Benefits of Hydropower

Why Use Hydropower?

Hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, offers many advantages to the communities that it serves. Hydropower and pumped storage facilities provide essential power, storage, and grid flexibility services.

Every energy-producing facility has a firm capacity. Firm capacity refers to the guaranteed minimum amount of power a facility can deliver. A study led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on hydropower flexibility found that the firm capacity of U.S. hydropower facilities is estimated to be over 24 GW, enough to power between 16 and 24 million homes. See how hydropower facilities benefit both your local community and the entire country: 

Advantages Of Hydropower:

• Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy, allowing each state to produce its own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
• Hydropower is affordable in the short and long term. When building a facility, construction costs can be mitigated by using preexisting structures such as bridges, tunnels, and dams. Once operational, hydropower provides low-cost electricity and durability over time.
• Hydropower is an established industry in the United States, employing 66,500 people. And there are a growing number of jobs available in hydropower, including manufacturing, utilities, professional and business services, construction, trade and transportation, energy systems, water management, environmental science, welding, machinery, and other services.
• The U.S. hydropower workforce could grow to 120,000 jobs by 2030 and 158,000 by 2050. For those interested in becoming part of this workforce, hydropower education programs can be found nationwide.
• Hydropower creates jobs in rural locations and boosts local economies.
• As a flexible power source, hydropower can quickly go from zero to maximum output. This ability to add power to the grid immediately makes it essential backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions.
• Technologies like pumped storage hydropower (PSH) can store energy.
• Many hydropower installations in the United States can  provide some public access to the reservoir so the public can participate in recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. These types of facilities are called Impoundment Hydropower plants.
• Hydropower provides benefits beyond electricity generation by providing flood control, irrigation support, and clean drinking water.
• Hydropower relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, making it a renewable source of energy.

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