Hydropower 101

January 27, 2025 | Online :: Central Time

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“Tom seems to have an incredible grasp of the industry, from the science to the economics. The topics he chose to speak on were diverse and well thought out.” – Con Edison

“Tom Russo was excellent, and I was very impressed with his knowledge and teaching capability.” – Department of Energy

“Tom was great! I haven’t had such a knowledgeable teacher in a long time with organizational training.” –Natural Resource Specialist, Division of Energy and Mineral Development   

“Mr. Russo is an amazingly knowledgeable speaker. This is one of the most comprehensive conferences/courses/webinars I have ever attended.” –Analyst, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Hydropower is becoming increasingly important in the global energy transition, and with new considerations such as the Inflation Reduction Act, it’s crucial for all in the industry to attend this one-day course—whether as a review or as an introduction to hydro and its incentives.

This program will cover:

• Types of hydro projects and characteristics
• Dams, turbines, and generators
• US, Canada, and international hydropower
• Regulatory and cost considerations
• Hydro in electricity markets
• Hydro’s role in the energy transition

Hydropower 101 is designed not just for water personnel, but for engineers, environmental consultants, federal and state employees, and anyone else who is curious about this realm of the industry. Stories, current challenges, and open discussions are encouraged throughout the program.

Learning Outcomes

• Review the definition of waterpower and discuss hydropower project types and characteristics
• Review turbines and generators and how all of their components work together
• Assess international hydropower and how it’s contributing to global renewable energy
• Identify hydropower costs, including calculations, limitations, and the differentiators between hydro vs. other electric power sources
• Discuss regulatory aspects, such as how regulates hydro and builds the projects, FERC and State roles, issues and mitigation, and sustainability
• Discuss Infrastructure & Jobs Act Inflation Reduction Act incentives and how they impact the global energy transition

Monday, January 27, 2025 : Central Time

Introduction

• Waterpower: A Simple Definition
• A Very Old Technology
• Anatomy of a Hydropower Project
• Hydropower Project Types & Definitions

Kinds of Hydro Projects & Characteristics

• Run of River Projects
• Peaking with Reservoir Storage
• Pumped Storage Hydro: Open and Closed

Dams

• Types
• Safety

Turbines and Generators

• Types of Turbines
• Generators
• Electric Transmission
• How it All Works

International Hydropower

• Hydro’s Contribution to Global Renewable Energy
• Who’s Building Large and Small Hydro and What Kinds
• Electrification in the Developing Work

US & Canadian Hydropower

• Hydropower: Leading States and Provinces
• Installed Capacity and Ownership of Project

Hydropower Costs

• Power Calculations, Costs, and Limitations
• Cost of Hydro vs. Other Electric Power Sources

Regulatory

• FERC: A Brief Introduction
• Who Regulates Hydro and Who Builds the Projects
• FERC and State Roles in Hydropower Regulation and Licensing
• Major Hydropower Issues and Mitigation
• Making Hydropower Sustainable Through Relicensing

Value of Hydro in Changing Electricity Markets

• Restructured Electricity Markets and Regulated Electric Utility Markets
• Revenue Streams for Hydropower Project
• Closed-Loop and Open-Loop Pumped Storage Projects
• Green Power, Renewable Energy Certificates, and Low Impact Hydropower
• Hydropower and Green Hydrogen Production

Hydropower’s Role in the Global Energy Transition

• Infrastructure & Jobs Act Incentives
• Inflation Reduction Act Incentives
• Pending Hydropower Projects and Projects Being Studied at FERC
• FERC National Environmental Policy Act Reviews

Tom Russo, Principal, Russo on Energy, LLC

Tom Russo is an Energy and Environmental expert with unique FERC regulatory skills in siting hydropower, natural gas and liquefied natural gas infrastructure, and NEPA environmental impact assessment, as well as in how energy markets, prices, and physical/cybersecurity affect infrastructure investments.

Prior to founding Russo on Energy LLC in May 2015, Mr. Russo worked for over 30 years as a Manager and Sr. Energy Industry Analyst at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). During that time, he amassed experience in hydropower licensing, NEPA environmental impact assessment of energy projects, business process reengineering, and natural gas and crude oil market oversight. He is very active in hydropower and natural gas matters and writes an Energy and Environmental column for the Natural Gas and Electricity Journal.

Mr. Russo is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He earned a credential as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) in 2010. He also graduated with an MBA in Finance from George Washington University and an MS in Biology from the University of Alabama.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Hydropower 101

January 27, 2025 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before December 27, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.7 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint presentations, group discussions, and active participation.

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 8.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend 

• New job entrants 
• Mid-level positions 
• Federal and state employees
• US and Canadian federal agencies
• Waterpower agencies
• Engineers and engineering firms
• Environmental consultants
• Anyone needing a refresher course to the industry