Philadelphia Firm Joined National Hydropower Testing Network
Kingsbury, Inc. will test generator bearings with Oak Ridge National Labs to improve energy grid stability.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Energy
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The U.S. Department of Energy selected Philadelphia-based Kingsbury, Inc. to participate in the second phase of the Hydropower Testing Network. The manufacturer will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Labs to stress-test bearings used in hydropower generation.
Why it matters
As hydropower units are increasingly relied upon to back up variable solar and wind power sources, improving the durability of generator components is critical for consistent peak energy production. This testing program aims to ensure infrastructure can handle the strain of frequent cycling.
Kingsbury, Inc. has operated for approximately 100 years, establishing a long-term baseline in bearing manufacturing. The current collaboration will quantify bearing durability during the repeated activation and deactivation cycles required of modern hydropower generators.
The players
Kingsbury, Inc.
A Philadelphia-based manufacturer with a 100-year history of producing industrial bearings for heavy machinery and power generation infrastructure.
Oak Ridge National Labs
A Department of Energy research facility in Tennessee that provides the specialized hardware testing capabilities required for national energy grid components.
Department of Energy
The federal agency overseeing the Hydropower Testing Network, which distributes multi-million dollar grants to accelerate energy generation technologies.
The details
The testing process focuses on how bearing components withstand the mechanical stress of cycling hydropower generators on and off. Kingsbury, Inc. manufactures the specialized bearings that support rotating machinery at dams. By partnering with Oak Ridge National Labs in Tennessee—a facility specializing in applied science and high-performance computing—the firm will subject its components to rigorous durability evaluations under real-world operational demands.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: Assistant Secretary Robertson toured the Kingsbury, Inc. manufacturing plant.
The Tech Race
This project fits into the broader Department of Energy Hydropower Testing Network initiative, which currently supports 12 companies nationwide. It marks a transition from standard industrial production toward integrating legacy hardware into the smart, flexible grid systems needed to stabilize renewable energy adoption.
The testing performed at the Philadelphia plant is intended to increase the total electricity output of existing hydropower facilities. While this research is currently in the testing phase, the ultimate goal is to enable more consistent energy supply as the power grid relies more heavily on renewables.
The takeaway
The trajectory of this research suggests a move toward hardening mechanical infrastructure for the rapid-response requirements of a modernized power grid. Interested parties should watch for future reports from Oak Ridge National Labs regarding the durability benchmarks established by this testing phase.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the field within the Energy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Audacy.
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