By Renewable Energy Focus staff
The aim is to develop new hydropower technologies that can produce power more efficiently, reduce costs and increase sustainable hydropower generation at sites not previously considered practical.
"By improving hydropower technology, we can maximize America's biggest source of renewable energy in an environmentally responsible way," says Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "Deploying advanced hydropower, including using water to store energy, will help meet peak electricity demands and provide additional clean energy sources for America's future."
The funding announcement seeks environmentally responsible hydropower projects that increase the generation of reliable hydropower.
Hydropower Projects will be Selected in Four Areas:
Sustainable Small Hydropower (US$10.5m over 3 years)
These projects will research, develop, and test low head small hydropower technologies that can be quickly and efficiently deployed in existing or constructed waterways. DoE will fund system or component model development, as well as the testing of these systems.
Environmental Mitigation Technologies for Conventional Hydropower (US$2.25m over 3 years)
These projects will develop conventional hydropower technologies that feature enhanced environmental performance designs to increase electricity generation while mitigating fish and habitat impacts and enhancing downstream water quality. As an example, concepts that demonstrate turbine efficiencies greater than 90% and fish passage survival greater than 96% will be sought.
Sustainable Pumped Storage Hydropower (US$11.875m over 4 years)
DoE intends to provide technical and financial assistance to accelerate pumped storage hydropower projects already in the pipeline. Projects that begin construction by 2014 and integrate wind and/or solar will be preferred.
DoE will also support analyses that calculate the economic value of pumped storage hydropower in dynamically responding to the grid and in providing other ancillary services.
Advanced Conventional Hydropower System Testing at a Bureau of Reclamation Facility (US$2m 3 years)
These projects will support system tests of innovative, low-head hydropower technologies at non-powered hydro facilities and sites owned by DoI’s Bureau of Reclamation. The deliverable includes testing to demonstrate energy cost reductions that could be replicated at other Bureau of Reclamation sites. Both the Bureau and DoE are sponsoring this work.