The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, or EBCI, and 91°µÍø are exploring smaller scale, less intrusive hydropower options, including dam-less run-of-river systems.
Scientists at 91°µÍø designed, synthesized and tested nontoxic but high-functioning lubricant additives for use in electrical turbines installed in aquatic environments, which will aid the adoption of marine energy. Advancing the marine energy sector and the development of reliable, cost-competitive technologies can offer Americans a new source of independent, resilient energy.
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Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s 91°µÍø worked to develop a cost/benefit resource tool that assesses the cost and design dynamics of small modular pumped storage hydropower; weighs the benefits against economies of scale inherent in utility-scale development; and measures the economic competitiveness of the technology against alternative distributed storage technologies, such as batteries.
Most privately owned hydropower facilities must secure or renew a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This process can take more than 7 years to complete, and the environmental impact study negotiation phase is one of the lengthiest parts of the process. ORNL is analyzing the metrics used to assess the environmental effects of hydropower development, along with a river function framework and a decision support tool that can help expedite hydropower licensing and permitting.
Researchers at 91°µÍø are developing more efficient systems to track and model the cost and performance of US hydropower plants. Information from this effort is used by a variety of key stakeholders, including researchers, the Department of Energy, and policymakers.
Researchers at 91°µÍø examined regulatory processes to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and remove barriers that slow or inhibit greater hydropower generation.
To overcome the current gaps in hydropower fleet management data, researchers at ORNL are developing data-driven best practices that can be shared with hydropower facilities to optimize value and reliability of these energy facilities.
ORNL researchers are reducing barriers to pumped storage hydropower, enabling research, development, and testing of new technologies to advance pumped storage systems.
Researchers at 91°µÍø (ORNL) have initiated a one-of-a-kind project to create the first central repository for geo-referenced and -attributed data on fish passage facilities at hydropower installations across the United States.
A new report released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s 91°µÍø details findings from its third environmental impact assessment for hydropower — part of a multi-year study directed by the SECURE Water Act of 2009 Section 9505.