U.S. Dams Could Unlock 15.2 Terawatt-Hours of Untapped Hydropower
The United States’ existing dams could produce an additional 15.2 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to power more than 1.4 million homes across the country. A new study from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory found that by retrofitting select dams that are not already outfitted for hydropower production could prove to be a critical and efficient source of…
A new study from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory has revealed that the existing dams in the United States could generate an additional 15.2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. This amount of energy is sufficient to power more than 1.4 million homes nationwide. The research utilized a software tool called HydroGenerate, created by researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, which analyzed water flow data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from Oak Ridge.
By incorporating factors such as turbine performance, hydraulic head, and existing structural realities, the model provides a more precise assessment of each dam's hydropower potential. While many of these dams already serve other essential purposes, such as flood control or navigation, the study's principal investigator, Carly Hansen, emphasized that the team accounted for these limitations in a novel manner.
The analysis identified that many suitable dams are located in the Great Lakes basin and the upper Mississippi River, with 86 percent of them being federal facilities. If these identified opportunities are tapped, the distribution of hydropower in the U.S. would shift, bringing this clean energy source to areas that are currently underrepresented in the sector.
Currently, only 3 percent of the nation's dams are equipped for power generation, but this could change in the near future. The U.S. Department of Energy's Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office recently awarded $5.5 million in funding to 11 National Laboratory projects aimed at streamlining the licensing process for hydropower facilities.
Hydropower has been a cornerstone of American energy for over a century, providing reliable and affordable power across the country. The recently awarded funding initiatives will not only ensure the continued operation of existing hydropower plants but also help reduce licensing and permitting costs for operators, ultimately benefiting ratepayers.
The Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office's support for this project has garnered bipartisan backing in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, highlighting the unique potential of hydropower to lower energy bills and create jobs for generations to come.
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