The North American Guide to Sustainable Energy Dam Retrofits

by | Apr 10, 2026 | Hydro Facility Articles

Why Green Energy Dam Retrofits Are One of America’s Best Untapped Clean Energy Opportunities

Green energy dam retrofits are one of the fastest, lowest-impact ways to add renewable electricity to the U.S. grid right now. Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know:

• What they are: Adding turbines and power generation equipment to existing dams that currently produce no electricity
• Scale of opportunity: Over 89,000 U.S. dams generate no power — less than 3% of 92,000+ total dams do
• Potential impact: Up to 12 gigawatts of new clean electricity — enough to power 9 million homes
• Key advantage: No new dam construction needed, meaning less environmental disruption and faster deployment
• Who benefits: Grid operators, utilities, communities, and infrastructure owners looking for reliable, 24/7 renewable power

Most people think expanding hydropower means building new dams. It doesn’t.

The U.S. already has tens of thousands of dams sitting idle — built for flood control, irrigation, or navigation — that have never generated a single watt of electricity. That’s an enormous amount of clean energy potential going to waste, right now, in infrastructure that already exists.

The case for action is straightforward. Retrofitting is faster than new construction, avoids the environmental and community disruption of building from scratch, and can deliver reliable baseload power that complements intermittent renewables like wind and solar.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from the scale of the opportunity and the tools to identify it, to the technical, regulatory, and environmental realities of getting a retrofit project done.

I’m Bill French, Sr., Founder and CEO of FDE Hydro™ and a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower Vision Technology and Performance Task Force, where I helped shape the national roadmap for green energy dam retrofits and next-generation hydropower solutions. Over the past decade, I’ve developed patented modular civil construction technologies specifically designed to make hydropower retrofits faster, more cost-effective, and more environmentally sound. Let’s get into it.

Green energy dam retrofits terms simplified:

• Hydroelectric dam construction
• Water control structures
• Energy resource development

The Massive Potential of Green Energy Dam Retrofits

When we look at the landscape of American infrastructure, we see more than 92,000 dams. It is a staggering figure, but even more shocking is that only about 2,500 of them actually produce electricity. The rest—roughly 89,000 dams—are “non-powered.” They were built for flood control, recreation, or navigation, and they have been sitting there for decades, letting water flow past without capturing its kinetic energy.

The potential here is massive. According to the DOE report on hydropower vision, green energy dam retrofits could add up to 12 gigawatts of additional electricity to our grid. To put that in perspective, that is enough to power 9 million homes—or every single home in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia combined.

However, we have to be realistic about the hurdles. As noted in the ORNL report on development challenges, factors like aging infrastructure, specific dam designs, and the sheer cost of traditional construction can slow things down. That is why we focus so heavily on hydropower retrofitting techniques that utilize modern materials and modular designs to bypass the headaches of “pouring mud” (traditional cast-in-place concrete) in a riverbed.

By leveraging these existing structures, we aren’t just adding power; we are increasing energy resilience. A retrofitted dam provides a secure, local source of energy that doesn’t depend on global supply chains for fuel. It is the ultimate “reduce, reuse, recycle” for the power industry.

Prioritizing Green Energy Dam Retrofits with NPD HYDRO

With 89,000 dams to choose from, where do we start? We can’t just throw a turbine at every pile of rocks and concrete in the country. This is where data-driven tools become our best friends.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and other national labs have developed the NPD HYDRO tool. This is a comprehensive, web-based platform that helps developers and communities prioritize which dams are the best candidates for a retrofit. It looks at variables across four major categories:

1. Grid Connectivity: How close is the dam to existing power lines?
2. Community Security: Could this dam power a nearby hospital or school during a blackout?
3. Industrial Proximity: Are there factories or natural gas stations nearby that need reliable 24/7 power?
4. Environment: What is the local fish population like, and what are the water quality requirements?

By using non-powered dam retrofit research, we can narrow down the list to the “low-hanging fruit”—the dams that offer the highest return on investment with the lowest environmental footprint.

Economic Benefits of Green Energy Dam Retrofits

Retrofitting isn’t just good for the planet; it’s a shot in the arm for local economies. When we take an idle piece of infrastructure and turn it into a power plant, we create high-paying, local jobs in construction, engineering, and long-term maintenance.

Moreover, many of these dams are aging. The average age of a U.S. dam is over 50 years. Instead of just letting them crumble, we can change out aging infrastructure and replace it with next-generation systems. This modernization increases the value of the asset and provides a steady stream of tax revenue for the local community.

While the 12 GW figure is the “total” potential, experts suggest that about 4.8 GW of that is economically feasible to develop by 2050 using current technology. That is still enough to power over 2 million homes without building a single new wall in a river.

Overcoming Technical and Regulatory Hurdles

If retrofitting dams is such a great idea, why haven’t we done all of them yet? Well, as anyone in the hydro industry will tell you, working with water is never “simple.”

First, there is the age of the dams. With an average age of 57 years, many structures require significant rehabilitation before they can support power generation equipment. We often see dams that were never designed to hold the weight or the vibrations of a turbine. This is where we use next-generation civil solutions like modular precast concrete to reinforce the structure without the massive costs and timelines of traditional rebuilds.

Then there is the regulatory maze. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process is notoriously rigorous. While it’s vital for safety and environmental protection, it can take years to navigate.

We also have to deal with “optimism bias.” A study on power output projections found that past retrofit projects often overestimated their actual power generation by an average of 3.6 times. This highlights the need for better site-specific engineering and realistic flow modeling before we break ground.

Environmental Mitigation in Green Energy Dam Retrofits

We love rivers, and we want to keep them healthy. Historically, “big hydro” got a bad rap for blocking fish migration and altering water chemistry. But green energy dam retrofits are different. Because the dam is already there, we aren’t creating new fragmentation of the ecosystem.

Instead, a retrofit is often an opportunity to improve the environmental standing of the dam. Modern projects often include:

• Fish-Safe Turbines: New designs that allow fish to pass through the blades unharmed.
• Eel Ramps and Fish Ladders: Adding passage systems that weren’t part of the original 1950s design.
• Dissolved Oxygen Systems: Ensuring the water released from the turbines is healthy for downstream life.

In some cases, we use dam rehabilitation and encapsulation to fix old, leaking structures while we add power, effectively giving the river a cleaner, safer neighbor. As research on the global hydropower boom shows, the environmental cost of a new dam is massive. Retrofitting allows us to skip that cost entirely.

Environmental Advantages and Grid Resilience

In renewables, hydropower is the “steady hand.” While solar is great when the sun shines and wind is fantastic when the breeze blows, hydro provides 24/7 baseload power. This makes it a perfect partner for intermittent sources.

One of the coolest things about a retrofitted dam is its “black start” capability. If the entire grid goes down, a hydro plant can often restart itself without an external power source, helping to “jump-start” the rest of the grid. This is a level of resilience that batteries and solar arrays are still struggling to match at scale.

Furthermore, we are seeing a lot of interest in “pumped storage.” This is basically using two reservoirs as a giant water battery. When there is too much wind or solar on the grid, we use that extra energy to pump water uphill. When the grid needs power, we let the water flow back down through the turbines. This is discussed in detail in this scientific paper on revitalizing existing dams, which highlights how existing infrastructure can be the backbone of a carbon-free grid.

Real-World Success: Case Studies in Modernization

To see the future of green energy dam retrofits, we only need to look at a few standout projects.

Red Rock Dam, Iowa Originally built in 1969 for flood control, Red Rock Dam sat for decades without producing power. Recently, engineers “punched” two massive penstocks through the concrete structure and installed turbines. Today, it generates enough clean energy to power 18,000 homes across four states. It is a perfect example of how a “single-purpose” dam can become a multi-purpose powerhouse.

Bulls Bridge, Connecticut This plant is a lesson in longevity. It first came online in 1903! While it has used the same Francis turbines for over a century, it recently underwent an electrical retrofit. We replaced the old, dangerous oil-filled circuit breakers with modern vacuum circuit breakers. This didn’t just make the plant safer; it ensured this 120-year-old facility can keep providing green energy for another century.

These stories, as highlighted in the Yale Environment 360 report on dam boosts, show that with the right hydro power plant maintenance and technical interventions, we can make our existing infrastructure do more with less.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dam Retrofitting

How many non-powered dams exist in the US?

There are approximately 89,000 non-powered dams in the United States. While not all of them are suitable for power generation (some are too small, too remote, or structurally unsound), thousands represent a viable opportunity for green energy dam retrofits.

What is the difference between a retrofit and a new dam?

A new dam requires flooding new land, displacing communities, and completely altering a river’s ecosystem from scratch. A retrofit uses a dam that is already there. We simply add the “plumbing” (penstocks) and the “engine” (turbines) to the existing wall. It is much faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

How does climate change affect retrofitted hydropower?

Climate change is a wildcard. Droughts can reduce water flow, which in turn reduces power output. For example, California has seen significant drops in hydro production during dry years. However, hydropower is also a tool for climate adaptation. Dams help manage water supplies during unpredictable weather, and the clean energy they produce helps reduce the carbon emissions that drive climate change in the first place.

Conclusion

The era of building massive, landscape-altering dams is largely over in North America. But the era of “smart hydro” is just beginning. With the 21st Century Dams Act and other bipartisan support gaining steam, we are seeing a renewed focus on the “Three Rs”: Rehabilitate, Retrofit, and Remove.

At FDE Hydro™, we believe that we don’t have to choose between a healthy river and a healthy grid. By using our patented modular precast concrete technology—the French Dam—we can make green energy dam retrofits a reality in a fraction of the time it takes for traditional construction. Our mission is to help dam owners and communities unlock the “wasted” energy flowing through their backyards.

If you are ready to see how existing infrastructure can power the future, explore sustainable hydropower solutions with us. Let’s get to work.

Taking Control of Your Liquid Assets

by Adaptify Support | Apr 2, 2026 | Hydro Facility Articles

Why Water Control Solutions Are the Backbone of Modern Infrastructure

Water control solutions are the systems, devices, and technologies used to manage the flow, pressure, quality, and distribution of water across utilities, agriculture, industry, and civil infrastructure.

Here’s a quick overview of the main types:

Water is one of the most critical — and most mismanaged — resources on the planet. Aging infrastructure, climate change, tighter regulations, and shrinking budgets are putting enormous pressure on the people responsible for managing it.

The good news? The range of solutions available today is broader and smarter than ever. From simple gate valves to cloud-connected automation systems, there’s a tool for virtually every water management challenge.

I’m Bill French, Sr., Founder and CEO of FDE Hydro™ and a decades-long leader in heavy civil construction and modular hydropower innovation — including developing patented water control solutions for natural run-of-river hydro facilities across the US, Canada, Europe, and Brazil. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the full landscape of options so you can make smarter decisions for your next project.

Essential Water control solutions terms:

• Hydro dam components
• Hydro power modules

Diverse Categories of Water Control Solutions

When we talk about managing our liquid assets, we aren’t just talking about turning a tap on and off. Modern Water Management Solutions encompass a massive spectrum of hardware and software designed to handle everything from a trickle of irrigation to a thundering flood.

The primary goal of these solutions is resource optimization. In places like California or New York, where water demand is high and weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, efficiency isn’t just a “nice to have”—it is a regulatory requirement. Whether you are managing a municipal utility or a large-scale hydropower facility, the right equipment ensures that every drop of water is accounted for and utilized effectively.

Mechanical and Valve-Based Water Control Solutions

The “muscle” of any water system lies in its mechanical components. These are the gates and valves that physically direct the flow.

Sluice gates and slide gates are the heavy hitters here. They are used in navigation locks, canals, and water treatment plants to block or allow passage. In the past, these were almost exclusively made of heavy cast iron. However, modern engineering has shifted toward more resilient materials.

Stainless steel and aluminum have become the preferred choices for modern infrastructure. Why? Because they don’t just sit there and rust. In environments where hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is present—common in wastewater treatment—traditional cast iron can fail prematurely.

Beyond gates, we rely on specialized valves to maintain system health. Pressure reducing valves (PRV) prevent pipe bursts by keeping downstream pressure stable, while surge protection valves act like a “fuse” for your plumbing, absorbing the shock of water hammer.

Vortex Flow Controls for Sustainable Drainage

One of the most fascinating advancements in Water control solutions is the use of vortex technology. Advanced vortex flow control devices use the power of the vortex to manage stormwater without any moving parts or external power.

These units are self-activating. When flow is low, the device acts like a large pipe, letting water pass freely. As the water level rises during a storm, a vortex forms inside the unit, creating a “back pressure” that restricts the flow to a pre-set limit. This allows for smaller upstream storage requirements, which is a huge win for developers in cramped urban areas like New York City.

To ensure these systems won’t fail when the clouds open up, look for independent certifications. BBA Certification and WRc Certification are the gold standards, proving that the equipment has been rigorously tested for strength, durability, and hydraulic performance.

Digital Transformation and Automation in Water Management

We live in the age of the “Smart City,” and water is finally catching up. Water Control Systems are no longer just “dumb” iron pipes buried in the ground. They are now integrated networks of sensors and software that can tell you exactly what is happening miles away.

Automation and IoT-Driven Water Control Solutions

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) has changed the game for utility managers. With cloud-based SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, you can monitor lift stations or treatment plants from a smartphone.

This digital shift addresses one of the biggest headaches in the industry: Non-Revenue Water (NRW). This is water that is treated but “lost” before it reaches the customer due to leaks or theft. By using smart metering and real-time flow measurement, utilities can pinpoint exactly where a leak is occurring and fix it before it becomes a sinkhole.

If you want to dive deeper into how to turn raw sensor data into actionable plans, I highly recommend checking out this Webinar: Maximizing Performance. It covers how utilities are using data to do more with fewer staff members—a critical need as the workforce ages.

Improving Efficiency with Intelligent Process Controls

Efficiency isn’t just about stopping leaks; it’s about saving energy. Pumping water is incredibly energy-intensive. By using Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and intelligent process controls, systems can adjust pump speeds based on actual demand rather than running at 100% all the time.

Modern controllers can even perform predictive maintenance. By analyzing vibration and heat signatures, these systems can detect a pump failure before it actually happens. This reduces emergency call-outs and extends the life of the equipment, which is a massive cost-saver for any municipality.

Specialized Applications for Commercial and Agricultural Needs

Water control isn’t just for big cities. In the fields of Kansas or the commercial hubs of California, the requirements are much more specialized.

Agricultural Drainage and Level Control

In agriculture, it’s all about balance. Too much water drowns the crops; too little withers them. Water Control Structures allow farmers to manage the water table in their fields. By using adjustable structures, a farmer can hold water back during the growing season to keep soil moisture high and then release it before harvest to ensure the ground is firm enough for heavy machinery.

These structures are field-proven and designed to last decades in harsh outdoor environments. For a deeper look at how these are configured, our Water Control Structures Guide provides a comprehensive breakdown.

Precision irrigation also plays a huge role here. Using high-efficiency low-flow control zone kits ensures that water is delivered directly to the root zone without “weeping” or waste. These kits often include anti-siphon valves to prevent backflow, ensuring that fertilizers or pesticides don’t migrate back into the clean water supply.

Industrial and Institutional Water Treatment

Commercial buildings, hospitals, and labs have their own set of rules. Hard water can destroy expensive boilers and HVAC systems in a matter of months. This is where commercial water softeners and high-purity systems come in.

For institutions like hospitals, water control is a matter of life and death. Advanced ultrafiltration acts as a physical firewall against pathogens like Legionella. Specialized monitoring systems can now track water quality in real-time throughout a facility’s piping, ensuring compliance with strict health regulations.

Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges with Modern Engineering

We are currently facing a “perfect storm” of challenges. Much of the water infrastructure in North America was built 50 to 100 years ago. Combine that aging iron with “urban creep”—where concrete replaces soil, leading to more runoff—and you have a recipe for disaster.

Building Sustainable Water Infrastructure requires a shift in how we think about construction. We can’t always rely on the slow, expensive methods of the past.

Future-Proofing with Adjustable Water Control Solutions

One of the smartest features in modern water design is adjustability. For example, some vortex flow controls now come with adjustable inlets. This allows a site manager to change the flow rate by up to 20% post-installation.

Why does this matter? Because regulations change. Climate change might bring heavier rains than the original engineers predicted. If your system is adjustable, you can adapt to these changes without digging up the entire street to replace a pipe. For more on these adaptive strategies, see our Water Infrastructure Projects Guide.

Material Advantages in Corrosive Environments

We’ve touched on this, but it bears repeating: material choice is the difference between a 10-year lifespan and a 50-year lifespan.

In the wastewater industry, H2S gas creates a highly acidic environment that eats through traditional cast iron gates. Stainless steel (specifically the 900 series) and aluminum are the modern standard. They offer:

• Corrosion Resistance: No need for expensive, toxic coatings that eventually peel.
• Ease of Installation: Aluminum gates are significantly lighter, meaning they require smaller hoists and less labor to install.
• Safety: Stainless steel is NSF-61 compliant, making it safe for use in drinking water distribution.

Investing in these materials upfront might cost slightly more, but the ROI is clear when you factor in the lack of maintenance and replacement costs. You can find more details in our Water Infrastructure Solutions section.

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Control

How do vortex flow controls manage different flow levels?

Vortex flow controls typically operate in three distinct phases. In the Low Flow phase, the device acts like a standard orifice. As levels rise to the Design Point, a stable air-filled vortex forms, creating a “choke” effect that limits discharge. Finally, during the Drain Down phase, the vortex collapses as the water level drops, allowing the system to empty quickly and efficiently.

Why is stainless steel preferred over cast iron in corrosive environments?

Cast iron is prone to “graphitization” and heavy rusting, especially when exposed to the gases found in sewage. Stainless steel is inherently resistant to these chemical attacks. Furthermore, stainless steel gates are typically custom-fabricated, allowing for tighter seals and more precise flow control than traditional cast-molded iron.

What role does IoT play in reducing operational costs?

IoT reduces costs by moving utilities from “reactive” to “proactive” maintenance. Instead of sending a crew to check a remote pump station every week, sensors send data to the cloud. If the data shows a pump is drawing too much current (a sign of a coming clog), the crew is sent only when needed. This saves thousands in labor and fuel costs annually.

Conclusion

At FDE Hydro™, we believe that the future of water management lies in speed, modularity, and intelligence. Our patented modular precast concrete technology, known as the “French Dam,” is a prime example of how we are reimagining Water control solutions. By using pre-fabricated sections, we can build or retrofit hydroelectric dams and water control systems in a fraction of the time it takes for traditional poured-in-place concrete.

Whether you are looking to optimize a small irrigation canal or build a multi-megawatt hydropower facility, the principles remain the same: use the best materials, embrace automation, and always design for the future.

If you’re ready to modernize your infrastructure, explore our Water Control Infrastructure Guide 2025 or learn about the next generation of power in Modular Hydro: The Future of Flexible Power Generation.

Taking control of your liquid assets isn’t just about managing water—it’s about securing the future of our communities. Let’s build something that lasts.

Protecting Our Aquatic Friends: A Guide to Next-Gen Fish Passage

by Adaptify Support | Mar 30, 2026 | Hydro Facility Articles

Why Next Generation Fish Passage Protection Matters for Our Rivers and Ecosystems

Next generation fish passage protection refers to the latest technologies, engineering approaches, and collaborative strategies that help migratory fish safely navigate or bypass man-made barriers like dams, culverts, and levees.

Here’s a quick overview of what it includes:

• Advanced turbine designs that allow fish to pass through hydropower facilities with up to 99% survival rates
• Fish-friendly infrastructure such as nature-like fishways, improved fish ladders, and trap-and-haul systems
• Innovative monitoring tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and acoustic tracking sensors
• Strategic dam removal to restore free-flowing river connectivity
• Multi-agency collaboration between federal programs, Tribes, states, and private partners

Across the United States, millions of barriers fragment rivers and block fish migration — cutting off species like Chinook salmon, American eel, and Pacific lamprey from the spawning and rearing habitats they need to survive. Since 1999, the National Fish Passage Program alone has removed or bypassed over 3,500 barriers, reopening access to more than 64,000 miles of upstream habitat. Yet the scale of the problem still far outpaces current solutions.

The good news? A new generation of technologies and funding — including $200 million over five years from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — is transforming how we protect aquatic ecosystems while keeping hydropower infrastructure productive and resilient.

I’m Bill French, Sr., Founder and CEO of FDE Hydro™ and a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower Vision Technology and Performance Task Force, where I helped shape next-generation hydropower strategies for Congress — work that sits at the heart of next generation fish passage protection. In the sections below, I’ll walk you through the full landscape: from conventional passage methods and their limitations, to cutting-edge engineering, real-world case studies, and what the future holds for balancing energy production with healthy, connected waterways.

Terms related to next generation fish passage protection:

• hydroelectric dam design
• low environmental impact
• water infrastructure solutions

The Evolution of River Connectivity: From Ladders to Next Generation Fish Passage Protection

For over a century, the primary way we helped fish get past dams was through relatively simple mechanical structures. While these were at the time, our understanding of aquatic biology has evolved. We’ve moved from merely “getting fish over the wall” to ensuring they arrive at their destination healthy and ready to spawn.

Historically, numerous fish passage technologies have been employed to mitigate the impact of dams. These include:

• Fish Ladders: A series of stepped pools that allow fish to leap or swim from one level to the next.
• Fish Lifts (Elevators): Mechanical hoppers that collect fish at the base of a dam and lift them to the reservoir above.
• Trap-and-Haul: Systems where fish are captured in tanks and driven by truck or barge to upstream release points.
• Spillways: Channels designed to allow water (and hopefully fish) to bypass the turbines during high-flow events.

While these methods have saved countless fish, they often cause migration delays and increase predation risks. If a fish spends three days trying to find the entrance to a ladder, it burns through energy reserves needed for spawning.

Limitations of Conventional Systems

Conventional systems are rarely “one size fits all.” A ladder designed for a powerful jumper like a Chinook salmon might be completely impassable for a Pacific lamprey, which uses a “burst-and-attach” suction method to move. Furthermore, scientific research on fishway performance shows that many technical fishways suffer from low attraction efficiency—meaning fish simply can’t find the door.

Environmental trade-offs also exist. For example, spillways can lead to gas supersaturation, where elevated dissolved gases in the water cause “the bends” in fish. Additionally, predators like sea lions often congregate at the base of these structures, turning a conservation tool into an ecological trap.

Innovative Monitoring in Next Generation Fish Passage Protection

To fix what isn’t working, we need data. Modern next generation fish passage protection relies on high-tech monitoring to see what’s happening beneath the surface.

One of the most exciting developments is collecting and analyzing RNA and DNA (eDNA) from water samples. By simply testing a cup of river water, scientists can identify which species are present and even estimate their population size with up to 98% accuracy. This non-invasive method is far safer than traditional netting or handling.

For individual tracking, researchers now use specialized sensors and acoustic transmitters. These tiny tags act like a “Fitbit for fish,” recording water pressure, temperature, and movement patterns as the fish navigates a hydropower facility.

Cutting-Edge Engineering for Fish-Friendly Hydropower

At FDE Hydro, we believe that clean energy and healthy rivers must go hand-in-hand. This is why we focus on aquatic-animal-and-recreational-passage as a core component of our modular dam technology. By using precast concrete sections, we can integrate passage solutions directly into the dam’s structure more efficiently than traditional construction allows.

The engineering world has seen a massive shift toward “fish-friendly” turbines. For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed a new turbine at the Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River that achieved a survival rate of 98%, a significant jump from the 90% seen with older designs. Other innovations, like the Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT), use thicker, rounded blades and specific slants to allow fish like rainbow trout and American eel to pass through completely unharmed.

Future Digital Controls for Next Generation Fish Passage Protection

The next frontier isn’t just better concrete or steel; it’s better software. Digital, Information, Communication, and Control (DICC) technologies allow dam operators to track fish in real-time and adjust water flows instantly.

Imagine a system that detects a school of migrating salmon approaching and automatically opens a bypass gate or slows a turbine to ensure safe passage. These automated systems improve climate resilience by optimizing flow even during unpredictable weather patterns, ensuring that the dam works with the river’s natural rhythm rather than against it.

Balancing Energy Production and Biodiversity

Hydropower is a powerhouse of the American grid, providing 28.7% of all U.S. renewable energy and 6.2% of total electricity generation. Because it can provide steady “baseload” power, it’s the perfect partner for variable sources like wind and solar.

However, maintaining this grid reliability requires constant R&D. The Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) recently announced $6.3 million for six projects aimed at advancing next generation fish passage protection. These projects use a new type of sensor to monitor small migratory fish like American Shad, which have historically been difficult to study due to their size and sensitivity.

Restoring Habitat Through Strategic Dam Removal and Infrastructure Upgrades

Sometimes, the best fish passage is no dam at all. For obsolete or dangerous structures that no longer provide significant power or flood control, removal is the gold standard for restoration.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has been a game-changer here, providing a once-in-a-generation $200 million investment. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced $70 million to support 43 projects across 29 states. These projects address outdated dams and culverts that have fragmented our watersheds for decades. To see the impact near you, you can ACCESS THE INTERAGENCY FISH PASSAGE PORTAL to view the data dashboard of ongoing work.

Case Studies in Connectivity Restoration

We are seeing incredible results from coast to coast:

• Penobscot River, Maine: Through the Penobscot Habitat Focus Area, NOAA and its partners removed dams and installed nature-like fishways, opening 3,100 acres and 30 miles of habitat. This has benefited Atlantic salmon and helped restore 100% of the historic habitat for the shortnose sturgeon.
• California’s Second Largest Dam Removal: On the South Fork Eel River, the removal of the Benbow Dam improved access to 100 miles of spawning habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead.
• Rogue River, Oregon: The removal of three major dams restored 300 miles of migratory access, proving that large-scale restoration is possible when stakeholders work together.

Economic and Community Benefits of Passage Projects

Improving fish passage isn’t just good for the environment; it’s a smart investment for people. Outdated dams and undersized culverts are often “bottlenecks” that increase flood risks during heavy rains. By replacing a crumbling culvert with a wider, stream-simulation structure, we improve road resilience and protect local property.

Furthermore, Fish Passage Projects Address Climate Resilience by strengthening local economies. Healthy fish populations mean better recreational fishing opportunities, which support tourism and local tackle shops. In many cases, these projects also eliminate public safety hazards posed by “low-head” dams, which can create dangerous drowning machines for kayakers and swimmers.

Collaborative Frameworks and Global Lessons for Aquatic Biodiversity

Successful next generation fish passage protection requires a seat at the table for everyone. This includes federal agencies, state governments, local communities, and, crucially, Tribes. Indigenous knowledge of fish behavior and historical migration patterns is invaluable for designing passage that actually works.

In the Columbia-Snake River Basin (CSRB), for example, collaborative efforts have been essential for protecting the Pacific lamprey—a species of immense cultural importance to Pacific Northwest Tribes. These partnerships ensure that conservation goals are met while maintaining the hydropower that powers the region.

Scaling Success from North America to Southeast Asia

The lessons we learn in North America are now being exported to help protect global biodiversity. The future of fish passage science involves scaling these successes to regions like Southeast Asia, where massive hydropower development on the Mekong River threatens the food security of millions.

Through masterclasses and capacity-building programs, experts are training the next generation of professionals to use “The Big 5” criteria for fishway design: entrance location, tailwater range, headwater range, fishway dimensions, and exit location. This knowledge transfer ensures that as developing nations build their energy infrastructure, they don’t repeat the ecological mistakes of the past.

Addressing Environmental Trade-offs

No solution is perfect, and we must be honest about the trade-offs. Restoring “lateral connectivity” (connecting the river to its floodplain) is vital for species like the trispot darter, but it can also allow invasive species to spread more easily.

To manage this, we use Passage Guidelines for Select Native Fishes to create “selective” passage. This might involve using specific water velocities that native fish can handle but invasive species cannot, or using automated sorting gates. It’s a delicate balance, but with modern sensors and better engineering, we’re getting closer to a truly “smart” river.

Frequently Asked Questions about Next Generation Fish Passage Protection

What are the primary challenges posed by dams to fish migration?

Dams create physical barriers that block access to spawning grounds, but they also change the river’s environment. They can alter water temperatures, slow down the flow (making it harder for juvenile fish to navigate downstream), and concentrate predators at passage entrances.

How has the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law impacted fish passage projects?

The BIL provided a massive $200 million injection of funding over five years. This has allowed the National Fish Passage Program to scale up from small, local fixes to watershed-level restorations, such as removing multiple barriers in a single river system to reopen hundreds of miles of habitat at once.

What innovative technologies are improving fish survival at hydropower facilities?

Key innovations include advanced “fish-friendly” turbines with rounded blades, eDNA monitoring to track populations non-invasively, and acoustic sensors that provide real-time data on how fish interact with dam structures. These tools allow for “precision conservation” that was impossible 20 years ago.

Conclusion

The future of our rivers depends on our ability to innovate. At FDE Hydro, we are proud to contribute to this mission with our “French Dam” technology. By utilizing modular precast concrete, we make it faster and more cost-effective to build and retrofit dams with next generation fish passage protection in mind. Whether it’s in New York, California, or our projects in Brazil and Europe, our goal remains the same: sustainable hydropower that respects the life of the river.

We invite you to ACCESS THE INTERAGENCY FISH PASSAGE PORTAL to see how these national efforts are unfolding. If you’re interested in how we can help your community or facility, Learn more about modernizing hydropower infrastructure and join us in protecting our aquatic friends for generations to come.

Small but Mighty: A Guide to Modular Pumped Storage and Its Benefits

by Adaptify Support | Mar 18, 2026 | Hydro Facility Articles

Why Energy Storage is Critical for Tomorrow’s Grid

Modular pumped storage is a smaller-scale version of traditional pumped hydro that stores energy by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. Unlike massive utility-scale plants, modular systems typically range from 5-50 MW with 8-24 hours of storage capacity, using off-the-shelf components and standardized designs that can be deployed faster and in more locations.

Key characteristics of modular pumped storage:

• Size: 5-50 MW capacity (vs. 100+ MW for traditional PSH)
• Storage duration: 8-24 hours of energy delivery
• Design: Uses precast components and modular construction
• Location: Can be built as closed-loop systems away from natural waterways
• Efficiency: 75-80% round-trip efficiency
• Lifespan: 100+ years with minimal degradation
• Deployment: Faster construction timelines than conventional PSH

As wind and solar generation floods the grid, utilities face a critical challenge: how do you keep the lights on when the sun sets and the wind stops blowing? Short-duration storage technologies can handle 4-10 hours of storage, but they often degrade quickly and become prohibitively expensive for longer durations. Traditional pumped hydro offers the right duration and lifespan, but projects take a decade to permit and cost billions to build.

This is where modular pumped storage changes the equation.

The energy storage gap is real. Pumped storage hydropower currently provides 97% of all utility-scale energy storage in the United States—about 23 GW from just 43 operating projects. But no major new pumped storage has been built in the US for over 30 years, despite a FERC queue with 90+ proposed projects representing 50+ GW of capacity.

The barriers are clear: high upfront capital costs, 8-10 year permitting timelines, and the massive scale required to achieve economies of scale. A typical pumped storage project costs $1-3 billion and requires unique site-specific engineering.

Modular pumped storage offers a different path forward. By using standardized precast components, closed-loop designs that don’t impact natural waterways, and smaller scales that reduce capital risk, m-PSH can be deployed where traditional pumped storage cannot. These systems preserve the 100+ year lifespan and proven reliability of conventional pumped hydro while addressing the speed, cost, and flexibility challenges that have stalled development.

I’m Bill French Sr., Founder and CEO of FDE Hydro, where we’ve developed patented modular precast construction technologies specifically designed to accelerate modular pumped storage deployment and reduce costs. Our innovations address the core barriers that have prevented pumped storage from keeping pace with grid storage needs.

Modular pumped storage terms made easy:

• hydroelectric dam components
• hydroelectric dam efficiency
• hydropower energy storage

The Future of Grid Reliability: Modular Pumped Storage

The modern electrical grid is going through a bit of an identity crisis. For a century, we relied on large, spinning turbines powered by coal or gas to provide a steady “baseload.” Today, we’re moving toward a cleaner, more variable future dominated by wind and solar. While this is great for the planet, it’s a headache for grid operators who need to balance supply and demand every second.

Modular pumped storage (m-PSH) is emerging as the “Swiss Army Knife” of grid reliability. By operating at a 5-50 MW scale, these facilities are small enough to be sited near load centers (like cities in New York or California) or renewable energy hubs, yet large enough to provide 8-24 hours of firm, dispatchable power. This makes them a cornerstone of decarbonization goals across North America, Brazil, and Europe.

Unlike their giant predecessors, these systems don’t require damming a major river. Most modern designs utilize a “closed-loop” configuration. Think of it as a giant, rechargeable water battery that just sits there, ready to go. The Scientific research on PSH trends and challenges highlights that while traditional PSH is incredibly efficient, the shift toward modularity is essential to overcome the massive site-specific hurdles that have frozen the industry for decades.

How Modular Pumped Storage Differs from Traditional PSH

If traditional pumped storage is a bespoke, hand-built mansion, modular pumped storage is a high-quality, architecturally designed prefab home. Both serve the same purpose, but one is much easier to build.

1. Closed-Loop vs. Open-Loop: Traditional plants often use existing rivers (open-loop), which involves complex environmental impacts on fish and water quality. Modular systems are almost exclusively closed-loop, using two artificial reservoirs that recirculate the same water.
2. Precast Components: This is where we at FDE Hydro see the biggest shift. Instead of pouring massive amounts of concrete on-site—which is slow and weather-dependent—m-PSH can use precast concrete sections (like our French Dam technology). This allows for “Lego-style” assembly, drastically reducing construction time.
3. Reduced Footprint: A traditional 1,000 MW plant might require hundreds of acres. A modular 10 MW plant can fit into a much smaller footprint, sometimes even utilizing existing industrial sites or abandoned mines.
4. Site Flexibility: You don’t need a massive canyon. You just need a bit of elevation change (topographic relief) and a water source to fill the loop once.
5. Construction Speed: Traditional PSH takes 10+ years. Modular designs aim to cut that significantly by using standardized, off-the-shelf turbines and precast structures.

Key Components and Operational Characteristics

At its heart, modular pumped storage relies on a few high-tech but proven components:

• Reversible Pump-Turbines: These are the workhorses. During the day, when solar power is cheap and plentiful, they act as pumps to push water uphill. At night, they spin the other direction to generate electricity.
• Standardized Motor-Generators: By using smaller, modular units, we can avoid the “one-off” engineering costs that plague large projects.
• Pressure Vessels (in some designs): Some innovative systems use pressure vessels to store energy. In these systems, water is pumped into a tank, compressing a gas. When power is needed, the gas pushes the water back out through a turbine.
• Round-Trip Efficiency: Most m-PSH systems achieve 75-80% efficiency. This means for every 100 kWh you spend pumping water up, you get 80 kWh back. This beats most long-duration alternatives.

The Research on gravity storage efficiency confirms that mechanical losses in these systems are well-understood and manageable, making them far more predictable than the degradation found in other chemical storage systems.

Advantages of Modular Energy Storage Solutions

Why choose water over other storage methods? Or over a giant traditional dam? The advantages of modular pumped storage boil down to longevity and locational freedom.

100-Year Lifespan

While some storage systems might last 10-15 years before they need expensive recycling and replacement, a pumped storage facility is built to last. Many PSH plants built in the 1920s are still running today. With modular precast concrete, we are building infrastructure that our grandchildren’s grandchildren will use.

Locational Flexibility

Because m-PSH is smaller and often closed-loop, we can put it in places where a 1,000 MW plant would be impossible. This includes:

• Abandoned Mines: High elevation changes already exist underground.
• Industrial Brownfields: Reusing land that already has transmission lines.
• Hilly Terrain: Small 50-acre plots can support a modular system.

Ancillary Services

These plants don’t just “store” energy. They provide “Black Start” capabilities (restarting the grid after a blackout), voltage regulation, and spinning reserves. These are services that keep the grid stable, and m-PSH does them better than almost any other tech.

Comparison Table: Modular vs. Traditional PSH

Integration with Renewables and Existing Infrastructure

We don’t just build these in a vacuum. modular pumped storage works best when it’s part of a “Hybrid Energy System.”

• Floating Solar: By putting solar panels on the reservoirs of an m-PSH plant, you reduce water evaporation and use the same transmission connection for two types of power. It’s a win-win.
• Run-of-River Plants: We can retrofit existing run-of-river hydropower plants in places like New York or Brazil with modular storage units. This allows a plant that used to just “flow with the river” to suddenly store energy and sell it when prices are highest.
• Grid Stability: In regions like California, where “The Duck Curve” (midday solar oversupply) is a major issue, m-PSH can soak up that excess solar and spit it back out during the evening peak.

Overcoming Deployment Challenges

If m-PSH is so great, why isn’t it everywhere? Like any infrastructure project, there are hurdles. But for the first time in decades, the wind is at our backs.

The Capital and Permitting Problem

The biggest challenge has always been the “Upfront CapEx.” It costs a lot of money to move dirt and pour concrete. Furthermore, the US permitting process via FERC can take 4-5 years for the federal level alone, even for low-impact closed-loop projects.

However, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has set aside $355 million specifically to support energy storage demonstration projects. This is a huge signal to investors that the government is serious about long-duration storage. You can read more about Federal funding for energy storage and how it’s helping move these projects from the lab to the field.

The Economic Viability of Modular Pumped Storage

When you look at the Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS), modular pumped storage is incredibly competitive over its lifetime.

• Recoupment Periods: Some research suggests that a well-placed modular system can recoup its costs in as little as 3 to 6 years depending on the market.
• Revenue Streams: These plants make money through “Arbitrage” (buying low, selling high) and by getting paid for “Ancillary Services” by the grid operator.
• Market Design: We are seeing a shift in market rules in North America and Europe to better value “firm” power. As these rules change, the economic case for m-PSH becomes a slam dunk.

Innovative m-PSH Technologies and Projects

The world of modular pumped storage is evolving with new methods that make it easier to deploy storage in diverse environments without the need for traditional large-scale damming.

Closed-Loop Atlas and Site Identification

Researchers have identified over 800,000 potential sites globally for closed-loop pumped hydro. Many of these are in North America and Brazil, often using abandoned mines or existing reservoirs. This “Bluefield” development is the next frontier for modular precast technology, allowing for the rapid conversion of existing topography into high-capacity energy storage.

Modular Precast Reservoir Systems

One of the most significant innovations is the shift from site-specific civil engineering to standardized, modular construction. By using precast concrete components, developers can now implement “plug-and-play” reservoir structures. This approach reduces the environmental footprint and allows for the creation of storage facilities in locations previously thought unsuitable for hydropower, such as industrial brownfields or remote off-grid locations. These systems leverage the same proven physics of traditional pumped hydro but with the speed and flexibility of modern manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Modular Pumped Storage

What is the typical size of a modular pumped storage project?

Most modular projects fall into the 5-50 MW range. To put that in perspective, 10 MW can power roughly 7,500 to 10,000 homes. These systems are designed to be “scalable,” meaning if you need 100 MW, you might build two 50 MW modules side-by-side. The storage duration is typically 8-24 hours, which is the “sweet spot” for balancing solar and wind.

How long do modular pumped storage systems last?

This is the “killer app” of the technology. While many storage technologies are effectively “consumables” that wear out, m-PSH is “infrastructure.” These systems have a 100-year+ lifespan. The mechanical parts (turbines and pumps) might need a tune-up every 20-30 years, but the concrete structures—especially our modular precast French Dam components—are built for the long haul.

Can m-PSH be built away from natural rivers?

Yes! In fact, that is the whole point of “closed-loop” design. By using lined reservoirs or underground storage options, we don’t need to touch a single fish or disturb a natural riverbed. We can build them in the desert, on old coal mines in Kansas, or near industrial parks in New York City. They have minimal water consumption because the water just moves back and forth in a loop, with only a tiny bit of “makeup water” needed to account for evaporation.

Conclusion: Building the Backbone of the Clean Grid

The transition to 100% renewable energy isn’t just a dream; it’s a massive engineering project. But we can’t build that future on the back of short-lived, chemically intensive storage systems alone. We need the “Small but Mighty” power of modular pumped storage.

By shrinking the scale and standardizing the construction, we are making the world’s most proven storage technology accessible to everyone. Whether it’s retrofitting an old dam in Brazil or building a new closed-loop system in California, modularity is the key to speed and affordability.

At FDE Hydro, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Our patented French Dam technology and modular precast concrete methods are designed to slash construction times and costs, making m-PSH a reality for utilities and private developers alike. We aren’t just building dams; we’re building energy security for the next century.

If you’re interested in how we can help your next project, or if you just want to learn more about the future of water-based energy storage, explore our modular dam construction solutions and let’s build a more resilient grid together.

Ready to take the next step in sustainable infrastructure? Contact us today to learn more about our French Dam technology