Water Power Technologies Office

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Image looking upstream at a small dam with water flowing over with thick tree covered bank

Our Mission

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.

About the Water Power Technologies Office

Water Power Technologies Office Budget

Water Power Funding Opportunities

Water Power News, Events, and Newsletters

NREL researchers releasing a mooring device off a boat platform into a bay with blue sky in the background.

What We Do

The Water Power Technologies Office works with national laboratories, academic institutions, and companies across the country to advance technologies to harness hydropower and marine energy resources. Hydropower will play a key role in helping electricity grids remain reliable and stable, ensuring homes and businesses have power when they need it. Meanwhile, marine energy can power remote and coastal communities, the growing blue economy, and U.S. power grids with reliable and renewable energy.

Water Power Technologies Office Projects Map

Water Power Technologies Office Strategy and Accomplishments

Areas of Focus

Hydropower
Hydropower plants produce renewable energy using the elevation difference created by a dam or diversion structure. Water flows in one side and exits at a lower point, spinning a turbine, which runs a generator and produces electricity.
Hydropower Program
Hydropower Basics
Pumped Storage Hydropower
Pumped storage hydropower relies on two reservoirs of water. During periods of high energy production, excess energy can be used to pump water up into a higher reservoir. At times of high energy demand, facilities can release water from that higher reservoir into a lower pool. When the water flows downhill, it spins a turbine, running a generator and producing power.
Pumped Storage Hydropower Basics
Marine Energy
Marine energy refers to power harnessed from waves, tides, ocean and river currents, and even from differences in ocean salt levels, temperatures, and pressure. These resources are abundant, geographically diverse, and complementary to other energy sources.
Marine Energy Program
Marine Energy Basics