Natel’s hydropower turbines offer fish-safe fans and lots of energy

Hydropower is one of the most sought-after renewable energy resources today, and its demand is poised to increase in the years ahead.

However, there are some drawbacks associated with it, too- namely, the damage to the ecosystem and the dangers it poses to fish.

One company, Natel Energy, is making advancements to lessen the pitfalls associated with hydropower generation by making ‘fish-safe turbines.’

According to Natel, its turbines can boost hydropower generation from the sites and increase the survival rates of fish.

The US-based firm built the world’s first Fish Safe Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT) in 2019.

Hydropower and fish safety – the Natel way

A couple of years later, in 2022, passage tests conducted by the company along with  Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) showed that rainbow trout were able to pass with 100% immediate and 48-hour survival in a passage test.

Simply put, the technology is aimed at making it easier for fish to navigate through hydropower facilities without getting hurt.

According to Natel, the RHT designed by it has thick, forward-swept blades that allow fish to pass safely downstream through the turbine.

This unique shape is informed by laboratory blade strike studies, CFD modeling, and several fish passage tests. Moreover, the company also claims that the safe through-turbine passage also removes the need to install and maintain fine screens, large bypass fish ways – making it a cost effective solution.

Gia Schneider, Natel’s co-founder and chief commercial officer, was quoted by MIT Technology Review as saying that the RHT “focuses on preventing fast-moving equipment from making fatal contact with fish.”

The blades are also curved, which ensures that there isn’t a direct hit, even if there is some contact.

The article also states that Natel believes its RHTs can be fitted in “up to half of the existing US hydropower fleet to make plants more fish-safe.”

The one shortfall of the system is that it can prevent losses to fish only in the case of downward migration. There is more that needs to be done to ensure a safer passageway for fishes moving upstream – that is, from rivers to the ocean.

US’ push for hydropower

Earlier in June, the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) recently launched the first phase of the Hydropower Testing Network (HyTN) to help developers advance their technology toward commercialization.

“Hydropower has a key role in helping the electricity grid remain reliable and stable as it evolves and incorporates more variable renewable energy resources like wind and solar,” said Matthew Grosso, WPTO acting director.

“We are excited to help advance hydropower technologies and build a network that provides developers with access to U.S.-based test facilities and technical expertise.”

WPTO understands that the US needs upgrades and new technologies in hydropower to ensure that the country can transition to clean energy with ease.

According to a press release by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), hydropower accounts for 28.7% of U.S. renewable electricity generation and about 6.2% of all U.S. electricity generation. 

The HyTN aims to increase hydropower’s share in the US’ total power generation, and this is where companies like Natel can make a difference by ensuring sustainability alongside improved output.