2026 Hydropower Collegiate Competition

Hydropower provides Americans with reliable, affordable, and secure electricity and storage. The industry creates jobs in communities across the country, but nearly a quarter of the current U.S. hydropower workforce is eligible or approaching eligibility for retirement. Hydropower plays a crucial role in our power system and has untapped potential and significant opportunity for growth. This growth can be realized with further innovation and a new generation of passionate, motivated innovators and entrepreneurs. Launched in 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office’s (WPTO’s) Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC) invites interdisciplinary teams of postsecondary, undergraduate, and graduate students from a variety of academic programs to solve complex hydropower challenges. Through the competition, WPTO intends to offer students direct industry experience, valuable exposure to hydropower career pathways, and greater knowledge of hydropower’s potential to contribute to a reliable and affordable energy future. The primary theme of the competition is innovations in hydropower, specifically, (1) the conversion of non-powered dams (NPDs) to hydroelectric dams, (2) the addition of pumped storage hydropower (PSH) to existing hydropower reservoirs, and (3) in-conduit hydropower. Through the HCC, competing teams can either advance existing technology or develop new technologies. Competition Structure The HCC will consist of five required challenges: Siting Challenge, Design Challenge, Community Connections Challenge, Design and Siting Poster, and Quick Pitch. Teams selected through the application process to compete in the main competition also have the option to compete in the Build and Test Challenge. Each challenge includes distinct submission requirements that selected teams are expected to complete to be awarded cash prizes. HCC teams compete in the following contests: Siting Challenge: Evaluate potential sites to choose for an NPD, a closed-loop PSH site, or a potential in-conduit hydropower system that fits the challenge requirements. Design Challenge: Teams will choose from two tracks. In Track 1: Facility Conceptual Design, teams will create a conceptual design of the selected hydropower site from the Siting Challenge. In Track 2: Hydropower Component Deep Dive, teams will complete a final design package for an individual component or system related to the development of the selected hydropower site from the Siting Challenge. Community Connections Challenge: Teams will engage with the hydropower industry and teams’ local communities to achieve three goals: make connections with professionals to discuss challenges in the industry, create unique solutions to address those challenges, and take action toward one of those solutions. Design and Siting Poster: Teams will bring a poster to the final event to summarize their design and siting activities. Quick Pitch: Teams will prepare a 90-second pitch to communicate the biggest takeaways from their year-long efforts. Optional Build and Test Challenge: Teams will build a scaled prototype of their concept or powerhouse and perform a series of tests. General Competition Timeline For a detailed competition timeline, please visit the Timeline tab. Fall: HCC organizers open the application period for the 2026 competition. Interested teams fill out an application to compete during the school year. Fall: HCC organizers select the teams who will participate in the competition. Fall–Winter: Tentative in-person workshops; application stage winners announced. Winter–Spring: Submission deadlines for challenges and final reports. Spring: HCC teams present their work at the HCC final event in late April/May 2026. Competition Goals The HCC will bring together diverse, multidisciplinary groups of students to: Offer unique solutions to complex hydropower challenges. Encourage teams to explore opportunities for hydropower using real-world concept development experiences.