The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized its largest single investment in hydropower with the selection of 46 projects to receive up to $71.5 million in incentive payments to increase generation efficiency of the existing fleet.

Source: DOE

The Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentive payments are intended to support more efficient use of water for electric generation, since hydropower accounts for 27% of renewable electricity generation nationwide, as well as 93% of all utility-scale energy storage capacity. The incentive program is expected to encompass $468 million in combined federal and private investment. With an average selectee facility age of 75 years, these upgrades will contribute to the continued operation and longevity of hydroelectric assets.

Participating owners and operators of pumped storage systems and other hydroelectric plants will make capital improvements that improve their facility’s efficiency by an average of 14% with a statutory minimum of 3% improvement per facility. Investments include upgrades to facility turbines and generators, as well as improvements to water conveyance structures, to increase efficiency.

The selected projects are in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.