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Why Restoration Hydro?

Globally, countless watersheds, rivers and wetland ecosystems have become degraded, depriving us of a vast array of economically valuable ecosystem services. The restoration of these critical ecosystems is not only possible, but economically justifiable, and would enhance the climate resilience and adaptability of watersheds.

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of U.S. water ways are degraded

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of rivers are degraded in the Northeast and deep South of the U.S.

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of rivers were newly classified as deteriorated between 2004 and 2009

Degraded watersheds suffer from factors including poor conditions for riparian and instream habitat, excessive nitrogen and phosphorous levels, decreased vegetation cover leading to flooding and water quality issues, lack of water table connectivity and natural seasonal flow availability, and more. (Source: EPA, 2013)

What is Restoration Hydro?

Biomimicry

“An approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies”.

– Biomimicry Institute

Restoration Hydro incorporates the concept of biomimicry in the form of low-head, strategically-sited structures proven to restore watershed and ecological function. Natel Energy’s Restoration Hydropower Projects take this concept one step further by integrating our Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT) turbine into these structures, using innovative and adaptive civil works to ensure safe upstream and downstream fish passage and low environmental impact. This creates an additional layer of economic value in the form of flexible, reliable and renewable energy on top of the high-value water and environmental benefits of watershed restoration.

Restoration Hydro therefore creates a virtuous cycle where projects can be financially leveraged to support the scaling of watershed ecosystem restoration activities, creating a environment-energy multiplier effect.

before restoration
after construction
1 year after restoration
20 years after restoration

Water and Environmental Co-Benefits

Restoration Hydro projects generate multiple environmental co-benefits that may include habitat creation, improved water quality and sustained increases in groundwater and aquifer recharge rates. When deployed strategically at multiple sites across a basin, Restoration Hydro projects enhance river, wetland and watershed connectivity, which can help partially mitigate the impacts of droughts and floods.

icon ecosystems

Supports ecosystems

icon water quality

Improves water quality and groundwater sustainability

icon infrastructure

Drives investment in water infrastructure

icon communities

Grows local economies and healthy communities

icon power

Provides low-cost renewable power

Social Co-Benefits

When deployed in developing country contexts, Restoration Hydro often incorporates project elements specifically designed to enhance the wellbeing and livelihoods of project area communities. These include linked irrigation networks that enhance agricultural productivity, water-supply systems for sanitation and household consumption and other design elements that address various aspects of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Resources

See other resources and work related to sustainable hydropower development:

  • The Nature Conservancy’s Report: Power of Rivers
  • The Low-Impact Hydropower Institute’s certification program
  • American Rivers’ Report: A New Paradigm for Collaborative Development of Small Hydropower Projects
  • Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol

Highlights

Natel’s Fish Testing Lab Makes Fast Company’s 2022 World Changing Ideas List

Natel’s Fish Testing Lab Makes Fast Company’s 2022 World Changing Ideas List

Beyond Earth Day: The Everyday Practice of Developing More Sustainable Hydropower

Beyond Earth Day: The Everyday Practice of Developing More Sustainable Hydropower

Natel Newsletter, Q1, 2022

Natel Newsletter, Q1, 2022

Gia Schneider Selected as One of Grist’s 50 Fixers

Gia Schneider Selected as One of Grist’s 50 Fixers

Contact

Natel Energy, Inc.
2401 Monarch Street
Alameda, CA 94501, USA

Tel 510.342.5269
Fax 866.710.5144

Downloads RHT Product Brochure
Restoration Hydro Overview ISO Certification Careers

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