About this archived opportunity

Hydroelectric power is an important source of zero-carbon, dispatchable power in California. It is a critical element of the state’s electricity system and in-state generation, providing peaking reserve, spinning reserve, and load following capacity, as well as transmission line support. The percentage of the state’s electricity supplied by hydropower varies, as hydropower resources are strongly dependent on snowmelt runoff and rainfall. Between 2012 and 2021, in-state hydro-production, including imports, has provided an average of 9 percent of the total electricity use. As the state continues to contend with drought and other climate-driven impacts on water and hydropower resource availability, as well as develop more sustainable water management practices (CA Water Action Plan, 2014), the proposed research will identify opportunities for increasing and sustaining hydropower generation. Specifically, the research will contribute to more effective precipitation enhancement (cloud seeding) strategies and will provide better information and tools to reduce the environmental effects of hydropower operations.