Supporting clean hydroelectric power generation while also protecting freshwater diversity is in many cases an unmet challenge. Exclusion infrastructure (i.e., fine fish screens, behavioral guidance infrastructure, and bypasses) can protect fish from turbine entrainment when it is feasible, but also limits the available passage routes for fish and constrains hydropower generation. Alternatively, turbines designed to pass fish downstream safely can maintain connectivity for downstream migrating species while also enabling uninterrupted hydropower operation. Integrating safe downstream passage into normal hydropower operations through the use of FishSafe™ turbines (fish inclusion) can reduce cost and complexity while facilitating downstream migration. We describe the performance characteristics and application range of a new propeller-style turbine, called the Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT), as well as passage testing learnings and results.
The Metcalf Institute's "Innovations in the Clean Energy Transition" panel features Gia Schneider in conversation with Jeff St. John, Ramya Swaminathan, and Benjamin Kroposki.
Gia talks to Amy Pempel, host of the Siemens Energy podcast, about hydro's great potential to become more sustainable and expand its reach.
Natel co-founder Gia Schneider talks to host Dunya Jovanović about why the hydropower industry needs FishSafe turbines to adapt to a changing planet.