Hydroelectric power in the United States is getting a boost across the country as the Department of Energy is investing $430 million in modernizing almost 300 hydroelectric plants in 33 states. The initiative, called Investing in America, is being funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It’s aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of the U.S.’s aging hydroelectric infrastructure while ensuring that thousands of jobs remain secure.
What is hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric power, also called hydropower, draws energy from flowing water to generate electricity. The water is normally stored in dams and reservoirs and then released to flow through turbines, a process that produces clean electricity. This form of power has been utilized in the United States for almost 150 years and there are several key benefits to this form of electricity generation:
- Capacity: Hydropower systems are able to generate a large amount of power relatively quickly.
- Renewability and sustainability: Hydropower relies and the water cycle and the sun, making it renewable as long as some form of precipitation is falling.
- Storage: Hydropower facilities can also operate as energy storage systems, which helps to stabilize the grid during times of high electricity demand.
- Minimum greenhouse gases: Hydropower produces very low levels of greenhouse gases.
- Reliable and consistent: The energy output is consistent, predictable, and controllable.
- Cost-effective: After the initial cost of installation, hydroelectric systems are relatively inexpensive.
- Economic benefits: Jobs are created during construction, operation, and maintenance, and hydropower plants have positive economic spin-offs for local communities.
- Additional water functions: The water stored in dams and reservoirs can also be used for other things, such as irrigation, flood control, or a supply of drinking water.
- Reduced dependence on fossil fuels: Any alternatives to burning fossil fuels are beneficial for the environment and contribute to combatting climate change.
The context of hydropower in the U.S.
Almost 27% of the renewable electricity produced in the United States is generated by hydropower. It also accounts for 93% of all utility-scale energy storage, making it almost solely responsible for this function of electricity generation.
Most of the hydroelectric plants in the country have been in operation for several decades, with 79 years being the average age of the hundreds of plants. It’s essential to maintain and upgrade the facilities to ensure their continued smooth operation, and this is what the DoE intends to do with its Investing in America program.
Key components of 293 hydropower plants are set to be modernized, upgraded, and retrofitted to peak operational condition to make sure that this form of clean power generation remains reliable for many more decades to come.
Areas of targeted investment
The projects at the 293 selected plants will improve grid resilience, enhance dam safety, and ensure the stability of thousands of jobs. There are three key areas targeted for investment:
- Grid resilience: Aging turbines, generators, control systems, and transformers will be replaced or upgraded. This will ensure hydropower facilities continue to deliver reliable electricity to the grid while increasing their efficiency.
- Dam safety: The DoE will focus on strengthening aging infrastructure, such as emergency spillways and water systems, to make sure the dams are able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Concrete replacement and erosion repairs will also be carried out to strengthen the dams’ ability to manage water volumes and movement and prevent risky overtopping.
- Environmental and recreational enhancements: Hydropower upgrades will facilitate significant environmental improvements, including improved water conditions and fish ecosystems. For example, fish ladders and other systems will be installed to allow aquatic species to pass through dams more easily, reducing the ecological impact of hydropower processes.
Recreational facilities are also on the cards
Recreational facilities are also a focus of the DoE’s initiative. The projects will promote recreational opportunities around hydroelectric dams, expanding access for water-based activities like boating, kayaking, and white-water rafting. Walking trails and other recreational amenities will be installed or upgraded to encourage public engagement with the sites.
The United States government’s initiative is a positive one in terms of ensuring that the electricity supply remains stable and reliable and that regular renewable power is contributed to the grid.