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Hydro Power Contest


Welcome to the Hydro Power Contest web page.


PLEASE NOTE: The Hydro Power Contest national competition has been canceled for the foreseeable future.


What is the Hydro Power Contest?


The Hydro Power Contest is an opportunity for students and other interested people to demonstrate their ideas for turning water into power. To compete, each individual or team is required to construct a device that converts the gravity potential of water into mechanical power and then submit the device for testing under competition conditions.

During the competition, the mechanical power produced by each device and its efficiency will be measured. The devices that lift a weight through a fixed distance in the shortest period of time or with the least amount of water will win their classes of competition.

Contestants' designs in two competition categories must incorporate a turbine wheel that is provided in the Turbine Kit. In three categories, contestants can use wheels of their own design.

The Hydro Power Contest is administered by HANDS-ON! Projects. Hydro Review magazine originated the Contest and is a sustaining supporter. Tennessee Valley Authority provides the annual Contest Test Stand. Other organizations also support and sponsor the contest. They provide scholarships, cash awards, and other great prizes. A panel of hydropower industry experts serves as Contest monitors and judges.

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If you have questions:

e-mail:hands-on@rcn.com

Write: HANDS-ON! Projects, 9 Mayflower Road, Northborough, MA 01532
Phone: (508) 351-6023
FAX: (508) 351-6023
This phone and FAX number are the same but our voice/fax/modem software can tell the difference as it answers the phone.
No need to call ahead to be sure the FAX machine is running.