Impacts

NREL water power research is advancing the hydropower and marine energy industries and bringing new tools, data, and analysis in wave energy and hydroelectricity to enable a future clean power grid.

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NREL's Fiscal Year 2023 Water Power Achievements

Browse through notable highlights and successes in this annual NREL water power accomplishments report.

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Meet the Staff Powering NREL's Water Power Research and Development

The research and advances in hydropower and marine energy at NREL is only possible thanks to the hard work of the staff beneath the surface.
Read the profiles in our Beneath the Surface Q&A interview series.


2023 Accomplishments

65+

Projects with industry, academia, other national labs, communities, and more

12

R&D organization partnerships

61

Peer-reviewed publications

$4.7M

Cash awards distributed across 5 prizes and competitions to 267 entrepreneurs and solvers

Water Power Awards and Honors

Katherine Abderhalden
2023 President's Award, NREL (for exceptional performance in helping the water power team succeed over the past year)​

Libby Arnold, Kiki Carpenter, Brittany Enos, Taylor Mankle, Kathleen Morton, and Betsy Stratton
2022 Staff Award, NREL (for Outstanding Service Group in Water Power prizes and competitions)

Rebecca Fao
2023 Chairperson's Award, NREL (for outstanding and sustained contributions by an NREL individual)​

Ben McGilton
2023 President's Award, NREL (for outstanding performance in bringing new work in marine energy hybrid systems)​

Amanda Morton
2023 President's Award, NREL (for consistent and exemplary contributions to the Water Power and energy justice prize portfolios)​

Mayank Panwar
2023 Power Systems Engineering Center President’s Award, NREL (for contributions to the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium RADIANCE project in Cordova, Alaska)

Educational Resource

A computer visualization of an island.
Explore the virtual NREL-developed Renewable Energy Discovery Island to see water power in action.
Jennifer Daw gives presentation at conference.

"Hydropower is the unsung hero quietly keeping the lights on."

Jennifer Daw, Hydropower Subprogram Manager

Watch How NREL Is Transforming the Water Power Industry

Watch more on the NREL Water Power playlist.


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