Episode 46 | Human Hydropower | NLine Energy
For my second hydroelectric episode, I wanted to explore the growing field of Conduit Hydropower-using man-made structures to create electricity.
California-based NLine Energy is a national leader in the field. Since forming in 2010, they have captured over 90% of California's sub-5 megawatt development in that state. Since 2016, they have developed operations in 14 states.
As that would imply, conduit hydroelectric does not typically produce the mega-wattage of conventional hydro electric dams. However, NLine says that some of their clients are actually able to net-meter excess power to the grid. Their San Gabriel Valley Water Company project has resulted in that group not paying an electric bill since 2013!
I am a big fan of conventional hydroelectric, especially when only 3% of America's 80,000 dams are electrified. My guest says this is the future of hydroelectric, especially because regulations make the technology much easier to implement. What's more, many states classify Conduit Hydropower as renewable energy, and many more classify it as energy efficiency.
My guest this week, NLine President, Founder, and CEO Matt Swindle, says the company uses several technologies to find solutions for each client. He says the main source of energy comes from drops in elevation, which increase head pressure in pipes, and must be regulated with pressure reducing valves. The company will typically install a hydroelectric turbine generator in parallel with a pressure reducing station, and uses the excess pressure to make energy. Matt says there are tens of thousands of pressure reducing valves around the country.
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