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Mark Cook reflects on 15 years at Hoover Dam

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Mark Cook reflects on 15 years at Hoover Dam

If you go to Mark Cook’s LinkedIn page, you’ll see his self-described job title: “Manager of the most iconic hydro power facility in the world.”

Cook spoke similarly in a recent interview with Power Engineering. As manager of Hoover Dam for the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, there are days at work where he still pinches himself.

“It is such an incredible place,” said Cook. “Often when I come around the last turn and see the dam it feels like my heart skips a beat. Hoover Dam really seems to be known and beloved throughout the world.”

This article was previously published on sister site Power Engineering.

Hoover Dam, operated by Reclamation, is located on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona and impounds water for a powerhouse with a capacity of 2,078 MW. The powerhouse contains 17 Francis turbine-generator units and began operating in 1936.

Cook speaks from the perspective of someone who knows Hoover Dam well, having worked at the plant for 15 years. He started out as an electrical engineer, primarily working on the hydropower plant’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. He recalled “amazing mentors” who taught him what it took to run a facility of its size.

“The SCADA system touches so many systems in the plant, it provided a great way to learn about how everything works,” said Cook.

This role led him on the path to becoming the engineering group supervisor, then the chief of the engineering office and finally, Hoover Dam facility manager.

“My goals haven’t changed much over the years,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be in a position to use my skills do the most good for the facility.”

On modern hydro

As energy systems evolve, Cook tells us hydropower will need to be flexible.

Being able to support the grid with capacity and ramping has never been more important, he said, citing advances in turbines that can operate efficiently at a wider range of heads. 

“Reservoir systems seem to be seeing higher variability in precipitation than ever before and the equipment needs to be ready to handle very dry and very wet hydrology,” he said.

At Hoover Dam, he said the turbines have been replaced with a new design that operates more efficiently at a wider range of reservoir elevations. Reclamation has also made modifications to the wicket gates and replaced generator controls to allow for more efficient operations.

But Cook says modern hydro can offer even more.

“The stability provided by the rotating mass of traditional generators is often overlooked,” he said. “I would love to see a bit more research into the role hydropower plays in providing grid stability from an inertia standpoint.”

Much has been discussed about the aging of hydropower infrastructure. Cook said while that needs to be addressed, the investment is well worth it.

He believes the future of hydropower is bright, citing a renewal of its recognition as a renewable energy resource.  

“I’m excited to see the public’s interest return to thinking about and discussing hydro as a major player in the future of the world’s energy portfolio,” he said.