Energy Stock

[KellyIntelgain]

In traditional Hydropower, the force of water flowing downhill is used to power the station's turbines. As of 2006, hydroelectric power supplied about 715,000 megawatts or 19% of world electricity.
Hydropower produces essentially no carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions, in contrast to burning fossil fuels, and is not a significant contributor to global warming through CO2.
Hydroelectric power can be far less expensive than electricity generated from fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
New run-of-river technologies such as those planned for deployment by World Energy Holdings and Research PLC in Guatemala circumvent the concerns associated with the effects of reservoirs.
Many run-of-the-river power plants will have a dam across the full width of the river to utilize the entire river's force for electricity generation. Such installations will have a small reservoir behind the dam but since flooding is minimal, they can be considered "run-of-river."

Investments in run of river hydropower plants can produce solid returns for investors. New technologies and processes present strong upside potential for speculative investing in run of the river hydro power and can also be more risky according to Clean-Tech Investor

Renewable Energy - Hydro Power Plants

The following are the main requirements for a run of the river project according to the website:

• Intake weir – This system is built to draw water from the river creating a small ‘headpond’ of water.

• Penstocks – Pipes that deliver the water from the headpond to the turbines in the power station downstream. Penstocks can represent 50% of a project’s cost.

• Powerhouse for the turbines and generators – The turbines and generators are the 'heart' of a project. Each turbine and generator is uniquely designed for a site. Design is determined by the head, or the difference in the elevation of water at the penstock and the elevation of the turbine inlet located in the powerhouse, flow and volume of water at each site.
• Tailrace – A channel through which the diverted water is returned to its natural flow in the river.

• Access roads – Roads may have to be constructed to get to and from the project site.
• Transmission lines – Transmission lines from the powerhouse to the local transmission grid.
Investing in Hydropower
Investments in hydropower can come in the form of direct investments in hydropower generation plants or by investing in companies with new technologies for hydropower generation.
World Energy Holdings and Research PLC has enabled both investment into hydropower generation plants directly as accredited investment partners and investment into the main company as a publicly listed company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, symbol 0WE.f.

[KellyIntelgain]

I found this post on a company in the run of river technology sector of central america:

The information contained in this press release is not intended for distribution, publication or disclosure in or within the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan or in or into any other jurisdiction where such publication, distribution or release would breach any applicable securities law or regulation.

World Energy Holdings & Research PLC announces its acquisition of the proposed Tacana Hydro Project in Guatemala
18th January 2011

World Energy Holdings & Research PLC (“WEHR” of the “Company”)(ISIN GB00B50QMR32, WKN A1C9BX, admitted for trading under Frankfurt Symbol 0WE) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary World Energy Hydro Limited acquired on 12 January 2011 99% of World Energy Tacana SA from World Energy Holdings Guatemala SA (WEHG). WEHR and WEHG are part of the World Energy group of Companies.

World Energy Tacana SA has the right to construct, develop, and operate the Tacana Hydro Power Plant on the Coatan River and Los Molinos River in the jurisdictions of San Marco’s Guatemala (“the Tacana Project ”)

WEHR has estimated:

• construction costs of the Tacana Project at £38 million with anticipated annual net profits of approximately £12 million

• an initial 10 year power purchase agreement

• a project life of up to 50 years;

The £55 million purchase price payable by World Energy Hydro Limited was ultimately satisfied by the issue by WEHR to WEHG of 40 million ordinary shares and 15 million restricted ordinary shares.


“We are excited about the Guatemala market and the potential of hydro electricity using an ecological and economical technology for building our power stations. This project is in-line with our goals of social responsibility, knowledge transfer and community involvement,” says Jorge Vizcarra, Director of World Energy Holdings & Research PLC and of World Energy Hydro Limited

About World Energy Holdings & Research PLC

World Energy Holdings & Research PLC (ISIN GB00B50QMR32, WKN A1C9BX, 0WE ) is a public limited company incorporated in England focusing on the development of power plants, specifically in Central and Latin America. World Energy Holdings & Research PLC is admitted to trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange’s Entry Standard (Open Market) under symbol “0WE” (Zero “W” “E”).


Disclaimer:


This press release is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute an an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of WEHR. No regulatory authority has approved the press release.


This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect the current assessments, views, assumptions and beliefs made by WEHR or its officers according to the information available as of the date of this press release about future events, operating performance, financial condition, business strategy, WEHR’s plans and objectives for future operations and the industry in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those suggested in this press release. WEHR undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to WEHR and those acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing.


Enquiries to:


World Energy Holdings & Research PLC Brandon Francis, VP of Global Relations Tel: +502-2378-6400


End

[JaySumpton]

Energy Stock

Why Central America and Guatemala is at the New Forefront for Alternative Energy Investors
Right now, Guatemala presents an unprecedented opportunity for alternative energy investors. The Central American country of 13.7 million is in the midst of a bustling wave of development – one that has outpaced the ability of the government and regional utility providers to supply reliable power. Guatemala’s fertile land and rich natural resources make it an attractive location for foreign investment and action undertaken by the national government is driving outside dollars into the country. Of all the opportunities the nation holds, arguably none is as appealing as hydroelectric power. Filled with high-volume rivers and large adjacent tracts of sparsely-inhabited land, Guatemala offers up several sites where run of the river hydroelectric installations can be constructed. With the right team at the helm, these run of the river hydroelectric projects can become the centerpiece of a profitable reinvention of the country’s electrical infrastructure.
Opportunity Abounds
Guatemala presents tremendous advantages for energy investors. While the country is still growing into its potential, the overall economy is accelerating rapidly. Substantially increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) over the past decade has contributed dramatically to this economic growth. And because Guatemala is still considered a developing country, there is a vast array of opportunities yet to be explored. Its fertile land and rich natural resources make it an attractive locale, particularly for energy investments. Moreover, the strategic location of Guatemala enables energy companies here to seamlessly export power to Mexico, the United States, and Central America. As of this writing, FDI accounts for almost 20% of the overall gross domestic product, and actions planned by the Guatemalan government – coupled with a keen focus on the energy sector – should spur this figure even higher in the coming years.
The Staying Power of Hydroelectricity
Each and every renewable energy source has market drivers that are unique to the technologies required and to the energy-generating projects themselves. Much like solar power and wind turbine projects, hydroelectric plants offer an alternative to fossil fuel-depleting energy technologies. But unlike these newer energy concepts, hydroelectric power has a proven track record for longevity and stability, giving investors in this market a comfortable long-term investment opportunity. Hydroelectricity has an estimated useful life of up to 100 years.
The Strain of Conventional Energy
Worldwide, far too much reliance is placed on conventional methods of generating power. Nations from every continent turn to “reliable” energy sources with little regard to their limited long-term viability or their often deleterious effect on natural resources. To its credit, Central America is already ahead of the curve, with 66.4% of its power generation stemming from dams and water power projects. In Guatemala and elsewhere, spiralling energy costs and steady advances in alternative technologies have joined forces to inspire more interest in renewable energy – but with conventional production and delivery methods well entrenched, forward progress has been slow. According to the last major survey of the global energy landscape, almost two-thirds of the world’s total electricity is generated through the combustion of natural resources that are known to be finite in supply, and some of the most densely populated regions of the world contribute virtually nothing to sustainable energy practices.
Hydro: The Big Picture
The big picture is clear: renewable energy is imperative. With fossil fuels warming the globe and energy costs rising worldwide, the emergence of true renewable solutions is the only long-term remedy. Of the solutions available, perhaps none is as promising as hydroelectric power. Water is a clean-energy source that man cannot soon exhaust. Its power is cost-effective, enduring, and non-polluting; it can be channelled through turbines reliably and with little maintenance. While oil and coal will steadily diminish over time, hydroelectric power will likely remain a dependable and safe alternative to nuclear-derived and coal-based power. Climate change and water scarcity from droughts may be legitimate threats over the long-term, but they pale in comparison to outright exhaustion, which most scientists agree is on the horizon for oil and coal.
It’s important to note that there are scams in energy research world wide, its best to look at public companies and firms that report more information.
Good Companies:
Firms such as Plutonic Power, World Energy Research, Run of River Power Inc, etc, all firms we have looked at and found merit in what they are doing