Hydropower Supporting Engineering and Analysis
Two activities are supported under Supporting Engineering and Analysis:
Low-Head, Low-Power Resource Assessment
Recent activities in hydropower resource assessment have focused on unconventional turbine designs, such as free flow turbines or designs for low-head (30 feet or less) sites that have a capacity of 1 MW or less. Generally, low-head sites have fewer environmental problems, although individual sites may have specific environmental issues. Generally, development of low-head/low-power sites tends to be uneconomic due to constraints of using conventional turbine technologies. The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory is in the process of quantifying these types of hydropower resources in regional studies in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey. Visit the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Hydropower Resource Assessment page for more on the Low-Head/Low-Power Resource Assessment.
New turbine designs have been developed that may have promise of being environmentally friendly. Technology to exploit the low-head/low-power resource will be assessed and research initiated to address identified needs and further develop promising concepts. In subsequent years, the program will conduct a study of the potential environmental effects of new, unconventional technology and their effects on resource development.
Valuation of Hydropower
Hydropower offers numerous benefits ranging from low-cost power to grid stability to flood control to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. Yet, while adding value to the quality of our lives, many of hydropower's power and non-power attributes are not recognized in the marketplace and are not well understood. As the electric industry moves from a cost basis to profit/loss, the high capital costs and regulatory burden of hydropower are prohibitive from an investment perspective.
Comprehensively quantifying hydropower's many benefits would enhance the value of existing and future projects, attract new investment, and lead to the development of new, clean hydroelectricity. Policymakers would gain accurate information needed to formulate energy policies that include hydropower. The goal of the research would be to allow hydropower to more effectively compete in competitive energy markets, ancillary service markets, premium "green" electricity markets, and water markets. As the electric power industry continues to restructure and more services are unbundled, it is vital that both policymakers and hydro operators better understand hydropower's value.