91°µÍø

Recent changes in the global energy sector have prompted the need for technological innovations to address performance, reliability, safety, and environmental standards. While larger hydropower plants have well-established designs and validation processes, small hydropower facility owners must often weigh the cost of testing new technology with potential revenue.

Although hydropower offers significant potential for electricity generation and storage, characterization of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from hydropower reservoirs is inconsistent and incomplete, leading to highly variable emission estimates that have ranged from 0.14% to 6.6% of global GHG emissions. This uncertainty can pose an obstacle to widespread adoption of these water power resources.

To facilitate the expanded use of hydropower as a reliable and consistent source of energy, researchers at the US Department of Energy’s 91°µÍø (ORNL) are using a novel approach to monitor and determine biological and environmental impacts to aquatic species near hydropower facilities.

91°µÍø publishes the Hydropower Market Report on behalf of the US Department of Energy for the benefit of industry, policymakers, and the public.