NREL's Water Power Newsletter, The SPLASH, Summer 2024

In this edition of the Student-Professional Learning and Sharing Hub (SPLASH), check out the winners of the 2024 Marine Energy and Hydropower Collegiate Competitions, new features of REDi Island, and more.

This quarterly newsletter highlights the latest from NREL's water power STEM program.

News and Updates

Winners Announced in 2024 Marine Energy and Hydropower Collegiate Competitions

Two student-led teams have claimed first place in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) annual water power collegiate competitions. The defending champions from the University of New Hampshire were named the overall winner in the fifth annual American Made Challenge’s Marine Energy Collegiate Competition, and Northern Arizona University took the top spot in the second annual American Made Challenge’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition. Competition organizers also awarded second- and third-place prizes, along with awards for winners of individual contests within each competition. Both competitions invite undergraduate and graduate students to develop solutions to complex water power challenges while offering them access to real-world experience and professional connections that can give them a head start in their clean energy careers.

Meet the Teams Competing in the 2025 Marine Energy and Hydropower Collegiate Competitions

A total of 36 teams have been selected to compete in the 2025 Marine Energy and Hydropower Collegiate Competitions, the largest cohort of teams to date. Although next year’s competitors will participate in many of the same contests as this year, for the first time, that cohort will also be paired with industry mentors who can assist with competition deliverables throughout the year. Check out the full list of teams selected to participate in the 2025 competitions on DOE’s website.

Take an Island Getaway: Adventure to New Hydropower Highlights on Renewable Energy Discovery (REDi) Island

Now open on DOE! Traverse “The Hills” of Renewable Energy Discovery (REDi) Island. Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with funding from DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), REDi Island gives educators, parents, and the public a virtual glimpse into marine energy and hydropower technologies. Now, you can explore the newly opened Hills region of REDi Island—including River Ramble, Hydro Hollow, and Hydro Heights—to learn all about hydropower in an engaging and enjoyable way.

Researchers Develop Five-Step Toolkit To Support Transitions in the Hydropower Workforce

NREL researchers have developed a new resource to help hydropower organizations develop a culture of knowledge sharing and reduce knowledge loss during workforce transitions. The Knowledge Sharing and Succession Planning Toolkit on OpenEI outlines a five-step process that can be used by any hydropower organization to smooth out the transfer of knowledge between workers retiring from the field and new workers entering the industry. The toolkit, which was developed with feedback from industry partners, also includes downloadable tools, templates, and checklists to simplify the process. These tools will be critical in the coming decade, when more than a quarter of the hydropower workforce is expected to retire. The toolkit was compiled by NREL and funded by WPTO.

Catch the Back-to-School Wave With College Students Inspiring the Future Water Power Workforce

Each year, WPTO funds the American Made Challenges Hydropower Collegiate Competition and Marine Energy Collegiate Competition, and as part of these competitions, student-led teams foster connections with their local communities. In the 2024 Hydropower Collegiate Competition, DOE announced teams from Northern Arizona University and Johns Hopkins University tied to win the Community Connections Challenge. Meanwhile, DOE announced Purdue University won the challenge at the 2024 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition. Each team brought together students, educators, and local groups to create a community around water power education. Learn, in this DOE article, how these teams are teaching people in their communities about hydropower and marine energy.

University Marine Energy Research Community Recap

NREL's STEM and Workforce Development Team hosted multiple events during this year's University Marine Energy Research Community + Marine Energy Technology Symposium Conference. Researchers presented initial Marine Energy Workforce survey results during a National Marine Energy Center meeting to gather feedback on how to ensure that the perspectives of the National Marine Energy Centers are being incorporated into NREL’s programming and strategy. NREL researcher Arielle Cardinal presented an overview of NREL’s Marine Energy Workforce activities during a conference session on environmental, social, and economic research. Cardinal, Betsy Stratton, and Maddy Crouse led a Marine Energy Workforce Workshop and heard from stakeholders on ways to increase interest in marine energy and provide relevant trainings.

H2-Whoa! NREL Open House Dives Into Water Power

Braving the July heat, Arielle Cardinal, Tina Ortega, and Libby Arnold welcomed nearly 300 visitors at this year's NREL open house. The trio led young researchers through hands-on activities, where they built and tested hydropower wheels using sustainable materials such as mandarin oranges, wooden skewers, popsicle sticks, and paper plates. Visitors also learned how to navigate REDi Island and received copies of the marine energy and hydropower Spark Squad comic book series.

Events and Opportunities

STEMapalooza: Empowering Tomorrow’s STEM Leaders

NREL is hosting its first STEMapalooza in November. The event is designed to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields; engage stakeholders in dialogues and program planning; and inspire the next-gen workforce. Funded by WPTO, STEMapalooza will include:

Day 1, Nov. 8: Closed event

• Attendees: 2025 Hydropower Collegiate Competition and Marine Energy Collegiate Competition students (and faculty, if they can attend)
• NREL is hosting the 2025 water power collegiate competition cohorts to provide an overview of the competitions, introductions to the organizing team, informational presentations and technical workshops, a career panel and networking event, and more.

Day 2, Nov. 9: Open to public

• Attendees: Local secondary education students, teachers, parents and Marine Energy Collegiate Competition and Hydropower Collegiate Competition students and faculty
• NREL invites local high school students participating in mock competitions for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl’s Trout Bowl, as well as any other students, educators, or parents interested in participating. There will be other activities with a focus on renewable energy taking place on a rolling basis, including a resume workshop, a game station, campus tours, and networking activities with college students.

All activities on Nov. 9 are open to the public.

Register for STEMapalooza now.

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