Vancouver, BC, Canada, March 20, 2026 – James O’Reilly, Senior Engineer at Knight Piésold Canada, presented AI applications for pumped storage hydro at the CEATI 2026 Hydropower Conference.

The conference, held March 17–18 in San Diego, California, brought together over 700 utility professionals across North America and internationally under the theme “Hydropower Unleashed: Tools, Trends and Tactics for a Resilient Future.” Sessions covered dam safety, plant equipment, operations and planning, and pumped storage hydro.

O’Reilly presented “A Modern Digital Delivery Framework for Pumped Storage Hydropower Projects” during Session D4.1. His presentation explored how AI tools are being applied on a major pumped storage hydro project to manage the coordination complexity that defines large-scale infrastructure delivery.

The presentation introduced a framework built on three principles: complete design memory, where every decision is recorded and recoverable; transparent calculations that show their logic and rerun when inputs change; and structured data exchange across disciplines. O’Reilly demonstrated these principles using four technical examples: spiral casing reinforcement design, foundation design, transformer fire protection requirements, and heavy crane system alignment.

“This presentation focused on a practical approach rather than theoretical capability that applies not only to pumped storage projects but to all professional engineering,” said O’Reilly. “We shared real project experience showing how AI tools can effectively manage complexity while reinforcing the importance of engineering judgement. AI accelerates documentation and routine tasks, but engineering judgement remains non-negotiable for defining requirements, verifying results, and maintaining professional responsibility.”

Since joining Knight Piésold in 2018, O'Reilly has worked on structural design for pumped storage hydro development, dam rehabilitation, and construction sequencing projects across North America. He also leads Knight Piésold's global AI development and tooling initiatives, focused on integrating computational design and AI tools into practical engineering workflows.

In addition to O’Reilly’s presentation, Sam Mottram, Managing Principal at Knight Piésold Canada, and Alexander Manos, Senior Mechanical and Energy Engineer at Knight Piésold USA, were in attendance to connect with the CEATI community from Knight Piésold’s exhibit booth during the two-day conference.

“We’ve been at the forefront in the development, upgrading, and decommissioning of hydroelectric facilities, dams, and related infrastructure,” said Mottram. “In the last 20 years alone, we’ve completed the optimization, detailed design, and construction of more than 20 hydropower projects in North America.”

Recent large-scale projects include the 1,230 MW Site C Clean Energy Project in British Columbia, 2,000 MW Salt River Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Arizona, 500 MW San Vicente Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in California, and 400 MW Swan Lake North Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Oregon.

“What James presented shows how we’ve updated our workflows to deliver these complex projects responsibly,” added Mottram. “We’ve integrated AI tools into our engineering processes to leverage our expertise in more powerful ways.”

As AI continues to evolve and play an increasingly important role in infrastructure delivery, Knight Piésold remains focused on leveraging AI to strengthen engineering workflows, developing practical solutions to complex engineering challenges, and helping shape the future of hydropower.