Small-scale hydro power explained in RCEA talk




HUMBOLDT – The Redwood Coast Energy Authority invites the public to a free online presentation by RCEA consultant Michael Furniss about the potential of small-scale, run-of-the-river hydroelectric power for the North Coast.

Two sessions will be offered on Tuesday, Dec. 7, the first from 10 to 11 a.m. with a repeat at 5:30 p.m. Both one-hour webinars will include time afterward for attendees to ask questions. Register and get more information at redwoodenergy.org/events.

RCEA is launching a regional effort to facilitate the development of small hydroelectric projects “done right,” and we are ready to discuss any questions you may have, such as:

• Why is hydropower needed when solar is now so widely available and inexpensive?

• How will fish be protected if you are diverting water from streams to make electricity?

• Won’t development of watersheds cause impacts to water and ecosystem?

• What are the Best Practices for hydropower development?

• For systems that cannot be feasibly connected to the grid, how will this project help?

• How will landowners and investors be incentivized to develop small hydropower?

• Why hasn’t more hydropower been developed so far?

• What does RCEA expect to get from this effort?

• How does small hydro fit into RCEA’s power portfolio?