Of the nation’s 80,000 dams, only about 3 percent currently generate electricity. These dams are untapped resources that can contribute to the growing need for renewable energy.

INL is researching opportunities to strengthen communities, local industry, the power system and the environment by adding power generation and storage to non-powered dams.

This effort began with supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a Report to Congress to identify opportunities to invest in U.S. hydropower to strengthen distressed communities. The team is now developing a tool to help interested parties prioritize non-powered dam conversion projects across the U.S.