At the heart of CC Central at the Clean Currents event, the Innovation Power House (IPH) is a hub for exploring, learning, and gaining insights on pressing topics in hydropower.

This year the Clean Currents 2026 event will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, from September 21 to September 25. At the event, the IPH will be co-hosted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the National Hydropower Association. IPH partners are GE Vernova, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office; and the Hydropower Vision.

The IPH will feature technology demos and experts from across research, industry, and asset owner organizations, and showcase topics and technologies that experts across hydropower are currently working on and thinking about. The IPH will be home to technology demonstrations, display and activity stations, and an interactive challenge to engage event attendees in learning more about the future of hydropower.

Watch the video HERE!

WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THE INNOVATION POWER HOUSE

This year’s Innovation Power House line-up of activities and technology demonstrations includes experts from research, industry, and utility organizations to showcase the breadth of hydropower research and breakthroughs happening nationally.

This year’s Innovation Power House includes four “not to be missed” demonstrations – two a day – take place center stage in the Innovation Power House.

Prepare to be wowed by four “show‑stopping” 30‑minute technology demonstrations where you can see and experience innovative, game‑changing technologies shaping the future of the hydropower industry.

Here’s one example: Keeping Humans Out of Harm’s Way: TVA’s Robotic Dog Safety Strategy: See how TVA uses Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot dog to eliminate human exposure to high-risk environments across coal, nuclear, and hydropower facilities. This show stopping technology demonstration shows how robotic mobility and advanced sensors allow Spot to inspect areas where workers could be crushed, trapped, or exposed to hazardous conditions. Learn from TVA’s journey-what worked, what didn’t, and where Spot delivers the strongest value overall-and get your chance to take Spot on a walk!

Some examples of the activity stations are:

Step Inside Hoover Dam’s New Visitor Center! Discover how a major $18M renovation is reshaping the visitor center and breathing new life into historic features like the Winged Figures of the Republic. Immerse yourself in a 360° virtual tour, dive into exhibit details, and test your knowledge with a visitor count guessing challenge.

The visitor center at the Hoover Dam. (Photo Credit – NHA)

Digital Twin Dash – Operate the Turbine, Outsmart the Failures: Attendees put their operations skills to the test in the Digital Twin simulation game, where they’ll  “run” a hydropower turbine using simulation sensor data and watch decisions play out in real time. Using PNNL’s high fidelity DT portal, attendees will operate a 3-D printed turbine model, trigger different scenarios, and race against emerging anomalies to see if they can keep performance high and failures at bay. Along the way, attendees will learn how LSTM powered Digital Twins deliver predictive insights that boost efficiency, extend asset life, and help operators prevent costly downtime.

HydroXS Live: Turning Flow Into Revenue – Explore a scale 3-D model of the HydroXS® and watch real‑time data stream in—flow rates, carbon offsets, electricity generation, and revenue produced. Attendees can view case studies and video testimonials showing how in‑conduit micro‑hydro systems are creating new value streams for dam owners across the U.S. and internationally. Complete a short questionnaire to earn a stamp and qualify for a complimentary system assessment!

Clean Currents attendees explore the Innovation Powerhouse. (Photo Credit – NHA)

Power Through Uncertainty: A Hydropower Licensing Risk Challenge – Step up to a hands-on licensing challenge where you’ll tackle real risks behind hydropower relicensing. Navigate environmental and regulatory uncertainties through a custom board game, while SWCA staff reveal proven strategies to mitigate risk, from early stakeholder engagement to designing comprehensive study plans. You’ll walk away with a clear sense of how proactive risk management can stabilize project schedules and cut costly surprises in today’s fast-changing regulatory landscape.

Run the River: Make the Call on Generation, Spill, and Storage – Call the operational shots—generate power, charge or discharge the battery energy storage system (BESS), or spill water—as river conditions and market signals shift around you. Watch the scenario light up as your choices ripple through fish flows, ramping limits, peak support, and overall system value.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE INNOVATION POWER HOUSE

The Innovation Power House will be home to four show stopping technology demonstrations on the IPH stage and five display and activity stations dedicated to specific areas outlined in the Hydropower Vision Roadmap:

1. Advanced Technology, focused on the design and demonstration of innovative and resilient hydropower components, structures, and systems;

2. Sustainable Development and Operations, highlighting integrated water management, environmental stewardship, and protection of cultural resources and ecosystems within a watershed;

3. Improved Valuation, to recognize and compensate the full set of power and non-power services provided by hydropower and pumped storage;

4. Optimized Regulatory Processes, advancing efficient and predictable hydropower regulatory process that improves understanding, access, and outcomes; and

5. Enhanced Collaboration, Education, and Outreach, to grow an engaged hydropower community network and ready workforce.

Attendees at Clean Currents gather at the Innovation POWERHOUSE for a presentation. (Photo Credit – NHA)

Each topic area serves as one stop on the Innovation Power House Passport to Innovation Challenge, where conference attendees can get rewarded for interacting with IPH activity sessions.

Conference attendees can pick up an official Passport to Innovation at the Registration Desk or inside the Innovation Power House to begin the challenge.

They must visit each of the five stations in the Innovation Power House to learn about each of the five areas of effort, interact with the Innovation Ambassadors, and get their passport stamped.

Once all five passport areas have been stamped, participants can bring their stamped passport to the front desk in the Innovation Power House to spin a prize wheel and be entered into a raffle to win an e-bike!

The winner of the e-bike at Clean Currents poses with their prize. (Photo Credit – NHA)

The prize drawings, including for the e-bike, will begin at 5 p.m. (Phoenix time) on Thursday, September 24 at the Innovation Power House and the drawn participant must be present to win.

Don’t miss the exciting programming, innovations, and prize opportunities at the Clean Current 2026 Innovation Power House!