Announcements
Upcoming Deadlines
Looking for more detailed information on the latest funding opportunities and events related to water power? Subscribe to The Water Wire! Find the next issue in your inbox on Feb. 14, 2023.
DOE Seeks Information on How to Better Reach and Recruit Underrepresented Populations for STEM Careers: DOE released an RFI seeking input on efforts to address the need for a diverse American energy workforce by leveraging organizations uniquely qualified to reach underrepresented communities. This RFI seeks public feedback related to educational and professional development programming developed by nonprofit organizations that inspire students, alumni, and professionals to pursue STEM-related careers in clean energy. Responses to this RFI must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 26, 2024.
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EnergyTech UP Provides Opportunity for Students to Compete for Cash Prizes: The American-Made EnergyTech UP, sponsored by DOE's Office of Technology Transitions, challenges student teams to identify a promising energy technology, assess its market potential, and create a business plan for commercialization. More than $400,000 in cash prizes are available in this collegiate competition, which challenges student teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages national laboratory-developed or other emerging energy technologies. The deadline for students to register is Feb. 1, 2024.
Funding Opportunity for Small Businesses Now Open: DOE recently released the funding opportunity for Phase I Release 2 of the SBIR/STTR programs for Fiscal Year 2024. Topics include pumped storage hydropower, environmental monitoring technologies, and other water power areas of interest. Submit letters of intent by Feb. 2, 2024, and full applications by March 12, 2024. Gain insight from past SBIR/STTR water power awardees before starting your application.
Project Updates and Stories
Reflecting on Water Power in 2023: WPTO had a busy 2023! The office ran five prizes (and supported two more), hosted two collegiate competitions, opened two funding opportunity announcements (including WPTO's largest funding opportunity to date!), teamed up with other federal partners like DOE's Wind Energy Technologies Office and the National Science Foundation to co-fund additional opportunities, and selected new funding and technical assistance recipients throughout the year. Take a look back at some of WPTO's exciting work and news from the past year.
New Hydropower Career Map Outlines Pathways to Clean Energy Jobs: WPTO and NREL released a new hydropower career map, part of a larger DOE project called "Map a Career in Clean Energy." The map, which debuted at the National Hydropower Association's Clean Currents Conference in October, demonstrates the breadth of technical and nontechnical jobs available to workers of all skill levels and any career stage to help strengthen the hydropower industry workforce.
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WPTO and Tennessee Valley Authority Develop Action Plan for Hydropower Technology Development Memorandum of Understanding: In early 2023, WPTO and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance collaboration on hydropower technology development. WPTO and TVA since developed an action plan that lays out projects for collaboration related to the MOU's seven topic areas: Climate Change Adaptation, Hydropower Fleet Asset Management, Valuation of Hydropower, Pumped Storage, New Turbine Demonstration, Workforce Development, and Emerging Opportunities.
Looking at the Bigger Picture in Water Power: Jen Trimble Shares Her Career Journey: Jen Trimble was never sure what she wanted to be when she grew up. A nurse, a pediatrician, a psychologist—the possibilities were endless. But after leaving the Army and working a few different jobs, she finally landed as the operations manager for WPTO. From managing budget and logistics to supporting the next generation of water power professionals, Trimble is creating a space for everyone in water power.
Research Publications
NREL Studies the Importance of Hydropower in Building a Clean Energy Grid: A new NREL study explores the potential implications of hydropower and pumped storage hydropower (PSH) retirements on the U.S. electricity grid. The findings emphasize the complexity of replacing lost hydropower and PSH capacity on the grid and the need for holistic assessments that consider broader impacts of retirements—such as cost, carbon emissions, and effects on communities—and replacement strategies.
Events
National Fish Passage Dataset Webinar
Jan. 31, 2024, 2–3 p.m. ET, Virtual
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are working with partners from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Low Impact Hydropower Institute to create a georeferenced dataset of fish passage infrastructure at U.S. hydropower facilities. During the webinar, the team will provide an overview of the project and stakeholder questionnaire as well as answer audience questions.
Energy Transition Summit
Feb. 5–8, 2024, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Virginia
DOE's Grid Modernization Initiative and the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response will host a summit focused on DOE-led efforts that modernize the future power grid and enable a more resilient, secure, and equitable energy transition. The summit will feature presentations from thought leaders and working sessions to encourage a dialogue about strategies for future energy systems through partnerships and technology transition. The registration fee for this event is $250; more details on how to register are available online.
WPTO Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar – Looking Forward
Feb. 15, 2024, 2:30–4 p.m. ET, Virtual
What's coming down the road for WPTO? How is the office making decisions about research and development priorities? Join WPTO leaders and team members to learn about the office's strategic planning process and the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials for Hydropower Strategy (the first strategy to result from this process), as well as external collaborations that could guide next steps in the Marine Energy Program.
In Case You Missed It
ORNL Investigates the Carbon Cost of Hydropower Reservoirs: As part of a study to better understand contributing factors to climate change, a team at ORNL is examining how much methane and carbon dioxide is released from reservoirs in Tennessee. The study found that in the summer, sampled reservoirs absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mostly due to algae growth, whereas in the spring and fall, the reservoirs become carbon emission sources. More data are needed to understand how natural factors and other variables impact emissions to accurately portray future emissions in models.
Social Spotlight
WPTO on LinkedIn—Dec. 21, 2023
Diversity drives innovation, and in the realm of clean energy, innovation is essential. That’s why, here at EERE, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive clean energy workforce. Explore the inspiring narratives in our Water Power Technologies Office's Ripple Effect series, spotlighting individuals who are advancing hydropower and marine energy technologies for a sustainable future. Discover their impactful work in the latest article: https://bit.ly/48qbLXe.
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Making a Splash in the News
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