Fish-Friendly Turbines Get Stimulus Money

The DOE expects the $30.6 million in stimulus awards going to innovative hydropower projects will yield added generation at average costs less than 4 cents per kWh – without new dams. The seven projects that received awards this week are expected to help modernize the hydropower infrastructure by increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impacts at existing facilities.

"One of the best opportunities we have to increase our supply of clean energy is by bringing our hydropower systems into the 21st Century," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in announcing the awards. "With this investment, we can create jobs, help our environment and give more renewable power to our economy without building a single new dam."

Among the projects selected: high-efficiency, fish-friendly turbines, improved water intakes, and advanced control systems.

The awards went to:

·         Alabama Power Co. – $6 million

·         Alcoa Inc. - $13 million

·         City of Tacoma, WA - $4.6 million

·         City of Boulder, CO - $1.18 million

·         Energy Northwest - $800,000

·         Incorporated County of Los Alamos, NM - $4.5

·         North Little Rock Electric Dept. - $450,000

Read more about stimulus awards:  

DOE hydropower announcement

Directory of Energy Awards