Contextualizing Non-Powered Dam Site Selection for Archimedes Screw Turbines: A Methodology for Responsible Archimedes Screw Turbine Conversion at Existing Dams

Kyle M. Weiss (), Kristine N. Moody and Brenda M. Pracheil
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Kyle M. Weiss: Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Kristine N. Moody: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
Brenda M. Pracheil: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: Non-powered dams represent 97% of dams in the United States and their energy generation potential has not been fully realized. The use of an Archimedes screw turbine to generate power at non-powered dams offers a dual benefit; producing electricity, and acting as downstream fish passage, helping to reconnect previously separated ecosystems. In this study, we assess the technical, environmental, social, and economic feasibility of generating power at non-powered U.S. dam sites using Archimedes screw turbines by integrating mechanical constraints, social impact metrics, proximity to infrastructure, and environmental sensitivity data. Results account for future precipitation predictions and show, between 2024 and 2050, the number of sites where Archimedes screw turbines are viable decreases by one site, but overall generation capacity increases due to increased flow rates across persisting locations. Our analysis identified 82 non-powered dam sites with a mean generation capacity of 49 kW that meet the mechanical requirements for Archimedes screw turbine technology in 2024. Our analysis presents a framework for considering social, environmental, and economic impacts of specific turbine technologies to convert non-powered dams to generate power.

Keywords: non-powered dams; Archimedes screw turbine; environmental impact; fish passage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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