Hydro gets the green stamp
Posted in Climate on February 1st, 2008 by Susan – Be the first to comment
Lake Chelan powerhouse
Chelan County PUD has taken two important steps this winter to participate in the emerging green energy marketplace.
In January, the Lake Chelan Hydro Project was certified by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI). This means the dam and powerhouse (pictured at left) are recognized for meeting criteria related to river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watersheds, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, and public access and recreation.
If any of the electricity generated at Lake Chelan is ultimately certified as green power, the energy or environmental values could potentially be sold in green markets. LIHI certification has been considered an important first step toward green certification in some areas, but many green markets are still developing.
In December, the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) approved a portion of the hydropower generated at Rocky Reach Dam to be traded to offset greenhouse gas emissions from other sources.
Approximately 1.75 million additional megawatt hours generated at the dam as a result of operational and equipment efficiency improvements since 2003 are eligible to be traded as carbon offset credits, estimated to be worth from $1.5 million to $3 million at recent prices (up to about $1.7 million for Chelan PUD). Chelan County PUD has the capacity to produce 1,300 MW of clean, renewable hydropower at Rocky Reach Dam.
The Chicago Climate Exchange is the world’s first and North America’s only legally binding rules-based greenhouse gas reduction and trading system. It is the world’s only global system for emissions trading based on all six greenhouse gases. Members commit to reduce their direct CO2 emissions by 6 percent by 2010 by making internal reductions or by purchasing excess reductions made by members or offset projects.
