Virtual Hydropower Prospecting: A Foundation for Water Energy Resource Planning and Development

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive assessment of the gross power potential of the natural stream water energy resources of the United States was performed using state-of-the-art digital elevation models (DEMs) and geographic information system (GIS) tools. Water energy resource sites (stream segments) assessed in the basic resource assessment were further evaluated to identify which can be developed using a set of feasibility criteria. The gross power potential of each site was refined to determine its developable hydropower potential using a set of development criteria corresponding to a damless low power (less than 1 MWa) or small hydro (between 1 and 30 MWa) project. The methodologies for performing the basic resource assessment and subsequent feasibility assessment are described and the summary results for the nation are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Geographic Information System
• Hydropower
• Resource Assessment
• Digital Elevation Models

Acknowledgments

Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Under DOE Idaho Operations Office, Contract DE-AC07-05ID14517.

This article is not subject to U.S. copyright law.