US Army Corps of Engineers BUILDING STRONG ® Hydropower Trends in the U.S. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Perspective Brent Mahan Director, Hydroelectric Design Center US Army Corps of Engineers March 20, 2013

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 2 Army Corps of Engineers  Rooted deep in American history ► Young nation without engineering institutions ► Civil assignments evolved into civil works program supporting national development ► Dam building opened door to hydropower  A Federal water resources agency ► Riverine and Coastal Waters ► Multipurpose

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 3 Irrigation Regulatory Emergency Response Response Navigation Hydropower Environmental Protection & Restoration Fish & Wildlife Flood Damage Reduction Recreation

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 4 Corps’ Hydropower Portfolio  Largest owner-operator of hydroelectric plants in the US  Provides cost-based electric power to public utilities  75 plants spread across the country, including 5 pumped storage  Plant ages range from 24 – 75 years USBoR

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 5 Rebuilding the Fleet  Ageing infrastructure and reliability  Rehab program and direct funding began in mid 1990s  Risk informed asset management began in late 1990s  Some gains, but we’re pushing a bow wave

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 6  Environment  Optimization  New technology  Physical and cyber security  Rebuilding the workforce  Asset management and funding Key Focus Areas

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 7 Opportunities for New Development  New Federal projects unlikely  Non-Federal hydro at non-power dams ► 81 of best 100 (8GW) Corps owned ► Top ten are Corps Navigation projects  Follows FERC licensing process ► Approval to modify a Federal project  Corps detailed assessment underway

BUILDING STRONG ® US Army Corps of Engineers 8 Final Thoughts on Hydro’s Renaissance  My optimistic view ► Hydro is hot, especially kinetic, marine, and micro-mini ► Real gains in certifying as a renewable ► Unprecedented collaboration ► Supportive national policy changes for private development  My pessimistic view ► Conventional Hydro isn’t sexy; full benefits are undervalued ► Difficult political environment ► Uncertain national will  I’m a realistic optimist