Throughout Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24, the Innovation Power House — right in the center of CC Central—is a hub for exploring, learning, and gaining insights.
Quick Links
- 4 special “On-the-Stage” Technology Demonstrations – 2 each day
- 5 Display and Activity Stations – each featuring access to hands-on activities and Innovation Ambassadors
- “Passport to Innovation” Challenge
- Advanced Technology
- Sustainable Development & Operations
- Improved Valuation
- Optimized Regulatory Processes
- Enhanced Collaboration, Education, & Outreach
Lead Content Organizers/Creators:
National Hydropower Association (NHA) Waterpower Innovation Council
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), U.S. Department of Energy
Innovation Power House Partners:
Stop by the Innovation Power House to enter to win an E-Bike!
The Passport to Innovation Challenge
The Innovation Power House is home to the Passport to Innovation Challenge, an interactive way to explore the five core areas of innovation driving hydropower toward 2050.
STEP 1
Collect Your Passport
Pick up your official Passport to Innovation at the Registration Desk or inside the Innovation Power House to begin your challenge.
STEP 2
Embark on Your Journey
Visit each of the 5 Stations in the Innovation Power House to learn about each of the areas of effort, interact with the Innovation Ambassadors, and get your passport stamped.
STEP 3
ENTER TO WIN!
Bring your stamped passport to the front desk in the Innovation Power House to be entered into the drawing for an e-bike. (stamps from all five stations are required to enter)
- Date: Thursday, September 24
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Innovation Power House
- Requirement: You must be present to win.
These 4 “not to be missed” demonstrations – two a day – take place center stage in the Innovation Power House.
Prepare to be wowed by four “show‑stopping” 30‑minute technology demonstrations where you can see and experience innovative, game‑changing technologies shaping the future of the hydropower industry.
Emcee: José Zayas
President | Senergy Solutions
5 Display and Activity Stations
Each station around the perimeter of the Innovation Power House is dedicated to a specific area of effort.
Work and progress in each of these areas is underway throughout the hydro community, with an end goal of achieving flexible operations, safe dams, and sustainable approaches by 2050.
If we give attention and focus to these five areas in our day-to-day work across the entire community (community = industry, resource agencies, non-governmental organizations – NGOs, and U.S. Department of Energy), we can reach the shared vision by 2050. The 5 Stations in the Innovation Power House are THE place to experience and interact with specific examples of the work and the progress being made in each of the five areas.
Read more about this shared hydropower vision and the roadmap developed to get the community to 2050.
Advanced Technology … design and demonstration of innovative and resilient hydropower components, structures, and systems.
Wednesday, September 23
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Particle Pursuit: The Carbon Capture Challenge
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Friction Fighters: Self-Lubricating Wicket Gate Bushings
Thursday, September 24
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM: Digital Twin Dash: Operate the Turbine, Outsmart the Failures
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: covercast Coating Comparison
Sustainable Development & Operations … integrating water management, environmental stewardship, and protection of cultural resources and ecosystems within a watershed.
Wednesday, September 23
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM: HydroForecast in Action: Navigate Real Hydropower Challenges with Machine-Learning Based Forecasts
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Can You Trust the Forecast? A Hydropower Decision Challenge
Thursday, September 24
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM: Run the River: Make the Call on Generation, Spill, and Storage
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Analyze Data like a Cyber-Savvy Operator
Improved Valuation … recognizing and compensating the full set of power and non-power services provided by hydropower and pumped storage.
Wednesday, September 23
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Make the Modernization Call: Energy Modeling Showdown
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Hydro-Enhanced Grid Stability: An Interactive Exploration
Thursday, September 24
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM: HydroXS Live: Turning Flow Into Revenue
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Technical Assistance Tools for Pumped Storage Success
Optimized Regulatory Processes … an efficient and predictable hydropower regulatory process that improves understanding, access, and outcomes.
Wednesday, September 23
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Power Through Uncertainty: A Hydropower Licensing Risk Challenge
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Power the Standard: Shape the Future of Low‑Impact PSH
Thursday, September 24
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM: Hydropower Market Bingo!
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Regulatory Reality Check: Costs and Delays for Battery Additions
Enhanced Collaboration, Education, & Outreach … an engaged hydropower community network and ready workforce.
Wednesday, September 23
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Expand Hydropower Workforce Awareness with Hydropower Foundation
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Clean Energy Challenge: Build the Future Grid
Thursday, September 24
11:00 AM – 12:45 PM: AI, Robotics & the Future Hydro Workforce: What’s Changing and What’s Next
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Step Inside Hoover Dam’s New Visitor Center!