Chelan County PUD
About Us
The Hydropower Research Institute
Founded as a non-profit in 2018, HRI provides a platform for sharing data and exchanging ideas, analysis, and observations.
Our vision is a digitally enabled hydropower industry that provides the availability, flexibility, and adaptability to be the cornerstone of the electrical grid.
Our mission is to ensure hydropower continues to be the premier electricity-generating resource in the transition to a low- to no-carbon grid by embracing digital transformation and technological advancement.
WHAT WE DO
HRI aggregates and shares hydropower operational and event data from across the industry.
We recognize that large data sets are necessary to optimize predictive analytics and deep learning. We created a user-friendly environment to navigate the world of big data. Our operational dataset utilizes a universal framework to organize individual member datasets in a way that allows users to easily find what they’re looking for, while protecting member anonymity.
Our event dataset leverages existing regulatory structure to provide familiarity to users and eases the contribution process for members.
OUR COMMUNITY
We are a growing community of hydropower owner-operators and researchers.
HRI was founded on the belief that hydropower owner-operators can accomplish more by working together than any organization can achieve alone.
Today, HRI continues to bring members together to share data, collaborate on projects, and exchange best practices in digital transformation. Led by our members, HRI advances projects that benefit our members, strengthen our collective knowledge, and create lasting value for the hydropower industry.
OUR COMMITMENT
Digital Transformation
As the energy landscape continues to change, hydropower offers the flexibility, reliability, and energy-storage capabilities needed to support a cleaner and more resilient grid. HRI is committed to helping hydropower facilities move confidently toward a digital future. By making data more accessible and actionable, we help facilities strengthen operational and maintenance decisions, plan capital investments, and adapt to emerging needs. Together, these efforts help ensure that hydropower remains a trusted and essential source of clean electricity for generations to come.
PARTNERSHIPS
Fostering Research
Through HRI, researchers can work with large amounts of operational and event data across multiple utilities and draw on the real knowledge of hydropower owner-operators. This connection provides valuable context, helps researchers refine their questions, and supports studies grounded in real-world industry needs. In turn, their work contributes to a stronger understanding of topics such as maintenance optimization, asset performance, and digital twin development.
The HRI Community
OUR TEAM
Leadership
Our leadership team is comprised of individuals from member organizations as part of or commitment to being member driven. They ensure we continue to address challenges and opportunities facing our members and the hydropower industry more broadly.
- Secretary
Parik Daware
New York Power Authority
Chelan County PUD
- VP, Standards
Zach Behrens
Chelan County PUD
- VP, Member Engagement
Clark Bishop
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- VP, Platform
Rob Mager
Ontario Power Generation
- VP, Services
David Sanna
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Our Board
Our board is made up of industry leaders from member organizations committed to advancing digital transformation across the hydropower industry.
Chelan County PUD
New York Power Authority
- Board Member
Trish Lombardi
New York Power Authority