GEMM October Newsletter
- Pragatie
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Keeping you up-to-date on the latest in renewable energy and sustainability.
Welcome to the August edition of the GEMM Energy Monthly Newsletter. We aim to bring you the latest in renewable energy advancements, highlight sustainability efforts, showcase GEMM's current projects, and provide valuable insights for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Hydropower & Geothermal
What’s Hydropower?
Think rivers turning into giant batteries. Hydropower keeps the grid balanced by storing and releasing energy when we need it. The big opportunity right now is pumped storage — water flowing uphill when power is cheap, rushing back down when demand spikes.
Hydropower is nothing new – GEMM’s headquarters are located in Bethlehem, PA where one can visit the historic district which houses the Bethlehem Waterworks put into place in the 1760s! While it didn’t produce electricity, this system harnessed the power of the Monocacy Creek to drive a waterwheel that mechanically pumped over 1.2 million gallons of water each day. John Adams even remarked about this system in a letter he wrote to his wife while he was visiting Bethlehem.
But here’s the catch: many dams face tough relicensing rules and environmental hurdles. So while hydropower remains one of the most dependable renewable sources, it’s important to explore other ways to harness the Earth’s natural energy.
What’s Geothermal?
Geothermal energy comes straight from heat within the Earth’s crust. New drilling tech is unlocking resources in hot spots like California’s Salton Sea, where projects promise clean, always-on power. With fresh tax incentives, geothermal is moving from “niche” to “next big thing.”
How Can Your Business Leverage These Technologies?
Hydropower: Reliable backup and long-term grid stability. Great if you’re looking for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) tied to storage.
Geothermal: Delivers continuous, around-the-clock clean energy that is a powerful option for companies pursuing net-zero goals or high-demand operations. Performs even better when paired with solar power for balanced generation.
Currently, federal incentives are available to make these choices more affordable and attractive. Hydropower upgrades and geothermal tax credits can cut costs while keeping your energy supply cleaner and steadier.
Hydropower Around the World
Did you know that hydropower is considered the world’s largest renewable energy source? Hydropower is making waves! The 2025 World Hydropower Outlook from IHA dives into global hydropower trends, tracking progress toward net-zero goals and highlighting both challenges and success stories.
Here some highlights from this publication:
In 2024, the world added 24.6GW of new hydropower, 16.2GW conventional and 8.4GW pumped storage, powering 14.3% of the globe and helping over 150 countries stay flexible on the grid.
The global hydropower development pipeline now exceeds 1,075 GW, of which about 600 GW is in pumped-storage hydropower and around 475 GW is conventional hydro.
China led the way in 2024, adding approximately 14.4 GW of hydropower capacity.
Africa more than doubled its recent three-year average with over 4.5 GW of hydropower added in 2024.
In Europe, thanks to exceptional rainfall, hydropower generation reached a decade-high 680 TWh in 2024.
From policy boosts to investment challenges, hydropower is proving to be powerhouse shaping the future.
ln US
Hydropower
Hydropower continues to anchor the grid’s flexibility, ramping up as solar and wind fluctuate. The growing focus is on pumped storage which are large-scale water systems that act as natural batteries, storing renewable energy for use during peak demand.
But hydropower has its headaches too. Many dams are going through tough relicensing reviews to balance clean energy goals with river health and community priorities. Smarter upgrades and retrofits are needed to bring these aging systems up to modern standards.
Geothermal
Geothermal is heating up fast (literally). New drilling tech and “enhanced geothermal systems” are unlocking underground heat like never before.
The Salton Sea in California is fast becoming America’s geothermal hotspot, with projects like Hell’s Kitchen set to deliver steady, around-the-clock clean power. With federal tax incentives in play, the future for geothermal energy looks both bright and hot.
So, here’s the quick picture:
Hydro = reliable but facing obstacles.
Geothermal = small today but bursting with potential tomorrow.
The U.S. transition to cleaner energy is more than solar panels and wind turbines — sometimes it’s about rivers and rocks doing their part too!
Local:
Pennsylvania is investing in a cleaner energy future through programs that help businesses, municipalities, and schools move forward with energy upgrades.
What’s in the mix:
· Loans
· Grants
· Incentives
This is where GEMM comes in. As Energy Masterplanners, we help building owners turn energy goals into reality. From project conception through design, funding, and completion, our team seamlessly guides projects to ensure they are both technically sound and financially achievable.
Stay connected!
We're excited to continue this journey with you, by sharing news and insights on sustainability and progressing our path toward a better future. Stay tuned for our newsletter next month.
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