GWVPP CO. LLC TO PARTNER WITH JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY IN 2027 HYDROPOWER COLLEGIATE COMPETITION
MAY 20, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. / HARRISONBURG, VA — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) has officially announced the selection of James Madison University (JMU) as one of only 15 elite collegiate teams nationwide to compete in the prestigious 2027 Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC).
The 2027 HCC tasks the country's brightest student-led teams with addressing critical challenges in the water power sector, including retrofitting non-powered dams, optimizing pumped storage infrastructure, and capturing clean energy from pressurized conduits.
Under the technical direction of GWVPP CO. LLC, the JMU team’s competitive proposal centers on a highly innovative, sustainable vision. This project aims to advance tech-neutral, high-efficiency solutions that align with modern federal renewable energy frameworks while prioritizing ecosystem health and local community impact.
"The Hydropower Collegiate Competition challenges the next generation to find and advance bold new ideas for water power," said Nichole Fitzgerald, H2O Director, in the Department of Energy’s official release. "The competitions offer students real-world experience and prepare them for careers supporting Americans' energy needs."
The competition challenges begin in Fall 2026, forcing teams to rigorously defend their concepts across multiple categories, including the Siting, Design, and Community Connections Challenges. The competition will culminate in a live, in-person presentation at a major hydro-industry event in Spring 2027.
For more details on the official DOE selection and to view the complete list of competing universities, visit the U.S. Department of Energy Announcement.
About GWVPP CO. LLC
The Gravitational Water Vortex Power Plant Company specializes in the innovation, design, and development of low head hydropower solutions. Committed to technical excellence and local environmental stewardship, GWVPP CO. designs next-generation distributed energy infrastructure that harmonizes power generation with ecological vitality.
WASHINGTON, D.C. / HARRISONBURG, VA — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) has officially announced the selection of James Madison University (JMU) as one of only 15 elite collegiate teams nationwide to compete in the prestigious 2027 Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC).
The 2027 HCC tasks the country's brightest student-led teams with addressing critical challenges in the water power sector, including retrofitting non-powered dams, optimizing pumped storage infrastructure, and capturing clean energy from pressurized conduits.
Under the technical direction of GWVPP CO. LLC, the JMU team’s competitive proposal centers on a highly innovative, sustainable vision. This project aims to advance tech-neutral, high-efficiency solutions that align with modern federal renewable energy frameworks while prioritizing ecosystem health and local community impact.
"The Hydropower Collegiate Competition challenges the next generation to find and advance bold new ideas for water power," said Nichole Fitzgerald, H2O Director, in the Department of Energy’s official release. "The competitions offer students real-world experience and prepare them for careers supporting Americans' energy needs."
The competition challenges begin in Fall 2026, forcing teams to rigorously defend their concepts across multiple categories, including the Siting, Design, and Community Connections Challenges. The competition will culminate in a live, in-person presentation at a major hydro-industry event in Spring 2027.
For more details on the official DOE selection and to view the complete list of competing universities, visit the U.S. Department of Energy Announcement.
About GWVPP CO. LLC
The Gravitational Water Vortex Power Plant Company specializes in the innovation, design, and development of low head hydropower solutions. Committed to technical excellence and local environmental stewardship, GWVPP CO. designs next-generation distributed energy infrastructure that harmonizes power generation with ecological vitality.