Energy Office Seeks Proposals to Assess Maine's Unrealized Hydropower Potential with New Technology

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is soliciting proposals for an up-to-date inventory of the state’s untapped hydropower potential.

The GEO is currently updating the state's Comprehensive Energy Plan, and, as part of this process, has identified a need for a current inventory of the state's hydropower resources, as well as recommendations for regulatory modifications that could expand economic opportunities through additional production, consistent with the state's environmental objectives.

"Maine has not assessed its hydropower resources since the early 1990s," stated Energy Office Director Patrick Woodcock.  "Since that time, additional technologies have been developed, some right here in Maine, and numerous studies from the Department of Energy have highlighted significant hydropower potential.  It is time to review whether we can expand our hydropower resources with these new technologies, in a manner that works for our environment as well as our economy."

The expansion of small scale facilities, the utilization of run-of-river technologies, the use of currently non-
producing dams, as well as the increased efficiency of existing dams have all been examined as methods to expand clean energy production from hydropower resources.  The federal government has also made modifications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's regulatory process to streamline permitting for small hydropower facilities.  Specifically, last year Congress passed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act (H.R. 267), which provided a mechanism to speed the regulatory process for small non-producing dams.

The updated inventory will identify sites that could be developed for small and micro facilities, untapped potential at existing hydropower sites, and hydrokinetic resources (energy produced from currents, waves, and river flows).  The study will also provide recommendations for regulatory changes to encourage increased production at existing facilities, as well as from new, smaller, unconventional resources.

"While the state's previous plans envisioned significant new hydro dams, we are reviewing whether smaller facilities with modern technology can produce stable and competitive energy production," stated Woodcock.  "We are looking for ways to augment our existing hydropower production, while avoiding the debates of the past."

Potential bidders can obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals from Lisa Smith, RFP Coordinator: lisa.j.smith@maine.gov, or by calling 624-7445.