The Skyway News article states: "Crown Hydro's west bank project received a $5.1 million grant from Xcel's Renewable Energy Fund and, according to the letter, has spent $1.4 million". I am curious if anyone knows if these millions of dollars from this Renewable Energy Fund is money that could have been used for wind and solar projects? If so, then maybe that would be the wiser use.
I have my doubts about the future of 'run of the river' electricity production. Due to the falls, this specific location has the benefit of a 16' drop in elevation to provide a good flow through the generators. I doubt if there are a whole lot of other feasible river locations around the country with the benefit of a drop like this without building a dam. And even with this nice elevation change, the project still needs the $5.1 million startup subsidy and the 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour ongoing subsidy to be economically feasible. As I understand it, Crown Hydro also gets the benefit of some previously constructed tunnels. My guess is that a 'run of the river' project would be much more expensive to set up from scratch in most other locations. Maybe we should focus our scarce resources to help further technologies that are going to be more economically feasible in more locations. Dave Stack Harrison REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
