Projects

The objective of this project was to examine the feasibility and implementation of a small-scale hydropower turbine/generator (about 3 MW) at one of the Reclamation sites to generate electricity from a Reclamation irrigation canal. This project also provided Reclamation with the opportunity to be a partner during the implementation phase. The project also provided a setting for testing and advancement of small-scale hydroelectric turbines technologies.

The primary study objective was to test the behavioral response of fish to sound emanating from MHK turbines using fish species (or related surrogate species) with characteristics that make them a concern for turbine noise effects (i.e., species of special concern, of commercial or recreational value, or with sensitive hearing).

One of the most important biological questions facing the marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy industry is whether fish and marine mammals that encounter MHK devices are likely to be struck by moving components.

New turbine designs like this one at Wanapum Dam in Washington can reduce the environmental impact to fish populations and the local aquatic ecosystem.

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.

ORNL is analyzing the metrics used to assess the environmental effects of hydropower development, along with a river function framework and a decision support tool that can assist stakeholders in hydropower licensing and permitting.

This project, completed in FY2016, created tools for improving the ability to predict environmental conditions in multi-reservoir systems to protect the environment and meet regulatory compliance and to optimize power generation without compromising the environment.

The 2016 DOE Hydropower Vision report includes a roadmap of detailed actions to advance sustainable hydropower in the United States, allowing it to grow from a current capacity of about 100 GW to nearly 150 GW by 2050.

The project objective is to identify, demonstrate, and justify capabilities, heretofore unavailable industry-wide, that enable hydropower asset managers to use data to enhance operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures and decisions, so as to extract greater value and reliability from assets.

Intake pipes, or penstock, for a hydropower plant. The penstock delivers water from a reservoir or river to hydro turbines inside the plant’s power station.