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energy as a viable and financially sustainable technology for widespread implementation. The CorPower C4 device was launched at the Viana do Castello port and later transported to the Aguçadoura site, situated 4 kilometers offshore. Following its connection to a pre-installed
UMACK anchor on the seabed, the device was linked to the Portuguese national grid via a subsea export cable. The next phase involves a comprehensive commissioning program, during which the device’s functionalities and operational modes will be systematically verified. This program will also include testing of offshore O&M procedures, encompassing service access, device retrieval, and the towing process back to the on-land service base located in Viana do Castelo. “This is a big milestone for CorPower Ocean and a very exciting chapter for marine energy,” said CorPower Ocean CEO Patrik Möller. “I am hugely proud of the entire CorPower Ocean team who have worked relentlessly to make this happen. The effort of the team and our partners to take us here is simply remarkable.” Before its deployment, the C4 underwent
an extensive one-year dry test program in Stockholm, where it was subjected to simulated wave loading to fine-tune and troubleshoot the system. The C4 features cutting-edge technology designed to unlock the complete potential of wave energy on a utility scale. This includes built-in storm protection to withstand extreme conditions and advanced control technology for optimized power capture during regular sea states. CorPower Director of Integration & Testing Jean-Michel Chauvet said: “We are now entering an exciting phase demonstrating our first commercial scale machine. This builds on 40 years of scientific research followed by a decade of structured engineering to deliver a step-change improvement to the performance and reliability of wave energy.”
Global
UNIDO report reveals transformative impact of small hydropower on sustainable energy access The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has released the World Small Hydropower Development Report 2022 (WSHPDR), offering critical insights into the role of small hydropower projects (SHPs) in sustainable industrial development and global energy access. The report spotlights a pressing issue: as of 2020, more than 700 million people worldwide still lacked access to electricity, primarily in rural areas. UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller, emphasized the need for renewable energy solutions, noting, “In the face of this challenge, it is essential to continue gathering and disseminating knowledge about renewable energy technologies. Small hydropower is one such option.”
US
Kleinschmidt Associates to undertake South Fork Tolt spillway options analysis project for Seattle Public Utilities Kleinschmidt Associates has secured a contract with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to deliver engineering and permitting services for the evaluation of options aimed at enhancing the South Fork Tolt Dam’s spillway, situated to the east of Seattle, Washington, US. The South Fork Tolt Project is jointly owned and operated by two arms of the City of Seattle: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Seattle City Light (SCL). At present, this project serves as the primary drinking water source for approximately one-third of SPU’s extensive customer base, totaling 1.5 million residents in the Seattle region. Additionally, it contributes hydropower generation, flood mitigation measures, and other essential functions. Recent assessments
Small hydropower is recognized for its simplicity, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive choice for delivering sustainable electricity to remote and underserved communities. Müller highlighted the underutilized potential, stating that “Over 60% of global small hydropower potential remains untapped.” This underlines substantial opportunities for local communities and environmental sustainability. In collaboration with the International Centre on Small Hydro Power, UNIDO has introduced the World Small Hydropower Development Report to assist policymakers, communities, developers, and other stakeholders interested in SHP projects. The WSHPDR provides comprehensive, country-specific data on SHPs, encompassing operational, planned, and potential projects. The report also dives into associated costs, financing mechanisms, and conditions conducive to SHP development. It also incorporates practical success stories and case studies, shedding light on the tangible outcomes of SHP projects. Furthermore, the WSHPDR 2022 includes special sections exploring the impact of gender empowerment, youth involvement, and climate change on SHP projects.
María Ubierna, Director of Open Hydro and co-author of the climate change section, commended the report, stating, “WSHPDR is the most comprehensive report on small hydropower worldwide, and the 2022 edition has gone above and beyond its potential.” The report presents 12 case studies showcasing the transformative effects of well- planned SHP projects on local communities, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, the WSHPDR 2022 introduces the Global SHP Database, offering detailed information on SHPs worldwide. This database serves as a reference for the current status and potential of SHP development.
commissioned by the City have recommended a further in-depth analysis to explore potential operation and maintenance enhancements. In response to these needs, SPU has appointed Kleinschmidt to spearhead these supplementary investigations and identify viable spillway improvement alternatives. The process will incorporate a multi-criteria analysis to narrow down initial options to a final selection. The evaluation criteria will encompass dam safety, the resilience of the water supply, and potential repercussions on the environment and local community. Advanced technological tools, including two physical hydraulic models and a computational fluid dynamics model, will be deployed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the spillway’s hydraulic behavior. “I am really excited about supporting SPU with this project.,” said Carl Mannheim, P.E., Project Manager and Principal Engineer at the Redmond, WA, office of Kleinschmidt. “Together with our local teaming partners Clarity Engineering, RIE Consultants, and Ott-Sakai, this project provides a great opportunity to use our local hydraulic structures, dam safety, and permitting expertise and experience to assist with an important local project.” The South Fork Tolt Spillway Options Analysis
Project commenced in January 2023 and is anticipated to conclude in early 2024.
US
FirstLight Power expands hydro portfolio with acquisition of Hydromega Services FirstLight Power has finalised its agreement to acquire Canadian renewable operator and developer Hydromega Services Inc. The acquisition includes ownership interest in ten hydroelectric assets and a substantial clean energy development pipeline, bolstering FirstLight’s presence in North America. The deal encompasses the ownership of five
hydropower generating stations in Québec and an additional five in Northeastern Ontario. Furthermore, it brings into FirstLight’s fold Hydromega’s development pipeline, which boasts over 2GW of wind, solar, storage, and hydroelectric projects. This strategic move effectively doubles FirstLight’s development pipeline to approximately 4GW in the US and Canada. The transaction is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions. With the recent integration of H2O Power, this acquisition further solidifies FirstLight’s position with a combined operating capacity of over 200MW in Québec and Ontario. These assets provide a dependable source of clean energy to both provinces and have the added benefit of ownership participation by four First Nations, ensuring long-term benefits for indigenous communities. This acquisition also marks FirstLight’s
expansion into the Canadian market, enabling
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