Seacoast NRG

The St. Louis Dispatch reported last week that start-up company Free Flow Power, based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has obtained preliminary permitting to test hydrokinetic power installations on the Mississippi River. 

Hydrokinetic power makes use of swiftly flowing rivers or tides to turn windmill-like turbines, which in turn generate electricity.  Hydrokinetic power is distinct from traditional hydro power in that dam construction is not required.  Typically, a hydrokinetic turbine is submerged and secured to the riverbed, or is attached to existing infrastructure, such as bridge pilings. 

Free Flow Power is proposing to someday install hundreds or perhaps even thousands of turbines along a stretch of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and New Orleans.  Free Flow Power estimates that for a cost of $3 billion, it could build 1,600 MW of generating capacity in the river.  To date, Free Flow Power has obtained preliminary permits from the  Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC), to research and develop turbine installations at 59 locations along the river.  The permits give Free Flow Power exclusive development rights to these 59 sites for up to three years.

Currently, the leader in development of hydrokinetic power appears to be Verdant Power, which has already completed power generation tests in New York City’s East River.  In New Hampshire, the start-up Oceana Energy, and the more-established Underwater Electric Kite Company last year secured FERC permits to develop power at sites in the Piscataqua River.  But to date, nearly a year later, little activity has been seen or reported.