Water Power Technologies Office

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office enables research, development, and testing of emerging technologies to advance marine energy as well as next generation hydropower and pumped storage systems for a flexible, reliable grid. Subscribe to The Water Wire for important updates.

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Energy Department’s Small Business Innovation Research Program Announces Seven New Water Power-Focused Projects for FY19

Seven small businesses receive grants to demonstrate technical feasibility of innovations.

June 24, 2019

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DOE Launches Wave Energy Water Desalination Prize Competition

Prize competition seeks to accelerate the development of wave energy powered desalination systems and launch novel technologies.

June 13, 2019

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A New Approach to Pumped Storage Hydropower

Quidnet Energy is taking an alternative approach to conventional pumped-storage hydropower development.

June 7, 2019

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Marine Sciences Laboratory Request for Information

WPTO seeks feedback about the use of the PNNL Marine Sciences Laboratory as a research, development, testing, and validation venue.

June 6, 2019

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New Round of Hydroelectric Incentive Funding Now Available

The Water Power Technologies Office is now accepting applications for $6.6 million under section 242 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT).

May 21, 2019

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Deadline Extended: Furthering Advancements to Shorten Time (FAST) to Commissioning for Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) Prize

The FAST Commissioning for PSH Prize seeks solutions and technologies that address the non-regulatory challenges PSH developers face.

May 20, 2019

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EERE Helps American Small Businesses with $21.6 Million for Phase I Innovation Projects

American small businesses got nearly a $22 million boost from EERE with Phase 1 Release II selections

May 20, 2019

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Announcing the Winners of the Make a Splash Photo Contest

Winners were announced and displayed at Waterpower Week, which was held in Washington, D.C.

April 18, 2019

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Energy Department Announces New Prize to Accelerate Pumped Storage Hydropower

Energy Department announces FAST, a new prize competition to support the development of pumped storage hydropower.

April 8, 2019

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Funding Selections Announced for Innovative Design Concepts for Standard Modular Hydropower and Pumped Storage Hydropower

Today, DOE announced selections for innovations that reduce cost and maximize the value of hydropower development and pumped storage hydropower.

April 1, 2019

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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.