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Challenge. The ministry issued a favourable Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), allowing the project to move forward and securing its grid access. The next step is obtaining prior administrative authorization. The Alcantara II plant, located in
Extremadura, will have a 440 MW capacity and provide 16 million kWh of reversible energy storage, sufficient for the daily consumption of more than four million people.
Once completed, it is expected to supply over 1,000 GWh annually and help reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 355,000 tonnes per year. Designed to integrate with the existing
water management systems on the Tagus River, Alca°ntara II will use two reversible turbines with a combined capacity of 220MW. It will utilize a 0.9 km underground hydraulic circuit to link the Cedillo lower reservoir with the Alcantara upper reservoir. The facility has been planned with minimal environmental impact in mind, including underground hydraulic circuits and a subterranean power plant shaft, and it will reuse the same water for its operation, ensuring no impact on other users of the river. Iberdrola has emphasized the
environmental measures taken for Alcantara II, which aim to protect local wildlife and promote biodiversity. “The set of measures adopted to protect birdlife, terrestrial fauna, aquatic fauna and local flora stand out,” Iberdrola noted, also mentioning that recycled materials will be used to promote the circular economy. The project has received a €44.9 million grant from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), awarded for its “economic viability and technical characteristics enabling the integration of renewables,” as well as for its role in advancing the EU’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
US
Biden-Harris Administration launches largest ever wave energy funding The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a new initiative, offering up to $112.5 million in funding to boost marine energy technologies. The five-year program, run by the US Department of Energy (DOE), is the largest investment in wave energy to date. The funding aims to accelerate the development of converters (WECs), which harness power from ocean waves to provide clean, local energy for US electric grids, coastal and island communities, and offshore industries. “Marine energy has great potential in the
United States – the total available wave energy resource in the US is equivalent to approximately 34 percent of all domestic power generation,” said US Energy Secretary
Jennifer M. Granholm. She added that the DOE’s investment will provide “consistent, long-term funding” to help developers advance wave energy technologies to deliver clean, reliable energy to millions of Americans. Wave energy is seen as complementary
to other renewable sources like wind and solar. It could significantly contribute to US energy needs, especially for rural and remote areas that currently rely on costly fossil fuel shipments. The funding will be administered by the DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), supporting WEC development for a variety of applications including: At-sea applications, such as ocean observation, aquaculture, and marine carbon dioxide removal.
Coastal community needs, such as power and clean drinking water production. Utility electricity needs. Some WECs may be tested at PacWave South, the first US grid-connected test facility for wave energy, which is expected to become operational next year. This investment will help identify and mature high-potential WEC technologies, reduce financial risks for developers and incentivize investors, progress technologies at smaller scales while developing toward utility scale, and increase learning for installation, operations, and maintenance.
Canada OPG to invest $1 billion in refurbishment of eight hydro stations
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will invest $1 billion over the next 20 years to refurbish 45 generating units across eight hydroelectric stations in eastern Ontario. The project aims to secure 1617MW of clean energy capacity, enough to power approximately 1.6 million homes, while also creating over 500 skilled jobs. The eight hydro stations undergoing
refurbishment are located in the Ottawa Valley and include Des Joachims (429 MW) and Chenaux (144 MW) on the Ottawa River. These stations, built in the 1950s, are part of Ontario’s post-World War II hydro expansion. Other stations to be upgraded are Arnprior, Barrett Chute, Mountain Chute, Stewartville, Chats Falls, and Otto Holden. Once the upgrades are complete, the fleet is expected to generate an additional 100GWh of power annually, equivalent to powering more than 11,000 homes. This increase will be achieved with the installation of more efficient equipment. “Hydropower remains unmatched in its
reliability, durability, and flexibility. With proper maintenance and upkeep, these assets can produce clean, low-cost power for generations,” said Heather Ferguson, OPG’s Senior Vice-President of Business Development and Corporate Affairs. OPG operates 66 hydro stations across
6 | November 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
Ontario, contributing 39% of its total electricity generation. Hydropower meets about 25% of the province’s electricity needs each year. In addition to the Ottawa Valley upgrades, OPG is investing in other refurbishment projects across Ontario, including a $600-million overhaul at the R.H. Saunders Generating Station in Cornwall and planned work at the Sir Adam Beck I and II stations in Niagara Falls. These projects are part of a broader program to extend the life of 48 hydro stations while improving efficiency and increasing output in some cases.
Taiwan Eco Wave Power signs agreement for wave energy pilot project Eco Wave Power Global AB has signed an agreement to sell its first wave energy generation unit to I-Ke International Ocean Energy Co., a subsidiary of Taiwan’s Lian Tat Company. This deal marks the start of Eco Wave Power’s wave energy project in Taiwan, the company’s first in Asia. Under the agreement, I-Ke will fully fund a 100KW pilot project by purchasing a turnkey conversion unit from Eco Wave Power. The unit includes all necessary hydraulic and electric components, along with a control and automation system. The first pilot site will be located on Taiwan’s east coast, and I-Ke has also identified 83 other possible locations for future projects. The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2023 between Eco Wave Power and Lian Tat. I-Ke will produce key components locally, including the floaters and hydraulic cylinders. This localization is expected to position Taiwan as a hub for future wave energy expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The project will begin with the 100KW pilot, with plans to scale up to 20MW, and ultimately a target of 400MW of commercial wave energy capacity along Taiwan’s coastline.
During a press conference in Taipei, CY Huang, Chairman of Lian Tat, highlighted the importance of the project for Taiwan’s renewable energy sector. “The construction of Eco Wave Power’s project is relatively easy, and I believe that it will be a significant stepping stone for the development of green electricity in Taiwan. Once the 100KW demonstration site is built, with positive results, our target is to expand it to 20MW, and we will continue to push up to more than 400MW of wave energy installed capacity.” Eco Wave Power CEO Inna Braverman also
expressed optimism about the partnership: “I am certain that Eco Wave Power’s official visit in Taiwan and the signing of this official collaboration agreement between our companies is the beginning of a true friendship and a productive business collaboration.”
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