US Dams Could Add 15.2 TWh of Hydropower Annually
In the United States, modernizing certain existing dams that are not equipped to generate electricity could potentially provide an additional 15.2 TWh of electricity per year. According to researchers, this volume would be enough to supply more than 1.4 million households. OilPrice reports on the results of a study by Oak Ridge and Idaho national laboratories.
Assessing dam potential
Researchers used HydroGenerate software developed at Idaho National Laboratory. It combines water-flow data from the U.S. Geological Survey and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to estimate potential electricity generation for each individual dam.
The model takes into account turbine characteristics, water head, seasonality, and structural features of the facilities. Project lead and report’s principal author Carly Hansen noted that many dams already perform important functions, including flood protection or navigation. Such operational constraints can significantly limit hydropower development opportunities.
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Where the potential is concentrated
Most dams identified by the analysis as suitable for retrofitting are located in the Great Lakes basin and the Upper Mississippi region. According to the analysis, 86% of such facilities are federally owned. Currently, only 3% of U.S. dams are equipped to generate electricity.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy, through its Water Power Technologies Office, allocated $5.5 million to 11 national laboratory projects. They are intended to accelerate and simplify the licensing of hydropower facilities. Office Director Nicole Fitzgerald said these projects are intended to support the operation of existing hydropower plants and reduce operators’ costs for obtaining permits and renewing licenses.
Matthew Allen, senior director of legislative affairs at the National Hydropower Association, said the outdated licensing process slows new construction. According to him, about 16 GW of hydropower capacity will undergo license renewals over the next decade.
