Deploying New Technology: Why Are We Stuck?

**This workshop is part of your conference registration—no additional enrollment or payment is required**

This workshop, led and organized by the leadership of the National Hydropower Association’s Waterpower Innovation Council, is designed to:

1) Explore the Importance of innovative technologies
2) Discuss the reasons behind the current hindrance of innovation implementation in the conventional hydropower sector
3) Come away with a direction of how industry and government can support innovators as they create new, better ideas and solutions to improve efficiency and accelerate hydropower growth in the U.S.

Features of the Workshop
— Testimonials from developers about challenges they experience
— Insights from government and industry professionals
— Participatory discussions about:
Why is there a reluctance to implement untested technology? (risk? cost? regulatory constraints?)
How can we better manage risks associated with new technology implementation?
What can government and industry do better to help?

Understanding the Challenge
Hydropower is a mature technology. It appears that it would only be possible to introduce and implement newer technologies in hydropower project development or upgrades, if a proof of cost and time reduction with zero risk is guaranteed.

The U.S. government has supported several research, development, and deployment projects to accelerate hydropower growth in the U.S. With the initial government support, some small private companies have developed innovative technology, such as fish friendly turbines, modular low head turbines, etc.

However, these innovative technologies are being challenged for implementation in the hydropower industry. Can we work together to develop options for better help and acceptance criteria for hydropower technology implementation?

**This workshop is part of your conference registration—no additional enrollment or payment is required**

View Beth Lawson’s presentation here.
View Gregory Allen’s presentation here.
View Andy Sadlon’s presentation here.
View Paul Roos’s presentation here.
View Steve Dearden’s presentation here.