Flow Tradeoff Tool

Simultaneously evaluate tradeoffs between hydropower energy production and environmental flows to optimize outcomes

An illustration showing a hydropower dam with powerlines, fish swimming in the river, and a lightning bolt and gear icons.

(Design by Cortland Johnson | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

The Flow Tradeoff Tool is a free, comprehensive software toolkit designed to evaluate trade-offs between hydropower energy production and environmental flows. It connects flow decisions to energy production and ecological impacts, allowing users to assess how operational changes affect fish habitats and revenue. Tailored for hydropower operators, environmental managers, policymakers, and industry users, this toolkit helps evaluate how different flow requirements influence electricity generation and grid reliability, promoting a balance between energy production and environmental stewardship.

Use the Flow Tradeoff Tool to address complex challenges related to:

An group of icons in a triangular arrangement, showing a water drop on top, a leaping fish on the left, and a hand with a lightning bold on the right.

Balancing multiple objectives in hydropower operations
Managing increasing demands on water resources
Designing intelligent operational policies for downstream habitat conditions, power generation, and economic benefits

Key Features of the Flow Tradeoff Tool

Receive a comprehensive analysis: Clearly links hydropower operational decisions with power system metrics and ecological impacts
Assess habitat and revenue impacts at the same time: Evaluates the effects of operational decisions on both fish habitat and energy generation revenue
Leverage practical models: Incorporates flow data for detailed environmental analysis using widely accepted modeling software
Cleary visualize results: Quantifies environmental flow requirements and grid services visually

Capabilities of the Flow Tradeoff Tool

Integrates habitat estimation (HEC-RAS), reservoir modeling (ModSim), and power price forecasting (National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Cambium Database)
Explores various operational policy scenarios
Supports case study analysis, allowing users to customize inputs and outputs

A screenshot of the flow tradeoff tool interface. — The Flow Tradeoff Tool is a user-friendly software toolkit that evaluates the tradeoffs between energy production and environmental flows related to hydropower facilities. (Photo by Alisha Fernandez | PNNL)

Recorded Webinars

Navigating Energy-Environment Tradeoffs: A Deep Dive into the New Flexibility Assessment Tool

Recorded on December 5th, 2024

Flow Tradeoff Tool: Quantifying fish habitat and flow differences

Recorded on June 4th, 2025

Flow Tradeoff Tool: Estimating hydropower generation and generation revenue

Recorded on June 24th, 2025

Case Study Development and Collaboration Opportunity

The team behind the Flow Tradeoff Tool is actively developing and testing case studies that explore both environmental and power metrics for hydropower systems. If you are interested in testing the tool for case study applications, please reach out to Alisha Fernandez and Brenda Pracheil.

The Flow Tradeoff Tool was developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and RTI International, with support from the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.