Hydro Review: Commercializing a New Small Hydropower Technology
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.
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Gia Schneider is Featured on The Green Light Podcast
Gia talks with Catherine McLean from Dylan Green about what it's like to lead Natel and how her upbringing influenced her commitment to tackling climate change.
US hydropower is at a make-or-break moment. Canary Media covers how Natel can help.
Gia Schneider spoke with Canary Media about how Natel’s FishSafe™ turbines can serve as a potential solution for U.S. dams facing expensive relicensing, turning a regulatory hurdle into a modernization opportunity.
Natel Awarded DOE Funding to Expand Scientific Understanding of FishSafe™ Turbine Design
FishSafe™ RHT designs are at the core of two research projects that have been recommended for funding by the U.S. DOE to advance the science required to engineer safer hydropower turbines.
