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Announcements
Seven Innovative Water Power Technologies Selected for Research and Development Funding
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding for continuing research and development projects in the Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program, including $8.1 million for seven hydropower and marine energy projects.
The Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) selected these seven small business projects to advance to Phase II of the programs based on their progress during Phase I and their potential to accelerate marine energy and hydropower technologies. The projects will each receive Phase II grants ranging from $1.1 million to $1.5 million to support exploration of the technical feasibility of innovative solutions in hydropower and marine energy.
Read the full WPTO announcement for more information on these continuing projects.
Products & Publications
Pairing Hydropower With Batteries
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is exploring ways to pair hydropower with batteries for greater energy storage by leveraging existing hydropower capabilities, which can ultimately lead to improved environmental outcomes.
Read the white paper to learn more.
New, Tiny Battery Powers Big Insight Into Fish Passage for Hydropower
Check out a new story highlighting a PNNL-developed, injectable, acoustic tags for eel, lamprey, and salmon that is about the size of a grain of rice and holds twice the energy of a AAA battery.
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WPTO R&D Deep Dive Webinar
Seeding Water Power Innovation: An R&D Showcase
August 11, 1–5 p.m. ET
Register here
Learn about a new program seeding research and development at WPTO! Combining project and multimedia presentations and panels, WPTO will host a showcase of different projects funded by their novel National Lab Seedlings Program.
2019–2020 Accomplishments Report: Project Spotlight
New Techniques Demonstrate Significant Reductions in Cavitation, Critical for Extending the Service Life of Hydropower Components
In 2019, PNNL’s Solid-State Processing Project completed a series of laboratory tests and successfully identified numerous techniques with the potential to reduce cavitation erosion, a critical step toward enhancing the performance and service life of new and repaired hydropower components. Testing results have thus far proved promising, with solid-state processing outperforming more conventional techniques of component repair in a series of experiments.
To learn more, read WPTO’s 2019–2020 Accomplishments Report.
In Case You Missed It
WPTO Releases Funding Opportunity to Advance Wave Energy Technologies at PacWave South Test Facility
WPTO recently released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) that will provide up to $27 million in funding to enable awardees to test and advance wave energy technologies at the PacWave South test facility off the Oregon coast, the nation’s first, accredited, grid-connected, prepermitted, open-water wave energy test facility. Appy today and check out media coverage of the announcement by CNBC, POWER Magazine, Power Engineering International, and Texas News Today to learn more.
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WPTO Announces Intent to Issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement to Increase Hydropower Flexibility
WPTO announced its intent to issue an FOA through its HydroWIRES Initiative which will seek next-generation technologies from manufacturers, equipment vendors, and research organizations to improve the flexible capabilities of the U.S. hydropower fleet.
Read the full Notice of Intent for additional information.
EERE Selects Three Industry Partners to Receive Technical Assistance for Hydropower Decision Making
As part of its HydroWIRES Initiative, WPTO announced three selectees of the Notice of Opportunity for Technical Assistance for Improving Hydropower’s Value Through Informed Decision Making. This funding will provide hydropower decision makers with access to National Lab expertise and capabilities to help them address current challenges and capture new opportunities for their systems.
EERE Seeks Public Feedback To Define Inadequate Electric Service Areas
DOE, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and WPTO released a Request for Information (RFI) in search of stakeholder input on factors to consider in relation to defining “an area where there is inadequate electric service.” This will inform future eligibility criteria for WPTO’s Hydroelectric Production Incentive Program. Responses are due September 7, 2021, by 11:59 p.m. ET. View the RFI on Energy Exchange.
DOE and Natural Resources Canada Explore Pathways Toward a Carbon-Free Electricity System in North America
DOE and Natural Resources Canada recently released companion reports that share analyses of the opportunities and challenges associated with evolving grids and increased renewable energy integration across the entire North American continent. Additionally, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan launched a new memorandum of understanding that reinvigorates and expands energy cooperation between their departments, accelerates the clean energy transition to net-zero emissions by 2050, and provides reliable, efficient, and resilient grid operations.
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