03/22/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/23/2023 12:45
"Water power is the nation's oldest source of renewable energy and an integral part of the suite of clean energy solutions that we must continue to deploy in our fight against climate change," U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "The President's clean energy agenda is providing the investments necessary to further grow and improve existing hydropower fleets while supporting the next wave of water power technologies, ensuring a steady flow of cheap and reliable power to more Americans."
Hydropower is a key component of renewable energy generation and currently provides 6% of all electricity in the United States. However, less than 3% of the nation's more than 90,000 dams currently produce power. Adding generation equipment to these sites could add up to 12 gigawattsof new hydropower capacity to the U.S. electric system and provide reliable, affordable power to communities across the nation.DOE's Hydroelectric Programs
The Hydroelectric Incentives Program, administered by DOE's Grid Deployment Office, has issued application guidance and opened two solicitations. The Hydroelectric Production Incentiveswill provide up to $125 million in incentive payments to qualified hydroelectric facilities for electricity generated and sold in calendar years 2021 and 2022. The Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentiveswill invest $75 million to enable the implementation of capital improvements to boost efficiency.In addition to supporting efficiency and modernization efforts in existing hydroelectric facilities, DOE is announcing investments to advance new marine energy technologies and grow the hydropower and marine energy workforce.
Ocean energy, a type of marine energy, was highlighted yesterday in the White House's the first Ocean Climate Action Plan, a groundbreaking roadmap to advance immediate, transformational steps to protect ocean health and address the climate crisis.
Engaging Communities to Inform Hydropower Research and Development
Earlier in March 2023, DOE announced$3.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a project to deepen relationships and trust between hydropower and river stakeholders to better incorporate community priorities in hydropower R&D activities.Learn more about DOE's investments through the Grid Deployment Office and the Water Power Technologies Office.
President Biden's Investing in America agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out - from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.