An interdisciplinary team of Michigan State University scientists in the US is to use part of a $2.6 million National Science Foundation grant to investigate new ways of producing hydropower.

An interdisciplinary team of Michigan State University scientists in the US is to use part of a $2.6 million National Science Foundation grant to investigate new ways of producing hydropower.

MSU’s four-year project, which runs until Dec. 31, 2020, will include looking at innovative technology geared towards smaller dams and in-water turbines.

“We want to rethink hydropower placement, scale of hydropower and what kind of technology makes sense,” said Emilio Moran, Hannah Distinguished Professor and principal investigator on the project.

The study is called “Rethinking dams: Innovative hydropower solutions to achieve sustainable food and energy production and sustainable communities.”

Co-investigators include David Hyndman from the College of Natural Science; Maria Claudia Lopez from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Norbert Mueller from the College of Engineering; and Nathan Moore from the College of Social Science.