Natel Energy

Modernizing the grid. Restoring rivers.

About the firm

Natel Energy is a specialized hydropower engineering practice headquartered in Alameda, California, specializing in the data-driven hydraulic design of FishSafe turbine systems. It utilizes proprietary computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and a physical pumped hydraulic testing facility to engineer Restoration Hydro Turbines that achieve 98-100% fish passage survival. Natel Energy delivers custom design feasibility studies, scale-model validation, and design execution support in partnership with global turbine manufacturers to modernize grid infrastructure while restoring river ecosystems.

Firm type: Power & Utility Engineering · Water / Wastewater Engineering · Environmental Engineering · Simulation Engineering

People

Kate StirrDirector of Communications and External Affairs

Capabilities

FishSafe Turbine Design and Feasibility Studies

Service website

Development of detailed hydraulic designs to install new and upgrade existing hydropower plants with high-performance, FishSafe turbine runners. Studies analyze how FishSafe runners preserve or enhance turbine performance, ensure effective fish passage, and support environmental compliance.

Hydraulic CFD Modeling
Modeling of turbine runners to meet desired cavitation and efficiency targets at rated and part flow.
Fish Passage Survival Estimation
Estimation of fish survival rates based on proprietary simulation tools and experimental data.
Barotrauma Risk Assessment
Assessment of barotrauma risks to evaluate pressure-change impacts on fish during turbine passage.
Grant Application Assistance
Assisting clients with technical documentation and compliance analyses for grant applications.

Design Testing and Validation

Service website

Physical testing at a specialized pumped hydraulic laboratory in Alameda, California, to complement computational fluid dynamics modeling and validate critical design criteria.

Scale-Model Runner Testing
Comprehensive testing with 55 cm (22-inch) diameter axial turbine runner models to optimize hydraulic designs.
Through-Turbine Fish Passage Testing
Live fish passage testing using a transparent runner housing and high-speed video capture to observe and analyze physical turbine impacts.

Design Execution and Project Commissioning

Service website

Collaborating with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to finalize turbine hydraulic designs for manufacturing, operation, and maintenance, and supporting performance confirmation.

OEM Partnership Support
Finalizing all perspectives of turbine hydraulic design in collaboration with established manufacturing partners.
Commissioning and Performance Verification
Participating in confirmation of compliance with design specifications, confirming hydraulic performance, and validating fish passage performance.

Restoration Hydro Engineering

Service website

Holistic engineering solutions integrating run-of-river sustainable hydropower generation with river connectivity restoration, including downstream and upstream passage.

River Connectivity Modeling
Multiphase 3D computational fluid dynamics modeling and design of fish passage structures, bypasses, and river connectivity designs.

Industries

Hydroelectric · Renewable Energy · Water Resources · Natural Resources · Environmental & Remediation

Projects

Lower Yellowstone Diversion Dam Migratory Passage Evaluation

Hydroelectric

Project details

Prepared an evaluation of design options to improve migratory passage conditions for pallid sturgeon at all life stages. Developed and studied two alternative channel-spanning ramp designs - a low-gradient simple rock ramp and a stepped ramp incorporating large resting pools - to replace the existing steep diversion dam ramp. Created a multiphase 3D CFD model of the stepped ramp to assess velocity distributions, and evaluated the implementation of an integrated run-of-river hydropower facility generating at least 11 GWh annually to offset project costs and support downstream passage.