The Northeast Hydro Think Tank competition will begin May 20, with a goal of enlisting the “next generation” to solve real-world problems facing the hydro industry.
Members of this Hydro Think Tank are GE Renewable Energy, Brookfield Renewable, New York Power Authority and the Hydropower Foundation. This four-day event will push university teams to apply critical thinking to produce the best solution to a tough real-world hydropower problem, providing a chance to experience the industry first hand.
While hydropower is a long-standing power generation resource, it faces challenges today. The industry needs a future workforce that is adequately educated, trained and ready to tackle operational and management challenges associated with environmental priorities, regulatory requirements and renewables, the Hydropower Foundation says.
University teams from top schools — formed from undergraduate and graduate students of engineering, science, finance and energy markets — will be there to see if they have what it takes to win the Hydro Think Tank. The week will be full of exploration, training and teamwork, and students will have access to the expertise of top industry researchers and senior-level management.
Team efforts will be judged by a panel of industry executives, managers and Hydropower Foundation members. Participation is a great resume booster and a source of university credit, where available. The members of the winning team have the potential of receiving an internship with one of the organizations.
The competition will be held at the General Electric Global Research Center in Niskayuna, N.Y. Winners will be announced on May 23.
The Hydropower Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that was founded in 1994 and dedicated to advancing the contributions of hydropower to electricity supplies in the U.S.
