The company, based in Houston, says the unit is the first US hydrokinetic power project licensed by the federal government.
Hydrokinetic power refers to electricity generation from moving water without impoundments or diversionary structures that are typically used at conventional hydropower facilities.
Philip D. Moeller, a commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), was present as commercial operations began.
The City of Hastings is installing a two-turbine, barge-mounted hydrokinetic power project downstream from its 4.4
