U.S. Department of Energy yesterday announced up to $32 million in Recovery Act funding to modernize the existing hydropower infrastructure in the U.S., increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The funding is meant to support the deployment of turbines and control technologies to increase power generation and environmental stewardship at existing non-Federal hydroelectric facilities.
“There’s no one solution to the energy crisis, but hydropower is clearly part of the solution and represents a major opportunity to create more renewable energy jobs,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. “Investing in our existing hydropower infrastructure will strengthen our economy, reduce pollution and help us toward energy independence.”
Chu also noted another key benefit of hydropower: potential hydro energy can be stored behind dams and released when it is most needed. Therefore, improving hydro infrastructure can help to increase the utilization and economic viability of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Chu said he is committed to further developing pumped storage technology to harness these advantages.
The Funding Opportunity Announcement will be competitively awarded to a variety of non-Federal hydropower projects that can be developed without significant modifications to dams and with a minimum of regulatory delay.
Projects will be selected in two areas:
- Deployment of Hydropower Upgrades at Projects >50 MW: These include projects at large, non-Federal facilities (greater than 50 MW capacity) with existing or advanced technologies that will enable improved environmental performance and significant new generation.
- Deployment of Hydropower Upgrades at Projects < 50 MW: These include projects at small-scale non-Federal facilities (less than 50 MWs) with existing or advanced technologies that will enable improved environmental performance and significant new generation.
Letters of intent are due July 22nd, 2009, and completed applications August 20th, 2009. The complete Funding Opportunity Announcement number, DE-FOA-0000120, can be viewed at the link below. Projects are expected to begin in Fiscal Year 2010.
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