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Making Dam Good Hydropower
Feb 8, 2024
Gia Schneider, co-founder and CEO of Natel Energy, discusses the challenges of generating hydroelectric power without damaging the ecosystem. She explores the negative impact of dams and turbines on rivers and aquatic life, and the importance of fish-friendly turbines. Schneider also talks about current projects, the concept of restoration hydro, and the future of clean energy.
26:05
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Quick takeaways
- Natel Energy has developed a turbine with a leading edge design that reduces fish mortality to less than 2%, compared to the average 20% with conventional turbines, providing a fish-safe solution for hydroelectric power generation.
- Restoration hydro, inspired by nature and beaver dams, reintroduces natural flow barriers and log jams into rivers, leading to positive environmental impacts such as groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and increased habitat diversity for fish.
Deep dives
Building a Fish-Friendly Turbine
Gia Schneider's company, Natel Energy, aims to solve the problem of hydroelectric power harming fish. To achieve this, they have designed a turbine with a leading edge that mitigates fish mortality. The blade's thick leading edge and rounded shape minimize the chances of direct strikes and create a deflection zone that helps fish navigate through without harm. Through extensive testing, the turbine was found to have less than 2% fish mortality, compared to the average 20% with conventional turbines. The turbine is also designed to maintain high power generation efficiency, with its performance reaching up to 93%. This innovation provides a fish-safe solution for upgrading existing hydroelectric plants.
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