PRESS

Hydro Review: Commercializing a New Small Hydropower Technology

February 16, 2021

Natel Energy in Alameda, Calif., is dedicated to advancing hydropower technology to make it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, as well as flexible enough to be a go-to source of power for operators in rivers of all sizes throughout the U.S. and around the world. With a name appropriately coined from the phrase “natural electric,” Natel is focused on enabling a distributed or decentralized hydropower model featuring systems of smaller projects-– that maintain river connectivity –– networked together as “virtual power plants” or VPPs, as opposed to the current approach of large centralized dams, which can be damaging to wildlife and the adjacent ecosystem.

Founded by Gia Schneider and Abe Schneider, siblings who gained a deep appreciation for the power of rivers and the beauty of their ecosystems during family camping and fishing trips as children, Natel is advancing its vision of “Restoration Hydro,” combining low environmental impact with high economic value. This can be a boon to organizations looking to decarbonize their operations further and transition to a low- or zero-carbon grid.

More Stories

Papers

Juvenile Alewife Passage through a Compact Hydropower Turbine Designed to be Safe for Fish

The results of the study demonstrate that the RHT is an effective way to pass juvenile alosines downstream at hydropower facilities.

Papers

Examination of an Electrified Bar Rack Fish Guidance Device for Hydropower Turbines

An examination of using a conically arranged, cantilevered electrified bar rack (Center Sender) to guide fish, unharmed, through hydropower facilities.

Press

The Restoration Hydro Turbine is a Reason to be Cheerful

CTO Abe Schneider talks to Reasons to be Cheerful's Eric Krebs about the RHT and how critical it is to make hydro retrofits fish-safe.