The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office is searching for the BEST photos of water power in the United States* with the just-announced Make a Splash Photo Contest.
In addition to the prizes described below, including a $2,000 cash prize, winning entries will be featured on the Water Power Technologies Office website, exhibited at DOE headquarters, and displayed in other Office material.
*All photos must be taken within the United States or U.S. Territories or be of U.S. technology in foreign water.
Prizes and Photo Categories
Prizes up to $2,000 will be awarded to entries across seven categories:
1. Overall Hydropower – grand prize
Hydropower, including multiuse dams and reservoirs.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the Overall Hydropower category. Ice Harbor Dam in Washington.
2. Overall Marine Energy – grand prize
Marine energy technologies, such as measurement buoys, wave energy converters, and ocean thermal energy converters.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the Overall Marine Energy category. Northwest Energy Innovations' Azura(TM) wave energy device at the United States Navy's Wave Energy Test Site near Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawai'i.
3. Recreational Hydropower
The recreational use of hydropower, including swimming, boating, fishing, camping, skiing, and hiking—just some of the recreational activities that take place year-round and across the country at sites developed and supported by the hydropower industry.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the Recreational Hydropower category. St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, MN, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project.
4. Community/Local Hydropower
Small-scale, low-head hydropower that provides local or community power.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the Community/Local Hydropower category. Weisenberger Mill in Kentucky.
5. STEM/Educational Opportunities of Water Power
Youth and students of all ages interacting with and learning about water power technologies.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the STEM/Educational Opportunities of Water Power. Children observe a test of the spillway gates at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers J. Strom Thurmond Dam in Clarks Hill, South Carolina.
6. Jobs/Economic Development of Water Power
Professionals employed by the water power sectors, including maintenance and operations.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the Jobs/Economic Development of Water Power category. Scientists tag eels to track their migration through Dam 4 in the Potomac River to the Sargasso Sea.
7. Research and Development of New Water Power Technologies
Researchers working to advance water power technologies, whether in a lab setting or in the field.
Example of a photo that could be entered under the Research and Development of New Water Power Technologies category.
Submitting Photos
Submit photos and find a full set of rules and instructions for submittal on the Make a Splash Photo Contest website. Contact Water.Photos@nrel.gov with questions.
All submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. MDT on July 16, 2018.
Judging and Winner Announcements
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges selected by DOE. We look forward to seeing your photos!
Water you waiting for? Submit today!