DOE Highlights Hydropower Innovation During Visit to Kingsbury

“We were honored to welcome Assistant Secretary Robertson and the Department of Energy team to Kingsbury,” said Mike Brawley, President and CEO of Kingsbury. “For more than a century, Kingsbury technology has supported hydropower generation across North America. We are proud to continue collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Department of Energy on research that can help improve the reliability and longevity of critical hydropower equipment.”

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Kingsbury, Inc., a privately held American manufacturer founded in 1912, welcomed Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson and other U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials to discuss hydropower innovation, advanced manufacturing, and the future of America’s energy infrastructure.

During the visit, Kingsbury leadership provided an overview of the company’s history, engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and advanced testing programs before leading a tour of its facility. Discussions focused on the importance of modernizing America’s hydropower infrastructure and accelerating the development of technologies that support reliable, long-term power generation.

The visit coincided with the U.S. Department of Energy’s announcement that Kingsbury was selected as one of 14 hydropower projects to begin negotiations on vouchers for in-kind support through the Hydropower Testing Network (HyTN), which provides access to more than 65 specialized physical testing and modeling capabilities across 21 testing facilities.

Discussions also focused on how innovation and advanced testing can help modernize hydropower infrastructure, extend equipment life, and improve long-term reliability.

“We were honored to welcome Assistant Secretary Robertson and the Department of Energy team to Kingsbury,” said Mike Brawley, President and CEO of Kingsbury. “For more than a century, Kingsbury technology has supported hydropower generation across North America. We are proud to continue collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Department of Energy on research that can help improve the reliability and longevity of critical hydropower equipment.”

Hydropower remains one of the nation’s most important sources of consistent, renewable electricity, and modernization projects are increasingly focused on extending the life and performance of existing generating assets.

The visit also highlighted Kingsbury’s long history in hydropower. At Pennsylvania’s Holtwood Hydroelectric Station, the original Kingsbury bearing installed in 1912 remains in service today, with all original parts, a testament to the durability and reliability that have defined Kingsbury technology for more than a century.

Today, Kingsbury builds on that legacy through ongoing research and development, including four on-site test rigs, and through collaboration with industry, national laboratories, and government partners to advance technologies that support reliable energy production and the long-term performance of critical infrastructure.