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