A startup company based in New England thinks it can generate 1,600 megawatts of electricity–enough to power 1.5 million homes–by deploying thousands of small turbines in the Mississippi River from St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico.
World of Renewables reported that Gloucester, Massachusetts-based Free Flow Power has already received permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study 59 potential sites on the river that could be used in a plan that would cost an estimated $3 billion.
Free Flow Power is one of numerous companies attempting to bring more hydrokinetic power to the nation’s grid. Hyrdrokinetic power is generated from the natural movement of water in rivers, waves or tides, as opposed to dam-released flows. Proponents say the power is generated with a smaller impact on the environment.
However, there are many obstacles to developing hydrokinetic projects, including calls for in-depth environmental impact studies by some conservation groups.
But Daniel R. Irvin, chief executive of Free Flow Power, is hopeful the company can begin producing power as early as 2012 for midwest markets.
"Necessity is the mother of invention, and what’s really driving this is the need to develop alternatives to fossil fuels," Irvin said.
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