How did the use of water as a power source limit the development of industry?

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity. Hydropower currently accounts for 31.5% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and about 6.3% of total U.S. electricity generation.

While most people might associate the energy source with the Hoover Dam—a huge facility harnessing the power of an entire river behind its wall—hydropower facilities come in all sizes. Some may be very large, but they can be tiny, too, taking advantage of water flows in municipal water facilities or irrigation ditches. They can even be “damless,” with diversions or run-of-river facilities that channel part of a stream through a powerhouse before the water rejoins the main river. Whatever the method, hydropower is much easier to obtain and more widely used than most people realize. In fact, all but two states (Delaware and Mississippi) use hydropower for electricity, some more than others. For example, in 2020 about 66% of the state of Washington’s electricity came from hydropower. 

How Does Hydropower Work?

by using the elevation difference,  created by a dam or diversion structure, of water flowing in on one side and out, far below, on the other. The Department of Energy's "Hydropower 101" video explains how hydropower works and highlights some of the research and development efforts of the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) in this area.

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U.S. Department of Energy

What is the cost of Hydropower?

Hydropower is an affordable source of electricity that costs less than most. Since hydropower relies only on the energy from moving water, states that get the majority of their electricity from hydropower, like Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, have lower energy bills than the rest of the country.  

Compared to other electricity sources, hydropower also has relatively low costs throughout the duration of a full project lifetime in terms of maintenance, operations, and fuel. Like any major energy source, significant upfront costs are unavoidable, but hydropower’s longer lifespan spreads these costs out over time. Additionally, the equipment used at hydropower facilities often operates for longer periods of time without needing replacements or repairs, saving money in the long term.

NATIONAL LABORATORY HYDROPOWER RESOURCES

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Hydropower Research

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Hydropower Overview

Argonne National Laboratory Water Power Technologies

Idaho National Laboratory Integrated Hydropower and Energy Storage Systems

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Water Power Program

The installation costs for large hydropower facilities consist mostly of civil construction works (such as the building of the dams, tunnels, and other necessary infrastructure) and electromechanical equipment costs (electricity-generating machinery). Since hydropower is a site-specific technology, these costs can be minimized at the planning stage through proper selection of location and design.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HYDROPOWER?

The benefits of hydropower have been recognized and harnessed for thousands of years. In addition to being a clean and cost-effective form of energy, hydropower plants can provide power to the grid immediately, serving as a flexible and reliable form of backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions. Hydropower also produces a number of benefits outside of electricity generation, such as flood control, irrigation support, and water supply.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF HYDROPOWER?

The history of hydropower dates back thousands of years. For example, the Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into flour more than 2,000 years ago. The evolution of the modern hydropower turbine began in the mid-1700s when a French hydraulic and military engineer, Bernard Forest de Bélidor, wrote Architecture Hydraulique. Many key developments in hydropower technology occurred during the first half of the 19th century, and more recently, the past century has seen a number of hydroelectric advancements that have helped hydropower become an integral part of the renewable energy mix in the United States.

To learn how to join the hydropower industry and more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce development opportunities, visit the Hydropower STEM Portal.

Hydropower News

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WPTO Announces over $16 Million in New National Lab-Led Hydropower and Marine Projects

WPTO today announced over $16 million in new projects to further hydropower and marine energy research and development. These awards encompass $5.6 million for hydropower and $10.5 million for marine energy projects across six national laboratories.

Major Funding Opportunities Discussed at Water Power Technologies Office Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar

WPTO hosted its latest semiannual stakeholder webinar on Nov. 9, 2022, and shared details with hydropower and marine energy stakeholders from industry, academia, and government on the office’s latest funding opportunities, accomplishments, and projects.

Prize Winners Continue Advancing Innovative Pumped Storage Hydropower Technologies

Since winning the Furthering Advancements to Shorten Time Commissioning for Pumped Storage Hydropower Prize in 2019, three teams continued testing, completed further analysis, and identified potential sites for their technologies.

WPTO Webinar to Discuss Water Power Topics in Upcoming Small Business Funding Program

On Dec. 1, 2022, WPTO will host a webinar to explore the water power topics in Phase One of the Fiscal Year 2023 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program. Speakers will discuss these topics and answer questions.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces Technical Assistance to Advance Hydropower Technologies

WPTO announced an opportunity for hydropower developers and other stakeholders to receive technical assistance to address valuation hurdles in pumped storage hydropower project development and for challenges related to the HydroWIRES mission.

Curious About a Career in Water Power?

This National STEM Day, the Water Power Technologies Office is featuring resources, tools, and opportunities that can help you pursue a clean energy career in water power.

WPTO Releases $4 Million Funding Opportunity to Advance Fish Passage and Protection Technologies

$4 million funding opportunity aims to reduce the environmental impacts of hydropower with research to advance innovative fish passage and protection technologies.

New Report Highlights Hydropower Industry’s Demand for New, Diverse Talent

The U.S. hydropower industry faces an oncoming wave of retirements, and a new, diverse workforce is critical to the industry’s ability to sustain current operations and grow. Learn about these and other hydropower workforce trends and needs.

Swimming Toward Market Readiness: Fish Protection Prize Winners Continue Refining Their Technologies to Modernize Hydropower Facilities

Since winning the Fish Protection Prize, three teams have further developed their innovative concepts, which have the potential to help modernize hydropower facilities and protect fish from water diversion pipes and dam intakes across the country.

WPTO Announces Phase Two Winners in Hydropower Operations Optimization Prize

WPTO announces six winners in the second phase of the Hydropower Operations Optimization Prize. These teams developed high-tech solutions to improve hydropower operations and grid resiliency. The prize’s third and final phase is now open!