Hydropower, a renewable energy source known for its low carbon emissions, can still disrupt local ecosystems. Traditional hydroelectric plants can adversely affect aquatic life by altering natural water flows and causing fish fatalities through turbine encounters.
To address these environmental concerns, California-based Natel Energy has introduced an innovative solution: the FishSafe Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT). This cutting-edge technology is designed to significantly reduce fish mortality, claiming to offer up to 100% safe passage for aquatic species.
Innovative Turbine Design
Traditional hydro turbines often use screening methods to keep fish out, but these can be ineffective or even trap fish, exposing them to predators. Natel Energy’s approach diverges from this method by redesigning the turbine blades. The FishSafe RHT features curved blades with a thicker leading edge. This design modification directs water to the front, creating a zone of slower-moving water that allows fish to navigate past the turbine without direct contact with moving components.
This design also minimizes the risk of direct impacts with the turbine blades. Testing with various fish species has demonstrated that this new technology offers superior protection compared to conventional turbine designs.
Testing and Performance
The FishSafe turbines have been rigorously tested in real-world conditions. Tests focused on American eels (13-26 inches) and two sizes of rainbow trout (8-16 inches and 16-20 inches). Over a 48-hour observation period, the results were promising: American eels and smaller trout exhibited a 100% survival rate, while other fish showed less than 1% delayed mortality. Overall, the turbines achieved a 99% passage rate for all tested fish.
Natel Energy’s turbines have been validated by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. This validation underscores the turbine’s effectiveness in facilitating safe passage for both small and large fish, meeting high-performance standards and adapting well to standard installation configurations.
Adoption and Future Prospects
The FishSafe RHT has already been installed in various locations, including Maine, Oregon, and Austria, and is being retrofitted on three dams in Louisiana managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Natel Energy’s efforts represent a significant advancement in sustainable hydropower technology, aiming to mitigate the negative impacts of traditional hydropower systems on aquatic ecosystems.
This innovation reflects a broader trend in engineering towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies. Similar efforts are underway in other areas, such as the development of bird-friendly wind turbine blades, highlighting a growing commitment to reducing ecological harm while pursuing sustainability goals.