The US Department of Energy has allocated nearly $15 million to nine projects focused on enhancing hydropower's role in supporting the nation's electricity grid. The funding aims to improve hydropower's flexibility to integrate better with renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Hydropower, contributing about 27% of US utility-scale renewable energy generation, plays a crucial role in providing stable and reliable electricity. The selected projects include initiatives like hydrogen integration, battery energy storage systems, polymer turbine enhancements, and AI for optimization to advance hydropower capabilities. The projects aim to address various aspects such as grid-wide flexibility, operational optimization, and revenue generation. For instance, the hydrogen integration project in Manitou Springs will pair hydrogen production with hydropower to provide electricity during peak demand, while the Trihybrid System in Richfield will combine battery storage with solar panels for improved reliability. Other projects focus on developing tools like open-source software for hydropower integration and using AI for enhancing operational efficiency. These initiatives signify the DOE's commitment to advancing hydropower technologies for a sustainable energy future. By enhancing hydropower's capabilities, these projects aim to make significant contributions to grid stability, renewable energy integration, and overall electricity system reliability.