The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $430 million to nearly 300 projects at hydroelectric facilities to enhance dam safety, strengthen grid resilience and improve the environment.
The funding, announced Sept. 5, comes from the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office through the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive program.
The 293 projects to receive funding are spread across 33 states. Eighty-four projects focus on grid resilience, 149 are dam safety projects, and 60 are environmental improvement projects. Award amounts range from $7,200 to $5 million.
Hydropower contributes nearly 27% of the nation’s renewable electricity generation and 93% of utility-scale energy storage. But the fleet is aging, officials noted. Facilities selected for funding are on average 79 years old.
For example, Entergy Arkansas marked the 100-year anniversary of the Remmel Dam this year. The DOE awarded $1.8 million for safety improvements at the dam.
“We’re thrilled to invest in this hydroelectric fleet that is such an important part of our nation’s electric system,” Maria Robinson, Grid Deployment Office director, said during a news conference.
For the most part, the projects selected for funding through the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive program won’t increase generation or capacity, DOE officials said.
Rather, the program focuses on strengthening grid resilience at dams through measures such as turbine or generator replacement or transformer upgrades.
Safety measures funded by the program might include improvements to emergency spillways or concrete replacement to prevent water seepage through the dam.
In addition, the program funds environmental and recreational improvements such as fish ladders or improved boating access.
Multiple Awards
Many utilities are receiving awards for multiple projects. PacifiCorp Renewable Resources was awarded $38 million for nine projects, including $5 million each for the Fish Creek pumped storage facility and Weber Dam improvements.
Pacific Gas and Electric is receiving more than $34 million for 19 projects. Among the funding is $123,289 for improvements at the Potter Valley fish hotel and $5 million for the Lower Bucks spillway restoration project.
Michigan-based Consumers Energy is receiving about $23 million for 10 projects, including $5 million each for improvements at the Rogers and Hardy spillways.
Seattle City Light was awarded about $21 million for five projects, including $5 million for dam safety at the Cedar Falls hydroelectric project.
The Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive is one of three DOE programs that fund hydroelectric projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Another program, the Hydroelectric Production Incentives, will provide $125 million to hydroelectric facilities for electricity generated and sold. In 2023, 66 hydro facilities were awarded $36.7 million. Applications for a second funding round are now under review.
The third program, the Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives, will invest $75 million into hydropower facilities. In February, DOE awarded $71.5 million to 46 hydroelectric projects in 19 states.
The Grid Deployment Office will discuss the latest Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive awards during a webinar on Sept. 11 from 1 to 1:30 p.m. ET.
DOE expects to announce a second round of funding for the program next year.