Did You Know?

While 35 countries currently use pumped storage hydropower (PSH), the U.S. fleet accounts for 14% of global PSH capacity.

DOE Launches Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize: On Sept. 30, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize, which seeks to support innovation in communities historically underrepresented in the energy sector. This prize aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of climate investment benefits to disadvantaged communities while informing equitable research, development, and deployment within DOE. The prize is accepting submissions for its first phase until Feb. 25, 2022.

WPTO Releases Latest HydroWIRES Funding Opportunity Announcement: Through its Water Innovation for a Resilient Electricity System (HydroWIRES) Initiative, DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “Technology Innovation to Increase Hydropower Flexibility.” The FOA seeks next-generation technologies from manufacturers, equipment vendors, and research organizations to improve the flexible capabilities of the U.S. hydropower fleet. Concept papers for this FOA must be submitted before 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 2, 2021.

In collaboration with WPTO, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will be hosting an interactive public workshop to discuss the state of water power technology commercialization. We will explore the status of existing DOE commercialization efforts, opportunities to improve current and future approaches, and how to move more water power technologies into the market.

NHA Hosts Inaugural Clean Currents Event

Oct. 20–22, 2021
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Join the National Hydropower Association (NHA) at the all-new, official waterpower tradeshow and conference. The event will feature virtual remarks from Acting Assistant Secretary for EERE Kelly Speakes-Backman and virtual presentations from WPTO and national lab staff.

FAST Forward: The FAST Commissioning for PSH Prize Winning Concepts

Oct. 27, 2021
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Join WPTO for the latest R&D Deep Dive Webinar. The next edition will review the accomplishments of the Furthering Advancements to Shorten Time (FAST) Commissioning for PSH Prize winners and how they intend to move their PSH concepts and projects into the future. Hear from three of the winning teams as they describe how their innovations have evolved from their original pitch concepts and how they received support from participating national labs, including Argonne National Laboratory, NREL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Last Chance To Provide Input on Hydropower Prize Strategy: NREL is seeking feedback from members of the hydropower industry, academia, research laboratories, and government agencies, as well as other stakeholders, on what research and development areas future hydropower prizes should focus on. Responses are due before 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 31, 2021.

ORNL’s Hope Corsair on Amplifying Societal Impact of New Technologies: Read the latest story on ORNL’s newest team member, Hope Corsair. Working within the Electrification and Energy Infrastructures, Hope finds herself at the intersection of the grid and hydropower. Check out the unique set of skills and experiences Hope is bringing to ORNL’s hydropower program.