In 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) launched the inaugural Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC) to pave the way for a new generation of diverse, highly skilled workers to modernize the U.S. hydropower fleet and chart their careers in clean energy. The hydropower industry is critical to achieving the Biden administration’s goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2035, but more than a quarter of the hydropower workforce over the age of 55 is expected to retire in the next decade. The industry needs a new generation to fill these jobs and support the country’s clean energy transition. 

HCC participants will gain direct hydropower industry experience, valuable exposure to potential career pathways, and greater understanding of hydropower’s role in a clean energy future. Eleven schools, including three minority-serving institutions, are participating in the inaugural competition.

The HCC is intended to inspire and guide students to join the hydropower workforce. At the same time, the competition aims to incentivize academic leaders to include hydropower in their institution’s curricula, help align industry needs with workforce development programs, and get people excited about growth in new or modern hydropower technologies, like low-impact hydropower, pumped storage hydropower, and adding power to non-powered dams. 

Through this competition, WPTO and its partners are working to address several barriers that could slow hydropower workforce growth. HCC organizers are performing outreach to underrepresented students to help increase diversity in the hydropower industry. The competition also aims to spread awareness and skills to better prepare students for careers in hydropower. 

WPTO funds the HCC, while the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Hydropower Foundation administer the competition.