U.S. DOE Funds Next-Gen Hydropower Tech
Engineering360 News Desk | February 12, 2017The 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 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.