Hydropower Research

NREL's research is helping ensure that both hydropower and pumped storage hydropower technologies are ready for future grid development.

As the amount of wind and solar increases on our nation's grid, so does the system's need for increased flexibility. Moreover, this requirement is expected to accelerate as states strive to meet their renewable portfolio standard goals. Hydropower, with its high capacity and ability to provide medium- and long-term storage, is one of the few grid technologies well-positioned to meet these needs.

To learn more about what hydropower is and how it works, explore NREL's Hydropower Basics.