Water Power Technologies Office

September 8, 2021

Welcome to Hydro Headlines, a monthly snapshot of hydropower news and happenings. This month’s newsletter is approximately 3 minutes.

Reach out to us at WaterPowerTechnologiesOffice@ee.doe.gov with any inquiries or suggestions.

Follow along on the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)’s Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook channels for more #WaterWednesday content each week.

Featured Product

Database Provides RAPID Access to Hydropower Regulations

Check out a new story about the latest updates to the Hydropower Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop (RAPID) Toolkit, an interactive online database of federal, state, tribal, and local hydropower regulations funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and created by experts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Upcoming Webinars & Events

WPTO R&D Deep Dive Webinar: WPTO in Alaska

September 15, 2021, 5–6 p.m. ET

Alaska is a living laboratory, one that DOE knows well. Join representatives from WPTO as they share the work that they are doing along the state’s coasts and waterways and give some insights into what could be next for water power in Alaska.

HydroVision International 2021

September 21–23, 2021

Join hydropower professionals from across the world at this year’s HydroVision International. Members of WPTO and U.S. national labs will not be able to attend the in-person event due to departmental travel restrictions, but we are looking forward to DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for EERE Kelly Speakes-Backman participating virtually in the opening plenary. Register today.

NHA Hosts Inaugural Clean Currents Event

October 20–22, 2021 Join the National Hydropower Association (NHA) and the hydropower community at the all-new, official waterpower tradeshow and conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will feature remarks from Acting Assistant Secretary for EERE Kelly Speakes-Backman and virtual participation from WPTO and national laboratory staff. Register today.

In Case You Missed It

WPTO Releases RFI on Hydropower Test Facility Capabilities: In order to get a better understanding of the latest needs and capabilities of the current hydropower test facilities, WPTO released a public Request for Information (RFI) to the hydropower community. Responses to the RFI are due November 1, 2021, by 5 p.m. ET.

NREL Seeks Input on Hydropower Prize Strategy: NREL is seeking feedback from members of the hydropower industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders about the research and development areas that future hydropower prizes should focus on. Responses are due by October 31, 2021, by 5 p.m. MT.

World Hydropower Congress: This year’s World Hydropower Congress featured virtual remarks from DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk and Acting Assistant Secretary for EERE Kelly Speakes-Backman.

Secretary Granholm, Senator Murkowski Share Views on Water Power at NHA Alaska Meeting: DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm sat down with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski for an overarching chat about hydropower’s contribution to the clean energy grid. The discussion was held at NHA’s Alaska Regional Meeting, an event intended to unpack Alaska’s unique role in the hydropower mix. Watch the full chat. National Hydropower Day Interview With NHA and DOE: DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk sat down with NHA CEO Malcom Woolf to discuss how hydropower fits into a clean energy future. The Value of Water Power—An Argonne Instagram Live Event: Argonne National Laboratory organized an Instagram live event, featuring WPTO’s Katie Jackson, to highlight the numerous benefits that hydropower and pumped storage hydropower have to offer society. The Heat Is On—Is the Grid Ready?: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers are working to predict droughts, enhance grid resilience, manage forests to reduce wildfire, and create hydropower and grid contingency plans. Read the full article to learn more about how the lab is working to ensure a safer, more reliable energy grid.

WPTO in the News

• Developing a Digital Twin for Hydropower Systems—An Open Platform Framework, International Water Power & Dam Construction, 8/27/21
• Hydro Review: Executive Interview With Kelly Speakes-Backman, DOE, Hydro Review, Elizabeth Ingram, 8/20/21

Hydro in the Headlines

• Don't be fooled: Hydropower is an essential part of a US climate solution [Opinion], The Hill, Malcolm Woolf, 9/3/21
• Chart of the Day: The Power of Drought, Axios Generate, Ben Geman, 8/26/21
• On National Hydropower Day, BPA Notes Over Half the Region’s Power Comes From Water, KTYZ-TV, 8/24/21
• Innergex and Hydro-Québec Make First Joint Acquisition, International Water Power & Dam Construction, 8/18/21
• Could a New Fish Passage System Help Snake River Salmon?, KUOW-FM, Courtney Flatt, 8/18/21