Water Power Technologies Office Semiannual Stakeholder Webinars

WPTO hosted its latest Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar on Thursday, Aug. 22. In this webinar, experts from WPTO led a discussion on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The discussion included where WPTO sees potential benefits and uses of these tools in the hydropower and marine energy sectors and where they may already be in use.

Webinar Timestamps: 

0:00—Introduction by Maxine Hillman, WPTO Communications
5:15—Matthew Grosso, Acting Director, WPTO
15:52—Michael Mazur, Policy Advisor, Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies
23:00—Charles Yang, Policy Advisor, Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies
29:40—Swara Salih, Marine Energy Data Analyst
36:06—Maxine Hillman, WPTO Communications
38:35—Swara Salih, Marine Energy Data Analyst
41:36—Ken Chandonait, Hydropower Engineer
57:07—Q&A with Speakers
1:18:14—Closing Remarks, Maxine Hillman, WPTO Communications

WPTO hosted its latest Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar on Thursday, May 9. Staff and leadership dove into current and future funding opportunities, how the office is working with partners across the country and beyond, and other accomplishments, news, and updates since the last retrospective stakeholder webinar in November. 

Webinar Timestamps:

0:00—Introduction by Maxine Hillman, WPTO Communications
4:05—Matthew Grosso, Acting Director - WPTO
11:25—Corey Vezina, Hydropower Program Manager, WPTO
20:24—Tim Ramsey, Marine Energy Program Manager, WPTO
35:13—Beth Hartman, Strategic Innovation and Outreach Program Manager, WPTO
43:05—Opportunities and Upcoming Events, Maxine Hillman
46:14—Q&A with Speakers
1:11:57—Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
1:15:05—More Q&A with Speakers and Closing

What’s coming down the road for WPTO? How is the office making decisions about research and development priorities? In this webinar, WPTO leaders and team members discuss the office's strategic planning process and the Advanced Manufacturing and Materials for Hydropower Strategy (the first strategy to result from this process), as well as external collaborations that could guide next steps in the Marine Energy Program. 

Join staff and leadership from the Water Power Technologies Office to hear about how the office is working with partners across the country and beyond to achieve office, department, and administration goals for a clean energy future through water power projects. Dive into current and future funding opportunities and hear about other accomplishments, news, and updates since the last stakeholder webinar in April.

The leadership team at the Water Power Technologies Office looked back at some of their biggest accomplishments from the last year and previewed what’s yet to come during their Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar on April 4, 2023. The team also introduced Beth Hartman, the new program manager of the Strategic Innovation & Outreach Program.

The leadership team at the Water Power Technologies Office reported the results of the 2022 Peer Review process that took place this summer during their Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar on Nov. 9, 2022. The team provided updates on major accomplishments, current funding opportunities, and all that has taken place since they last presented in March 2022.

Webinar Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction by Maxine Hillman, Communications Analyst
4:23 - Jennifer Garson, Director, Water Power Technologies Office
12:12 - Corey Vezina, Hydropower Technology Manager
20:20 - Samuel Bockenhauer, HydroWIRES Lead
32:53 - Tim Ramsey, Marine Energy Program Manager
46:48 - Ashley Brooks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead
50:18 - Maxine Hillman, Communications Analyst
52:00 - Q&A with Water Power Technologies Office Leadership Team

Download the presentation slides.

The leadership team at the Water Power Technologies office looked back at some of their biggest accomplishments from the last year and previewed what’s yet to come during their Semiannual Stakeholder Webinar on March 10, 2022. Plus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelly Speakes-Backman spoke to administration priorities for the coming year as well as the investment in water power projects that will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Webinar Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction by Maxine Hillman, Communications Analyst
2:30 – Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
15:30 – Jennifer Garson, Director of Water Power Technologies Office
25:23 – Corey Vezina, Hydropower Technology Manager
34:30 – Samuel Bockenhauer, HydroWIRES Lead
42:45 – Tim Ramsey, Marine Energy Program Manager
53:00 – Tessa Greco, Powering the Blue Economy Lead
1:00:40 – Ashley Brooks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead
1:03:46 – Q&A with Water Power Technologies Office Leadership Team

Download the presentation slides.

Led by the new Acting Director of WPTO, Jenn Garson, WPTO shared water power highlights from the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. Program representatives also highlighted ongoing programs and open opportunities. The webinar closed with a Q&A. Download the presentation slides.

Led by WPTO Director Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman, and WPTO program representatives, this webinar discussed some of the most pressing changes affecting water power R&D in 2021, provided updates on the administration transition, highlighted recent announcements and publications, shared project updates, and discussed upcoming priorities. Download the presentation slides.

Led by WPTO Director Alejandro Moreno, WPTO highlighted recent announcements and publications, shared project updates, and discussed upcoming priorities. Download the presentation slides.

Program representatives including WPTO Director Alejandro Moreno highlighted key feedback received during discussions at the 2019 WPTO Peer Review, past year accomplishments, and priorities in 2020. Download the presentation slides.

Led by WPTO Director Alejandro Moreno, this webinar explained what the Water Power Technologies Office does, how someone can work with the team, and upcoming opportunities to engage with the office. Download the presentation slides.