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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

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Quick Facts About Water Power

  • Hydropower contributes more to electricity generation in the U.S. than any other renewable energy source.
  • Conventional hydropower generates 6- 7% of all U.S. electricity production.
  • Energy from the ocean waves could supply 260 terawatt-hours of electricity per year for the United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Program works with the national laboratories, industry, universities, and other federal agencies to promote the development and deployment of technologies capable of generating environmentally sustainable and cost-effective electricity from the nation's water resources.

Water power is the nation's largest source of clean, domestic, renewable energy. Water power technologies harness energy from rivers and oceans to generate electricity for the nation's homes and businesses, and can help the United States meet its pressing energy, environmental, and economic challenges.

Learn more about the Water Power Program:

National laboratories conducting research on water power technologies include: