Location of the Hastings Hydro Turbine. Photo from Hydro Green Engergy

A Hydrokinetics turbine is being installed just below lock and dam 2 in Hastings – Steve Johnson’s Upper Mississippi Blog got the scoop and a photo. According to the Hydropower Reform Coalition it will be the first in-river hydrokinetic project. Will it chop-up fish? disturb native muscles? Endanger recreational boaters?

Hastings Hydroturbine on Barge. Photo from NPS/MISS

Two turbines will be installed – one this month and one in April. Each unit  has a nameplate capacity of 100 kW generated from the river’s flow which will be delivered to the energy grid through the existing hydropower infrastructure. More information here (platts.com), here (Minnesota Ag),  here (America Whitewater), here (Hydro Green Energy),  and here (a really good page from the National Park Service). Lots more info available with a google search “hastings hydrokinetic project.”