Events

Join NREL at these water power events and explore research, tools, opportunities, and collaborations within marine energy and hydropower.

Hydropower Collegiate Competition Final Event at National Hydropower Association

April 29–May 1, Des Moines, Iowa

The second annual Hydropower Collegiate Competition culminates at the National Hydropower Association–Midwest Hydro Users Group Midwest Regional Meeting April 29–May 1 in Des Moines, Iowa. The theme for the 2024 competition was converting nonpowered dams to hydroelectric dams, with students competing in three required challenges (siting, design, and community connections) and one optional build and test challenge.

Buoy Workshop

May 20–23, Sequim, Washington

Join the Marine Technology Society for the 15th Buoy Workshop May 20–23 in Sequim, Washington. NREL's Aidan Bharath will be participating in the workshop, sharing updates about NREL's novel field data collection and control system, called Modular Ocean Data Acquisition.

Marine Energy Collegiate Competition Final Event at Ocean Renewable Energy Conference

May 20–23, Portland, Oregon

Marine Energy Collegiate Competition Final Event: The fifth annual Marine Energy Collegiate Competition culminates at the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust’s Ocean Renewable Energy Conference May 20–22 in Portland, Oregon. The 2024 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition teams were required to complete a business plan challenge, a technical design challenge, and a community connections challenge.

Also at the Ocean Renewable Energy Conference, NREL researchers will be attending sessions and discussions focused on a broad range of subjects describing the marine energy sector, including opportunities to stay up to date on key developments such as testing infrastructure and the Blue Economy.

International Conference on Ocean, Offshore, and Arctic Engineering

June 9–14, Singapore EXPO, Singapore

Colleagues from national labs will present new advances in offshore and ship structures, reliable production methods, ocean engineering technology, and arctic sciences. There will also be a focus on offshore wind and solar energy, digitalization in key offshore operations, incorporation of advanced analytical techniques, and successful implementation of new technologies in the field.

HYDROVISION

July 15—18, Denver, Colorado

With HYDROVISION in Denver this year, NREL will be offering a pre-conference tour at NREL Flatirons Campus. As part of a full-day tour on July 16, participants will stop at NREL and visit the electrical hydropower lab and controllable grid interface as well as view a demo of the REDi Island interactive app.

STEMapalooza at NREL

Nov. 8—9, 2024, Golden, Colorado

The 2-day event is designed to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic fields, engage stakeholders in dialogues and program planning, and inspire the next-gen workforce. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office, STEMapalooza will include:

Our annual fall kickoff meetings with the 2025 Hydropower Collegiate Competition and Marine Energy Collegiate Competition teams and faculty advisors
A demonstration of the Renewable Energy Discovery Island web-based app
A prep event for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl's Trout Bowl with high school students and faculty
Hands-on activities and presentations with our STEM industry partners for all grade levels.