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VIRTUAL HYDROPOWER PROSPECTING: A FOUNDATION FOR WATER ENERGY RESOURCE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Journal Article · · Geoscapes, Journal of Map and Geography Libraries
OSTI ID:939203
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.
Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - EE
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-99ID13727
OSTI ID:
939203
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-06-11562
Journal Information:
Geoscapes, Journal of Map and Geography Libraries, Journal Name: Geoscapes, Journal of Map and Geography Libraries Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English