Welcome to our weekly newsletter focusing on environmental trends and solutions driving us towards a more sustainable future.
Alexandra here. We stumbled upon a concerning issue of eels facing mass mortality at hydroelectric dams, prompting reflection on the lack of attention compared to other similar cases. Our eel friends deserve safe passage through waterways. Let’s explore a tech solution being developed to address this challenge.
This week’s highlights include:
– Ongoing eel fatalities in hydro dam turbines and a potential new design to mitigate this issue
– Understanding the functionality of heat pumps
– Unveiling the reason behind an airship sighting over a central Alberta town
Each year, endangered American eels undertake a hazardous journey down the St. Lawrence River towards their breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea. Unfortunately, many eels perish due to collisions with hydroelectric dam turbine blades, contributing to a drastic 99% population decline since the 1970s. Natel Energy, a California-based startup specializing in fish-friendly turbines, has developed a new turbine runner aimed at preventing these fatalities without compromising power generation efficiency.
American eels are the sole catadromous species in Canada, transitioning from ocean birth to freshwater adulthood habitats like Lake Ontario before returning to the ocean to spawn, with their survival being crucial to the region’s biodiversity. Despite their historical abundance in Lake Ontario, factors such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and hydroelectric dams have led to a substantial decline in their numbers. Efforts to counteract this decline include banning commercial eel fishing in Ontario and initiatives like transferring live eels past hydro plants.
Natel’s innovative “FishSafe” turbine design features curved blades and a blunt leading edge to minimize fish injuries from blade strikes. Simulations indicate a potential 98% survival rate for American eels passing through these redesigned turbines. Moreover, the new design maintains efficiency comparable to existing models and can be integrated without extensive system upgrades, simplifying adoption for hydro dam operators.
Natel Energy’s proactive approach to enhancing fish survival without compromising power generation efficiency demonstrates a significant step towards sustainable hydropower practices. By engaging with Canadian companies and successfully implementing their technology in France under stringent eel protection regulations, Natel Energy aims to revolutionize eel conservation efforts and safeguard the American eel population.
For more environmental insights and updates, stay tuned for our weekly newsletter. Together, let’s drive positive change for a greener tomorrow.
– Alexandra Mae Jones
