In our weekly environmental newsletter, we shed light on current sustainability trends and solutions driving us towards a greener world. Alexandra here. When we stumbled upon the distressing news of eels perishing in large numbers at hydro dams, it sparked a realization that if it were birds and windmills, there would likely be a public outcry. These aquatic creatures deserve safe passage through their water habitats. Discover how one company is developing a technological fix for this issue.
This Week’s Highlights:
– Eels facing mortality in hydro dam turbines. A novel design could alter this outcome.
– Understanding the mechanics of a heat pump.
– Unveiling the mystery behind an airship hovering over a central Alberta town.
Every year, endangered American eels embark on a journey down the St. Lawrence River towards their spawning grounds in the Caribbean’s Sargasso Sea. However, a significant number of them meet a tragic fate colliding with the turbine blades at hydroelectric dams along the river. This has been a contributing factor to a staggering 99% decline in the eel population in the region since the 1970s.
Natel Energy, a California-based startup focusing on fish-friendly turbines, has devised a turbine runner that aims to prevent these fatalities without compromising power generation efficiency. Kate Stirr, Natel Energy’s Vice President of External Affairs, highlighted that their study demonstrates no need for a trade-off between power generation and fish conservation.
American eels, the only true catadromous species in Canada, migrate from the ocean to freshwater bodies like Lake Ontario to spend their adult years, eventually returning to the ocean to reproduce. The decline in eel numbers is concerning due to overfishing, habitat loss, and hydroelectric dam impacts. Efforts such as banning commercial eel fishing in Ontario and various conservation programs have been initiated to mitigate this decline.
The innovative “FishSafe” turbine design by Natel features a blade shape that minimizes fish injuries upon impact and maintains operational efficiency. Simulation tests indicated a potential increase in the eels’ survival rate passing through these turbines to 98%.
Natel Energy is optimistic that their technology can revolutionize the conservation of American eels and has already engaged with Canadian companies to implement these solutions. The successful testing of their turbines with live eels in France underscores the potential impact on preserving eel populations.
Let’s keep our eyes on the progress of this promising technology that could be a game-changer for the survival of American eels.
— Alexandra Mae Jones