Revolutionizing Hydropower
In North America

FDE Hydro Power has designed and developed a proprietary Dual Axis Utility Scale “Solar Tracker” primarily for its Hydro Micro Grids or Remote Community packages.

by | Sep 11, 2020 | News

​​Renewable Energy Solutions

Solar Tracker Solutions

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) & FDE Hydro (FDE) partnered to research, design and develop a proprietary utility scale dual access solar tracking system primarily for its Hydro Micro Grids or Remote Community packages.

​Analytics and testing, provided by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, have shown that this unique design results in a 40% power efficiency rating and can withstand wind speeds up to 200 MPH locked in the horizontal, stowed position (45 MPH when operational).

In addition to the dual axis rotation, the design features a “sensor suite” that allows the tracker to measure and adjust to wind gusts, discard snow loads and track positioning of the sun. The foundation is comprised of two, joined precast concrete sections that are sized to the weight and capacity of each tracker. Each tracker weighs approximately 30 tons and is earthquake resistant.

The standard tracker design includes 80’ x 28’ array collector with 96 panels and output of 50kw, depending on panel choice. All panels come wired to the inverter and transformer…all PLC controlled with a dedicated network for Scada system and all UL approved.

The Solar Tracker can be quickly sited and permitted, is rapidly deployable and can be easily dismantled, transferred, and relocated as needed. Besides large utility applications, uses are mostly commercial applications, landfills, industrial sites, remote communities, military installations, and others.

Like all FDE Hydro hydro or energy systems, the efficient Solar Tracker requires a smaller footprint (compared to a typical ground mount solar array), reduces overall costs and is environmentally clean.

1

First generation prototype in protective mode that can
withstand winds of over 200 MPH. Laboratory Tested

2

First generation prototype in tracking mode.

3

First generation prototype 4 hours after major storm
@ 20 degrees snow shedding position

4

Non-ground penetrating, pre-manufactured
pre-cast segmental ballast system.

Reinvigorating Hydropower A cornerstone of our clean, affordable, reliable electric future

by | Dec 12, 2019 | News

Reinvigorating Hydropower A cornerstone of our clean, affordable, reliable electric future

This is a great article by the National Hydropower Association (NHA ) as to why all new modular rapidly deployable hydropower small and medium head hydropower facilities ,from 2MW -40 MW should be the central energy source regarding critical resilient 24/7 military grade renewable energy needs to support US government personal in emergency. Resilient renewable micro grids are a necessity for the DOD ,DHS , FEMA, and locals to support this country in the event of a long- term grid failure scenario.

Read Full Article

4 Reasons Why Hydropower is the Guardian of the Grid

by | Dec 4, 2019 | News

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Hydropower has been around for more than a century and accounts for up to seven percent of the nation’s power supply. But it does a lot more than just generate power. This energy source plays a major role in maintaining the reliability and resiliency of the U.S. power grid.

Hydropower is reliable

Remember the sweeping Northeast blackout in 2003? What could have been a manageable local event turned into a massive grid stressor that affected more than 45 million people in eight states. What you may not have known is that hydropower plants in western New York were able to restart quickly and help stabilize the grid because hydropower is the sole generation type that can resume operations without relying on a kick start from an outside power source. Imagine how much more resilient and secure the nation’s power grid could be if more hydropower was added to the mix!

Hydropower functions like a battery

Pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) is the largest form of utility-scale electricity storage in the United States. PSH works like a big battery and effectively safeguards our nation’s energy supply by pumping water between lower and higher-elevated reservoirs. During periods of high electrical demand, water is released from the upper reservoir and rushes to its starting point. This turns turbines that generate power. America currently has 42 PSH plants and can still add even larger amounts of new, flexible, low-cost PSH that could more than double its current PSH capacity.

Read Full Article

Graphic by Sarah Harma

Executive Order on Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Pulses

by | Dec 4, 2019 | News

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Purpose.  An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) has the potential to disrupt, degrade, and damage technology and critical infrastructure systems.  Human-made or naturally occurring EMPs can affect large geographic areas, disrupting elements critical to the Nation’s security and economic prosperity, and could adversely affect global commerce and stability.  The Federal Government must foster sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective approaches to improving the Nation’s resilience to the effects of EMPs.

Read Full Article