A recent study conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for the U.S. Department of Energy, the New Stream - reach Development Resource Assessment, finds that 61 gigawatts (GW) of hydroelectric power potential exists at waterways
without existing dams or diversion facilities.
Some criticized that paper for relying too heavily on adding turbines to
existing hydroelectric
dams — which the group suggested in order to increase peak electricity production
without changing the number or size of the
dams.