California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo takes home grand prize in competition that challenges students to develop innovative hydropower solutions for real-word problems
Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office
April 30, 2026
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WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) today announced the winners of the 2026 Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC). California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo was the overall winner of the fourth annual HCC. Southern Utah University finished in second place while Purdue University and Northern Arizona University tied for third place.
The final event of the 2026 HCC occurred during the Midwest Regional Meeting, organized by the National Hydropower Association and the Midwest Hydropower Users Group. Competing teams gave presentations on their efforts to overcome the various challenges posed to them during the competition. Competitors also presented posters explaining their projects and delivered quick pitches on their research to industry attendees. The final event provided students the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals.
“Our Hydropower Collegiate Competition provides an opportunity for the next generation of American workers to take on some of the biggest issues facing the industry today,” said Nichole Fitzgerald, Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) Director. “The teams did a tremendous job offering innovative, affordable solutions. We look forward to seeing these students flourish in their chosen fields as they enter the workforce.”
Nearly 20 percent of the American hydropower workforce is approaching retirement. From engineers maintaining the facilities to manufacturers developing next-generation materials, hydropower industry jobs are essential to ensure hydropower continues to contribute to an affordable secure, and reliable electric grid.
To fill workforce gaps and bring fresh talent to tackle modern energy challenges, the hydropower industry needs a new generation of qualified workers. The HCC helps undergraduate and graduate students prepare for jobs in hydropower and related industries by challenging them to develop unique solutions to real-world problems.
2026 Hydropower Collegiate Competition Winners
The primary theme of the 2026 competition was innovations in hydropower. HCC asked student teams to come up with innovative solutions for the following challenges:
- Adding power to non-powered dams,
- Adding pumped storage hydropower to existing hydropower reservoirs, and
- Developing in-conduit hydropower
Through HCC, the 11 student-led teams were asked to either advance an existing technology or develop a new technology to solve one of the challenges outlined above. Competitors took part in five challenges—Siting Challenge, Design Challenge, Community Connections Challenge, Best Poster Challenge, and Quick Pitch Challenge—and also had the option to compete in the Build and Test Challenge.
The winners of the 2026 HCC are:
- First place: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Second place: Southern Utah University
- Third place: Purdue University and Northern Arizona University
Individual category winners are:
- Best Poster: University of Southern California
- Siting Contest: Northern Arizona University
- Design Challenge: Southern Utah University
- Community Connections Challenge: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Quick Pitch: University of Southern California
- Optional Build and Test Challenge: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
DOE’s H2O funds HCC. The National Laboratory of the Rockies administers the HCC. Applications for the 2027 HCC are open until May 1, 2026.
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