Articles tagged with "hydropower"
As Renewables In China Surge, Some Questions Are Raised - CleanTechnica
China is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity, positioning itself as the global leader in clean energy generation and technology exports. President Xi Jinping recently announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy production sixfold, highlighting China’s commitment despite being the world’s largest polluter. A key focus is the vast renewable energy development in Tibet’s Qinghai province, where a 162-square-mile solar park—the Talatan Solar Park—operates at high altitude, benefiting from clear air and cooler temperatures to maximize efficiency. This site, combined with nearby wind turbines and hydroelectric dams, produces a massive amount of clean energy, with solar output alone reaching 16,930 megawatts and continuing to grow. The renewable energy generated in western China supports the country’s extensive high-speed rail network and expanding electric vehicle fleet, while also powering manufacturing facilities that produce solar panels dominating global markets. Additionally, excess solar power is being used for pumped hydro storage projects, enhancing grid reliability. The availability of cheap, clean electricity
energyrenewable-energysolar-powerwind-energyhydropowerclean-technologyChina-energy-policySelf-adjusting Tension Buoy anchors floating solar on hydro dams
Fred. Olsen 1848 has developed the Tension Buoy, an innovative adaptive mooring system designed to stabilize floating solar installations on hydropower reservoirs where water levels fluctuate significantly. Traditional mooring systems often suffer from tension issues as water depths change, leading to strain on anchors and reduced platform efficiency and lifespan. The Tension Buoy addresses this by automatically adjusting the length of the mooring chain via a compact winch mechanism integrated into the buoy, maintaining consistent tension without manual intervention. This design enhances reliability, reduces maintenance, and can be used both during installation and for ongoing operation. This technology unlocks the potential for combining floating solar with hydropower generation on reservoirs previously considered unsuitable due to dynamic water conditions. By ensuring stable anchoring despite water level variations, the Tension Buoy enables more resilient and efficient hybrid solar-hydro energy systems. Floating solar can provide daytime electricity, complementing hydropower’s steady output and improving overall renewable energy consistency. Fred. Olsen 1848’s
energyrenewable-energyfloating-solarhydropoweradaptive-mooringclean-energysolar-hydro-hybridNorway Has More EV Charging Ports Than Gas Nozzles? - CleanTechnica
Norway is a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with nearly 89% of new cars sold in 2024 being electric. This success is driven largely by strong government incentives, including heavy taxes on polluting petrol and diesel vehicles. Norway boasts at least 27,500 public EV charging ports, which likely exceed the total number of fuel nozzles available at the country’s approximately 2,000 gas stations (estimated around 24,000 nozzles). Additionally, with about one home charger per EV, the total number of EV charging ports in Norway far surpasses fuel pump availability, supporting widespread and convenient EV use. Norway’s electricity generation is overwhelmingly clean, with over 98% coming from hydropower and wind power, meaning EVs there run almost entirely on renewable energy. This contrasts with internal combustion engine vehicles, including hybrids, which rely on fossil fuels. Similar conditions exist in British Columbia, Canada, though Norway leads in EV numbers. The country
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-chargingclean-energyrenewable-energyhydropowerwind-powerRevitalized Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant is a Renewable Energy Game-Changer in the Philippines - CleanTechnica
The Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Philippines, nearly a century old, has been revitalized through privatization by the Thunder Consortium—a partnership of Aboitiz Renewables, Sumitomo Corporation, and Japan’s J-Power—following the third Green Energy Auction. Hydropower remains a dominant renewable energy source in the Philippines, supplying 13% of the country’s electricity, which surpasses the combined 9–10% from solar and wind. Importantly, pumped-storage hydropower like CBK offers significant energy storage advantages over current battery technologies, enabling the storage of surplus energy during low-demand periods and rapid generation during peak demand, thus complementing intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. The CBK complex’s origins date back to 1937 when American military engineer Lieutenant Colonel Hugh J. Casey initiated its construction with the vision of using high-head hydroelectric design to flood the Cavinti Valley and generate
energyrenewable-energyhydropowerpumped-storagehydroelectric-powerenergy-storagePhilippines-energy9 million Olympic pools of glacier melting each year, new study finds
A new study using NASA satellite data reveals that glaciers across High Mountain Asia are losing ice at an alarming rate of over 22 gigatons annually—equivalent to nine million Olympic-sized swimming pools. While rising global temperatures have long been known to drive glacier melt, this research from the University of Utah and Virginia Tech highlights how shifting monsoon patterns are significantly accelerating ice loss. In particular, changes in the timing and intensity of monsoon precipitation are converting snowfall, which sustains glaciers, into rain, especially in the Central, Western, and Eastern Himalayas. This disruption reduces glacier accumulation, shortens the precipitation season, and intensifies melting, threatening the water security of approximately 1.4 billion people who rely on these glaciers for freshwater, agriculture, and hydropower. The study further identifies natural 3–8 year melt cycles linked to monsoon variability, raising concerns about future glacier stability amid ongoing climate shifts. Beyond long-term water shortages, the accelerated glacier retreat increases the risk of gl
energyclimate-changeglacier-meltwater-securityhydropowerenvironmental-impactmonsoon-patternsUS Flexes Its Marine Energy Muscles For 24/7 Baseload Power
The article discusses the evolving US energy policy under the “American Energy Dominance” framework, which prioritizes traditional 24/7 baseload power sources such as coal, oil, and gas, while reducing support for wind and solar industries, especially offshore wind. However, the policy also embraces certain renewable energy sources with baseload capabilities, notably hydropower, geothermal energy, biomass, and now marine energy. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has highlighted geothermal energy’s potential, and marine energy—harnessing kinetic energy from tides, currents, and waves—is gaining recognition as a reliable, weather-independent power source with significant untapped potential. Concrete support for marine energy is evident through initiatives like the Department of Energy’s inclusion of marine energy in its collaboration with Norway and the TEAMER (Testing Expertise and Access to Marine Energy Research) program. TEAMER facilitates research and development by providing access to testing facilities and expertise, having recently awarded support to 18 new marine energy projects. These projects span tidal, hydrokin
energymarine-energyrenewable-energybaseload-powergeothermal-energyhydropowerenergy-policyNew Pumped Storage Hydropwer Project Proposed for New Mexico
The article discusses a newly proposed pumped storage hydropower project in New Mexico, aligned with the US federal government's support for expanding hydropower under the American Energy Dominance plan. Pumped storage hydropower, which currently accounts for 96% of grid-scale, long-duration energy storage in the US, operates by pumping water to a higher reservoir during periods of excess power and releasing it to generate electricity when demand rises. This technology is gaining renewed interest as it complements the increasing penetration of low-cost wind and solar energy by absorbing surplus generation and providing grid services such as frequency regulation. The proposed Carrizo Pumped Storage Hydropower Center Project, planned on Navajo Nation land near the Four Corners region, aims to deliver 1.5 gigawatts of capacity with an exceptional 70 hours of storage duration—far exceeding the typical 4-hour storage of lithium-ion batteries. This extended storage capability is crucial for addressing seasonal mismatches between renewable energy production and load, which shorter-duration battery
energyhydropowerpumped-storagerenewable-energyenergy-storagegrid-scale-storageclean-energyApplications Open for Collegiate Competitions Aimed at Inspiring Future Water Power Workforce - CleanTechnica
The article announces the opening of applications for two annual collegiate competitions—the Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC) and the Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC)—both managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO). These competitions invite college teams to develop real-world solutions addressing challenges in hydropower and marine energy, offering hands-on experience, industry mentorship, and cash prizes. The submission deadline is September 19, 2025. The HCC focuses on hydropower innovation amid a workforce nearing retirement, encouraging students to engage with themes like in-conduit, non-powered dam, and pumped storage hydropower systems. Teams complete five required challenges—including site selection, design, community engagement, poster presentation, and a quick pitch—and an optional build-and-test challenge. Up to 15 teams will compete for a total prize pool exceeding $20,000, with awards for completing required and
energyhydropowermarine-energyrenewable-energycollegiate-competitionwater-powerenergy-innovationChina's 3rd-largest dam ditches foreign control chips for local tech
China’s Xiluodu Dam, the country’s third-largest hydropower station and one of the world’s largest, has fully replaced foreign programmable logic controllers (PLCs) from Siemens and Schneider Electric with domestically developed systems powered by Loongson’s 3C6000 processors. This transition addresses national security and supply chain vulnerabilities, especially given past cyberattacks like the Stuxnet worm that targeted Siemens PLCs. The NJ400 series PLC, developed by Atekon Technology and powered by Loongson CPUs, now controls the dam’s critical valve systems, marking a significant step toward technological self-reliance in China’s energy infrastructure. Loongson Technology, originating from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been advancing its own CPU architecture, LoongArch, since 2001 to reduce dependence on foreign technology. Despite being blacklisted by the US in 2023, Loongson continues to expand its footprint in China’s industrial sector, with its PLCs also deployed at
energyhydropowerindustrial-control-systemsPLCLoongsonchip-technologyenergy-infrastructureOpenAI to launch AI data center in Norway, its first in Europe
OpenAI announced plans to launch Stargate Norway, its first AI data center in Europe, in partnership with British AI cloud infrastructure provider Nscale and Norwegian energy firm Aker. The data center will be a 50/50 joint venture between Nscale and Aker, with OpenAI as an off-taker purchasing capacity from the facility. Located near Narvik, Norway, the site will leverage the region’s abundant hydropower, cool climate, and mature industrial base to run entirely on renewable energy. The initial phase will deliver 230 megawatts (MW) of capacity, expandable to 290 MW, and is expected to operate 100,000 Nvidia GPUs by the end of 2026. The facility will incorporate advanced cooling technology and reuse excess heat to support low-carbon enterprises locally. This initiative aligns with Europe’s broader push for AI sovereignty, data sovereignty, and sustainable infrastructure, as the EU recently announced multi-billion euro investments to build AI factories and enhance compute power within the bloc.
energydata-centerAI-infrastructurerenewable-powerhydropowerliquid-coolingNvidia-GPUsFrance’s Increase in Nuclear & Hydropower in 2024 Led to More Electricity Exports - CleanTechnica
In 2024, France significantly increased its electricity exports by 48%, rising from 70 TWh in 2023 to 103 TWh, with the largest export growth to Belgium and Germany, as well as increased exports to Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and Italy. This surge was driven primarily by a rise in nuclear and hydropower generation, while wind and natural gas-fired generation declined. Overall electricity generation in France increased by 45 TWh, while domestic consumption remained stable, leading to a 50% reduction in gross electricity imports. Notably, Spain shifted from being a net electricity exporter to a net importer from France. Nuclear power remains France’s dominant electricity source, accounting for the largest share of total production in 2024. Nuclear generation rose from 320 TWh in 2023 to 361 TWh in 2024, despite no increase in installed capacity until a new reactor was added in December 2024. This increase was attributed to EDF addressing
energynuclear-powerhydropowerelectricity-exportsrenewable-energyFrance-energy-policypower-generationChina Begins Construction Of World's Largest Hydropower Dam - CleanTechnica
China has commenced construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, a project dubbed the “project of the century” by Premier Li Qiang. This mega dam, part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and in development since 2020, will harness the river’s dramatic 2 km drop over 50 km by diverting water through tunnels in a canyon bend to generate significant hydroelectric power. The initiative aims to boost domestic energy supply, create jobs, and advance renewable energy development in the region. However, the project has sparked significant controversy and concern. Downstream countries India and Bangladesh worry about potential disruptions to water flow that could affect millions, with India formally raising objections and accusing China of potential “water weaponization.” China denies these claims, pledging cooperation on disaster prevention and water management. Locally, environmental groups and Indigenous communities in Tibet fear displacement and ecological damage, citing past protests against similar dams that were met with
energyhydropowerrenewable-energyChinadam-constructionclean-electricityenvironmental-impactFinland & Sweden — A View from Inside of the EV Revolution - CleanTechnica
Tom Sjolund recently visited Finland and Sweden and shared his firsthand observations of the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electrified transport in both countries. He noted that EVs are ubiquitous, with many taxis in Helsinki being battery electric, including numerous Teslas. Public transport is heavily electrified, featuring electric trams, buses, and fast electric trains reaching speeds up to 200 km/h. Popular EV brands include Tesla, German manufacturers, and Swedish brands like Volvo, particularly the EX30 and EX40 models. In his hometown of Östersund, Sweden, all bus services run on battery electric power nearly around the clock, and electric delivery trucks are also in use, praised for their quiet and smooth operation. Sjolund also highlighted the integration of renewable energy with EV adoption. In Gävle, near Uppsala, small hydropower stations along rivers generate significant electricity (63 GWh annually), supporting local communities. He encountered enthusiastic EV delivery drivers, such as those
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-chargingrenewable-energyhydropowerelectric-public-transportbattery-electric-busesZimbabwe Looks To IPPs & Rural Minigrids To Plug Electricity Generation Shortages & Increase Access To Electricity - CleanTechnica
The Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Authority (ZERA) released its 2024 annual report highlighting ongoing challenges and efforts in the country’s electricity sector. Zimbabwe continues to face a significant supply-demand gap, with an average available capacity of 1,300 MW against a demand of 1,700 MW. Key issues include low water levels at the Kariba hydroelectric plant, which forced generation cuts to about 300 MW for most of the year, and frequent breakdowns at aging coal-fired units at Hwange Power Station. Although two new 300 MW coal units (Hwange units 7 & 8) were commissioned at a cost of US$1.5 billion, electricity rationing persists, underscoring the urgent need to boost generation capacity. To address these shortages and increase access to electricity, ZERA is actively promoting the involvement of independent power producers (IPPs) and the development of rural minigrids. In 2024, ZERA issued 20 new electricity licenses, including
energyelectricity-generationrenewable-energycoal-powerhydropowerindependent-power-producersenergy-accessGoogle inks $3B deal to buy hydropower from Brookfield
Google has entered into a $3 billion agreement with Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners to purchase carbon-free hydropower, marking a significant step in its efforts to power its expanding data centers sustainably. The initial contracts include 20-year power purchase agreements for 670 megawatts from two hydropower plants in Pennsylvania—Holtwood and Safe Harbor—with plans to source up to 3 gigawatts under a broader framework. These facilities will be relicensed, upgraded, or overhauled to meet the new energy requirements. This deal reflects the growing demand among major tech companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft for reliable, renewable energy to support their rapidly growing data centers, which are critical for AI development and other digital services. Beyond ensuring a stable power supply, such renewable energy agreements help these companies advance their net-zero carbon emissions goals. Google emphasized that hydropower offers a dependable, low-cost, and carbon-free energy source that also supports job creation and grid resilience in the PJM
energyrenewable-energyhydropowerpower-purchase-agreementcarbon-free-electricitydata-centerssustainabilityInside the $400m global rush to save pharaoh temple from drowning
The article details the extraordinary international effort to save the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt from being submerged by the creation of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. The temples, built by Pharaoh Ramesses II around 1265 BCE, are renowned for their colossal rock-cut statues and precise solar alignment that illuminates the sanctuary twice a year. The dam’s reservoir threatened to flood the entire Nubian valley, including these culturally and historically significant monuments. In response, UNESCO launched the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia in 1960, rallying global support and funding to preserve over twenty endangered sites, with Abu Simbel as the centerpiece challenge. Engineers ultimately decided to dismantle the temples into 1,035 blocks weighing a total of 265,000 tons, then transport and reconstruct them on a new site 65 meters higher and 200 meters inland. This complex operation involved building cofferdams to hold back the rising waters
energyarchaeologycultural-heritage-preservationdam-constructionUNESCOengineeringhydropower300 dams demolished for ‘world’s biggest’ revival of river habitat
China has undertaken one of the largest river restoration projects in Asia by demolishing 300 dams and shutting down over 90 percent of small hydropower stations along the Chishui River, a major tributary of the upper Yangtze. This extensive ecological intervention, initiated in 2020 and largely completed by the end of 2024, aims to restore natural water flow, reconnect fragmented aquatic habitats, and reopen migratory routes essential for fish reproduction. The Chishui River, once heavily fragmented by hydro-infrastructure, is now a revitalized sanctuary for rare and endemic fish species, including the critically endangered Yangtze sturgeon. The project has yielded promising results, with researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences reporting successful spawning and hatching of hatchery-bred Yangtze sturgeon released into the river in 2023 and 2024—an unprecedented event since 2000. This recovery is part of a broader strategy that includes a decade-long fishing ban, restrictions on sand
energyhydropowerdam-demolitionriver-restorationaquatic-biodiversityhabitat-conservationrenewable-energyZero Emission Marine Energy Survives The Trump Chopper
The article discusses the surprising continuation and even expansion of support for marine energy within the U.S. energy policy under President Donald Trump, despite his well-known emphasis on boosting fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Alongside these traditional energy sources, Trump’s administration has also maintained backing for certain renewable resources, including hydropower, geothermal, biomass, and notably marine energy. Marine energy, which harnesses power from oceans and rivers, is emerging as a viable baseload power source capable of providing constant electricity, a critical advantage over intermittent renewables like wind and solar. This sector remains relatively new but holds significant potential to contribute to the U.S. energy mix, especially for remote and island communities, and to support blue economy applications such as ocean observation and desalination. Further highlighting the momentum behind marine energy, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced an expanded collaboration with Norway that now includes marine energy alongside hydropower. This international partnership, which has existed for over two
energymarine-energyrenewable-energyhydropowerbiomassgeothermalclean-energyChina unveils world’s largest hydropower turbine with 500-MW output
China has unveiled the world’s first 500-megawatt (MW) impulse hydropower turbine, developed by Harbin Electric Machinery Company after four years of research and testing. The turbine, measuring about 20 feet (6.23 meters) in diameter and weighing 88 tons, is constructed from martensitic steel known for its strength and corrosion resistance. Designed for the Datang Zala Hydropower Station in Tibet’s Yuqu River basin, the turbine features 21 water ladles and is optimized for the site’s high vertical drop of 671 meters, enabling efficient conversion of water flow kinetic energy into mechanical energy. The advanced design boosts the turbine’s efficiency from 91% to 92.6%, which translates into an additional 190,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity generated daily per unit. The Datang Zala Hydropower Station will install two such turbines, achieving a combined capacity of 1 million kilowatts (1 gigawatt). Once operational,
energyhydropowerturbinerenewable-energypower-generationmartensitic-steelChinaA New Role For Hydropower In Long Duration Energy Storage
The article discusses the evolving role of hydropower in long-duration energy storage, emphasizing the need for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries to support the increasing integration of wind and solar power. While lithium-ion batteries effectively manage short-term grid balancing and emergencies, they fall short for long-duration storage required to handle seasonal and climate-related fluctuations. Currently, pumped storage hydropower dominates U.S. long-duration storage, accounting for about 95%, but innovations are emerging to diversify and improve storage solutions. A notable advancement comes from Texas-based Quidnet, which has developed a Geomechanical Energy Storage (GES) system that stores energy by pumping water into underground rock formations, using the natural elasticity of rock as a spring to hold pressure. This system can be deployed in unused oil and gas wells, offering a modular and potentially more sustainable alternative to traditional pumped storage. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and ARPA-E, Quidnet recently demonstrated a successful six-month energy storage test with no power loss
energyhydropowerenergy-storagerenewable-energypumped-storagegeomechanical-energy-storageclean-energyGeothermal Industry Sends A 163-Gigawatt Letter To Fossil Fuels
The article discusses the renewed focus on geothermal energy in the United States amid President Donald Trump’s second term, which prioritized coal, oil, gas, and geothermal energy under a “National Energy Emergency” declaration issued on January 20. While traditional renewables like wind and solar were excluded from this emergency status, geothermal energy, along with biofuels and hydropower, was recognized as a critical energy resource. Despite this inclusion, legislative support—particularly tax provisions in the federal budget bill (BBB)—has yet to fully materialize, leaving geothermal’s financial incentives uncertain as Congress debates the final bill. Significantly, the US geothermal industry is poised for growth, bolstered by new Department of Energy research and development programs that leverage enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technology. This approach uses advanced drilling techniques adapted from oil and gas to create viable geothermal power sites beyond the limited traditional locations west of the Rockies. A recent US Geological Survey assessment revealed that New Mexico alone holds an estimated 163 gigawat
energygeothermal-energyrenewable-energyUS-energy-policybiofuelshydropowerenergy-infrastructureU.S. Hydropower Generation Expected to Rise in 2025 Following Last Year’s Relative Low - CleanTechnica
energyhydropowerelectricity-generationwater-supplyrenewable-energyprecipitation-patternsU.S.-energy-policySouth America Sets Historic Benchmark: Zero New Coal Plants Planned - CleanTechnica
energyrenewable-energycoalSouth-Americaclimate-changesolar-powerhydropowerThủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính tiếp Chủ tịch Tập đoàn Hoa Điện Trung Quốc
energyrenewable-energyclean-energyhydropowerenergy-storageenergy-policysustainable-developmentEVNGENCO2 và CSG LMI hợp tác phát triển thủy điện tích năng tại Việt Nam
energyhydropowerrenewable-energyenergy-storagesustainable-developmentVietnamenergy-efficiencyEVNGENCO2 và CSG LMI Trung Quốc ký bản ghi nhớ hợp tác phát triển thủy điện tích năng
energyhydropowerrenewable-energyenergy-storagesustainable-developmentelectricity-generationinternational-cooperationUBND tỉnh Đồng Nai phê duyệt cho EVN thuê đất mở rộng dự án Thủy điện Trị An
energyhydropowerrenewable-energyelectricity-generationclimate-changeenergy-efficiencyinfrastructure-developmentĐập thủy điện cao nhất thế giới bắt đầu trữ nước
robotIoTenergyhydropowerclean-energyconstruction-technologyenvironmental-monitoringPhê duyệt khung giá phát điện cho loại hình nhà máy thủy điện tích năng năm 2025
energyhydropowerelectricity-pricingrenewable-energyenergy-policyenergy-generationenergy-marketLào khởi công dự án thủy điện 124 MW đấu nối hệ thống điện Việt Nam
energyhydropowerrenewable-energyelectricity-generationLaosinfrastructureeconomic-development