Welcome to our weekly newsletter focusing on environmental trends and solutions leading us towards a more sustainable future.
Hello, I’m Alexandra. We recently discovered a concerning issue involving eels facing high mortality rates at hydroelectric dams, prompting us to reflect on the lack of attention compared to other wildlife conservation efforts. Eels navigating through hydro dams deserve a safe passage. Here’s how one company is developing a technological solution to address this challenge.
This week’s highlights include the ongoing eel mortality problem at hydro dams, the functionality of heat pumps, and the intriguing sighting of an airship hovering over a town in central Alberta.
The plight of American eels in the St. Lawrence River, where many perish due to turbine collisions, has contributed to a drastic 99% decline in the local population since the 1970s. Natel Energy, a California-based startup specializing in fish-friendly turbine technology, has designed a new turbine runner to mitigate these fatalities without compromising power generation efficiency.
American eels, the only catadromous species in Canada, undertake a critical migration from Lake Ontario to the Sargasso Sea for breeding. Their decline poses a significant threat to biodiversity and holds cultural importance for Indigenous communities. Efforts to protect eels include banning commercial fishing and implementing programs to aid their safe passage past hydroelectric dams.
Natel’s innovative “FishSafe” turbine design, featuring curved blades and enhanced safety measures, aims to increase eel survival rates significantly while maintaining operational efficiency. Initial simulations suggest a potential survival rate of 98% for eels passing through these new turbines at hydro dams.
Moreover, the company’s solution offers a cost-effective and straightforward upgrade for existing hydro facilities, demonstrating that fish conservation can align with economic interests. With successful installations in Europe and ongoing discussions with Canadian companies, Natel Energy envisions its technology as a game-changer for preserving American eel populations.
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The newsletter also features compelling reader feedback on diverse environmental topics, including tree protection methods and the adoption of balcony solar panels. Additionally, it delves into the functionality of heat pumps and delves into the intriguing use of airships for aerial survey data collection.
Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a greener future. For inquiries, feedback, or story suggestions, reach out to us at whatonearth@cbc.ca.
Editor: Emily Chung | Logo Design: Sködt McNalty