U.S. Dams Could Generate 15.2 Terawatt-Hours of Additional Hydropower Annually
Source Summary
A study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory found that retrofitting existing U.S. dams without hydropower capacity could produce an additional 15.2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to power more than 1.4 million homes. The research, conducted using new HydroGenerate software, indicates that such retrofits would provide clean energy at significantly lower costs than traditional hydropower projects.
Why it matters
Retrofitting existing dams offers a cost-effective pathway to significantly increase U.S. renewable energy capacity without constructing new infrastructure.
