This work supports executive order 14154 unleashing american energy dominance by ensuring reliable delivery of hydropower in the western united states

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $131,515 Cooperative Agreement to National Experienced Workforce Solutions, Inc. on September 17, 2025, under the Experienced Services Program (CFDA 15.070). The agreement extends through March 31, 2028, and supports Executive Order 14154 by ensuring reliable hydropower delivery in the Western United States. The awardee will deploy experienced professionals aged 55 and older to develop and validate mathematical models of Reclamation hydroelectric powerplants based on data collected during North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) testing of hydropower control systems.

These hydropower models will be integrated into large-scale modeling cases simulating the entire Western United States power grid to evaluate system disturbances and validate stable generator responses at both individual and system-wide levels. The deliverables are critical to maintaining grid stability and ensuring reliable power supply across the Western region. As an Older Americans Act Title V program, this cooperative agreement leverages experienced workers to provide specialized technical expertise in hydropower modeling and control systems analysis that supplements Reclamation's internal capacity.

Under this agreement, work shall be conducted to develop and validate models of reclamation hydroelectric powerplants based on data collected during north american electric reliability corporation (nerc) western electricity coordinating council (wecc) testing of the hydropower control systems. These models are used in large modeling cases of the entire western united states power grid to simulate disturbances and ensure stable responses of the individual generators as well as the system as a whole. Developing accurate and reliable models is critical to ensuring stable power for the western united states.