The United States is looking to secure the future of energy production and investing $430 million in overhauling 293 of the country’s hydroelectric facilities. The Department of Energy says it’s committed to ensuring infrastructure safety across 33 states and maintaining the stability of the electricity grid.
Modernization of hydropower facilities to ensure grid resilience
The Biden-Harris administration is behind the massive undertaking to invest in America’s hydroelectric infrastructure, which generates around 27% of all renewable energy in the US. The average age of these facilities is 79 years, so they’re due for modernization. The upgrading program, which falls under the Investing in America agenda, has three objectives:
- To facilitate access to affordable, clean power
- To mitigate the impact of hydroelectric plants on fauna and flora
- To increase dam security
The Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program will be administered by the GDO (Grid Deployment Office) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and will also protect the employment of more than 6,000 hydropower workers and the contracts of numerous vendors and contractors.
Funding of the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program
California is the state that’s receiving the most attention with 39 projects being upgraded, and then New York with 35. A funding threshold of $5 million per project has been decided on, with the federal government footing 30% of the total costs. Private funding accounts for $2.38 billion, showing that power companies are also committed to protecting hydroelectric assets.
Preventing failures and stabilizing the power grid
There are two parts to the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program: projects enhancing dam safety (149) and those focusing on the resilience of the grid (84). There are also 60 projects that have a purely environmental focus and nothing to do with generation capacity, and a number involving recreational upgrades and installations.
One of the project’s considerations is that while modernization and upgrading are going on, it’s important not to disrupt the balance of the current energy mix, which would have the opposite effect of destabilizing the electricity grid.
Strengthening grid resilience
The following systems will be upgraded to strengthen grid resilience:
- Control systems
- Cables and transformers
- Penstocks (which transport water to turbines)
- Turbines or generators (including replacement where necessary)ย
Improving dam safety
These projects will be carried out to improve dam safety and strengthen infrastructure to protect against extreme weather:
- Upgrading dam gates
- Upgrading dam walls to prevent water spilling over (overtopping)
- Upgrading emergency spillways, whereby water is channelled during heavy rainfall
- Replacing ageing concrete to prevent water seepage
- Repairs to water conveyance systems to improve water movement
- Rehabilitation of erosion in the areas around dams
Environmental and recreational improvements
These projects will make improvements to recreational facilities and support the environment around hydroelectric plants:
- Fish ladders or other equipment will be installed to facilitate aquatic species to pass through, over, or around dams or turbines. A number of projects will expand or develop the natural environment.
- Special turbines will be installed to reduce the loss of oxygen in the water during electricity generation. Improving the water quality will have a knock-on positive effect on habitats downstream and also protect protected species or species of cultural importance to Indian tribes.
- Recreational endeavors include water access for boating, kayaking, or rafting, or creating walking trails.
Future developments and clean energy goals
The Department of Energy has a second round of funding planned for three more programs, namely the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives, the Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives, and the Hydroelectric Production Incentives programs.
These programs are also in line with the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the benefits of federal investment in climate, clean energy, and affordable housing reach disadvantaged communities that are frequently underinvested in and are more affected by pollution than higher-income sectors of society.