The Pacifico Mexinol electrolyzer facility will use Siemens Energy’s Elyzer P-300 technology to produce renewable hydrogen for the production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO). The facility will form part of Pacifico Mexinol’s planned 6,130-metric-ton-per-day ultra-low-carbon methanol complex.

The EPC agreement follows the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract announced in August 2025. It establishes the next phase of collaboration between Transition Industries, Siemens Energy and Techint E&C, moving the project from engineering design towards an integrated delivery framework. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, subject to the fulfilment of the agreement’s conditions precedent.

Siemens Energy to Supply Elyzer P-300 Technology

The approximately 210 MW installation will use Siemens Energy’s Elyzer P-300 electrolyzer technology to produce renewable hydrogen. This hydrogen will support the production of RFNBO methanol within the wider Pacifico Mexinol development.

“Moving from front-end engineering to a signed EPC agreement is a significant milestone for Pacifico Mexinol,” said Rommel Gallo, CEO of Transition Industries, the parent company of Pacifico Mexinol. “This agreement brings together Siemens Energy’s electrolysis technology and Techint’s construction capabilities to deliver a critical component of our project and a landmark for renewable hydrogen in the Americas. It reflects our continued commitment to developing world-scale infrastructure that can meet growing demand for lower-carbon fuels and chemical products.”

“At approximately 210 MW, this hydrogen plant would be Siemens Energy’s largest electrolyzer installation in the Americas. The project has the potential to accelerate low-carbon fuel production in the region and advance the global decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries,” said Dan Restrepo, Head of Electrolyzer Sales Americas.

Techint E&C to Support Project Delivery

The EPC agreement brings together Siemens Energy’s electrolyzer technology and Techint E&C’s engineering and construction capabilities for the development of the facility. The arrangement is intended to translate the completed engineering design into a framework for project execution.

“We are pleased to continue supporting Pacifico Mexinol in the development of the Project through our alliance with Siemens Energy. We will execute this work with the highest standards of safety, integrity and transparency, and with respect for the communities and the environment where we operate, contributing to the development of sustainable energy in Mexico”, said Esteban Trouet, Operations Sr. Director for Techint Engineering & Construction- North Region.

The start of construction is targeted for early 2027, subject to the completion of project financing and other customary conditions precedent. The EPC agreement therefore represents a step towards construction, rather than confirmation that the facility has entered the construction phase.

Pacifico Mexinol Targets Operations in 2030

Pacifico Mexinol is planned as a 6,130-metric-ton-per-day ultra-low-carbon methanol complex. Once operational in 2030, the development is expected to become the world’s largest standalone ultra-low-carbon chemical production facility.

The complex is expected to produce approximately 175,000 metric tons of RFNBO methanol annually, alongside 175,000 metric tons of Recycled Carbon Fuel (RCF) methanol and 1.8 million metric tons of ultra-low-carbon methanol from natural gas with carbon capture.

The Pacifico Mexinol electrolyzer facility will provide renewable hydrogen for the RFNBO production component of the wider complex. Its development is a central part of the project’s plans to produce lower-carbon chemical products for global markets.

With the EPC agreement signed, Transition Industries, Siemens Energy and Techint E&C will advance the facility towards the targeted early 2027 construction start, while the wider Pacifico Mexinol project remains scheduled to begin operations in 2030.

The financing will support the development of natural gas-fired power plants, energy storage systems and improvements to existing generation facilities. Together, the projects are expected to provide enough electricity to power the equivalent of nearly 2 million homes and create hundreds of construction-related jobs.

Loan Supports Power Generation and Storage Expansion

The financial close advances the objectives of the executive order titled Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid, which calls for dependable electricity infrastructure to meet growing demand and support energy security.

The investment package combines new generation development with upgrades to existing facilities and energy storage deployment. The planned additions are expected to increase available electricity supply while supporting the operation of the regional power grid in Iowa and Wisconsin.

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said the financing would support electricity infrastructure development and reduce costs for consumers and businesses.

“The Energy Department is delivering on President Trump’s promise to lower electricity costs and unleash the full potential of American energy,” said US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “These investments will drive down energy costs for families and businesses in Iowa and Wisconsin, strengthen our nation’s electric grid, and fuel American prosperity for decades to come.”

Financing Adds to DOE Utility Loan Programme

EDF Director Gregory A. Beard said the completed financing would help expand the country’s electricity infrastructure through investment in additional generation capacity.

“Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Wright’s leadership, EDF is putting capital to work to expand America’s reliable energy infrastructure,” said EDF Director Gregory A. Beard. “By bringing new, dependable power online, we are strengthening our nation’s energy security and lowering electricity costs for families and businesses across Iowa and Wisconsin.”

The Alliant Energy loan marks the administration’s tenth financial close and the sixth and seventh utility financings completed through the Energy Dominance Financing Program.

The DOE said its financing programme supports energy and manufacturing projects intended to contribute to US energy security, grid reliability and lower electricity costs, while managing taxpayer funds.

The financing commitment was announced through the DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF). It will support upgrades at nine existing nuclear power plants, allowing Constellation to increase electricity generation from its operating fleet.

The projects are expected to provide enough additional electricity to power more than 930,000 homes. They are also projected to support more than 10,000 project-related jobs across Constellation’s nuclear operations.

Loan Supports US Nuclear Capacity Expansion

The commitment advances the administration’s objective of expanding electricity generation from existing nuclear reactors. An executive order titled Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base called on the DOE to facilitate 5 GW of power uprates at existing nuclear facilities.

In March 2026, the department launched the Utility Power Reactor Incremental Scaling Effort (UPRISE) to accelerate nuclear capacity expansion by increasing power generation from the country’s existing reactors. The DOE stated that 95% of the 5-GW uprate and restart goal had been identified at the time of the announcement.

US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said the financing would help maximise the generation potential of the existing nuclear fleet.

“The Energy Department is accelerating President Trump’s American nuclear renaissance and unlocking the full potential of our nation’s nuclear fleet,” said US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Uprates that maximize power generation from our existing nuclear facilities are yet another example of the commonsense energy addition policies the Trump Administration is embracing—ensuring more affordable, reliable, and secure energy for American families and businesses.”

Nine Nuclear Plants Included in Modernisation Plans

The planned investments cover six facilities in Illinois: Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle and Quad Cities. The programme also includes Calvert Cliffs in Maryland and Limerick in Pennsylvania.

The constellation nuclear upgrades are intended to increase the output of these existing plants, making greater use of established nuclear infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand. The conditional commitment also includes an option to finance future uprate projects at additional Constellation facilities.

EDF Director Gregory A. Beard said the financing would support the modernisation and expansion of the country’s nuclear generation capacity.

“EDF is delivering on President Trump and Secretary Wright’s commitment to unleash American nuclear power by financing projects that modernize and expand our nation’s existing nuclear plants,” said EDF Director Gregory A. Beard. “These investments will add more reliable baseload power to the grid, help lower electricity costs, strengthen our nation’s energy security, and fuel long-term American prosperity.”

Funding Remains Subject to Conditions

The USD 5 billion commitment is conditional and does not represent a completed loan. Before the DOE can enter into definitive financing agreements and disburse funds, Constellation must meet specified technical, legal, environmental and financial requirements.

Once those conditions are satisfied, the financing is expected to support the planned upgrades across Constellation’s nuclear fleet and enable the additional generation capacity.

The funding was awarded to the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) through the US Department of Energy (DOE). US Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly announced the grant during a visit to the university campus.

Titled “Turning Nuclear Waste into Fuel with a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor,” the project is led by Dr. Lin Shao, professor in Texas A&M’s Department of Nuclear Engineering. Savannah River National Laboratory and industry partner Natura Resources are also participating in the research.

Federal Grant Supports Nuclear Fuel Research

The USD 5.4 million award is part of USD 50 million in federal funding allocated to universities across the United States for nuclear fuel research.

Danly said Texas A&M had submitted one of the strongest applications for the funding. He also highlighted the amount of usable material that remains in spent nuclear fuel.

“Used nuclear fuel has long been seen as a liability,” Danly said.

“It is an asset that still has 98% of its useful value in it,” he added.

Project Examines Thorium Reactor Fuel Reuse

The nuclear fuel recycling research will bring together the university’s nuclear engineering expertise with the capabilities of Savannah River National Laboratory and Natura Resources to assess the technical potential of a thorium-based fuel recycling approach.

Robert Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of Texas A&M Engineering, highlighted the importance of finding ways to reuse nuclear fuel rather than relying solely on long-term storage.

“You don’t want to just use nuclear fuel and then have to store it for millions of years. You’d like to be able to recycle it,” Bishop said.

Bishop said funding for the project would begin in a couple of months. He clarified that the grant is intended to support research and does not finance a power generation facility or electricity supplied to the grid.

Research Draws on International Experience

The project also builds on experience from countries that have developed nuclear fuel recycling capabilities. Anthony Cecchini, a nuclear engineering Ph.D. student at Texas A&M, pointed to France’s experience in the field and the United States’ comparatively limited development of this capability.

“France has been doing it for almost 50, 60 years now. So it’s proven to be able to be done. It’s just the U.S. hasn’t built out that capability,” Cecchini said.

The research will assess the technical challenges involved in applying fuel recycling to a thorium molten salt reactor system. However, the feasibility of the approach remains to be established.

Danly cautioned that determining whether the concept can work will require further investigation.

“It’s going to take years of research to figure out whether or not it works,” he said.

The findings from the programme are expected to contribute to the evaluation of alternative nuclear fuel cycles and the potential role of recycled materials in advanced reactor development.

The development of nuclear fuel manufacturing is intended to strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, support the existing US reactor fleet and enable the wider deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. Westinghouse described the facility as the first fleet-scale nuclear fuel factory built in the United States in more than 50 years.

The investment also aligns with the US government’s efforts to restore domestic nuclear fuel capabilities and meet rising demand for reliable, low-carbon baseload electricity.

New Facility to Expand LEU+ Fuel Production

The new Columbia factory will manufacture LEU+ fuel, which uses uranium enriched to between 5% and 8%. This enrichment range is higher than that of conventional low-enriched uranium fuel used in many commercial reactors.

According to Westinghouse, LEU+ fuel could allow eligible nuclear power plants to extend operating cycles and pursue power uprates, subject to reactor-specific technical assessments and regulatory approvals. These capabilities could help operators increase electricity output, improve operating flexibility and reduce certain operating costs.

The company said the new facility builds on the first successful deployment of LEU+ fuel in the United States in 2025. Expanding production capacity is intended to move the technology toward broader commercial availability.

Westinghouse also expects the fuel to support the long-term operation of existing nuclear plants and the deployment of its AP1000 reactor technology internationally.

Investment Supports US Nuclear Energy Expansion

The project is aligned with the United States’ UPRISE program, which seeks to support increased nuclear generation from the existing reactor fleet. By expanding fuel manufacturing capacity, Westinghouse aims to help utilities access the fuel needed to support higher output from eligible facilities.

US officials have also emphasized the importance of establishing a secure domestic supply chain for nuclear fuel. The Department of Energy is investing in efforts to restore uranium enrichment capabilities for both low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium.

Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish said, “A strong American nuclear industry starts with a secure, domestic supply of nuclear fuel.”

The new factory will provide additional manufacturing capacity to convert enriched uranium into fuel assemblies and other products used in nuclear reactors. Its development forms part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic nuclear infrastructure and support the next generation of nuclear technology.

South Carolina Facility to Support Jobs and Economic Growth

Westinghouse’s Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility was built in 1968 and is one of the world’s largest nuclear fuel plants. It manufactures fuel pellets, rods, assemblies and components for Westinghouse facilities and customers worldwide.

The site currently employs more than 1,200 people in Lower Richland, South Carolina. The expansion is expected to create additional employment opportunities through construction, equipment installation, workforce development and long-term manufacturing operations.

An economic impact study commissioned by Westinghouse in partnership with researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business estimates that the investment could generate US$4.9 billion in positive economic impact across South Carolina over the next decade. Of that amount, approximately US$3.8 billion is projected to benefit Richland County.

“South Carolina is already leading America’s nuclear renaissance, and our state has been producing the nuclear fuel that powers approximately 10% of the United States from Westinghouse’s fuel operations in Richland County,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “We are grateful for Westinghouse’s continued leadership in South Carolina, and we look forward to it expanding its work in our state to create next-generation fuel products that will continue to support nuclear energy production well into the future.”

Congressman James E. Clyburn added, “This investment is a testament to our state’s skilled workforce and the important role we play in strengthening America’s clean energy. By expanding our domestic nuclear fuel production capabilities, we are creating economic opportunities, supporting good-paying jobs and positioning South Carolina as a leader in the nation’s energy sector.”.

Construction Underway Ahead of 2030 Operations

Construction of the new LEU+ fuel manufacturing building is underway, with Westinghouse targeting the start of operations in 2030. The company said support from the US Department of Energy’s tax credit program, state authorities and Richland County helped advance the investment.

Westinghouse has also stated that the project will incorporate environmental stewardship measures, including responsible site development and preservation of native landscapes that support wildlife habitats and local air and water resources.

Once operational, the facility is expected to increase US capacity to manufacture advanced nuclear fuel. The expansion will be an important step in Westinghouse’s plans to support existing reactors, enable potential increases in nuclear generation and supply fuel for future reactor deployments.

The Chinese wind turbine manufacturer confirmed that the final turbine has been erected at the site. Each GWH182 turbine has a rated capacity of 7.2 MW, bringing the wind farm’s planned total capacity to 43.2 MW. According to Goldwind, installation of the six turbines was completed in 53 days, with the project team maintaining its safety and quality standards throughout the work.

First Deployment of Goldwind’s GWH182 Platform in Georgia

The Breti wind farm project marks the first deployment of Goldwind’s GWH182 platform in Georgia. The installation provides an opportunity for local engineering and operating teams to gain experience with the turbine technology as the country develops its wind energy capacity.

The six turbines were installed in challenging terrain, requiring careful coordination between the manufacturer, project developer and local teams. Georgia’s mountainous landscape can complicate wind farm construction, particularly when transporting large turbine components along narrow and winding roads.

Moving turbine blades, tower sections and other heavy equipment to the site requires detailed transport planning and logistics management. Uneven ground and changing wind conditions also increase the importance of site-specific engineering and installation procedures.

Goldwind said the installation was completed within the planned 53-day period while meeting the project’s safety and quality requirements. The completion of turbine erection represents an important step towards bringing the wind farm into operation.

Testing and Commissioning Ahead of Commercial Operations

Although turbine installation is complete, the Breti wind farm must still pass testing and commissioning before it can begin commercial electricity generation. These processes will assess the installed equipment and confirm operational readiness ahead of the start of service.

Once operational, the 43.2 MW project will add wind generation capacity to Georgia’s electricity system. The final date for commercial operations has not been specified in the supplied information.

Goldwind Expands Its Presence in Georgia

Goldwind said it has secured nine wind power projects in Georgia since entering the market in 2024. The projects represent a combined capacity of 438 MW, indicating a growing project pipeline for the manufacturer in the country.

The Breti installation adds to that presence and introduces the GWH182 platform to the Georgian market. Its progress also highlights the construction and logistical requirements involved in developing wind energy infrastructure in mountainous locations.

Completion of turbine installation brings the project closer to operation, although testing and commissioning remain necessary before the facility can begin supplying electricity.

On 20th October 2026, the county’s board of supervisors voted 3-1 in favour of the project following several hours of public comment. The approval follows an August recommendation from the local planning commission to grant the conditional use permit required for the development.

Dominion Energy plans to build the facility in Cumberland County, approximately an hour west of Richmond, Virginia. The company has identified a site of around 150 acres off Duncan Store Road and is targeting 2029 for the start of construction.

Combined-Cycle Technology Planned for 3 GW Facility

The proposed Cumberland Energy Center would use two combined-cycle gas-fired units, each configured in a two-on-one arrangement. Together, the units are expected to provide approximately 3 GW of baseload generating capacity.

Combined-cycle power plants use gas turbines to generate electricity and capture heat from their exhaust to produce additional power through a steam turbine. This configuration can improve fuel efficiency compared with generating electricity using a gas turbine alone.

Dominion Energy has positioned the project as part of its efforts to maintain reliable electricity supplies as demand increases across its service territory.

“We look forward to continuing to engage with the community as we move forward with this very vital project, not only to our customers in providing reliable power but also to the Cumberland community,” said Jeremy Slayton, a Dominion Energy spokesperson, in a statement.

The local permit approval represents one stage in the development process. The project still needs an air permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission before it can advance.

Dominion Energy Plans Additional Generation Capacity

The Cumberland Energy Center forms part of Dominion Energy’s broader planning for future electricity demand. Earlier in 2026, the utility projected that it might need to develop as many as six natural gas-fired power plants over the next two decades, alongside additional renewable energy projects.

Dominion has also advanced solar and battery storage developments in Virginia. State officials approved five proposed solar and battery storage projects earlier in 2026, as well as ten power purchase agreements representing up to 1 GW of generating capacity.

These developments reflect the utility’s plans to expand its generation resources to meet anticipated demand. The proposed gas-fired facility would provide dispatchable generation, while renewable energy and battery storage projects would contribute additional capacity and flexibility to the electricity system.

Project Cost Expected to Reach Billions of Dollars

Dominion Energy has not announced an official cost estimate for the Cumberland Energy Center, but the utility has described it as a “multi-billion-dollar project.” The company has indicated that the project will cost more than its Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center, a separate 944 MW gas-fired power plant approved by regulators in 2025.

The Chesterfield facility has an estimated price tag of US$1.47 billion and is being built at the former Chesterfield Power Station, where the last operating coal-fired units retired in 2023. The new plant is located near existing gas-fired Units 7 and 8, which have a combined generating capacity of 446 MW.

The Cumberland project would represent a substantially larger proposed gas-fired development, although its final investment cost and construction schedule remain subject to further approvals and project decisions.

Further Energy Projects Planned in Virginia

Virginia is also attracting investment in other forms of electricity generation. In December 2024, Commonwealth Fusion Systems announced plans to develop a proposed 400 MW fusion power facility at James River Industrial Park.

The proposed fusion project is separate from Dominion Energy’s Cumberland Energy Center, but it highlights the range of generation technologies being considered for the state’s future electricity supply.

For the Cumberland Energy Center, the immediate milestones are securing the outstanding state permits and regulatory approval. Dominion Energy is targeting construction to begin in 2029, but the project’s development timeline will depend on the completion of those remaining steps.

The companies announced a joint development agreement on 19 October covering the proposed advanced nuclear plant at the former Breed Generating Station. The site was previously operated by Indiana Michigan Power, an AEP subsidiary. The agreement covers development and feasibility work, but the companies have not announced a construction start date or a project cost estimate.

Xe-100 Reactors Planned For Indiana Site

The proposed facility would use 12 Xe-100 small modular reactors developed by X-energy. The reactors would be arranged in three groups of four, with each group designed to produce 320 MW, bringing the planned generating capacity to 960 MW.

The Xe-100 is a high-temperature, helium-cooled pebble-bed reactor rated at approximately 80 MW of electricity per unit. The proposed deployment would represent the second project under the collaboration between Amazon and X-energy, which aims to support more than 5 GW of new nuclear capacity across the United States by 2039, World Nuclear News reported.

Amazon’s development contribution is structured around project milestones. If the facility is constructed and begins commercial operations, Amazon would purchase its electricity through a long-term agreement intended to cover the facility’s costs and operations.

AEP chairman, president and chief executive Bill Fehrman said the agreements carry “all necessary capital protections and financial safeguards that we have said are essential for any potential nuclear project to move forward.”

Josh Weissman, Amazon’s vice president of data center infrastructure capacity delivery, said, “We’re looking to develop nearly a gigawatt of carbon-free power for the regional grid and pay our full costs without passing them to others.”

Rising Electricity Demand Supports Nuclear Plans

The Indiana proposal follows Amazon’s 30 September agreement with Constellation Energy for a 20-year, 690 MW power purchase agreement associated with Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant expansion. The latest project adds to Amazon’s efforts to secure long-term electricity supplies as demand from data centers increases.

Indiana Michigan Power has told regulators that peak electricity demand in the state could exceed 7,000 MW by 2030, compared with 2,800 MW, as large electricity users connect to the grid. Indiana also approved large-load interconnection rules last year under a pact filed by the utility with Amazon Data Services, Google, Microsoft and other parties.

Sullivan County participates in Indiana’s Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program, which identifies counties that have taken steps to accommodate advanced nuclear development. Data center directory Baxtel tracks 146 facilities operated by 46 providers across Indiana, with Amazon Web Services listed as the state’s largest operator, with 33 sites.

The proposed advanced nuclear plant remains in the feasibility stage. X-energy and AEP have not disclosed a construction timeline or estimated investment, and the project must progress beyond development work before the planned generating capacity can be delivered.

The agreement establishes an initial evaluation rather than a commitment to construct the reactors. According to the memorandum, any project timeline “will depend on site selection, financing, utility or offtake arrangements, applicable regulatory and licensing activities, environmental review, transmission and interconnection planning, community and stakeholder engagement, and other diligence and approvals”.

Candu Technology And Deployment Options

The partners will assess potential deployment scenarios for Candu nuclear technology and consider a gas-to-nuclear construction model intended to accelerate the addition of new generating capacity. This approach could include locations where existing power facilities have been retired or are approaching retirement.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun said: “Ensuring affordable electricity and high-wage opportunities for Indiana’s skilled workforce are top priorities. By exploring this technology, we’re evaluating a path to deliver more affordable power while creating the kind of long-term, skilled jobs that strengthen Hoosier communities.”

Candu reactors use heavy water, or deuterium oxide, as a moderator and coolant, and are designed to operate using natural uranium fuel. The technology has been deployed in Canada, Romania, Argentina, South Korea and China. According to the information provided by the project partners, approximately 34 units have been built internationally.

AtkinsRéalis is the original equipment manufacturer and exclusive licence holder for Candu technology. The company’s Enhanced Candu 6 design is a pressurised heavy water reactor in the 700 MW-plus class. It uses natural uranium fuel and online refuelling, allowing the reactor to continue operating while fuel is replenished.

Joe St Julian, president of Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis, said: “This collaboration demonstrates the value of working with our American partners to address shared energy challenges and exploring solutions that strengthen energy security, support skilled jobs and deliver lasting benefits to communities in the state.”

Hoosier Energy President and CEO Donna Walker said: “Through this MOU, Hoosier Energy is pleased to offer our expertise as part of early discussions to evaluate whether advanced nuclear energy could be an option worth considering.”

US Licensing Work And Indiana Nuclear Plans

AtkinsRéalis submitted a Notice of Intent to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in June 2026 to begin the licensing process for its technology in the United States. The first public NRC meeting associated with the process took place in August 2026, and the company has submitted the first of seven planned topical reports, covering its quality assurance programme.

The proposed Candu nuclear project comes as other developers assess new nuclear capacity in Indiana. Earlier, American Electric Power, X-energy and Amazon announced a separate feasibility study for a proposed 960 MW advanced nuclear facility at the former Breed Generating Station in Sullivan County.

Both proposals remain at an early stage. The 6 GW initiative will require further evaluation of technical, commercial, regulatory and site-related conditions before the partners can determine whether to proceed with construction.

The selected projects span several areas, including new power generation and storage systems, equipment maintenance, environmental monitoring and fish passage. If negotiations are completed, the developers will receive vouchers providing in-kind support from testing facilities selected according to their technical requirements.

Hydropower Testing Network Expands Technology Access

This marks the second selection round for the network. Funded by the DOE’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O), the Hydropower Testing Network provides access to more than 65 specialised physical testing and modelling capabilities across 21 facilities. These resources include hydraulic and biological testing as well as techno-economic analysis.

“By pairing industry innovators with leading U.S. test facilities and technical expertise, HyTN accelerates the development of next-generation technologies that keep hydropower reliable and abundant,” said H2O Director Nichole Fitzgerald.

New Generation And Storage Technologies

Among the selected projects, Emrgy will demonstrate a low-head turbine prototype designed to generate electricity from man-made water infrastructure, including irrigation canals. GenH will test a rapidly deployable technology for existing non-powered dams at the University of Minnesota. The results are expected to support a predictive framework for developing systems suited to different locations.

Two projects involve pumped storage. Hydro Green Energy will collaborate with the National Laboratory of the Rockies on an economic analysis focused on a grid-oriented scheme using an existing dam and reservoir. The work is intended to support further progress toward licensing and construction.

RCAM Technologies, operating as Sperra, will work with Polaris EcoSystems to develop a 3D-printed subsea pumped storage system. The technology is designed to store electricity using hollow concrete spheres positioned on the seafloor.

Equipment Maintenance And Component Performance

Several projects will examine equipment maintenance and component performance. Chelan County Public Utility District will conduct two projects with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). One will evaluate self-lubricating, grease-free wicket gate stem bushings, while the other will validate a low-temperature cold spray process for repairing worn turbine components on site without applying heat.

Kingsbury will continue its work with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to assess an advanced thermoplastic polymer as a potential bearing material for hydropower generators. VBASE Oil Company will also continue working with ORNL to test a lubricant intended for hydropower facilities.

Dry Surface Technologies will partner with PNNL to scale production of a non-toxic antifouling coating toward a pilot manufacturing process. The coating is intended to provide a lower-cost method for limiting component clogging and reducing repairs.

Prometheus Innovations has received two project selections with PNNL. One will continue testing a coating designed to prevent aquatic growth, including invasive mussels and brown algae. The second will evaluate an underwater net coating designed to attract or repel fish and help prevent them from entering water intake structures.

Fish passage specialist Radmantis will continue work initiated during the first HyTN selection round at a Verdantas testing flume. The project will examine whether mechanically guided fish entrainment can improve AI-based selective fish passage at hydropower facilities.

Environmental Monitoring Technologies

Environmental monitoring work includes Nucleic Sensing Systems’ validation of a real-time environmental DNA sensor. The device is designed to distinguish fresh, dissolved eDNA from stale or transported material.

The University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory will work with PNNL to evaluate the reliability and durability of a small, low-cost water quality sensor for hydropower and pumped storage facilities.

The voucher programme is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE under a partnership intermediary agreement established by the department’s Office of Technology Commercialization.