Women scientists and engineers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory are bringing their interest and expertise in the environment, biology, data science, and sustainable energy to the water power sector. Their research is supporting solutions for new and improved hydropower projects to strengthen and decarbonize the nation’s electric grid. Those solutions begin with data, new tools, and an inclusive team of researchers.
As a molecular ecologist, ORNL’s Kristine Moody brings her expertise in genetics and her passion for environmental sustainability to her work using new assessment tools to monitor wildlife near hydropower facilities. Her novel approach improves the efficiency and economics of these surveys, providing important data and insights for stakeholders who are balancing energy needs with biodiversity conservation.
Rocio Uria-Martinez applies her background in resource economics to examine trends in the hydropower industry. She is currently working on the fourth in a series of national hydropower assessments known as the Hydropower Market Report. These reports provide a comprehensive picture of the hydropower community to inform industry and policymakers, detailing the latest capabilities, development activities, and performance, price, and supply chain trends.
The datasets from the Hydropower Market Reports are among the many resources available through HydroSource, a digital platform of diverse water-energy data and tools that enable data-driven decision making at the local, regional, and national levels. Debjani Singh leads the HydroSource effort, applying her knowledge in earth science and hydrology along with deep expertise in data science and management.
Moody, Uria-Martinez, and Singh are just a few of the many researchers who are developing new knowledge, tools, and technologies with support from DOE's Water Power Technologies Office to enhance hydropower’s contributions to grid resilience and achieve a clean energy future.
Click on the links below to learn more about these scientists and what motivates their research.
