[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 50489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20486]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Wind and Water Power Program
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) Wind and Water Power Program
(WWPP) is planning a workshop to exchange information on hydropower's
ability to integrate variable renewables into our nation's grid. Some
renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, can stress power
systems as their electricity generation varies with fluctuations in
their renewable ``fuel'' (i.e. wind speed and sunlight availability).
Development of these resources is essential for meeting the President's
goal of producing 80% of U.S. electricity from clean energy sources by
2035, but will require grid integration solutions. DOE is seeking
individual technical advice with regard to the use of existing
hydropower resources and advanced pumped storage technologies for
integrating variable renewables.
DATES: DOE will hold a workshop on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 12
p.m. in Portland, OR. RSVP is required by Tuesday, September 4, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Mark Spencer Hotel located
at 409 SW. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hoyt Battey, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 586-
0143. Email: hoyt.battey@ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hydropower provides a substantial portion of
the existing power grid's flexibility and does so without emitting
greenhouse emissions. However, the demands on the hydropower fleet's
flexibility are growing due to increasing installation of renewables
like wind and solar that produce variable power. Simultaneously, the
capability to provide this flexibility is diminishing as the hydropower
fleet loses efficiency as it ages, and competing water uses such as
irrigation and domestic supply take priority over generation
capabilities. New advanced pumped storage technologies could add the
needed flexibility to integrate variable renewables, but U.S.
development of pumped storage has been stalled for the last two
decades.
Exchanging information concerning individual experience by industry
experts through the DOE sponsored 2010 Pumped Storage Summit was
informational and helped DOE to identify a set of key issues preventing
the deployment of advanced pumped storage hydropower technologies. DOE
was able to utilize the key information obtained at that meeting to
carefully target research and development funding towards high-impact
projects, such as benefits demonstration and pre-construction support.
DOE is planning a workshop for the exchange of information on
hydropower's ability to integrate variable renewables into our nation's
grid. Participants at the September workshop should limit information
and comments to those based on personal experience, individual advice,
information, or facts regarding this topic. It is not the object of
this session to obtain any group position or consensus. Rather, this
meeting is an opportunity for participants to gain an individual
understanding of the cited knowledge, research, and technology needs.
To most effectively use the limited time, please refrain from passing
judgment on another participant's recommendations or advice, and
instead, concentrate on your individual experiences.
Public Participation: This workshop is designed to bring together a
multi-disciplinary set of stakeholders--from policymakers to equipment
manufacturers, from hydro owner-operators to solar and wind industry
experts, to individually identify and address all aspects of highest-
leverage barriers to utilizing hydropower and pumped storage to
integrate variable renewables. The event is open to the public based on
space availability. Participants are required to pre-register and space
is limited.
Pre-Registration: To pre-register, please visit www.yesevents.com/DOE_Hydropower_Integration or contact Stacey Young via email at
Hydropower_Integration@sra.com or by telephone at (202) 554-8480
x2924. Participants interested in attending should provide their name,
company name or organization (if applicable), telephone number, and
email no later than the close of business on Tuesday September 4, 2012.
All attendees are required to pre-register.
Agenda: The first day the DOE WWPP will open the workshop with its
view of the current landscape of hydropower and pumped storage
development and will then provide the opportunity for a variety of
experts to describe their perspective on the state of the industry and
associated technologies. For the remainder of the day, hydropower
technological capabilities, operational constraints, and market
barriers will be discussed sequentially. At the end of each workshop
session, DOE will seek input from individual participants regarding
what they believe are the most significant barriers and issues. The
half-day session on the second day will be scheduled in its entirety to
allow for comments from participants on how to tackle the high-impact
issues identified by DOE from the previous workshop sessions.
Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities:
Individuals requiring special accommodations at the meeting, please
contact Ms. Young no later than the close of business on Tuesday,
September 4, 2012.
Minutes: A summary report of the meeting will be available for
printing at the DOE Water Program Online Publication and Product
Library at: water.energy.gov/publications.html.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 15, 2012.
Jose Zayas,
Wind and Water Power Program Manager, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-20486 Filed 8-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P