The Contest was first held in Denver at WATERPOWER '91. It was developed primarily to offer college students an opportunity
to acquire some hands-on experience with the principles of water-to-power
energy conversion. As it has grown we have found that it is a good introduction
to the hydropower industry and its possible careers. Several competitors have found entry-level engineering jobs after participating in the Contest and concurrent conferences.
Each year some of the test stand parameters have been changed to keep the competition interesting and challenging. Gross head has been altered from three to five meters. The weight to lift has ranged from 1 kilogram to 5 kilograms. The lift distance has been either three or four meters. The size of the water supply tube has been 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. See the Results page for a description of the parameters for the last several years.
Each year as many as 250 students and faculty use the Contest kits and information to conduct engineering labs, student projects, and intramural competitions. Some of these have entered the annual Contest, held each summer, to compete for cash, scholarships, software, and seminars.
| Past Participating Colleges and Universities | ||
|
Alfred University California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Concordia University, Montreal Dordt College General Motors Institute Gonzaga University Grove City College Hudson Valley Community College Iowa State University Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario Lawrence Technnological University Loyola-Marymount University Massachusetts Maritime Academy McGill University Middle Tennesse State University New Mexico State University New York Institute of Technology Northern Arizona University Ohio University |
Oregon State University Portland State University Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario San Diego State University San Juan University, Argentina Stark State College of Technology Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University Texas Tech University University of Akron University of British Columbia University of California, San Diego University of Colorado University of Dayton University of Florida University of Hartford University of Hawaii University of Idaho University of Iowa |
University of Maine, Orono University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth University of Minnesota University of Missouri, Rolla University of Nebraska, Lincoln University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Nevada, Reno University of North Carolina, Charlotte University of the Pacific, Stockton University of Portland University of Southwestern Louisiana University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Utah University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison Valparaiso University Virginia Tech, Clover Hollow School Wentworth Institute of Technology Yeungnam University, Korea York College of Pennsylvania |
Though the Contest was initially designed for students, it has always
been open to other individuals and teams interested in hydro power. Each
year a number of the competitors have been non-students. Each year the
Contest has special categories of competition for non-students (and special
prizes, too).
Starting in '98, the Contest has sponsored a Walk-On competition for exhibitors and conferees attending the host conference. The Walk-On competitors are given a set of modular, snap-together components and challenged to build a prize-winning entry within a 30 minute time frame. Most succeed in lifting the required weight within these constraints and some are very competitive. The Walk-On competition also has some unique prizes!
| Past Participating Companies | ||
| Alden Research Laboratory, Inc. Baller Hammett Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Denver Water Department GE Hydro Harza Engineering Company Hetch Hetchy Water & Power |
Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research Kleinschmidt Associates Lalonde, Girouard, Letendre & Associates Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Ontario Hydro Oroville-Wyandotte Irrigation District Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
Prime Machine Raging River Power & Mining Inc. St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory Southern California Edison Synergics, Inc. The Tata Power Company US Army Corps of Engineers Voith Hydro |