Although hydropower offers significant potential for renewable electricity generation and storage, characterization of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from hydropower reservoirs is inconsistent and incomplete, leading to highly variable emission estimates that have ranged from 0.14% to 6.6% of global GHG emissions. This uncertainty can pose an obstacle to widespread adoption of these water power resources.
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Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are collaborating with members of the Internet of Water Coalition to outline a path for creating intelligent watershed systems that digitally connect people and systems and interact with hydropower systems at a watershed scale.
To develop innovations that can be successfully brought to market and to the power grid, the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office has implemented TEAMER, or the Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research program.
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are assessing the feasibility of retrofitting some of the country's non-powered dams (NPDs) to potentially generate enough clean energy to add 12 gigawatts of electricity to the U.S. power grid.
To ensure hydropower’s continued sustainability as a reliable, renewable energy source, the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office tasked Oak Ridge National Laboratory to explore how advanced manufacturing and materials could more easily and cost-effectively modernize the existing fleet and facilitate further innovations in design.
The Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office has authorized ORNL and PNNL to initiate a Digital Twin for Hydropower Systems as part of its long term effort to support Digital Twin technology.
To facilitate the expanded use of hydropower as a reliable and consistent source of renewable energy, researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are using a novel approach to monitor and determine biological and environmental impacts to aquatic species near hydropower facilities.
A new report released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory details findings from its third climate change impact assessment for hydropower — part of a multi-year study directed by the SECURE Water Act of 2009 Section 9505.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) assesses the potential to generate electricity from new hydropower operations along existing water conduits in the municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors throughout the United States.
Recent changes in the global energy sector have prompted the need for technological innovations to address performance, reliability, safety, and environmental standards. While larger hydropower plants have well-established designs and validation processes, small hydropower facility owners must often weigh the cost of testing new technology with potential revenue.