Testing on New Turbine Demonstrates Safe Passage for Large and Small Fish

Natel Energy developed a solution validated by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to help fish move safely through hydropower facilities. Natel’s Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT) has a unique design with thicker blades, rounded leading edges, and a forward slant from the blade’s hub to its tip. Natel and PNNL tested the passage of American eel and rainbow trout, ranging from 8-20 inches in length, through the RHT. Collectively, more than 99% of fish passed safely through the turbine. The RHT is the first turbine in the industry to enable safe passage for large and small fish while still meeting high performance metrics and matching standard installation configurations for multiple sizes and configurations of hydropower facilities. This innovation demonstrates significant progress in efforts to preserve biodiversity while advancing renewable energy production.