Spotlight |
markets, more realistic hydrology, and more interaction with other energy resources.”
Global reach Though developed in the US, the Hydropower Market Game has already found a global audience. Since its beta launch in mid-2025, it has been downloaded more than 400 times across 50 countries, with particularly strong engagement through professional networks. “We honestly didn’t expect such international
reach,” Ploussard said. “We thought most of our audience would be in the US, but hydropower is a global industry, and people everywhere are looking for creative ways to teach and communicate what we do.” Interest on social media has also been strong. A
LinkedIn post announcing the beta received hundreds of positive reactions and shares, particularly from engineers and educators eager to test the platform in classrooms and training sessions. For Ploussard, these early metrics are less about numbers and more about impact. “The real success for us would be seeing the game used in STEM programs, classrooms, and industry outreach events,” he said. “If it helps both students and professionals better understand hydropower’s role in the grid, then we’ve achieved our goal.”
Get involved
The Hydropower Market Game (Beta) is now available for download via the project’s official webpage. Argonne and NREL are actively seeking feedback from the hydropower community to inform future development. Educators, students, and professionals alike are encouraged to explore the tool and share their experiences.
Project page: https://www.
anl.gov/hydropower/ hydropower-game
Users can submit comments directly through the project’s online survey or by emailing the Argonne research team (
qploussard@anl.gov)
Fish trail game from PNNL:
https://www.pnnl.gov/ projects/fish-trails
Potential for expansion As the energy system evolves toward more integrated,
multi-resource portfolios, the Hydropower Market Game could also evolve to reflect this reality. Ploussard and his colleagues are already envisioning how future versions might include hybrid scenarios, where hydropower interacts with other renewables such as solar or wind, or even with thermal and nuclear assets in a full market context. “Integrating other generation types would make the
market representation even more realistic,” he said. “It would also help players understand the complementary roles of different technologies – how hydro supports solar and wind, and how flexible assets stabilise the grid.” These potential expansions underscore a broader
trend in the sector: the need for systems thinking. As hydropower becomes increasingly valued for its flexibility rather than raw energy output, tools that simulate these interactions can play a key role in both training and policy understanding.
Building a bridge between research
and engagement For Argonne and NREL, the Hydropower Market Game also serves as a model for translational research communication, turning complex modelling
12 | November 2025 |
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and operational concepts into interactive learning experiences. Behind the game’s simple interface lies real hydropower physics and market logic, drawn from decades of research on system operations, dispatch optimisation, and energy-water nexus modelling. “We want to make research accessible,” Ploussard
said. “The game sits at the intersection of science, education, and outreach. It’s not just a game, it’s a conversation starter.” That conversation, he believes, is essential
to sustaining innovation in a mature industry. “Hydropower has been around for over a century, but its story is still unfolding,” he said. “As we integrate more renewables, its flexibility and storage capabilities become even more critical. Yet many people, even in engineering, don’t really understand how it works. If this game helps change that, then we’ve succeeded.”
Looking ahead
With early feedback pouring in and international interest growing, the project team is now focused on consolidating results and preparing for potential continuation funding. The WPTO seedling framework was designed precisely for such innovative proofs of concept – small projects that demonstrate high-impact potential. “Our current phase was really a one-year proof of concept,” Ploussard explained. “We wanted to show that this kind of interactive, technically grounded game could work. The next step is to expand and refine it, and ideally make it a sustained educational platform.” Future updates could include enhanced hydrological modelling, expanded market mechanisms, and integrations with classroom lesson plans or professional certification programs. “Ultimately, we’d love to see it embedded in engineering curricula,” he said. “Hydropower deserves a seat at the table when students learn about energy systems.” Asked what excites him most about the project,
Ploussard didn’t hesitate. “Two things,” he said. “First, the reaction from the hydropower community – seeing their field represented in a fun, educational way. And second, the excitement from students. Teenagers don’t want to read fact sheets, they love video games. Seeing them light up about learning real-world engineering through play is incredibly rewarding.” That intergenerational resonance, he noted, is rare. “It’s not often you build something that speaks equally to professionals and to students. That’s what makes this project so special.”
Indeed, for an industry that has powered the nation for over a century, finding new ways to connect with the next generation may be the most powerful innovation of all.
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