Researchers at ORNL released updated cost estimates for non-powered dam projects in the United States to help save stakeholders time, effort, and money when assessing potential projects.
Water Power Technologies Office
March 9, 2022
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Innovations for Low-Impact Hydropower Growth
Project Name: Cost Analysis of Hydropower Options at Non-Powered Dams
Project Team: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (lead) and Small Hydro Consultants LLC
Lead Recipient Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed the Cost Analysis of Hydropower Options at Non-Powered Dams Report to provide hydropower developers with better insights into the potential costs of adding hydropower generation capability or powering existing non-powered dam (NPD) projects and to explore ways to reduce these costs. Using available data and assisted by hydropower design experts from Small Hydro Consultants, researchers identified key characteristics of potential NPD hydropower projects and grouped them into classes that aligned similar projects with one another. Researchers then evaluated detailed design, initial construction costs, and hydropower generation for a representative project within each group. This report provides a critical update to cost estimates for NPD projects and insights into the site and design features that drive costs. Results for the representative sites will serve as templates to support more accurate estimates for thousands of prospective NPD projects, saving stakeholders time, effort, and millions of dollars when assessing sites for NPD hydropower development.
Innovations for Low-Impact Hydropower Growth Projects
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Two teams win the Groundbreaking Hydro Prize for developing cutting-edge concepts to lower costs and development timelines associated with building foundations for new hydropower projects. -
The Integrated Water Power Resilience Project, a collaborative effort between two national laboratories, led to the development of tools and resources that will help researchers create more resilient water power systems. -
Upstream Tech used machine learning and satellite data to develop more accurate streamflow forecasts that will help hydropower developers and regulators make more informed decisions about future hydropower projects and operations. -
With support from partners, the U.S. Department of Energy’s I AM Hydro Prize awarded $175,000 in cash prizes to 11 teams for their novel concepts to apply new advanced manufacturing techniques for hydropower. -
To support irrigation districts in upgrading outdated systems, national laboratory researchers developed a tool that provides system designs for districts to understand the benefits of hydropower to decarbonize agriculture. -
Natel Energy conducted fish passage tests with its Restoration Hydropower Turbine and found a 100% survival rate for adult rainbow trout and American eels.
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