The Industry Agrees: Clean Currents Is Key to the Future of Waterpower

The Industry Agrees: Clean Currents Is Key to the Future of Waterpower

NHA thanks our sponsors:

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Clean Currents is a paradigm shift. 

It’s a waterpower conference that serves the industry that supports it—with programming topics based on industry input, innovation sessions led by leaders in the waterpower industry, and the Innovation Power House, where attendees will put their minds together to solve the industry’s challenges. 

But the real power is how the conference is —by design—created to shape the future of the waterpower industry. 

“We are excited that the NHA – the hydropower industry champion – has created Clean Currents to continue promoting the growth of clean, renewable hydropower. We are thrilled that this event will focus on all aspects of our industry and will benefit all companies that are passionate about hydropower,” said Russ Sanford, Chief Marketing Officer, Kleinschmidt. 

Carl Atkinson, Director, Sales and Marketing, Voith Hydro, adds “Our participation in this new and progressive event will allow us to connect with customers, consultants, vendors, regulators, and other innovators and experts, while simultaneously strengthening and growing the NHA as the voice of our hydroelectric industry.” 

Clean Currents Helps You Meet the Waterpower Players You Don’t Already Know, Reconnect with the Ones You Do 

Clean Currents is a homecoming for everyone in the waterpower industry. 

Attendees from across the full waterpower spectrum — conventional hydropower, pumped storage, small hydro, and marine energy — will find numerous opportunities at Clean Currents. One of the benefits of a conference designed to help attendees in every role is the opportunity to have meaningful, across-industry conversations. 

Herbie Johnson, Hydro General Manager, Southern Company, expressed the importance of this dialogue. “I need to be there to meet face to face with the other owners, with the vendors, with the suppliers and talk about what’s the innovation out there. Let’s put the hands on some of the products out there. And what are the other experiences, because I don’t want to miss something that can help us make a better decision.” 

“This is a huge opportunity to do business … to actually solve problems, create opportunities, and deal with challenges that other people might be facing. It could be best practices, it could be new things that are happening, that we’re sharing with people,” continues Mike Haynes, Assistant General Manager, Seattle City Light. 

As people gather in person, NHA is committed to providing a safe and successful experience. The city of Atlanta has issued an executive order requiring mask use in all public places while indoors. Clean Currents and the Georgia World Congress Center will follow this order to help protect our attendees. To comply with the current protocols, all attendees and exhibitors will be required to wear a mask while in the conference center – even if fully vaccinated. Upon arrival, all attendees will receive a complimentary NHA mask. Should these policies change, NHA will provide you with any updates. 

Clean Currents will feature socially distanced room setups and will practice social distancing throughout our conference area. 

The Georgia World Congress Center announced in June 2021 that it was the first convention center in the United States to achieve Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR facility accreditation. The more than 4 million-square-foot facility documented each step of its procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention. 

“Although we have found new ways of conducting business, nothing is better than one-on-one interactions, so I salute NHA for their brave leadership and unwavering commitment to organizing this large, in-person event – with suitable precautions,” said Roger Clarke-Johnson, Hydro Business Development, Emerson. 

Innovation is a Driving Theme for Clean Currents 

The Innovation Power House (located in the heart of CC: Central, the main floor of the event containing exhibits, education session space, and lunch area) will host more than 20 events designed to facilitate discussions among asset owners, leaders in water power, and those who are looking to help shape the future of water power. Additional meet-and-greet events allow for informal discussions where you can meet a future partner, employer, or problem-solver. 

The Innovation Power House merges the convivial nature of our industry with the power of education for an innovative leap forward for the water power industry. Through an inclusive and fun process, every attendee can get involved in generating ideas for next-generation research, development, and deployment to help shape priorities and funding for the future. 

This hot spot will keep the energy up with Technology and Innovation Exchanges every 30 minutes in the Innovation Demonstration stations. 

The Innovation Power House is bound to be a conference favorite. 

Imagine What We Can Accomplish When We All Get Together to Solve the Problems Facing the Industry as a Whole 

“The nation’s energy makeup continues to evolve as more states adopt changing climate and clean energy goals. It is incumbent on hydropower owners and operators to keep pace with rapid policy and market developments to stay relevant. Clean Currents facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices, supporting innovation to meet the needs of the changing energy landscape,” said Jack Lincoln, Federal Government Affairs & Member Programs Manager, Northern California Power Agency. 

Education at Clean Currents is designed to keep our community relevant and to take  everyone’s needs into consideration. From both a topic point-of-view, and a focus based on the job functions of attendees. 

Clean Currents will offer more than 16 professional development hours of technical-, operations- and business-focused content. Programming at Clean Currents features the latest insights on operations and maintenance, safety, business/market opportunities, environmental concerns, licensing/regulatory, and other issues that impact the business of waterpower.  

Four learning environments—roundtable dialogues, classroom presentations, panel discussions, and workshops—help you learn about topics important to you in a way that is engaging and constructive. Plus, daily kick-off plenary sessions get the gears turning so you’re in a learning mindset and are inspired by industry luminaries. 

The Future of Waterpower Starts at Clean Currents 

Clean Currents is the only national waterpower event that will reinvest proceeds back into the industry: the money spent at the conference and tradeshow will be used by NHA to elevate all forms of waterpower in the clean energy future. 

 “When it comes to supporting a conference, it’s really important to know where those dollars are going to go, and we know that the National Hydropower Association is doing amazing work to get our issues out in front,” said Kurt Miller, executive director, Northwest RiverPartners. 

As one of the largest generators of clean, renewable energy, hydropower provides America’s path to a carbon-free renewable energy future. NHA advocates for that sustainable future and for hydropower as America’s first and most flexible, sustainable, and renewable energy resource. 

“Duke Energy is proud to support NHA’s Clean Currents 2021. The conference aligns with our mission to provide clean, renewable energy to our customers as we transition to a lower-carbon energy future,” said Randy Herrin, PE, Vice President Carolinas Regulated Renewables, Fossil Hydro Operations, Duke Energy. 

Join Your Waterpower Peers in Atlanta from October 18 – 22 

“I want to extend a great Southern welcome for you to attend Clean Currents 2021 and attend in person,” invites Herbie Johnson. “Join me and my colleagues at Southern Company in Atlanta, as we get together for the first time in a while to discuss the challenges and pave a very bright path forward for our industry. Let’s be there together.”