$32m Initiative to Expand US Hydropower

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu has announced funding of up to $32m to modernise the existing US hydropower infrastructure, increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The initiative is designed 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 clean energy jobs,” said Secretary Chu.

Secretary Chu also added that a key benefit of hydropower will be storing the energy behind dams so that it can be released when most needed.

He also confirmed that the government is committed to developing pumped storage technology.