US engineers 3D-print giant turbines to unlock 29 GW of hydropower energy

A U.S. startup and Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed durable 3D-printed and cast turbine parts for low-head micro-hydropower systems.

The team says the approach can cut plant costs by up to 40% while using a long-running prototype testbed in Wisconsin.

By lowering manufacturing barriers, the technology could make small hydropower projects viable at many underused dams.

That could unlock more renewable electricity from existing domestic water infrastructure.