World news |
online, cutting the need to import power or fossil fuels from abroad.” Marshall emphasized the local impact::
“Projects such as Drax’s will not only be good for the grid, but it will also offer fantastic opportunities for local communities and businesses. Expanding Cruachan will be a major infrastructure project which will create jobs and provide a real boost to Scotland.” The construction phase is expected to support around 1100 jobs in the UK and contribute up to £470 million to the economy, making it one of Scotland’s most significant infrastructure efforts in years. Andy Sloan, Managing Director at COWI UK, said: “COWI is thrilled to support Drax on this vital project and continue to play a key role in the revival of pumped storage in Scotland. This project allows us to apply our expertise in rock mechanics and tunnel engineering to a renewable energy initiative.” Pierluigi Nionelli, Head of Hydropower at PINI
Group, added, “The expansion of Cruachan will make a crucial contribution to the energy transition process in Scotland. Our Hydropower Business Line is dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions for the sector… We are therefore truly honored to transfer our know- how and skills to a project like Cruachan.” The announcement follows the UK Government’s recent commitment to invest in long-duration electricity storage technologies. Alongside this expansion plan, Drax is also undertaking an £80 million refurbishment of its current Cruachan facility, upgrading its capacity from 440 MW to 480 MW.
Norway Gullbergelva plant begins commercial operations Locus Energy, part of SEB Nordic Energy’s portfolio, has announced that the Gullbergelva hydropower plant has officially begun commercial operations. The plant, located in Åfjord, Norway, marks the first project to reach this milestone since Locus Energy acquired Blåfall Utvikling A/S earlier in the year. With an installed capacity of 2.7MW and an annual production of 8.3GWh, Gullbergelva becomes the eighth operational plant in Locus Energy’s portfolio. “The development and construction of the
Gullbergelva power plant, together with 17km of grid and fiber connections, represent a milestone for us and the municipality. We are excited for the strengthened local connectivity and further renewable developments in the area,” said Lars Haugom, CEO of Blåfall AS. Erling Iversen, Mayor of Åfjord Municipality, praised the project: “The construction of Gullbergelva fosters a strong confidence in the future development of Sørdalen by providing fiber connectivity, a grid upgrade, and securing annual land leases for landowners. As Mayor, I am highly supportive of the efforts and investments being made in the valley.”
Following Gullbergelva, Locus Energy plans
to continue developing small-scale hydro plants at 18 other sites across Norway. Back in August, Locus Energy announced it was strengthening its team with the appointment of Pär Boquist as Asset Manager Hydro. Boquist has a background as a project developer from Algonquin Power & Utilities, where he concentrated on the North American market and was involved in the development and construction of multi-GW of onshore wind power and large-scale PV-systems. Additionally, he has served as a project manager for Skyborn Renewables, responsible for the development of offshore wind power projects in Europe. Pär holds a BSc in business & economics from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and an MSc in Energy Technology from Uppsala University.
US
NHA recognizes 2024 OSAW award winners for hydropower achievements The National Hydropower Association (NHA) celebrated the achievements of four organizations at Clean Currents 2024 by awarding them the Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters (OSAW) Award. The OSAW Award, presented annually, recognize projects in the hydropower and marine energy sectors that demonstrate excellence in areas such as public education, environmental enhancement, historical preservation, and stewardship. The 2024 OSAW Award winners are: Foundation for Water and Energy Education (FWEE): Recognized in the Public Education category for its Hydropower and STEM Academy. Launched in 2016, the Academy provides secondary students with hands- on learning experiences and exposure to careers in the hydropower industry. The program is designed to address workforce challenges in the sector, helping students develop skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). With the support of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), FWEE expanded the program in 2023. Around 40-60% of participants identify as female or students of color. Surveys of participants show the Academy has influenced educational choices, with many students pursuing careers in hydropower or other clean energy fields.
Kleinschmidt Associates: Honoured in the Recreational, Environmental, and Historical Enhancement category for its Shikellamy Nature-Like Fishway Design and Construction project at the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam on the Susquehanna River. Working in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, Kleinschmidt designed a 700-foot fishway to restore fish passage around the dam for the first time in over 50 years, reconnecting aquatic life to 18,000
6 | December 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
square miles of river basin. The project, one of the largest nature-like fishways on the East Coast, balances ecological restoration with recreational and operational needs. “This innovative design accommodates a broad range of aquatic life, meeting the highest standards in fishway design,” said Kleinschmidt.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E): Recognized in the Recreational, Environmental, and Historical Enhancement category for its Land Conservation Commitment (LCC). The LCC conserved more than 140,000 acres of PG&E’s Watershed Lands, located across the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. The project took nearly two decades to complete and focused on protecting open spaces, cultural resources, public recreation, and habitat conservation. PG&E also implemented a Youth Investment Program to connect underserved youth to the outdoors. The program provided over 270 grants and reached more than 260,000 young people, while also advancing racial justice and equity in the environmental movement. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Benton Conservation District: Honored in the Public Education category for the Salmon Summit program. The event, part of Washington State’s “Salmon in the Classroom” curriculum, allows students to release school-raised salmon into the Columbia River and learn about salmon migration and hydropower impacts. PNNL scientists provide insights into fish tracking and hydropower’s role in fish migration. In 2023, PNNL expanded the program by live-streaming the event, allowing schools over 300 miles away to participate. The live-stream doubled participation, engaging students from low-income communities and schools with below-average science and math scores. Post-event surveys indicated strong enthusiasm for the program, with 100% of teachers expressing interest in participating again. In addition to the award recipients, the NHA recognized the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for its decades-long effort to restore the snail darter population, a species once listed as endangered. The snail darter’s recovery, which involved relocating the fish to other rivers and improving water quality, led to its removal from the endangered species list in 2022, making it one of only 55 species to ever be delisted. TVA’s work included installing oxygen systems, adjusting water flows, and maintaining aquatic ecosystems to support the species’ revival. NHA President Malcolm Woolf praised the 2024 OSAW winners for their contributions: “These projects highlight how the hydropower industry continues to demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship and public education, while providing clean, renewable energy to communities across the country.” The OSAW Awards reflect the ongoing
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
