2026 Conference Sessions

Waterpower Hydro Basics

January 19, 2026

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

301B

Waterpower Hydro Basics

A favorite from the former HYDROVISION International conference, Waterpower Hydro Basics is a practical training designed to equip professionals with essential knowledge of hydropower. Ideal for newcomers, those with limited experience and industry veterans seeking a refresher, this course provides a comprehensive foundation in hydro technology and its role in today’s energy mix.

Participants will learn how hydropower complements both renewable and thermal resources, while exploring its operational flexibility, grid services and value to a resilient energy system.

Key Focus Areas

Hydraulic design and fundamentals
Turbine and generator basics
Power system integration
Facility operations and maintenance
Environmental management and fish passage
Regulatory considerations
Community and stakeholder engagement

Why Attend

Build a solid foundation in hydropower technology and operations
Understand hydro’s role within the broader generation portfolio
Learn directly from experienced industry professionals
Gain practical knowledge for advancing your career and supporting organizational goals

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals across power generation and related industries, including:

Generation Owners & Operators – Strengthen succession planning, broaden technical expertise and deepen understanding of cross-resource operations.
Manufacturers, Suppliers & Service Providers – Anticipate client needs, align services with industry investment cycles and expand cross-selling opportunities.
Engineers & Technical Specialists – Gain applied knowledge in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering aspects of hydropower.
Early-Career Professionals & Industry Veterans – Whether starting out or refreshing expertise, benefit from a focused, practical curriculum.

Please note: This is a separate co-located event requiring an additional registration fee.

Cost: $250

"This is my first year at POWERGEN and so far I can just say, wow, this event is huge. I never thought I would have access to so many different vendors and so many different experts in the energy industry by coming to an event like this."

Caitlyn Watkins

Cleco

"It's my first time at POWERGEN. I'm having a great time walking around and seeing all of the booths in the exhibit hall and everything that everybody's trying to sell me, as well as a lot of very useful technical presentations. My particular favorite has been the carbon capture track, but they've all been good that I've attended so far."

Janelle Dana

Entergy

"Hi, I’m Chad Lemoine with Entergy... here as a corrective actions program specialist. It’s my first time at POWERGEN, so it’s been great for networking. I’ve met personnel at our plants I’d only talked to on the phone, so that face-to-face interaction has been really good. I’ve enjoyed meeting new people, learning about what they do, and how it interacts with my work... Overall, it's been a really good time."

Chad Lemoine

Entergy

"I think my favorite part of the conference has been essentially the Smarter Power Plant Track. There's been a lot of good [takeaways] for us because our plans are quite old, so there's a lot of manual readings and things, but me being the IT generation, I think it could be done better. So having a lot of these [takeaways] from companies who have [accomplished what] we are wanting to do is great. It's been really eye opening networking with all of the exhibitors [as well]. It's my first time here, but I don’t think it's going to be my last."

Jonathan Hellborg

Svensk Kraftreserv

“Nel’s chosen to sponsor and be part of POWERGEN because it's one of the more important shows in the hydrogen market, also the power generation market in general. Over the years, we've seen a shift in POWERGEN from more traditional power generation to a greater presence with renewables, and now with hydrogen, as an energy source, moving into the future.”

Chris Van Name

Nel Hydrogen

“We're here today at the conference because I believe this is the largest power generation conference there is in the country. One, it's a way to get our name out and that's why we're sponsoring it. But two, it's also a great way to connect with other groups, other organizations and, you know, meet the people who are actually important for our own progression as a company.”

James Walker

Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc

“We come to POWERGEN every year because it's a great show you can make great contacts in the renewable space, great contacts in the data center space, great contacts in the commercial industrial space. So that's why we're here every year. You should be here too.”

David D’Escoto

Maddox Industrial Transformer