Science + Nature Speaker Series

Science and Nature Talk Info

 Abe Schneider & Sterling Watson – Natel

 Title:

 Fishsafe turbines and a new era for hydropower

 Abstract:

 Hydropower has a long and mixed legacy, reliably powering human societies more than any   other modern renewable energy source—but at the cost of significant damage to freshwater   ecosystems and biodiversity. With an average age over 60 years, today’s hydropower fleet   continues to operate much of the same equipment that spurred the precipitous decline of   migratory fish populations throughout the world’s major rivers, including the St. Lawrence.

Natel’s work has demonstrated that it is now possible to design and operate turbines that achieve over 98% survival of key migratory fish species like the American eel, while attaining the high performance and form factor demanded by today’s hydropower industry. 

The current and upcoming refurbishment and relicensing of hydropower projects throughout Canada and the United States provides a timely opportunity to embed fish-protective technology at the core of the energy system. We will explain the fundamentals of Natel’s turbine designs, demonstrate high long-term survival rates (over 99% for American eel and other migratory species), and describe how hydropower project owners, hydropower turbine manufacturers, and communities can work with Natel to achieve fishsafe validated turbine upgrades throughout the fleet wherever hydropower overlaps with migratory fish.

Bio:

Abe is Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Natel. Abe focuses heavily on the creation of hydraulic designs for Natel's turbines and his work spans the scientific, R&D, project development, and communications fields. Prior to co-founding Natel Energy in 2009 with his sister Gia, Abe worked as a mechanical engineer for both large firms such as The Timken Company and innovative startups including Makani Power. Abe holds bachelors and masters degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT. In his free time, he
enjoys SUP surfing, wing foiling, rock climbing, fly fishing, and building things with his wife and two children in San Francisco.

Sterling is a Principal Engineer on the Natel turbine design team and focuses specifically on testing and development of Natel’s turbines and fish passage studies and design tools. She has led the team’s testing efforts for turbine passage of American eel, rainbow trout, and alewife, and has authored several peer-reviewed articles describing innovative methods and fish survival rates from 98-100%. Her passion for the natural world and all things aquatic extends into her personal life and she can often be found on or in the water at home in Northern California. Sterling holds bachelors and masters degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT.

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