The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced agreements on 11 projects and two prize competitions that will strengthen U.S. hydropower, the oldest form of electricity generation, and remove key barriers to its development. 

DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) will make full or conditional awards to the following projects:

• $13 million for nine research and development projects across eight states aimed to maximize hydropower’s ability to respond to changing demand on the electric grid, enhancing the reliability and affordability of the U.S. electric system.
  
  
• $7.1 million for the Carrizo Four Corners Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) Center Project, a project led by New Mexico State University in collaboration with the Navajo Nation to investigate the feasibility of a potential PSH project that will provide power and storage capacity to the region.
  
  
• $1 million for a project led by River Connectivity Systems to advance an innovative, low-cost technology that dam operators can use to enhance water quality downstream from dams, helping hydropower facilities operate more efficiently while also ensuring that Americans are able to enjoy healthy river systems.

WPTO also announced the opening of its annual collegiate competitions, the Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions. Through these competitions, students gain real-world experience designing and managing water power systems, valuable exposure to career pathways, and greater knowledge of water power’s potential to provide reliable, affordable, and secure energy. Teams interested in competing must submit applications by September 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Learn more here.