Water Power Technologies Office

The U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is advancing cutting-edge technology to modernize the U.S. hydropower fleet and drive U.S. leadership in new ocean and river energy, with the goal of delivering low-cost power and resiliency to the nation’s power grids. Subscribe to WPTO’s Breaking News email for important updates.

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Pumped Storage Projects Selected for Techno-Economic Studies

Two projects selected by the Energy Department will receive technical assistance to evaluate the long-term value of pumped-storage hydropower

December 3, 2018

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DOE Launches Water Security Grand Challenge

Challenge aims to advance transformational technology and innovation to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water.

October 25, 2018

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Funding Opportunity: National Oceanographic Partnership Program

ONR has released a new Broad Agency Announcement that solicits research proposals for seven different ocean technology and research areas.

October 15, 2018

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Ocean Renewable Energy Conference 2018 Wrap-Up

From September 18–19, staff from the DOE were joined by leaders from academia, federal and state government, utilities, supply chains, and investors.

October 9, 2018

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A Commercial Shipbuilding Industry Perspective and Future Marine Energy Business Opportunities

WPTO is engaging stakeholders engaged in the PacWave project. In this article, WPTO interviews Tom Hickman of Vigor.

September 24, 2018

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Oregon Wave Energy Test Site Rebranded as PacWave

The Pacific Marine Energy Center South Energy Test Site will operate under a rebranded name, PacWave.

September 14, 2018

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Water Power Projects Among Technology Commercialization Fund Selections

DOE's Office of Technology Transitions announced its selections for the latest round of the Technology Commercialization Fund.

September 10, 2018

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Webinar: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Water Power Facility and Infrastructure Utilization

DOE has issued an RFI regarding use of NWTC facilities for renewable energy, energy storage, and grid integration technology development and testing.

August 22, 2018

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Funding Available: Innovative Design Concepts for Standard Modular Hydropower and Pumped Storage Hydropower

DOE announced up to $9 million for innovations that reduce cost and maximize the value of new stream-reach hydropower development and PSH.

August 8, 2018

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Ocean Energy Systems Releases Spotlight on Ocean Energy Report

Ocean Energy Systems has released the Spotlight on Ocean Energy report, which provides analysis of 20 ocean energy projects and five initiatives.

July 27, 2018

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Research and Development

Hydropower

Technology Development: Modernizing America’s first renewable electricity source

Market Acceleration: Supporting industry growth with early-stage research

Resource Assessment and Characterization: Charting paths forward

Funding Opportunities: The latest opportunities to get involved

Marine and Hydrokinetic

Technology Development: Advancing ocean and river energy

Market Acceleration: Supporting industry growth with early-stage research

Resource Assessment and Characterization: Analyzing vast resources

Funding Opportunities: The latest opportunities to get involved

Featured Content

Water Power Projects Map

Learn more about our investments in cutting-edge water power research.

Hydropower Vision

A first-of-its-kind comprehensive analysis to evaluate future pathways for low-carbon, renewable hydropower.

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Wave Energy Prize

An 18-month public competition that advanced the demonstrated energy potential of several wave energy devices.