Projects

The growing adoption of intermittent renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power has left U.S. power grid operators with a challenge. These resources currently provide little to no grid inertia, which keeps the system in balance between power generation and demand. Scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have come up with a solution, using signals from pumped storage hydropower projects to monitor grid inertia.

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed, synthesized and tested nontoxic but high-functioning lubricant additives for use in electrical turbines installed in aquatic environments, which will aid the adoption of marine energy.

Researchers at ORNL are assessing hydropower development potential at non-powered dams in Puerto Rico as part of the island's goal to attain 100% renewable energy by 2050.

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.

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.

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.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory publishes the Hydropower Market Report on behalf of the US Department of Energy for the benefit of industry, policymakers, and the public.

Recent small hydropower development in the United States has been concentrated on the powering of unpowered water resource infrastructure such as non-powered dams and irrigation canals.