[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 50489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20486]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Wind and Water Power Program

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) Wind and Water Power Program 
(WWPP) is planning a workshop to exchange information on hydropower's 
ability to integrate variable renewables into our nation's grid. Some 
renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, can stress power 
systems as their electricity generation varies with fluctuations in 
their renewable ``fuel'' (i.e. wind speed and sunlight availability). 
Development of these resources is essential for meeting the President's 
goal of producing 80% of U.S. electricity from clean energy sources by 
2035, but will require grid integration solutions. DOE is seeking 
individual technical advice with regard to the use of existing 
hydropower resources and advanced pumped storage technologies for 
integrating variable renewables.

DATES: DOE will hold a workshop on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, from 8 
a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 12 
p.m. in Portland, OR. RSVP is required by Tuesday, September 4, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Mark Spencer Hotel located 
at 409 SW. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hoyt Battey, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 586-
0143. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hydropower provides a substantial portion of 
the existing power grid's flexibility and does so without emitting 
greenhouse emissions. However, the demands on the hydropower fleet's 
flexibility are growing due to increasing installation of renewables 
like wind and solar that produce variable power. Simultaneously, the 
capability to provide this flexibility is diminishing as the hydropower 
fleet loses efficiency as it ages, and competing water uses such as 
irrigation and domestic supply take priority over generation 
capabilities. New advanced pumped storage technologies could add the 
needed flexibility to integrate variable renewables, but U.S. 
development of pumped storage has been stalled for the last two 
decades.
    Exchanging information concerning individual experience by industry 
experts through the DOE sponsored 2010 Pumped Storage Summit was 
informational and helped DOE to identify a set of key issues preventing 
the deployment of advanced pumped storage hydropower technologies. DOE 
was able to utilize the key information obtained at that meeting to 
carefully target research and development funding towards high-impact 
projects, such as benefits demonstration and pre-construction support.
    DOE is planning a workshop for the exchange of information on 
hydropower's ability to integrate variable renewables into our nation's 
grid. Participants at the September workshop should limit information 
and comments to those based on personal experience, individual advice, 
information, or facts regarding this topic. It is not the object of 
this session to obtain any group position or consensus. Rather, this 
meeting is an opportunity for participants to gain an individual 
understanding of the cited knowledge, research, and technology needs. 
To most effectively use the limited time, please refrain from passing 
judgment on another participant's recommendations or advice, and 
instead, concentrate on your individual experiences.
    Public Participation: This workshop is designed to bring together a 
multi-disciplinary set of stakeholders--from policymakers to equipment 
manufacturers, from hydro owner-operators to solar and wind industry 
experts, to individually identify and address all aspects of highest-
leverage barriers to utilizing hydropower and pumped storage to 
integrate variable renewables. The event is open to the public based on 
space availability. Participants are required to pre-register and space 
is limited.
    Pre-Registration: To pre-register, please visit www.yesevents.com/DOE_Hydropower_Integration or contact Stacey Young via email at 
[email protected] or by telephone at (202) 554-8480 
x2924. Participants interested in attending should provide their name, 
company name or organization (if applicable), telephone number, and 
email no later than the close of business on Tuesday September 4, 2012. 
All attendees are required to pre-register.
    Agenda: The first day the DOE WWPP will open the workshop with its 
view of the current landscape of hydropower and pumped storage 
development and will then provide the opportunity for a variety of 
experts to describe their perspective on the state of the industry and 
associated technologies. For the remainder of the day, hydropower 
technological capabilities, operational constraints, and market 
barriers will be discussed sequentially. At the end of each workshop 
session, DOE will seek input from individual participants regarding 
what they believe are the most significant barriers and issues. The 
half-day session on the second day will be scheduled in its entirety to 
allow for comments from participants on how to tackle the high-impact 
issues identified by DOE from the previous workshop sessions.
    Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities: 
Individuals requiring special accommodations at the meeting, please 
contact Ms. Young no later than the close of business on Tuesday, 
September 4, 2012.
    Minutes: A summary report of the meeting will be available for 
printing at the DOE Water Program Online Publication and Product 
Library at: water.energy.gov/publications.html.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 15, 2012.
Jose Zayas,
Wind and Water Power Program Manager, Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-20486 Filed 8-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P