| Spotlight
can respond quickly to changing grid conditions, and how storage allows energy to be shifted in time – that’s the backbone of grid stability in a renewable future.” Beyond the physics of water and power, the
Hydropower Market Game also introduces players to electricity market dynamics. Early scenarios task players with balancing local electricity supply and demand, mirroring the real-time operational challenge faced by grid operators. As they progress, the objectives shift toward market participation, requiring players to respond to price signals rather than direct load following. The fictional setting – the town of Blue Rapid, Colorado – serves as a simplified microcosm of US grid operations. “Of course, in reality, these processes occur on a much larger scale,” Ploussard acknowledged. “But conceptually, the mechanics are the same. Hydropower plants must continually adjust generation to match demand or optimise revenue, all while respecting physical and environmental constraints.” This dual emphasis on technical accuracy and gamified learning reflects a broader educational strategy: help players build intuition for system behaviour rather than rote technical detail. “We don’t expect people to walk away calculating head losses or turbine efficiencies,” he said. “But we do want them to understand the trade-offs between water, energy, and environment that operators face every day.”
Representing real-world constraints While the team worked hard to maintain an accessible
learning curve, realism remained a guiding principle. Environmental flow requirements are integrated into the scheduling challenges, meaning players must maintain flow rates within allowable limits and manage reservoir levels responsibly. Empty a reservoir too quickly, and you’ll run out of water; exceed ramping limits, and penalties apply. This, Ploussard said, mirrors a central truth of
hydropower operations: “It’s not just about maximising revenue. It’s about respecting operating constraints – minimum flows, ramping limits, and environmental considerations. Players quickly see that if they focus only on profits, they’ll fail operationally.” The current beta version focuses primarily on power generation, grid operation, and basic water management, but the team is already thinking about future expansions. “We don’t simulate fish passage or recreational use directly, because those are complex systems on their own,” Ploussard said. “But we’re exploring connections to other DOE-funded games, like Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Fish Trail, which focuses on ecological impacts. In the future,
linking these experiences could create a more holistic hydropower education suite.”
Engaging the next generation - and the
current one Although the Hydropower Market Game was conceived primarily as a workforce development tool, its appeal has extended far beyond the classroom. “Our main target audience is high school students – roughly ages 14 to 17,” Ploussard said. “That’s the stage when students start thinking seriously about careers. They have the math and science background to understand basic concepts, and they’re also open to inspiration.” However, industry professionals have also
responded enthusiastically. “We’ve seen strong engagement from people already working in hydropower who enjoy seeing their field represented in a modern, interactive way,” Ploussard noted. “It’s rare to find something that resonates equally with students and experts.” For educators, the game provides a visual and hands-on way to teach energy literacy, bridging the gap between textbook theory and system operation. For industry, it’s a potential outreach and training tool that can demystify hydropower’s role in the grid for non-specialists and policy audiences alike. “Think of it as Hydropower 101 packaged in a serious game,” said Ploussard. “It gives players an intuitive grasp of how river flows generate electricity, how reservoirs are managed, and how hydropower integrates with the broader energy system.”
Beta testing and community feedback Currently available as a beta release, the Hydropower
Market Game is being actively tested by users from across the hydropower community, including students, educators, researchers, and plant operators. The development team is seeking broad feedback to refine both technical accuracy and user experience. “We don’t want to limit the kind of feedback we
receive,” said Ploussard. “Everything is valuable – gameplay, visuals, clarity, usability. We’re a small team, fewer than ten people, so the best design choices often come from collaborative input.” Feedback can be submitted directly through the
project’s official webpage or by email. While the current seedling project phase is wrapping up, the collected insights will inform a potential Phase 2 of development, pending future funding. “Right now we’re focused on fixing bugs and ensuring smooth cross-platform play,” Ploussard said. “But if we secure funding for a second phase, we want to expand the game based on community feedback – deeper
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