Volume 3 Issue 8 September
Specialized Services By Kris Polly When most people think of hydropower, they think of dams and turbines. Needless to say, those are important, but there are many other elements—both physical and digital—that go into turning flowing water into electricity. This month, we focus on several of those services, including the provision of computerized control systems, […]
Volume 3 Issue 7 July/August
Supply Chain Challenges By Kris Polly Supply chain disruptions and delays have filled the news for a year now. But how have those disruptions played out for the utilities, manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors in the hydro industry? This month, we dive into the question. Our cover interview is with Debra Smith, the general manager and […]
Volume 3 Issue 6 June
A Groundbreaking Proposal By Kris Polly This month, we feature news of a groundbreaking set of proposed legislative reforms to the Federal Power Act. Originating in an Uncommon Dialogue discussion series at Stanford University, the reform proposal has the buy-in of the hydropower industry, tribal nations, and the conservation community, and includes nothing that all […]
Volume 3 Issue 5 May
Fish-Friendly Strategies By Kris Polly The hydropower industry is often plagued by the misperception that the term fish-friendly dam is an oxymoron. In fact, hydro operators work tirelessly to ensure that their facilities are safe for fish and that the rivers on which they are located remain hospitable habitats. Idaho Power has taken recent relicensing […]
Volume 3 Issue 4 April
The Promise of Pumped Storage Hydropower By Kris Polly Pumped storage is an efficient, established, long-duration energy storage method that will become an increasingly crucial part of the grid in coming years as more and more variable renewable generation comes online. This issue’s focus on these facilities begins with a cover interview with Matthew Shapiro, […]
Volume 3 Issue 3 March
The Colorado Drought and Hydropower Production By Kris Polly Everyone knows that drought means less water, but it may not be as immediately obvious that it can also mean less power. In the Colorado basin, however, that is becoming more and more apparent. In our dual cover stories this month, we speak with Nicholas Williams, […]
Volume 3 Issue 2 February
Compliance Culture By Kris Polly As owners and operators of hydropower facilities well know, compliance with the regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other federal and state agencies is a major and crucial task. Building a culture of regulatory compliance within an organization is a key to planning and long-term success. This […]
Volume 3 Issue 1 January
Sustainability and Specialization By Kris Polly The Colville Indian Reservation, located in central Washington State, is home to two of the nation’s largest hydroelectric stations, Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams, and is just upriver of Wells Dam. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have a financial stake in these facilities and also depend […]
Volume 2 Issue 10 Nov/Dec 2021
Promoters of Progress, Public and Private By Kris Polly For our cover story, we have the honor of interviewing Representative Annie Kuster of New Hampshire. Representative Kuster was the cosponsor in the House of Representatives of the Twenty-First Century Dams Act, which would invest over $25 billion in dam upgrades, dam safety measures, and hydropower […]
Volume 2 Issue 9 October 2021
Promoters of Progress, Public and Private By Kris Polly Progress in hydropower is pushed forward by private companies; federal, state, and provincial entities; and even local agencies. All those levels are on view in this month’s Hydro Leader. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) funds important research into hydropower, marine energy, […]
