The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation has announced new initiatives aimed at advancing hydropower innovation and developing the sector’s workforce in the United States.

The initiatives, announced on March 6 by DOE’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O), include the opening of applications for the 2026–2027 Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions and the upcoming launch of the second round of the Hydropower Testing Network (HyTN).

Student competitions open for 2026–2027

H2O and the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) are accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions (HCC and MECC). Interdisciplinary teams of postsecondary, undergraduate and graduate students from universities and colleges across the United States can apply until May 1, 2026.

The competitions offer a combined prize pool of up to $715,000 and aim to give students experience designing and managing water power systems. Participants are also introduced to career pathways in the hydropower and marine energy industries.

DOE said the programme is intended to help address workforce needs in the U.S. water power sector while supporting domestic energy development and economic growth.

Second round of Hydropower Testing Network

H2O will open applications for the second round of the Hydropower Testing Network from March 12 to April 23, 2026.

The programme was developed to address testing and validation barriers for hydropower technology developers. A study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) identified limited access to testing facilities as a significant challenge for companies developing new hydropower technologies.

HyTN connects technology developers with testing facilities to help validate new hydropower technologies and support their transition from laboratory development to commercial deployment.

In its first round, the network paired 12 hydropower technology developers with facilities capable of conducting specialised testing. DOE said the second round will build on that effort to support projects that contribute to affordable and reliable energy generation.

The programme will run in three phases:

  • Phase 1 – Testing Facility Selection: Facilities apply to join the network. Selected facilities matched with technology developers can receive up to $250,000 to provide testing services.
  • Phase 2 – Technology Developer Selection and Matchmaking: Developers apply for testing services and are paired with suitable facilities to carry out testing activities.
  • Phase 3 – Project Execution: Facilities and developers agree on project scope, establish contracts and begin testing work.

Testing facilities selected for the network will provide technical support services to developers through a voucher-based system.

Applications for testing facilities must be submitted through the ENERGYWERX platform. The HyTN voucher opportunity is funded by H2O and supported by NLR and ORNL, with programme management provided by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE through an agreement with DOE’s Office of Technology Commercialization.