NHA welcomes Govt boost for hydro, pumped storage

[Fledermaus]

The National Hydropower Association (NHA) has welcomed US Government's recognition of the importance of pumped storage (PS) to the wider development of grid-connected renewable energy resources, and its support for hydroelectric generation in the economic stimulus package approved by Congress.

NHA said that expanding PS capacity beyond the country's existing resources for storing energy, dominated by 20.3GW of PS, was a high priority. The resource offers major benefits in fast-response stabilization to the electricity transmission grids to help balance the fluctuating inputs of resources like wind power.

Praise was also given for the inclusion of hydro in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved by Congress. The “Stimulus” package provides for financial support to incremental hydro power, generation at non-powered dams, and the development of ocean, tidal and instream hydrokinetic technologies.

http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=130&storyCode=2052314