The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated nearly $15 million for nine research and development projects aimed at enhancing the flexibility of hydropower in supporting the electric grid amidst the increasing penetration of variable renewable resources like wind and solar power. These initiatives, including the integration of hydrogen technologies with existing hydropower facilities, battery energy storage systems, and polymer-based turbine enhancements, strive to improve operational efficiency, reliability, and revenue streams for hydropower assets nationwide. By optimizing the coordination and operation of hydropower facilities, the projects seek to bolster the integration of renewable energy sources into the power system. The advancements also include the development of tools like the HydroFlex optimization tool from the University of California, Irvine, to maximize electricity generation by integrating different energy sources effectively.