Activity Stations in the Innovation Power House (click to see details)

The Innovation Power House features five activity stations. Anytime from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., stop by to visit one or more of the activity stations - spend five minutes or the full time interacting with the Innovation Ambassadors.

Click an activity below to jump to its details:
Particle Pursuit: The Carbon Capture Challenge
Expand Hydropower Workforce Awareness with Hydropower Foundation
Make the Modernization Call: Energy Modeling Showdown
Power Through Uncertainty: A Hydropower Licensing Risk Challenge
HydroForecast in Action: Navigate Real Hydropower Challenges with Machine-Learning Based Forecasts

Particle Pursuit: The Carbon Capture Challenge

Advanced Technology Activity Station
Innovation Ambassadors: Oscar Galindo and Jeremy Tredeau, Mersen USA, and Daniel Hogue, Tri-Dam Project

Test your reflexes in this fast‑paced "Hungry, Hungry Hippos"-style game where the balls represent carbon dust. Just like in real equipment, carbon collects quickly-and your job is to capture as much of it as you can before it causes trouble. While you're there, learn how outdated maintenance practices have quietly persisted for decades and why keeping carbon‑brush, brush‑gear, slip‑ring, and commutator maintenance up‑to‑date is essential for preventing flashovers, minimizing damage from carbon dust, and avoiding costly, unscheduled outages.

Expand Hydropower Workforce Awareness with Hydropower Foundation

Enhanced Collaboration, Education, & Outreach Activity Station
Innovation Ambassadors: Ashley Brooks and Jenna Zabarah, Hydropower Foundation

Discover how the Hydropower Foundation is engaging students in hydropower career pathways through competitions, campus clubs, social media storytelling, and industry-connected career expos. Explore online workforce resources with us or record a 30‑second "day in the industry" video that we'll amplify to inspire future hydropower professionals.

Make the Modernization Call: Energy Modeling Showdown

Improved Valuation Activity Station
Innovation Ambassadors: Cameron Isaman and Bret Hoffman, Kleinschmidt Associates

Compare hydropower modernization options using Kleinschmidt's Energy Modeling Analysis-an approach that evaluates generation potential and revenue impacts from upgrades like new runners, unit replacements, and minimum‑flow additions. Play a quick, game‑style activity to test upgrade scenarios and learn how the model has been used in the real world.

Power Through Uncertainty: A Hydropower Licensing Risk Challenge

Optimized Regulatory Processes Activity Station
Innovation Ambassadors: Indya Messier and Trevor Herritt, SWCA Environmental Consultants

Step up to a hands-on licensing challenge where you’ll tackle real risks behind hydropower relicensing. Navigate environmental and regulatory uncertainties through a custom board game, while SWCA staff reveal proven strategies to mitigate risk, from early stakeholder engagement to designing comprehensive study plans. You’ll walk away with a clear sense of how proactive risk management can stabilize project schedules and cut costly surprises in today’s fast changing regulatory landscape.

HydroForecast in Action: Navigate Real Hydropower Challenges with Machine-Learning Based Forecasts

Sustainable Development & Operations Activity Station
Innovation Ambassadors: Hunter Johnson and Alex Truby, Upstream Tech

Step into the operator's seat and make real time hydropower decisions under shifting inflows and competing constraints. Experience the real challenges of day to day operations and see how forecasts add value by reducing uncertainty when it matters most. Through an interactive game, you will use HydroForecast-a machine-learning, probabilistic inflow model-to transform critical information into operational clarity, helping support generation, environmental compliance, and improve infrastructure safety across hydropower systems.

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