DOE Selected 14 Projects for Hydropower Testing Network

New vouchers provide developers access to specialized testing infrastructure to accelerate modern hydropower deployment.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Energy

Isometric editorial illustration showing a metallic turbine rotor assembly submerged in a large concrete testing flume. — The U.S. Department of Energy has selected 14 projects to receive vouchers for testing new hydropower technologies, including turbine hardware and ecological monitoring sensors. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Department of Energy has selected 14 technology projects for its Hydropower Testing Network voucher program. This initiative offers developers access to over 65 testing and modeling facilities to support the advancement of new energy technologies.

Why it matters

The program aims to modernize existing hydropower plants and integrate new energy technologies to meet national demand. It aligns with Executive Order 14154, focusing on the acceleration of domestic energy development.

The selected projects leverage a network of over 65 specialized testing and modeling capabilities. These projects account for an industry that currently provides nearly 6% of utility-scale electricity generation in the United States.

The players

Department of Energy

The federal agency responsible for energy policy, nuclear security, and the advancement of energy science and innovation.

ENERGYWERX

A partnership intermediary that facilitates collaboration between the federal government and private sector technology developers.

The details

The program connects developers with testing facilities and technical expertise to vet new components through a partnership intermediary agreement between the Department of Energy and ENERGYWERX, a platform for technology collaboration. Selected projects focus on hardware improvements, including antifouling coatings—materials designed to prevent the accumulation of biological organisms on underwater structures—as well as new turbine platforms and environmental DNA sensors for ecological monitoring.

October 5, 2026: The Department of Energy announced the second round of selections.

The Tech Race

This program aligns with the strategic requirements set by Executive Order 14154 to boost domestic energy production. It serves to bridge the gap between early-stage hydropower innovation and utility-scale integration by providing necessary testing validation.

While these projects focus on technical components for utility-scale power, their success supports long-term stability in the national grid. The program primarily impacts hardware developers and energy companies looking to integrate more efficient turbine and sensor technologies.

The takeaway

The program provides a critical pathway for small-scale technology developers to validate new hardware in industrial settings. Watch for project milestone updates as these 14 selections move from negotiation to the testing phase.