The US Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) has named 12 hydropower technology developers to receive support through the Hydropower Testing Network (HyTN). These developers will utilise HyTN’s 18 specialised facilities to test and advance their hydropower technologies.

“The hydropower sector is developing innovative technologies to ensure this resource continues to provide reliable power to electricity grids and help meet U.S. energy goals for years to come,” said WPTO Director Matthew Grosso. “With HyTN, we are helping developers advance these technologies faster by connecting them with U.S.-based test facilities and expertise.”

Hydropower contributes 27% of US utility-scale renewable energy generation and 5.7% of the country’s total electricity. To maintain this role, new technologies and upgrades are essential for enhancing grid reliability and stability.

Selected hydropower developers and projects

  • Carpenter Technology Corporation (Philadelphia): Testing advanced A-21 alloy at Argonne National Laboratory to improve turbine bearings’ durability and corrosion resistance.
  • Continuous Solutions (Portland, Oregon): Developing a generator and inverter for microhydro systems to support off-grid and remote applications, testing at Sandia National Laboratories.
  • InPipe Energy Inc. (Portland, Oregon): Creating an off-grid energy system that converts excess water pressure into electricity, with validation at Continuous Solutions.
  • Kingsbury, Inc. (Philadelphia): Improving materials and lubricants for fluid film bearings in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  • KW River Hydroelectric, Inc. (Cincinnati): Testing a crossflow turbine at Verdantas’ Hooper Facility to improve dam safety and electricity generation.
  • Littoral Power Systems, Inc. (New Bedford, Massachusetts): Testing fish-safe intake louvers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
  • Optical Waters Inc. (Amherst, Massachusetts): Assessing ultraviolet-emitting optical fibres to prevent biofouling, in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  • Prometheus Innovations, LLC (Lafayette, Louisiana): Evaluating polymer coatings to reduce biofouling and enhance hydropower efficiency, with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
  • Radmantis (Toledo, Ohio): Testing AI-based fish classification and diversion systems at Verdantas’ Fish Passage Facility.
  • River Connectivity Systems (Bainbridge Island, Washington): Applying biofouling-resistant coatings to selective water withdrawal screens, working with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
  • VBASE Oil Company (Pendleton, South Carolina): Testing environmentally friendly lubricants for hydropower systems at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  • Verterra Energy Inc. (New Brighton, Minnesota): Studying fish interactions with modular turbines in shallow water at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The HyTN initiative, funded by WPTO and managed by ENERGYWERX, is part of a collaborative effort under the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions.