Natel Energy

Natel Energy focuses on restoration hydro, which refers to the process of restoring damaged water sources through actions such as remediating the water quality, repairing the source of the water damage, and repopulating the watershed with plant and animal species. Natel Energy takes restoration hydro a step further and incorporates hydropower generation into its restoration projects; this is expected to create a virtuous cycle where hydropower generation can be financially leveraged to support the restoration project to scale. 

Natal Energy incorporates hydropower generation into its restoration projects through its proprietary Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT), which creates a safe fish passage to reduce fish damage by 99% during the hydropower generation process. This eliminates the need for fine fish screens used in legacy hydropower turbines which reduces plant efficiency. 

As of January 2024, Natel Energy has completed hydropower and restoration projects in the US and Europe and has contracts to design turbines for deployment in DR Congo.

Key customers and partnerships

In September 2021, Natel partnered with Nelson Energy to install between 60 and 90 RHTs, to retrofit three existing dams and add 80 MW of renewable power to the US grid.

In December 2022, Natel partnered with utility company Energie Steiermark, to commission Natel’s first European hydropower project in Graz, Austria which is expected to generate 100 MWh annually. During the same month, Natel partnered with Symbion Power, to launch MyHydro, which aims to provide renewable and fish-safe hydropower to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through 33 small hydro sites generating at least 150 MW.

In September 2023, Natel reported establishing a partnership with Normandeau Associates, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the US Geological Survey's Eastern Ecological Science Center, Great River Hydro to conduct the first field passage test of large American eels through a utility-scale RHT. During the same month Natel also partnered with the Fish Conservation Physiology Lab at the University of California to investigate the stress response of RHT passage on juvenile white sturgeon.

Funding and financials

In April 2023, Japan Energy Fund invested an undisclosed amount in Natel Energy through its Decarbonized Tech Fund. Prior to this in July 2021 Natel raised USD 20 million in a Series B funding round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and supported by Chevron Technology Ventures. The company intended to use the funds to scale the deployment of the Restoration Hydro Turbine for hydropower projects in the US and Europe.

Key competitors: None comparable (Natel Energy is the only startup that focuses on restoration of hydro projects)