Update on hydrokinetic development in the Mississippi River and technical difficulties involving conventional hydropower at very low head sites

Free Flow Power (FFP) is developing hydrokinetic sites in the Mississippi River and recently received the study plan from the FERC as part of the licensing process for constructing these sites.  The study plan is the result of the consultation with the many stakeholders and is designed to address the concerns regarding the impacts this new technology may have on the river systems where constructed.  In addition, FFP is developing conventional hydro at existing dams and acquiring existing hydroelectric assets throughout North America.  The hydrokinetic portion of the presentation will focus on the licensing effort underway, the challenging economics of this “little or no” head technology and the challenges of developing the FFP hydrokinetic turbine. 
The conventional hydro portion of the presentation will focus on the economic challenges of developing very low head (<12 feet) sites, the alternate technologies being considered at these sites and the challenges of licensing while meeting the dam owners needs