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We conduct hydraulic performance and fish passage modeling and testing using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and physical scale models in our test loop facility. We leverage these tools and our expert analysis to design fish-safe hydro plants from the ground up, and to improve existing plants' performance and fish safety.
Our engineers are experts in fish-safe turbine design, modeling, and testing and in the operation of unique experimental facilities for assessment of hydraulic performance and fish passage. We have a decade of experience designing, building and testing scale performance models, and we operate a world-class specialized hydraulic test facility, which can be used for IEC 60193 scale model performance testing and for passage testing of various species of fish through bespoke runner designs. Our fish holding facility supports multiple species for long-duration observation before and after testing within a Recirculating Aquaculture System.
We work with clients to evaluate the feasibility of retrofitting dams and upgrading existing hydro plants with FishSafe™️ Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT) runner designs. Working within parameters dictated by the project needs, including turbine performance and fish survival targets, this service includes the development and analysis of preliminary RHT hydraulic designs, meetings with clients to discuss results, and a short report where the results are summarized. Our goal is to make high-performance, fish-safe refurbishments and upgrades as simple as possible.
In addition to FishSafe™️ a runner upgrade feasibility study, we offer hydraulic designs and tests that are tailored to your specific hydroelectric site.
As part of this service, we construct and analyze a model of the existing water passageway(s) and a suitable RHT runner design using best-in-class CAD and CFD tools. We then assess results for cavitation as well as for hydraulic efficiency at rated and part flow. We also determine fish passage safety using proprietary survival models which link CFD results to real-world laboratory dose-response data of fish survival.
We offer scale model performance and fish passage testing to compliment our CFD modeling and analysis. We conduct testing at our headquarters in Alameda, California, where our unique test laboratory consists of a 20,000 gallon closed loop system that continuously delivers up to 35 cfs of flow at up to 40 meters (130 feet) of net head.
Using this system we can conduct homologous scale model performance, loads, and cavitation testing to the IEC 60193 standard as well as fish passage testing of species of interest at representative relative size, runner characteristics, and strike speed.
We combine physical results from scale model testing with analytical and CFD strike survival estimation tools to extrapolate full-scale design performance.
