June 29, 2011 - hydrokinetic energy recap

In the past week, I've taken a look at how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates the development of hydrokinetic energy projects -- powerplants that produce electricity from the movement of water in forms like waves, tides, or undammed rivers.

A summer day at Preble Cove on Great Cranberry Island, Maine.

 Here's a quick recap of what we saw:

• Intro to hydrokinetics: a description of hydrokinetics, and examples of projects
• Permits and licenses: what kind of federal energy approvals do projects need?
• Issued preliminary permits for inland projects: mostly on the lower Mississippi River, but also Alaska, Arizona, and Michigan
• Issued preliminary permits for marine projects: mostly North Atlantic tidal, some Pacific wave-based
• Pending applications for preliminary permits: almost all for lower Mississippi, but also riverine in NY and NJ, and tidal in NJ and Massachusetts
• Issued licenses for hydrokinetic projects: one riverine project operating, one Pacific wave project surrendered
• Pending applications for licenses: one Pacific wave, one Maine tidal

 Up next: a closer look at what's going on with hydrokinetic energy in Maine.