Hydro Energy Institutes and Associations

Mission of the Hydropower Program

"The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Hydropower Program is to conduct research and development (R&D) that will improve the technical, societal, and environmental benefits of hydropower and provide cost-competitive technologies that enable the development of new and incremental hydropower capacity, adding diversity to the nation's energy supply."

Program Organization and Management

"The Hydropower Program is organized under the DOE Office of Wind and Hydropower Technologies in Washington, DC. A concerted effort is made to coordinate DOE's research and development with that of other federal agencies and industry, including both private and public entities involved with hydropower development. An open peer-review process involving industry and environmental resource agencies ensures that stakeholders are involved and that high-priority research needs are being addressed. A Technical Committee is maintained to review progress, evaluate results, and ensure coordination with related R&D activities of other agencies and industry. This Technical Committee consists of experts from the hydropower industry and state and Federal agencies. In addition, the reviews of specialists who are not members of the Technical Committee are obtained, when appropriate. Active coordination provides "situational awareness," avoids duplication of research efforts, and creates a synergy among related research effects.

Three of DOE's National Laboratories with experience in hydropower issues provide technical support to the Program: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). The lead laboratory for engineering and program management support is INL. ORNL is the lead laboratory for environmental and computational support. PNNL is involved in biological testing and technology development studies, taking advantage of their experience with fish and test facilities. A combination of industry, universities, and federal facilities conduct research activities for the Hydropower Program. Where federal facilities have the equipment and personnel to reduce the overall cost to DOE, they are used for conducting R&D" ... more

Fish-Friendly Turbine Making a Splash in Water Power

"A revolutionary new turbine technology for hydropower plants is one step closer to its first commercial deployment. The Alden Fish-Friendly Turbine could change the game for hydropower generation in the United States, and it is likely to have significant export potential.

Scientists and engineers at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Alden Laboratories, and their partners have designed a new turbine that reduces fish passage injury and mortality, while effectively maintaining power production. EPRI recently released the full technical report of prototype testing. Building on over a decade of support from the Energy Department, EPRI and its project partners were recently selected to deploy and test the Alden fish-friendly hydropower turbine over the next three years. EPRI plans to deploy the 10 megawatt Alden Turbine at the Brookfield Renewable Power School Street Project in Cohoes, New York, bringing project's generation capacity to 48 megawatts.

Hydropower already provides nearly 7 percent of the nation's electricity, and it holds tremendous potential for expansion. Yet that promise comes with the unique challenge of developing water as a renewable energy resource in a way that minimizes disruption to sensitive ecosystems and mitigates impacts to fish and other aquatic wildlife. Some hydropower projects have created issues for migratory fish, such as blocked passages and turbine-induced mortality. Spilling water or installing bypass technologies can allow fish to pass through unharmed, but they also compromise a significant amount of power production—to the tune of 8,500 MWh per year and at a cost upwards of $700,000 per project." ... more

The U.S. Army Engineer Institute for Water Resources (IWR)

"The U.S. Army Engineer Institute for Water Resources (IWR) was formed to provide forward-looking analysis and research in developing planning methodologies to aid the Civil Works program.

Since its beginnings in 1969, the Institute was envisioned to provide the Corps with long-range planning capabilities to assist in improving the civil works planning process. Today the Institute continues to provide the Civil Works program with a variety of products to enhance water resources development.

The IWR Mission

The U.S. Army Engineer Institute for Water Resources (IWR) was formed to provide forward-looking analysis and research in developing planning methodologies to aid the Civil Works program. IWR is a field operating activity under the supervision of the Director for Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

IWR fulfills its mission by supporting the Civil Works Directorate and USACE Major Subordinate Commands (MSCs) and District offices by providing: (a) analysis of emerging water resources trends and issues, (b) state-of-the-art planning and hydrologic engineering methods, models and training, and (c) national data management of results-oriented program and project information across Civil Works business lines.

The Institute is the USACE center of expertise for integrated water resources management, focusing on planning analysis and hydrologic engineering and on the collection, management and dissemination of Civil Works and navigation information, including the nation’s waterborne commerce data. It also serves as the Corps center of expertise for collaborative planning and environmental conflict resolution." ... more

The Water Power Program

"The Water Power Program researches, tests, evaluates, and develops innovative technologies capable of generating renewable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective electricity from water resources. This includes conventional hydropower as well as marine and hydrokinetic technologies.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Program works with the national laboratories, industry, universities, and other federal agencies to promote the development and deployment of technologies capable of generating environmentally sustainable and cost-effective electricity from the nation's water resources.

Water power is the nation's largest source of clean, domestic, renewable energy. Water power technologies harness energy from rivers and oceans to generate electricity for the nation's homes and businesses, and can help the United States meet its pressing energy, environmental, and economic challenges.

Quick Facts About Water Power

  - Hydropower contributes more to electricity generation in the U.S. than any other renewable energy source.
  - Conventional hydropower generates 6- 7% of all U.S. electricity production
  - Energy from the ocean waves could supply 260 terawatt-hours of electricity per year for the United States." ... more

The U.S. Geological Survey

"The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects information needed to understand the Nation's water resources, and provides access to water data, publications, and maps, as well as to recent water projects and events.

The USGS Water Mission Area actively promotes the use of this information by decision makers to

  - Minimize loss of life and property as a result of water-related natural hazards, such as floods, droughts, and land movement.
  - Effectively manage groundwater and surface-water resources for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, recreational, and ecological uses.
  - Protect and enhance water resources for human health, aquatic health, and environmental quality.
  - Contribute to the wise physical and economic development of our Nation's resources for the benefit of present and future generations." more

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute

"The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to reducing the impacts of hydropower generation through the certification of hydropower projects that have avoided or reduced their environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria.

There are thousands of hydropower dams in the United States located on many of our most important rivers and streams. These dams can create pollution-free energy, but they can also produce significant adverse impacts on fish and wildlife and other resources.

LIHI's mission is to reduce the impacts of hydropower dams through market incentives. LIHI does this through its Hydropower Certification Program, a voluntary certification program designed to help identify and reward hydropower dams that are minimizing their environmental impacts. Just as an organic label can help consumers choose the foods and farming practices they want to support, the LIHI certification program can help energy consumers choose the energy and hydropower practices they want to support." ... more

The National Hydropower Association

"The National Hydropower Association (NHA) is a nonprofit national association dedicated exclusively to promoting the growth of clean, affordable hydropower, America's leading renewable resource.

Through advocacy, policy, and education initiatives, NHA works every day to increase the role that available, reliable, affordable and sustainable hydropower plays in the U.S. electricity sector." more

The International Energy Agency

"The IEA Hydropower Agreement is a working group of governments and industry which intends to provide objective, balanced information about the advantages and disadvantages of hydropower. On this web-site you can find information about the positive and negative social and environmental effects of hydropower, about hydropower in general, and about the IEA Hydropower Agreement.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous body which was established in November 1974 within the framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The IEA headquarters are in Paris, France, and it carries out a comprehensive program of energy cooperation among twenty five of the OECD's thirty member countries. At its inception, the work of the IEA concentrated on issues related to oil, but since that time the Agency has broadened its work to include virtually all energy issues. An important objective of the IEA is to encourage the increased deployment of renewable energies, and to collaborate on research and development in this area" more

The European Small Hydropower Association

"The European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA) represents the interest of the hydropower sector by promoting the benefits and opportunities of hydropower at EU level. The association campaigns for improved market conditions for the hydropower sector, removal of any barriers to hydropower development and an increase in hydro-electricity production in Europe.

ESHA serves as a platform for stakeholders in the hydropower field by providing its members with key information and briefings on EU policies and legislation, by promoting networking among hydropower stakeholders and by creating synergies within the renewable energy and other relevant sectors.

ESHA is a federation of European national hydropower associations as well as members from all sectors of the hydropower field, such as equipment manufacturers, public utilities, independent producers, research institutes, investors, industry and consultants.

ESHA, founded in 1989 as an initiative of the European Commission, is ideally located with other Renewable Energy Associations in the Renewable Energy House in Brussels just a block away from the European institutions. " ... more

British Hydropower Association (BHA)

"The BHA promotes the hydropower industry in the UK and abroad and aims to increase the awareness of its quality and scope in the wider world. Hydropower is one of the most reliable, predictable and least environmentally intrusive of all renewable energies. The BHA strives to ensure that its potential is realised.

The hydropower sector in the United Kingdom is going through an exciting phase. Government policy to limit carbon emissions has given us the opportunity to develop hydropower projects which previously would have been unviable. Businesses, communities and individuals are now involved and are playing their part in in the fight against climate change. In turn this has stimulated interest in the manufacturing and service sectors. There is also a massive overseas market to be addressed. This will only get bigger as the importance of hydropower as a tried and tested renewable energy technology is realised.

The BHA is the only UK trade association which solely addresses the demands of the growing hydropower sector. The expertise we can call upon is the best and most experienced that is available." ... more

British Dam Society

The British Dam Society is an Associated Society of the Institution of Civil Engineers. It consists of individual and corporate members. It is open to anyone wanting to share experience or knowledge of all aspects of dams and reservoirs.

Aims and Objectives

BDS exists to advance the education of the public and the profession in technical subjects relating to planning, design, construction, maintenance, operation, safety, environmental and social issues. At a National level BDS organises:
  - Programme of London and regional meetings
  - BDS Conference and Geoffrey Binnie Lecture, held biennially
  - Dams & Reservoirs, the journal of the British Dam Society published three times a year
  - The Supervising Engineers Forum, held biennially
  - Various awards and competitions including the Bateman award, the BDS prize for young authors, student and photographic competitions...

BDS Strategy

BDS strives to achieve the aims and objectives set out above through implementation of a wide range of activities and actions. The logic and approach for undertaking these actions is presented in the BDS Strategy Document.This latest version of the BDS strategy was revised in May 2011." ... more

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) works to strengthen the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships. It supports this goal through:

• Enhancing energy efficiency and productivity;
• Bringing clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and
• Making a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life.

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) works to advance sustainable hydropower.

"That means we talk to two main groups of people:
  - IHA talk to governments, organisations, scientists and the general public to explain the benefits of hydropower and how it can work with other renewables. IHA's work in this area looks at hydropower and water, energy and climate - with particular attention to hydropower's role in climate change mitigation and adaptation - as well as research into markets and investments in the hydropower and renewables sectors
  - IHA also talk to the hydropower industry, helping to make sure that hydropower is developed and used sustainably. Hydropower is the world's largest source of renewable energy and plays a vital role in reducing the world's dependence on carbon. As a renewable energy, it is important that hydropower is also developed sustaibably..

The IHA sustainability work
IHA works in a number of ways to promote the sustainable use of hydropower. Some of our projects are listed below.

Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol
The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol is a new tool that promotes and improves the sustainable use of hydropower. It provides a common language that allows governments, civil society, financial institutions and the hydropower sector to talk about issues of sustainability.

The Protocol offers a way of assessing the performance of hydropower in more than 20 sustainability topics. Assessments are intended to be objective and are based on documented evidence, and the results are presented in a standardised way, making it easy to see how existing facilities are performing and how new projects are being developed" more

The Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA)

"Founded in 1998, the Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA) is the national trade association dedicated to representing the interests of the hydropower industry. Its members span the breadth of the industry and, with nearly 50 members, include hydropower producers, manufacturers, developers, engineering firms, organizations and individuals interested in the field of hydropower. CHA members represent more than 95% of the hydropower capacity in Canada.

Mission

The Canadian hydropower industry, promote the technical, economic, social, and environmental advantages of hydropower. We advocate the responsible development and use of hydropower to meet our present and future electricity needs in a sustainable manner.

Vision

Hydropower leads the way for reliable, renewable, clean energy." ... more

The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)

"The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) is a non-governmental International Organization which provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering.

The Organization leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically, and without detrimental effects on the environment. Its original aim was to encourage advances in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of large dams and their associated civil works, by collecting and disseminating relevant information and by studying related technical questions.

Since the late sixties, focus was put on subjects of current concern such as dam safety, monitoring of performance, reanalysis of older dams and spillways, effects of ageing and environmental impact. More recently, new subjects include cost studies at the planning and construction stages, harnessing international rivers, information for the public at large, and financing." ... more

Association of State Dam Safety Officials

The Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO)

ASDSO was formed in 1983. The first conference, held in 1984 in Denver, attracted nearly 300 attendees and saw the ASDSO constitution and by-laws adopted by 34 states.

ASDSO's origins date from November 1977, when 39 people were killed by the Kelly Barnes dam failure in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. President Jimmy Carter immediately issued an executive order directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to inspect dams nationwide. This 3-year "Phase I" program revealed deficiencies in the great majority of non-federal dams.

On the heels of the Phase I inspections, two investigations - by the National Academy of Engineering and FEMA - revealed the inadequacy of state dam safety laws and programs. Their reports recommended an interstate forum on dam safety.

ASDSO began with organizational meetings in 1983 in Orlando, Florida and Lexington, Kentucky. By February 1985, 37 states and Puerto Rico had officially joined the association. ASDSO's membership stood at 165: 90 associate (government employees) and 75 affiliate.

Today, ASDSO has more than 3,000 members representing state, federal and local governments; academia; dam owners; manufacturers and suppliers; consultants and others." ... more

The International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research

IAHR, founded in 1935, is a worldwide independent organisation of engineers and water specialists working in fields related to the hydro-environmental sciences and their practical application.

Activities range from river and maritime hydraulics to water resources development and eco-hydraulics, through to ice engineering, hydroinformatics and continuing education and training.

IAHR stimulates and promotes both research and it's application, and by so doing strives to contribute to sustainable development, the optimisation of world water resources management and industrial flow processes.

IAHR accomplishes its goals by a wide variety of member activities including: working groups, research agenda, congresses, specialty conferences, workshops and short courses; Journals, Monographs and Proceedings; by involvement in international programmes such as UNESCO, WMO, IDNDR, GWP, ICSU, and by co-operation with other water-related (inter)national organisations." ... more

Hydrocoop is a non-profit-making organisation formed to promote international technical cooperation in dam engineering, with special focus on flood control, spillways and sedimentation. It is the outcome of a perceived need for a new approach to the issues described below.

NATIONAL DISPARITIES
River floods are a serious problem in many countries. A partial remedy is sought by building flood detention and storage dams and embankments along rivers. But different countries show considerable variation in the criteria they employ to set size and capacity of dams, and ancillary equipment to manage sedimentation.

This disparity may arise from differing physiographic and economic conditions, but more usually results from local tradition, which is often ignorant of what is being done in other countries. If information on succesful projects elsewhere were more readily available, including details of costs and suitability for site specific conditions, many new dams might be built substantially more cheaply and safely. Spillways capacity and/or reservoir storage of many existing dams could be improved at low cost.

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
When planning a new dam or improving an existing one, it is important to examine the effects of recorded or potential failures before selecting the dam type, the safest design details, the best reservoir operating rules and associated warning systems. Yet such information is still inadequately disseminated.

They are very great differences in spillway design criteria (design flood, check flood, imminent failure flood, freeboard, etc.) in use in different countries, a remark which also applies tu rules governing the size and storage capacity of flood control dams and major river embankments." ... more