National laboratory researchers released NPD HYDRO, a comprehensive tool that helps users identify and prioritize opportunities to retrofit non-powered dams.
Water Power Technologies Office
March 14, 2024
minute read time
Hydropower Program
Innovations for Low-Impact Hydropower Growth
Project Name: NPD HYDRO Tool
Project Team: Idaho National Laboratory (lead), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Sapere Consulting
Lead Recipient Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
A team of researchers from Idaho National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed and released Non-Powered Dam Hydropower Development and Ranking Opportunity (NPD HYDRO), a comprehensive tool that allows users to identify and prioritize opportunities for retrofitting non-powered dams (NPDs) in the continental United States.
There are more than 90,000 dams in the country, yet less than 3% generate power. Retrofitting NPDs to generate electricity represents an opportunity to expand hydropower’s contributions to the electric grid. Users of the NPD HYDRO tool can sharpen their decision-making when it comes to choosing which dams to retrofit.
The NPD HYDRO tool examines a variety of variables focused on four categories: grid, community, industry, and environment. The customizable analyses in these four impact areas help ensure users can prioritize NPDs that fit their specific needs. With assistance from Sapere Consulting, the project team performed a thorough market analysis to ensure the tool addressed gaps in current industry tools. The tool helps planners, utilities, developers, and communities sort through nearly 500 NPDs and identify retrofit opportunities to increase hydropower’s role in the clean energy grid.
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