The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $9.8 million in funding toward pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) and non-powered dam (NPD) technologies as part of its HydroNEXT program.

Only 3% of U.S. dams generate electricity. The NPD technology projects will help tap this resource by supporting e development of low-head, modular designs, which use separate, similar components that can be easily integrated and scaled to greater capacities. The PSH projects will study the feasibility of innovative concepts for closed-loop pumped-storage hydropower systems.

Three projects will address PSH technologies:Research initiatives are expected to lower costs, improve performance, and promote environmental stewardship. U.S. Department of EnergyResearch initiatives are expected to lower costs, improve performance, and promote environmental stewardship. U.S. Department of Energy

  • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO) will couple a Ternary Pumped-Storage Hydro technology with sophisticated transmission monitoring and control equipment to address renewable energy integration issues.
  • Obermeyer Hydro Accessories Inc. (Wellington, CO) will install reversible pump turbines with submersible permanent magnet motor generators—a more cost-effective solution than underground power houses. Innovative pressure relief and hoisting systems will eliminate the need for surge tanks and large cranes.
  • Shell Energy North America (Houston, TX) will investigate the feasibility of building a 5 MW closed-loop pumped-storage system.

Three projects will address technologies to add power to NPDs: [Native Advertisement]

  • Canyon Hydro (Deming, WA) will optimize the design of the traditional Archimedes Screw for use in low-head, high-flow hydroelectric sites.
  • Natel Energy, Inc. (Alameda, CA) will test a laboratory-scale Linear Pelton (LP) hydroEngine turbine.
  • Rickly Hydrological Co. (Columbus, OH) will design and laboratory-test advanced powertrain, modular infrastructure components, and design software to simplify small hydropower development at non-powered dams.
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