Hydropower and Marine Energy Technical Assistance

Hydropower and Marine Energy Technical Assistance is sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE) Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O). Provides technical assistance to advance hydropower and marine energy projects.

Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office | Department of Energy Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office The U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) 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 Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office Budget Hydropower and Hydrokinetic News, Events, and Newsletters The Hydropower and Hydrokinetic 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. Marine energy can power remote and coastal communities, the growing ocean-based industries, and U.S. power grids with reliable and affordable energy.

Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office Projects Map Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office Strategy and Accomplishments 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.

Pumped Storage Hydropower 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 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.

H2O Announcements and Success Stories Celebrating National Hydropower Day: How Hydropower Continues to Work in the 21st Century Ripple Effect: Why Curt Jawdy Sees a Career in Hydropower as True Public Service Increasing U.S. Hydropower Testing Capabilities DOE's Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office Announces Winners of 2026 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition DOE’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office Announces Funding for National Laboratory Projects to Streamline American Hydropower Permitting Critical Materials and Minerals Energy Department Launches $100 Million Initiative to Build America’s Critical Minerals Workforce, Strengthen Domestic Supply Chains National Alliance for Water Innovation Seeks Proposals for Industrial Water Reuse Technologies and Public Feedback on Studies to Secure the Nation’s Water Supply H2O Announces New Round of Voucher Program for Hydropower Testing Check out H2O's water power image library to view images of hydropower and marine energy technologies.

Check out H2O's water power video library to learn more about hydropower and marine energy technologies. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) 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.

To reduce marine energy costs and fully leverage hydropower’s contribution to the grid, WPTO invests in research and technology design; validates performance and reliability for new technologies; develops and enables access to necessary testing infrastructure; and disseminates objective information and data for technology developers and decision makers.

WPTO is a key player in the U.S. Department of Energy’s efforts to decarbonize the grid and transition to a 100% clean energy future. Watch this video to see how and why the work WPTO enables is important and how it can impact our future. U.S. Department of Energy Water Power Educational Resources National Labs and Water Power