HydroWorld: Senate panel endorses renewables standard including hydropower

HydroWorld | June 23, 2009 |View online

Hydro Headlines Senate panel endorses renewables standard including hydropower WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee approved a broad energy package June 17, 2009, that would require utilities to increase the amount of power they obtain from renewable energy sources including some hydropower and ocean energy. Construction begins on three Albania hydro projects TIRANA, Albania -- Austrian utility EVN and Norway's Statkraft began construction June 8, 2009, of three hydroelectric plants totaling 340 MW on Albania’s Devoll River. Voith Hydro participates in D.C. green jobs summit WASHINGTON -- The chief executive of Voith Hydro, York, Pa., represented the hydropower industry June 17, 2009, at a Green Jobs Leadership Summit sponsored by the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. More News • Asian bank plans US$2 billion clean energy investment from 2013 • Utility cites Baker River salmon collector for record fish run • Ontario Power finances 44.5-MW Mattagami, Montreal rivers upgrades New Development Argentina president officiates start of 132-MW Los Caracoles SAN JUAN, Argentina -- Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner presided over the start-up June 18, 2009, of the 132-MW Los Caracoles hydroelectric project on Argentina’s San Juan River. Seven bids offered to study, design Ecuador’s 4,000-MW Zamora complex QUITO, Ecuador -- Seven bids were submitted by firms to perform studies and detailed design of the 4,000-MW Zamora hydroelectric complex on Ecuador’s Zamora and Namangoza rivers. More New Development • Austria group signs deal to build Bulgaria's 170-MW Gorna Arda Technology & Equipment Solving Thrust Bearing Overheating Problems For several years, Grant County Public Utility District (PUD) struggled with high temperatures – and subsequent failures – of the thrust bearings of two units at its 907-MW Priest Rapids hydro project. To solve the problem, the utility installed pressure transducers to measure load on the bearings, then used the measurements to more accurately adjust the bearings’ position. New York restarts third unit at 1,160-MW Blenheim-Gilboa NORTH BLENHEIM, N.Y., U.S. -- New York Power Authority announced June 17, 2009, it refurbished and returned to service a third unit of the four-unit, 1,160-MW Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped-Storage project in the Northern Catskill Mountains of New York. Tech Notes: Regulator developed for single-phase generators A final-year engineering student at Monash University in Australia has designed and built a regulator for a self-exciting single-phase induction generator for a micro-hydro system. In essence, the regulator maintains constant output alternating current (AC) voltage and frequency as system conditions (such as water speed or electrical loading) change, says developer Luke Robinson. More Technology & Equipment • U.S. awards $2 million rehab contract for 17.29-MW Green Springs • Corps adds $24.4 million to Tuttle Creek Dam contract In Focus Asian bank rates Mekong energy sector assistance a success VIENTIANE, Laos -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) rates as “successful” its aid program to the energy sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) of Southeast Asia, including assistance to major hydroelectric projects in the region. And More! • Canada utility opens weir, part of 3.6-MW Hound Chute redevelopment • French developer drops plans for eight Brazil hydro projects • Nile Basin Initiative names water resources management support • Hydro Foundation seeks executive director • African bank funds integrated water management by Gambia River agency HYDROWORLD SPONSORED EVENTS Waterpower XVI Spokane, Washington July 27-30, 2009 Click Here for Details HydroWorld Weekly Brought to you by

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