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IWHR expressed their commitment to working with the IHA to include Chinese stakeholders in global advocacy efforts, highlighting the shared objective of advancing clean energy initiatives worldwide.
US
Senators Murkowski and Sullivan propose legislation to boost hydropower upgrades Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both representing Alaska under the Republican banner, have introduced legislation with the aim of fortifying existing hydroelectric facilities to continue providing clean, flexible, and cost-effective electricity to Alaskan consumers. The senators were also among the original co-sponsors of the “Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2023,” which has garnered support from a diverse coalition of industry, environmental, and clean energy organizations. In light of the growing impact of energy costs on consumers and businesses, hydropower has assumed heightened importance within Alaska’s energy portfolio. The state has witnessed small hydropower projects pioneering innovative technologies, offering clean and affordable baseload power. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a key proponent of the legislation, emphasized its significance, , saying: “ This legislation, which I’m leading with Senator Cantwell, incentivizes hydropower development and taps into the immense renewable resources available in Alaska. With this bill, we’re spurring hydropower development in Alaska, diversifying our energy supply, reducing our emissions, and investing in Alaska’s future.” Senator Dan Sullivan also underscored the importance of hydropower, revealing that nearly 30% of Alaska’s electrical energy is currently supplied by hydropower, with even more potential waiting to be harnessed. Sullivan has long championed the expansion of hydropower as a vital component of an all-encompassing energy strategy necessary for the country. The bill includes provisions for tax credits for transmission lines, which are expected to facilitate the expansion of clean hydroelectricity in Alaska, leading to lower energy costs and heightened economic opportunities for Alaskans. The proposed legislation introduces a novel 30% federal tax incentive, accessible to not-for-profit entities as well, to encourage enhancements in the safety and security of existing dams. These investments will also extend to improving fish passage infrastructure, water quality, and recreational opportunities at hydropower project sites. Furthermore, the bill pioneers a federal cost-sharing initiative aimed at incentivizing the removal of outdated river obstructions that adversely affect river ecosystems and hinder outdoor recreation. A diverse range of local and national power organizations, alongside bipartisan policy
entities, have lent their support to the bill, underscoring its far-reaching significance. Curtis Thayer, Executive Director of the
Alaska Energy Authority, expressed his organization’s enthusiasm for the bill’s reintroduction, describing it as a long-overdue piece of bipartisan legislation: “This bi-partisan legislation is long overdue and AEA looks forward to working with Senator Murkowski and Sullivan in advancing the bill that helps solves the needs of today and looking towards the needs of the future.” Joel Groves, President of the Alaska Independent Power Producers Association, also expressed appreciation for the Alaska delegation’s efforts in supporting hydropower. He expressed strong support for Senators Murkowski and Sullivan’s leadership in reintroducing the bill, positioning the nation and the state for a more energy-secure future centered on hydropower. Duff Mitchell, Managing Director of Juneau
Hydropower, hailed the reintroduction of the bill as long overdue, emphasizing the extensive benefits it promises for the nation’s energy agenda and environmental responsibility. The legislation’s sponsors, Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and others, were commended for their leadership in energy and infrastructure. Robert Siedman, CEO of Southeast Alaska Power Agency, voiced his full support for the legislation, noting that it paves the way for clean, green renewable energy and underscores hydropower’s essential role in the nation’s energy portfolio. Jeremy Bynum, Division Manager of
Ketchikan Public Utilities, welcomed the reintroduction of the legislation as crucial for incorporating clean hydropower into the nation’s energy blueprint and enhancing energy security and river restoration. The current federal Investment Tax
Credit (ITC) for hydropower only covers investments that result in a marginal increase in power generation. Vital environmental and maintenance investments, such as enhancing fish passage and ensuring the safety of dams, that do not lead to power generation increases are ineligible for this credit. With many aging hydroelectric dams in need of costly upgrades to continue operating safely and economically, the “Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2023” aims to address this gap in existing legislation.
Eligible investments under the bill encompass
projects like installing fish-friendly turbines, creating new fish ladders, managing river sediments to improve habitat, upgrading or replacing floodgates and spillways, and expanding access to public waterways impacted by existing dams. The bipartisan legislation also supports local
efforts to eliminate non-power-producing river barriers, including outdated dams, dikes, or embankments. Private, state, local, and non- profit groups can utilize the 30% federal tax
incentive, with a direct pay option, to support the removal of unnecessary barriers with the owner’s consent. This removal can provide new outdoor recreation opportunities, create fish and wildlife habitats, stimulate local economic development, and enhance river resilience in the face of climate change.
Other sponsors of the bill include Senators Maria Cantwell, Debbie Stabenow, Angus King, Thom Tillis, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Jeanne Shaheen.
Kenya Hydrobox and SolarNow commission hybrid solar and hydropower plant Hydrobox and SolarNow have announced the successful commissioning of their inaugural hybrid solar and hydro power plant, situated near Baricho town in Kenya’s Kirinyaga County. The project was revealed at the Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA), an investment forum dedicated to renewable energy organized by AFSIA and SolarPower Europe. Named the Gitwamba Power Plant, this facility was designed to seamlessly integrate hydro and solar power systems, addressing the erratic flow rates of the nearby river, which fluctuate dramatically between Kenya’s dry and rainy seasons. During dry spells, the solar array steps in to provide additional electricity, while the hydro plant takes over during the rainy season, ensuring a consistent power supply for the residents of Kirinyaga County day and night. The Gitwamba plant boasts a capacity of 170kW, with the hydropower component possessing a 50kW installed capacity, designed to handle a flow of 0.65 m3
/s. The solar
component features an installed capacity of 150kWp and a 120 kVA capacity, equivalent to 120kW.
Global Cesar Adolfo Alvarado Ancieta wins 2023 IHE Delft Alumni Award Cesar Adolfo Alvarado Ancieta, a distinguished hydraulic engineering expert hailing from Peru, has been named the recipient of the coveted 2023 IHE Delft Alumni Award. The prestigious accolade, presented by the International Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Sciences (IHE Delft), acknowledges the global influence of Alvarado Ancieta’s groundbreaking work in river management and engineering. Alvarado Ancieta’s journey began nearly two decades ago when he graduated from IHE Delft, then known as UNESCO-IHE, in 2004, having completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Hydraulic Engineering with a focus on River Engineering and River Basin Development. His contributions to the field have now earned him this distinguished award. As part of the award, Alvarado Ancieta is set to visit IHE Delft in November, where he will be
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