The Brazos River Authority (BRA) is a governmental entity that was established in 1929 to manage and develop the water resources of the Brazos River Basin in Texas, United States. The BRA is responsible for providing water supply, flood control, and recreational opportunities to the communities within the basin. In recent years, the BRA has also expanded its focus to include renewable energy development, particularly in the small hydro sector.

Small hydro refers to the generation of electricity from water flowing through small-scale hydroelectric power plants. These plants typically have a capacity of less than 10 megawatts (MW) and are often located on small rivers or streams. Small hydro is considered a form of renewable energy because it utilizes the natural flow of water to generate electricity, which does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or other harmful pollutants.

The BRA has identified small hydro as a promising area for renewable energy development within the Brazos River Basin. The BRA's small hydro projects are designed to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to the communities within the basin while also supporting economic development and job creation.

One of the BRA's most significant small hydro projects is the Lake Limestone Hydroelectric Project. The Lake Limestone project is located on the Navasota River, a tributary of the Brazos River, in Limestone County, Texas. The project consists of a 5.5 MW hydroelectric power plant that utilizes the flow of water from the Lake Limestone reservoir to generate electricity.

The Lake Limestone project was developed in partnership with a private company, Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, which operates the power plant under a long-term lease agreement with the BRA. The project was completed in 2015 and is expected to generate approximately 25,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, enough to power about 2,500 homes.

In addition to the Lake Limestone project, the BRA is also exploring other small hydro opportunities within the Brazos River Basin. The BRA has identified several potential sites for small hydro development, including the Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury reservoirs. The BRA is currently conducting feasibility studies and working with private partners to evaluate the potential for small hydro at these sites.

The BRA's small hydro projects are part of a broader effort to increase the use of renewable energy within the Brazos River Basin. The BRA is also developing wind and solar energy projects, including a 225 MW wind farm in West Texas and a 50 MW solar farm in Hill County, Texas.

The BRA's renewable energy projects are supported by a range of state and federal incentives and programs. These include the Texas Renewable Energy Credit program, which provides financial incentives for the generation of renewable energy, and the federal Production Tax Credit, which provides a tax credit for the production of renewable energy.

The BRA's renewable energy projects are also aligned with the goals of the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires utilities in the state to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. The RPS has been instrumental in driving the growth of renewable energy in Texas, which is now the leading state in the United States for wind energy production.

The BRA's renewable energy projects are also part of a broader effort to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, and the development of renewable energy is seen as a critical component of this effort.

In conclusion, the Brazos River Authority is a governmental entity that has been instrumental in managing and developing the water resources of the Brazos River Basin in Texas. In recent years, the BRA has expanded its focus to include renewable energy development, particularly in the small hydro sector. The BRA's small hydro projects are designed to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to the communities within the basin while also supporting economic development and job creation. The BRA's renewable energy projects are also aligned with the goals of the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard and the broader effort to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.