Last Call to Apply for Hydropower Incentive Program - February Hydro Headlines

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Water Power Technologies Office

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February 9, 2022

Image announcing the newsletter name "Hydro Headlines" and an image of hydropower.

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

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

Did You Know? 

The first large-scale pumped storage hydropower development was built in New Milford, Connecticut, in 1929. The facility also created what is now Candlewood Lake.

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

Upcoming Deadlines

Announcements & Opportunities

Drops of water hitting standing water.

Last Chance To Apply for Hydroelectric Production Incentive Program: WPTO is accepting applications for the latest round of funding for the Hydroelectric Production Incentive Program under Section 242 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. A total of $7 million is available for qualified facilities, and WPTO has expanded eligibility criteria for this year’s funding. Additional hydroelectric facilities, such as those located in communities with inadequate electric service, may now be eligible to receive incentive payments. Please note that applicants are not required to obtain and provide a unique entity identifier number with their applications; however, approved applicants will need to obtain a unique entity identifier number to receive payments. Applications for funding are due tomorrow, Feb. 10, 2022.

NREL Accepting Letters of Interest for Diversity Power Connectors RFP: NREL is accepting letters of interest to be considered for an RFP with the goal of building a community of organizations with diverse backgrounds in renewable energy, including hydropower and marine energy, to act as “power connectors.” The goal is to identify organizations with skill sets in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion services and support to engage on new and recurring prizes and other DOE/EERE commercialization programs. These organizations will be involved in prize program execution, recruitment, and support, as well as other tasks that extend the diversity, inclusivity, and reach of EERE prizes and programs. The deadline to submit a letter of interest is Feb. 17, 2021.

Products & Publications

Rock Island hydropower dam.

WPTO Unveils HydroWIRES Research Roadmap: WPTO recently published its Water Innovation for a Resilient Electricity System (HydroWIRES) Research Roadmap, which outlines forward-looking objectives for the HydroWIRES Initiative. This roadmap details projected outcomes and real-world applications stemming from HydroWIRES research. 

General Electric Releases Article on Benefits of PSH: Researchers from General Electric published a report detailing how pumped storage hydropower can lower both carbon emissions and electricity costs. To learn more about the implications for hydropower developers and stakeholders, read the General Electric article previewing the report.

Environmental and Energy Study Institute Article Discusses Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize: The Environmental and Energy Study Institute talked about the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize with Rukmani Vijayaraghavan, Innovation and Market Transformation Advisor at WPTO. Read the article to learn more about the prize and its goal to encourage an equitable and just entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem.

Upcoming Events

NREL Webinar Explores the ETIPP Application Process

Feb. 16, 2022, 2–3 p.m. ET

The Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) provides strategic clean energy planning to remote, island, and islanded communities to help increase their energy resilience. Interested in learning more or wondering if your community is eligible? Join the NREL team as they dive into the ETIPP application process.

Register for the webinar.

WPTO Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar

March 10, 2022, 1–2 p.m. ET 

Join WPTO leadership for a look back at some of the office’s biggest accomplishments from the last year and a preview of what’s to come. Plus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelly Speakes-Backman will speak to administration priorities for the coming year as well as the investment in water power projects in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Questions may be submitted prior to the webinar by emailing WaterPowerTechnologiesOffice@ee.doe.gov. 

Register for the webinar.

In Case You Missed It

Apply Now for ETIPP Technical Assistance: ETIPP is accepting applications for its second year of technical assistance to support remote, island, and islanded communities. This program uses a community-driven approach to identify and plan strategic solutions for clean energy and energy resilience that address a community's specific challenges. Applications for technical assistance are due April 15, 2022.

Secretary Granholm Launches Hiring Campaign To Assemble Clean Energy Corps: DOE is hiring hundreds of industry veterans, experienced technical experts, and the next generation of climate leaders to develop the Clean Energy Corps. Addressing the climate crisis will require a large, ambitious, and talented team of America’s best and brightest who will fight climate change through public service and by supporting American competitiveness on a global scale. Watch the announcement video to learn more about this new hiring initiative.

WPTO/DOE in the News

Hydro in the Headlines