Community Highlights

Field research reported in Hydro Review indicates that Natel Energy’s fish-friendly turbine designs can improve survival outcomes for migratory fish species passing through hydropower facilities. The turbine geometry is engineered to reduce strike probability, minimize shear forces, and manage pressure changes during passage while maintaining generation performance. Early findings suggest the approach offers a viable pathway for projects seeking improved environmental compatibility in ecologically sensitive waterways.

Advances in turbine design that integrate biological performance considerations with energy production objectives represent an important step toward modernized hydropower technologies.

Hydro Review – Research Shows Safe Fish Passage Through Natel Turbines

 

The PSH Cost Model Web App, hosted on OpenEI, provides an interactive framework for estimating the lifecycle costs of pumped storage hydropower (PSH) projects. Users can adjust site characteristics, design parameters, and financial assumptions to evaluate capital expenditures, operations and maintenance costs, and economic feasibility. The platform is designed to support structured cost discussions among developers, planners, and financing partners evaluating long-duration energy storage projects.

By increasing visibility into cost drivers and enabling standardized modeling approaches, the tool advances transparent economic analysis for pumped storage development.

NREL PSH Cost Model Web App

The Open Energy Information (OpenEI) platform hosts an open-access collection of hydropower workforce development reports, analytical tools, and reference materials to support educators, employers, and policy planners. The Hydropower STEM and Workforce Reports section aggregates studies on labor trends, training gaps, skill needs, and career pathway development across the water power sector. By consolidating materials from multiple authors and institutions, the platform provides a shared knowledge base for workforce strategy and education planning.

Improved access to workforce data enhances transparency and supports coordinated efforts to align hydropower education, training programs, and industry needs.

OpenEI – Hydropower STEM / Workforce Reports

 

The Foundation for Water & Energy Education (FWEE) delivers hydropower-focused training programs and experiential learning opportunities for teachers and students throughout the Pacific Northwest. Through educator workshops, curriculum development support, and STEM Career Academies, FWEE connects classroom instruction with applied water and energy system concepts. Students gain exposure to hydropower technologies, resource management principles, and career pathways spanning engineering, environmental science, and utility operations.

By strengthening regional energy literacy and supporting early-career exposure to hydropower systems, FWEE contributes to long-term workforce development in communities where hydropower infrastructure plays a foundational role in energy supply and water management.

Foundation for Water & Energy Education – Teacher & Student Opportunities

The National Hydropower Association elevated the visibility of hydropower as a renewable energy source through its digital advertising campaign, Hydropower: The Solution That’s Right in Front of You. The campaign took a storytelling approach that leveraged engaging photos and videos to appeal to a broad audience on social media and streaming platforms. The materials highlighted how hydropower provides clean and reliable energy, supports other renewables, has a long record of success as well as room for future innovation, and provides additional value through recreation opportunities. The impactful campaign reached millions and had a largely favorable impression, boosting hydropower’s visibility as a renewable energy and communicating its myriad value to a wide audience. 

Learn more about the campaign from NHA.