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Upcoming Deadlines
Announcements & Opportunities
WPTO Launches Inaugural Hydropower Collegiate Competition: The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) recently launched the first Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC). While hydropower already plays an important role in the power system, providing 37% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and 93% of grid-scale energy storage, the industry still has untapped potential and significant opportunity for growth. The HCC encourages students to offer unique solutions to complex challenges related to hydropower’s ability to enable a 100% renewable energy grid. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will host an informational webinar on the HCC on April 13, 2022, at 1 p.m. ET. Register here. The HCC will accept submissions until May 8, 2022.
New Hydropower Prize Awarding Innovative Grid-Focused Solutions: In collaboration with NREL, WPTO launched the Hydropower Operations Optimization (H2Os) Prize, challenging innovators to develop new ways for hydropower to support a reliable and resilient energy grid. This prize will award up to $75,000 for cutting-edge solutions that allow hydropower systems to better coordinate with existing grid scheduling practices and meet water management needs. The submission deadline for Phase 1 of the prize is May 20, 2022.
Request for Information Seeks Feedback on Hydropower and Climate Change: WPTO seeks comments from the nonfederal hydropower community on data and research needs to help explore how the hydropower community can leverage climate change science to inform long-term hydropower operation and resource planning. The information will help WPTO design future research and development initiatives, tools, and datasets that address the risk of long-term climate change on hydropower generation and reduce a utility’s burden in conducting its own full-scale climate risk assessment. The deadline to submit responses to this request is June 6, 2022.
DOE Announces the Clean Energy Innovators Fellowship Program: DOE recently announced the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship. The program will fund recent graduates and energy professionals to support a variety of organizations, such as public utility commissions, municipal and rural cooperative utilities, and grid operators. This program, co-funded by WPTO, will help increase access to clean energy career opportunities across the country and accelerate the national transition to a resilient and affordable clean energy economy. The deadline for applications from fellows and interested host organizations is May 6, 2022.
President Requests Increased Funding for WPTO in Fiscal Year 2023: In March, President Biden unveiled a $5.8 trillion budget request for Fiscal Year 2023. The President requested $48.2 billion in funding for DOE, a $6.3 billion or 15.1% increase from the 2021-enacted level. For WPTO specifically, the president requested $190.5 million, which, if passed by Congress, would represent a 27% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2022.
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Products & Publications
Recapping the WPTO Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar: In March 2022, WPTO hosted its semiannual stakeholder webinar, providing stakeholders with updates on water power funding opportunities, program accomplishments, and project updates. Missed the webinar? Check out the recap and recording on the WPTO website.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Releases Framework for Non-Powered Dam Custom Analysis and Taxonomies: Each non-powered dam has unique characteristics. The Non-Powered Dam Custom Analysis and Taxonomy Framework outlines a customized approach to classifying these dams according to an individual stakeholder’s needs. This framework can be used to support a wide range of analyses to include identifying sites for rehabilitation, retrofit, or removal; conducting statistical and summary analyses; and identifying gaps in available data.
Upcoming Events
Informational Webinar on the Inaugural HCC
April 13, 2022, 1–2 p.m. ET
NREL will host an informational webinar summarizing all necessary information about the inaugural HCC. Join experts from NREL as they detail everything participants will need to know to compete in this exciting competition. Register for the webinar.
HOPIG Webinar: Exploring Multidimensional Spatial-Temporal Hydropower Operational Flexibilities
April 20, 2022, 1–2 p.m. ET
This webinar, organized by the Hydropower Operations and Planning Interest Group (HOPIG), will unpack a new project under WPTO’s Hydropower and Water Innovation for a Resilient Electricity System (HydroWIRES) Initiative. The webinar will feature presenters from Portland General Electric and Stevens Institute of Technology to discuss their ongoing project, titled Exploring Multidimensional Spatial-Temporal Hydropower Operational Flexibilities. Register for the webinar.
American-Made Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 2022, 12–1:30 p.m ET
Join DOE and the American-Made Challenges team for a virtual Earth Day event! The team, along with key energy industry players, will highlight the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in a more sustainable and inclusive energy future. This virtual event will feature guest speakers, prize announcements, education sessions, networking opportunities, and more. Register for the virtual event.
In Case You Missed It
Celebrating Women in Water Power: In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, WPTO and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory both released articles spotlighting the inspiring women advancing water power technologies. Learn more about these female renewable energy role models, including their different backgrounds, goals, and advice to the next generation.
WPTO Releases Annual Accomplishments Report: WPTO released its 2020–2021 Accomplishments Report, highlighting dozens of WPTO-funded research, development, and demonstration projects that contribute to crucial efforts to address climate change and transition the nation’s energy system. Read the report to learn about hydropower projects and accomplishments over the past year.
WPTO/DOE in the News
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The Future of Water Power: 2023 Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions Open for Applications, NREL, Staff Writer, April 7, 2022
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Tapping Hydropower’s Potential: New Hydropower Prize Challenges Innovators To Improve Grid Reliability and Resiliency, NREL, Brittany Enos, April 6, 2022
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Idaho National Laboratory Seeks Partner for Small Hydropower Field Demonstration, LocalNews8, Staff Writer, April 4, 2022
Hydro in the Headlines
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Modernizing Hydropower on the Snake River, US Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District Website, Hannah Mitchell, April 6, 2022
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Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Plant Goes into Commercial Operation, Afrik 21, Jean Marie Takouleu, April 6, 2022
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Pumped Hydropower Storage: GE to Set Up 1.5-GW Capacity for 2 Indian Units, Financial Express, Vikas Srivastava, April 6, 2022
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Tribes, Industry Groups Reach Deal to Boost U.S. Hydroelectric Power, The Wall Street Journal, Jennifer Hiller, April 4, 2022
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Turn Red Hill into a Pumped Storage Hydro Facility, Honolulu Civil Beat, Aaron Sewake, April 3, 2022
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A New “Fitbit” for Fish Spills Secret Life of Fish, PNNL, Staff Writer, April 1, 2022
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GE To Help Modernize São Simão Plant, Brazil, International Water Power & Dam Construction, Staff Writer, March 23, 2022
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Industry Unites To Drive Urgent Investment in Hydropower, Power Engineering International, Pamela Largue, March 22, 2022
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Hydro Investment Can Boost Progress to Net Zero, ReNews, Staff Writer, March 21, 2022
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Hydropower’s Role in Achieving Net Zero and Energy Security Is Focus of Global Campaign, International Water Power & Dam Construction, Staff Writer, March 21, 2022
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Is Hydropower the Future of Green Energy? Why Some Say Yes, The Christian Science Monitor, Suman Naishadham, March 21, 2022
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Hydropower Eyes Bigger Energy Role, Less Environmental Harm¸ Associated Press, Suman Naishadham, March 19, 2022
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Whooshh! Santee Cooper Sends Fish Flying Over Santee Spillway, T&D World, Staff Writer, March 18, 2022
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Read All About It: Groundbreaking Report Ushers in New Understanding of Hydropower, NHA Powerhouse, Leroy Coleman, March 7, 2022
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