To get started, an Insurance Company should be asking for the following upfront:

    Latest FERC Report

    Latest 12D Report

    Any other inspection reports

    Power Purchase Agreement purchase of replacement power?

    Details about any claims

    Information about all of the equipment how large, how many, make / model

    Flood, Soil or Seismic Reports if available

    This will give anyone a good understanding of the plant before an onsite

    inspection.

    2/18/2015 23 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Design Attributes of Dams and Penstocks

    FERC Reports and 12D reports requirement to insure dam

    Dewater Inspection reports requirement to insure penstocks and turbines.

    Loss History of entire facility. If operational today, then were there losses during

    the builders risk?

    Construction

    Timber and Embankment dams including Earthen / Earth.

    Translation: Proceed with caution.

    Is dam / penstock in need of repair?

    Age

    Built before or after 1981 were FERC standards / regulations in place?

    Most dam losses will occur within the first 5 years after construction.

    Values Reported

    Replacement Cost or how calculated. Should not be an even figure.

    Dam sublimit if lack of information.

    2/18/2015 24 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Catastrophe Considerations: Flood

    This is a significant focus for an underwriter as I need to understand how

    the water moves and functions.

    What is the elevation of the river (normal levels) vs the flood elevation vs

    the elevation of the powerhouse? Has the station ever flooded?

    Are Waterway subject to tides? Storm surge?

    Flood zone Identification of Flood Zone A will result in a different

    deductible and additional premium

    Flood risk may change over time. Understand any changes that have

    occurred, such as flood control dam is built, levees are installed, etc.

    May request additional reports: Elevation drawings, flood analysis,

    inundation maps, dam inspection / condition reports

    Emergency Procedures When to evacuate

    2/18/2015 25 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Catastrophe Considerations: Earthquake

    EQ must be considered in New England; however, not same concern as

    other parts of the world. No active volcanoes!

    Actively Seismic Need seismic reports and study as part of submission

    Different deductible, terms, conditions may be applied

    Liquefaction strength and stiffness of soil is substantially reduced due

    to an applied stress like earthquake.

    Deforestation can make ground unstable.

    Soil study looking for stability of soil.

    2/18/2015 26 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Risk Management

    Routine maintenance and sound risk management practices will make the

    risk more acceptable for different lines of business. Some general items:

    Infrared testing - #1 cause of fire - Electrical

    Transformer Oil and Gas Analysis (DGA)

    Spares on hand

    Containment of flammables / oil

    Lets look at some examples of hazards that I would focus on:

    Fire hazards, particularly transformers and oil

    Misc hazards, as all hydros are unique

    Construction of plant, security (fencing, is there public access?)

    2/18/2015 27 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Transformers

    Spare step up stored inside

    station, no containment, no

    protection.

    Top of step up transformer in

    underground station

    Located in blast resistant fire

    rated vault with spill

    containment and suppression

    system.

    Transformer with barrier walls,

    containment, concrete wall to

    the station.

    2/18/2015 28 2013 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Fire Hazards Inside the Station

    Oil reservoirs and storage

    inside station

    Fire rated room, automatic

    suppression system

    Oil storage in station

    Fire rated room but no spill

    containment

    Fire door not automatic

    Fire damper in oil storage

    room wall good

    Fire damper held open by

    rope instead of fusible link

    - bad

    2/18/2015 29 2013 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Miscellaneous Station Hazards

    The station should have

    excellent housekeeping

    with very limited

    combustible storage

    Cable tunnels may require

    a suppression system.

    They should have a fire

    detection system. They

    may require fire barriers.

    Cable penetration in fire

    barriers should have a

    listed penetration seal.

    2/18/2015 30 2013 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Minimum Fire Protection for Small Stations

    Fire alarm panel with

    remote monitoring.

    How far away is the fire

    station? Response time of

    FD?

    Fire detection where

    needed

    Ample fire extinguishers of

    the correct type

    2/18/2015 31 2013 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Typical Focus Areas for Equipment

    Electrical testing

    Age, obsolescence,

    design

    Auto or remote reset

    Location

    Maintenance

    Spares

    2/18/2015 32 2012 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Upfront: need blueprints, site

    diagram, project plan timeframe?

    NFPA 241 requirements to be

    followed?

    Site access control and security

    Crane availability

    Fire fighting systems ready /

    installed?

    What can cause a delay in

    completion of the project?

    Details of excavation and tunneling

    Who is installing the equipment?

    Will the OEM be starting and testing

    the equipment?

    Protection of equipment before,

    during and once completed

    Adequate lay down space?

    Electrical Testing who, and to what

    extent? (Electrical fires are the #1

    loss leader.)

    Questions to ask for a Builders Risk

    Property Equipment

    2/18/2015 33 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • Questions to ask for an Operational Risk

    If needed, do you have an Emergency Action Plan?

    What electrical and mechanical testing is being performed?

    What spares are on hand?

    How is the station operated? Local? Remote?

    Is there proper mechanical and electrical protection?

    Equipment nameplate data? Is there an OEM warranty or service plan?

    Major upgrade, repair, rebuild, inspection dates?

    What if plant cannot produce power?

    2/18/2015 34 2012 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • In Summary

    On each and every submission, this is what I am going to do:

    Ask for hard copy information upfront

    Conduct an onsite inspection.

    Evaluate the property

    Evaluate the equipment

    Determine any last questions / get responses

    Assess overall risk, and provide best deductible, terms and conditions

    2/18/2015 35 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

  • You can contact me at:

    [email protected]

    860-722-5697

    Thank you very much

    for your attention

  • Michael Kerr

    Co-Founder and CEO

    New England Hydropower Company LLC

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

    New Small Hydropower

    Technologies

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com 38

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Michael Kerr, CEO and Co-Founder

    EBC Dam Management Program

    Small Hydropower Developments in New England

    February 13, 2015

    Restoring North Americas original renewable energy resource

    39

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Should We Build More Large Dams? The Actual Costs of

    Hydropower Megaproject Development published in March in Energy Policy. The study, by Atif Ansar, Bent Flyvbjerg, Alexander Budzier and Daniel

    Lunn, draws upon cost statistics for 245 large dams built between 1934 and 2007.

    Instead of building enormous, one-of-a-kind edifices like large

    dams, the studys authors recommend agile energy alternatives like wind, solar and mini-hydropower facilities. Were stuck in a 1950s mode where everything was done in a very bespoke, manual way, Mr. Ansar said over the phone. We need things that are more easily standardized, things that fit

    inside a container and can be easily transported.

    New York Times Aug 22, 2014 by Jacques Leslie

    40

    Current Comment

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Traditional Hydropower targets sites

    greater than 1 MW

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    NEHC Targets the Long tail, ~54000 NPDs

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Data Abounds

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    More than 80,000 Dams in the U.S.

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    And so much New Stream Development

    Potential

    Ref: nhaap.ornl.gov

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    10,000 Dams in New England

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Over 1,500 Dams in Connecticut

    Alone

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Who We Are

    New England Hydropower Company (NEHC) is an owner, developer and operator of small-scale hydropower facilities based in Beverly,

    MA

    With:

    a skilled experienced team of employees and partners experienced in small hydro permitting and development

    a target market of the 15,000 low head, non powered existing dams in the North East and a further 39,000 across the US

    a strong reputation with U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife as

    well as State Agencies

    NEHC is creating a new profitable market segment in small scale hydro

    48

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    40-year plus useful life

    Inherent efficiency with gearing ~70%

    Capacity factor in NE typically 55%

    Run of river no river flow change

    Slow rotor speed at 30-40 rpms

    Fish friendly

    Low turbidity, low erosion

    Durable, low maintenance and debris tolerant

    49

    The Reason It Works

    Proven Technology, New Application

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com 50

    Hanover Pond Dam Meriden, CT

    Owner: Town of Meriden

    River: Quinnipiac River

    Power Potential: 192 kW

    Generation: 898,000 kWh

    Mean Flow: 4.92 m3/sec

    Head: 4.87 m (16 ft.)

    53% capacity utilization

    FERC prelim. permit held by NEHC

    City and CL&P PPA

    First commercial ASG in the U.S.

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    UK Project Installed by NEHC Partners in The

    Lake District

    51

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com 52

    UK Project Installation By NEHC Partners

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com 53

    Pershore U.K.

  • New England Hydropower Company LLC

    www.nehydropower.com

    Many Qualified Sites in New England

    Enough to power over 40,000 homes

    Meets 0.5% of home usage needs in New England

    Does it count?

    Enough to build a business

    A valid contribution to the fight to reverse

    climate change

  • Chad Cox

    Civil Engineer / Principal

    GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

    Eels and Small

    Hydropower Sites

  • Eels and Small Hydropower Sites (a slippery problem)

    Chad W. Cox, P.E. Civil Engineer / Principal

    GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Norwood, MA

  • American eel Anguilla rostrata

    Duane Raver/USFWS

    What is it?

  • Maryland Fishery Resources Office, USFWS

    What is it?

  • Why is it Important/Whats to be Done?

    American eels are of interest to fisheries agencies

    Mitigations may be requested/required for accommodating American eels similar to other migratory fish, including:

    Trash racks (3/4 bar spacing) Downstream passage Upstream eelpass structures

  • What do we need to do?

    Trashracks (Hydrothane) with Spacing

  • What do we need to do?

    Automatic Trash Rake

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Permanent Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Removable Eelpass

  • Eels and Small Hydropower Sites (a slippery problem)

    Chad W. Cox, P.E. Civil Engineer / Principal

    GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Norwood, MA

  • Amy Barad

    Program Director

    Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

    MassCEC and Commonwealth

    Hydropower Program

  • Commonwealth Hydropower

    Environmental Business Council February 13, 2015

    Amy Barad Program Director

    Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

  • A program of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

    a quasi-public state agency dedicated to advancing Massachusetts clean energy sector

    Funded by the MA Renewable Energy Trust

    surcharge on the electric bills of customers of the investor-owned utilities

    Welcome to Commonwealth Hydro

  • Improve the efficiency and ecological compatibility of hydropower assets that are (or are likely to be) qualified for the MA RPS

    Result in good return (incremental generation) for our investment (ratepayer funds)

    Projects completed in a timely fashion (< 3 yrs)

    Promote opportunities to generate hydropower in conduits

    Program Goals

  • Upgrades to existing facilities

    New conduit facilities, i.e., those eligible for a FERC conduit exemption

    Commercially-available technology

    Facility Types Supported

  • Grants for Design & Construction

    Max $500,000 per facility; min 50% cost share

    Up to $100,000 of total for Design phase

    Grants for Feasibility Studies

    Maximum $40,000 per facility

    Minimum 10% grantee cost share for conduit

    Minimum 20% grantee cost share for others

    Types of Support

  • Cost-Effectiveness Metric:

    Grant $_____

    Incremental kWh/year must be

  • Maximum grant is the lesser of

    $40,000 or

    Estimated incremental kWh/yr x 20 yrs x $0.01/kWh

    Note: grant maxes out at 200,000 kWh/yr

    Funding Limit Feasibility Studies

  • Facility has an active license or exemption

    Ok if project will require a minor amendment

    Facility has a clear order from FERC indicating that FERC does not have jurisdiction

    New facility would be eligible for a conduit exemption

    Facility is on a FERC-licensed canal

    Eligibility FERC Status Options

  • Facility is already qualified for MA RPS, or

    Applicant provides documentation of consultation with MA Dept of Fish and Game indicating:

    No obvious obstacles to MA RPS qualification (including Low Impact Hydro Institute certification)

    For Feasibility Studies issues that may need to be addressed in the study to facilitate qualification

    Note: Construction Phase funds will not be released until facility is qualified for MA RPS

    Eligibility MA RPS Status Options

  • Owner commitment & water rights

    Time to completion

    Financial need (D&C), as demonstrated by

    Stated financial threshold for investment

    Demonstration of how requested amount enables project to meet threshold

    Other Considerations

  • Applications evaluated as received (until 4/20/15)

    Remaining funds updated on website

    Multiple applications pending simultaneously may be in competition if funds are insufficient

    Cost-effectiveness, quantity of incremental gen

    Time to completion

    Soundness of project plan

    Other benefits

    Application Process

  • Add new minimum flow turbine

    Replace crossflow turbines with Kaplan

    Add automated controls for better pond regulation

    Install new trash rack and automated rake

    Rewind generator

    Study tailrace modifications for improved generation and fish passage

    Project Examples

  • Study of technology options for water and wastewater treatment plants

    Screening tool free! http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/climate-energy/energy/water-utilities/hydropower-project-screening-tool.html

    Follow up with CommHydro feasibility study

    Conduit Projects

  • MA Clean Energy Employer reviews pool of undergrad/recent grad/grad student resumes

    Employer selects students to interview

    Employer provides meaningful paid internship part-time work for 10 weeks

    MassCEC reimburses employer $10/hour at end of internship

    Info for summer round available March 1

    MA Clean Energy Internship Program

  • What opportunities do you see for increasing MA RPS-qualified hydropower in MA?

    What obstacles are you encountering?

    What modifications to CommHydro would make the program more useful to you?

    Are there any innovative technologies that you would like to pilot at your hydropower facility?

    Wed like to hear from YOU

  • Questions? Comments?

    Amy Barad

    [email protected]

    617-315-9310

  • Panel Discussion

    Moderator: William Felton, Willis

    Stephen Mockler, Brookfield Renewable Energy

    Noreen Kuziak, HSBI&IC

    Michael Kerr, New England Hydropower

    Chad Cox, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.

    Amy Barad, MassCEC

    Caleb Slater, MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy

  • EBC Dam Management Program

    Small Hydropower

    Developments in New England

    Environmental Business Council of New England

    Energy Environment Economy