Hydropower Foundation Mission and History
About the Hydropower Foundation
The Hydropower Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicating to advancing the contributions of hydropower to United States’ electricity supplies. We believe that by increasing supplies of clean, affordable energy from “the power of water,” many people will realize important benefits. Founded in 1994 (as the Hydro Research Foundation), the Foundation was renamed in 2018 to embrace the broadened scope of its focus and activities. The Foundation is chartered in the US as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization.
The Hydropower Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicating to advancing the contributions of hydropower to United States’ electricity supplies. We believe that by increasing supplies of clean, affordable energy from “the power of water,” many people will realize important benefits. Founded in 1994 (as the Hydro Research Foundation), the Foundation was renamed in 2018 to embrace the broadened scope of its focus and activities. The Foundation is chartered in the US as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization.
Why Hydropower?
Since the advent of commercial electricity in the 1880s, hydropower has provided a core of clean, affordable electricity in many of the worlds’ electrical networks. In some places hydropower is the backbone of electricity supply – e.g., Norway, Brazil, and the Canadian Province of Quebec, and – in the US – in the Pacific Northwest.
Worldwide, about 20 percent of all electrical energy is produced from hydropower; in the US about 6 percent is from hydro. Plant’s range in size from China’s gigantic Three Gorges project (22,500 megawatts) to backyard installations that produce only a few hundred watts. Historically, hydro projects were built as the most economical electricity source. The long-term reality has typically been far better than originally expected since many projects have far exceeded the anticipated economic benefits, most often a result of long lifetimes. More and more hydro facilities are passing the milestone of operating for more than 100 years.
In addition, the major benefit of hydropower’s “clean” attributes have taken on new importance. Another key benefit demonstrated by hydro is its adaptability. The operating regime of many hydro facilities has dramatically changed over their lifetimes, often from supplying baseload power to providing peaking service. In the current era, existing hydro has been a boon for many electricity networks by enabling them to accommodate increasing amounts of variable electricity supplies, especially from wind and solar sources.
While hydropower has a grand legacy as a provider of electricity, the hydropower community faces many challenges. These are among the challenges that the Hydropower Foundation seeks to address:
The Foundation’s History
During its history, the Foundation has undertaken a variety of projects, large and small. Two major projects, each multi-year, and each receiving major financial support from the US Department of Energy, are:
Advanced Hydro Turbine Project– jointly funded by the hydro industry. Purpose: to develop “fish friendly” turbines. Result: Two turbine designs, one design is now commercial – an improved Kaplan-type turbine, multiple units of which have been installed on the Columbia River. The second design is applicable to the retrofit of Francis-type turbines (the most widely installed turbine type); this design is ready for application.
Research Fellowship Awards Program– This program has supported 73 graduate students in performing hydro-related research as part of their graduate studies. Upon completing their studies, a majority of these students have accepted positions of employment within the hydro community, including jobs in government agencies (including national laboratories, regulatory and government power producers), power producing companies, equipment suppliers, and engineering consultancies.
Smaller activities and projects undertaken include:
Hiring for Hydro– This continuing activity consists of a series of events aimed at educating and orienting faculty and students at universities and community colleges about the needs of and opportunities for employment within the hydropower community. To date the program has worked with over 200 students to attract them into careers in hydropower and given out 6 merit awards to recognize promising new leaders to the industry.
Hydro Think Tank– This program engages university students in addressing a hydro-related issue. Selected students – who have been nominated by their professors – are brought on site to a hydroelectric facility where they participate as team members in addressing a real-world problem. At the conclusion of the week-long exercise, the students participate in a critique where engaged professionals share the solution that had actually been implemented.
Hydro Expert Connection– The Foundation provides a web-based service to support retirees in staying involved with the hydro community. Using the Hydro Expert Connection, individuals can make known their area(s) of expertise and their availability for providing services [akin to LinkedIntailored to the hydro community].
Hydropower Contest– This activity was carried out under the aegis of the Foundation. It focused primarily on university students and was included as part of class work at a number of schools. The students built hydro turbine arrangements and competed in various categories.
Renewable Energy Debate Project– Each year, in thousands of high schools across the US, student debaters focus on a single debate topic. In a year when “renewable energy” became the announced topic, the Foundation provided information to students relevant to debating in favor of hydropower. Owing to fact that hydropower had undergone its major growth and development decades earlier, relevant information was not readily available – and especially in comparison to the information available on the “new” renewables wind and solar power. This project addressed this deficiency.
Almost all of the Foundation’s projects and programs include the participation of educators and researchers. The Foundation strives to maintain strong connections with educators and researchers at differing levels and having various areas of focus. We seek to aid them in achieving their teaching and research objectives and also to serve the Foundation’s goals.
We Need You!
The Hydropower Foundation, a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, relies for its support on the grants and contributions from many individuals, companies, foundations, government agencies, and associations. Please consider supporting the important work of the Foundation.
Since the advent of commercial electricity in the 1880s, hydropower has provided a core of clean, affordable electricity in many of the worlds’ electrical networks. In some places hydropower is the backbone of electricity supply – e.g., Norway, Brazil, and the Canadian Province of Quebec, and – in the US – in the Pacific Northwest.
Worldwide, about 20 percent of all electrical energy is produced from hydropower; in the US about 6 percent is from hydro. Plant’s range in size from China’s gigantic Three Gorges project (22,500 megawatts) to backyard installations that produce only a few hundred watts. Historically, hydro projects were built as the most economical electricity source. The long-term reality has typically been far better than originally expected since many projects have far exceeded the anticipated economic benefits, most often a result of long lifetimes. More and more hydro facilities are passing the milestone of operating for more than 100 years.
In addition, the major benefit of hydropower’s “clean” attributes have taken on new importance. Another key benefit demonstrated by hydro is its adaptability. The operating regime of many hydro facilities has dramatically changed over their lifetimes, often from supplying baseload power to providing peaking service. In the current era, existing hydro has been a boon for many electricity networks by enabling them to accommodate increasing amounts of variable electricity supplies, especially from wind and solar sources.
While hydropower has a grand legacy as a provider of electricity, the hydropower community faces many challenges. These are among the challenges that the Hydropower Foundation seeks to address:
- Adapting and transforming hydro-related technologies to take advantage of scientific and technical advances.
- Meeting the demands of environmental priorities and regulatory requirements.
- Ensuring the availability of adequately educated and trained personnel.
The Foundation’s History
During its history, the Foundation has undertaken a variety of projects, large and small. Two major projects, each multi-year, and each receiving major financial support from the US Department of Energy, are:
Advanced Hydro Turbine Project– jointly funded by the hydro industry. Purpose: to develop “fish friendly” turbines. Result: Two turbine designs, one design is now commercial – an improved Kaplan-type turbine, multiple units of which have been installed on the Columbia River. The second design is applicable to the retrofit of Francis-type turbines (the most widely installed turbine type); this design is ready for application.
Research Fellowship Awards Program– This program has supported 73 graduate students in performing hydro-related research as part of their graduate studies. Upon completing their studies, a majority of these students have accepted positions of employment within the hydro community, including jobs in government agencies (including national laboratories, regulatory and government power producers), power producing companies, equipment suppliers, and engineering consultancies.
Smaller activities and projects undertaken include:
Hiring for Hydro– This continuing activity consists of a series of events aimed at educating and orienting faculty and students at universities and community colleges about the needs of and opportunities for employment within the hydropower community. To date the program has worked with over 200 students to attract them into careers in hydropower and given out 6 merit awards to recognize promising new leaders to the industry.
Hydro Think Tank– This program engages university students in addressing a hydro-related issue. Selected students – who have been nominated by their professors – are brought on site to a hydroelectric facility where they participate as team members in addressing a real-world problem. At the conclusion of the week-long exercise, the students participate in a critique where engaged professionals share the solution that had actually been implemented.
Hydro Expert Connection– The Foundation provides a web-based service to support retirees in staying involved with the hydro community. Using the Hydro Expert Connection, individuals can make known their area(s) of expertise and their availability for providing services [akin to LinkedIntailored to the hydro community].
Hydropower Contest– This activity was carried out under the aegis of the Foundation. It focused primarily on university students and was included as part of class work at a number of schools. The students built hydro turbine arrangements and competed in various categories.
Renewable Energy Debate Project– Each year, in thousands of high schools across the US, student debaters focus on a single debate topic. In a year when “renewable energy” became the announced topic, the Foundation provided information to students relevant to debating in favor of hydropower. Owing to fact that hydropower had undergone its major growth and development decades earlier, relevant information was not readily available – and especially in comparison to the information available on the “new” renewables wind and solar power. This project addressed this deficiency.
Almost all of the Foundation’s projects and programs include the participation of educators and researchers. The Foundation strives to maintain strong connections with educators and researchers at differing levels and having various areas of focus. We seek to aid them in achieving their teaching and research objectives and also to serve the Foundation’s goals.
We Need You!
The Hydropower Foundation, a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, relies for its support on the grants and contributions from many individuals, companies, foundations, government agencies, and associations. Please consider supporting the important work of the Foundation.