Hydropower Redeveloper Gets $4.9m Doe Grant To Improve Efficiency

Wedoany.com Report-Nov 12,   Relevate Power, a redeveloper of run-of-river hydropower assets, has received a $4.9 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to help improve the efficiency of hydroelectric facilities.

The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and Relevate Power said it will better equip it to increase energy generation capacity, improve grid resilience, and enhance safety and sustainability efforts at its facilities.

The projects funded by these grants are expected to be completed within the next two years, with some improvements already underway.

These grants are part of a broader effort by the DOE to modernize the U.S. hydroelectric infrastructure, supporting both operational enhancements and environmental protections. They fall under two sections of the Energy Policy Act. Relevate Power received $2.9 million under Section 247, which focuses on maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric facilities, improving grid resilience, and upgrading dam features. An additional $2.0 million was awarded under Section 243 to support operational efficiency improvements at Relevate Power’s projects, aiming for a minimum 3% increase in energy generation efficiency.

Relevate Power said the funding will allow it to upgrade hydroelectric generators and transmission lines for improved grid reliability, in addition to enabling the company to enhance dam safety infrastructure. The grants also facilitate the implementation of sustainable practices, such as sediment management, fish passage improvements, and water quality enhancements.

“These grants underscore the Department of Energy’s recognition of the critical role that hydro projects play in building a greener grid and will be transformative in advancing projects that closely align with Relevate Power’s mission,” said Ian Finlay, CFO of Relevate Power. “This support enables us to lead the energy transition by making targeted upgrades that will boost clean, reliable generation and modernize facilities with a longstanding legacy in powering the nation.”

Relevate Power was founded in 2022 from the merger of IPPs Dichotomy Power and Clear Energy, along with the power marketing firm Standard Power.