Alameda City Council
June 4, 2024
Who we are
Natel is a technology and engineering
company working to support healthy
rivers, promote biodiversity, and
decarbonize the grid.
GIA SCHNEIDER
CEO, co-founder
ABE SCHNEIDER
CTO, co-founder
KIZZIE BROWN
CFO
GREGOR CADMAN
COO, VP Engineering
2 Building 23
Building 400A
2014 - 2015
Building 19
2010 - 2015
2015 - Present
Purchased in 2018
Facility is used for
engineering, R&D, and
testing
Member of Alameda Point for 15 Y ears
3 What we do
Lab Testing: Scale model
performance & fish passageEngineering Services
FishSafe™
Turbine Design
Natel specializes in data-driven hydraulic design of
FishSafe™ hydropower turbines.
4 Why our work matters
5 Hydropower is the backbone of a carbon-free grid
With the ability to keep the lights on when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine hydropower is an essential dispatchable renewable resource. The IEA calls for adding 50GW of hydro annually by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C.
The problem
Half of the global hydro fleet is
over 40 years old & in need of
new turbines.
Hydropower plants intersect
with fish migrations, and 1 in 5
fish passing through a
conventional turbine is killed.
Natel FishSafe™ turbines can
repower the existing fleet while
enabling 98−100% survival of
fish passing through — keeping
critical hydro resources online
and preserving aquatic
biodiversity.
The problem The solution
Innovation and leadership
➜ Multiple U.S. Department of Energy grants including
both completed and upcoming tests utilizing Natel’s lab ➜ 4 groundbreaking journal publications, with more on the way
➜ Partnerships with U.S. and international turbine
manufacturers
➜ Relationships with leading NGOs and fisheries
regulators
➜ Numerous awards including Cleantech Breakthrough
2024 Hydropower Solution of the Y ear and finalist for
the upcoming Reuters Global Energy Transition Award
➜ A major contract from a U.S. utility to address eel
passage is prompting an expansion of lab capability
6 Innovation and leadership
“Natel’s turbine [is] the first in the industry to enable safe fish passage for large and small fish while meeting high performance metrics and matching standard installation configurations, and demonstrates significant progress in
efforts to preserve biodiversity while advancing renewable energy production.”
—DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
[Large US Utility] has selected the technology that it
believes will provide safe, timely and effective
downstream passage of eels. Currently negotiations are
ongoing with American Hydro for construction and
installation of a turbine designed by Natel Energy.
—[Large US Utility], one of the top 10 electric utilities in the United States 7 Logo not shared to comply
with customer preference
Test Equipment
Natel’s equipment enables performance
testing of our industry-leading turbine designs.
➜ Will be the only U.S. owned IEC compliant
hydraulic facility
➜ Has partnered with DOE, Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory, and U.C. Davis to conduct
studies
➜ Is core to Natel’s ability to innovate and deliver on utility contracts
Natel is sensitive to view concerns and has
worked with staff to minimize the blockage of
outdoor equipment.
Natel’s operations plan is aligned with outdoor
usage constraints from the Biological Opinion,
as well as the conditions included by Planning in
their Resolution PB-24−07.
8 Community Engagement
9 Friends of Sausal Creek
Watershed Project
Save the BayTrash Cleanups on the Point
REAP Climate Center
Classroom Visits
10 Support
Supporting Neighbors
12 Working to create a planet where a reliable, zero-carbon grid is balanced with a thriving natural environment.
BACKUP
USFWS
81420−2009−F-0952−4
Figure 1, Building Development
Zones (above)
Zones 1 and 2 reproduced on a
Google Maps image (right)
Natel property
line (approx)
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 1: no new buildings… greater than 4 feet in height without prior approval from the Service.
Zone 2: area of allowed future development. Any new buildings constructed or extensions of existing buildings shall not exceed the height of the existing buildings. 14 Least Tern
Colony (1,100ft)
62 dBA
59 dBA
57 dBA
54 dBA
Measurements made 5−24−2024 at full test power
NORTH
Ambient (non-operating,
no traffic): 51 dBA
dBA scale examples:
50: moderate rainfall
60: normal discussion
70: passenger car
80: vacuum cleaner
Normal traffic:
measured 67 dBA
(over 10× louder)
16 Embracing sustainable energy solutions is essential for mitigating environmental concerns and fostering economic growth and resilience… The City approved the sale of Building 23 to Natel’s investors years ago and should continue to support their growth in Alameda. - Malden Saddik, CEO
Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance
Natel’s business aligns with our town’s
long-term sustainability goals and
environmental objectives. By supporting
Natel we can set a positive example for
neighboring communities and contribute
to broader efforts to combat climate
change on a global scale.
- David Mik, President
Power Engineering Construction
Natel Energy presents an innovative approach to
addressing our energy needs while simultaneously
reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring ecological
biodiversity and river connectivity. Their commitment to harnessing renewable resources aligns perfectly with
Alameda's values of environmental stewardship and
forward-thinking development.
- Joe Ernst, Managing Principal
SRM Ernst Development Partners
Support
Natel is an asset to Alameda Point… In approving the
expansion of their use permit, we can not only advance
cutting-edge research and development but also
demonstrate our city's leadership in promoting
renewable energy solutions, ones that account for
long term ecological balance.
- Margaret Su, Owner / CEO
The Prep Station
Support
Natel Energy is a leader in the development of
fish-safe hydro turbines, and their test facility in
Alameda is key to their leadership and innovation…
their test facility is unique and valuable within the
hydropower industry nationally and internationally.
- Dr. Zhiqun (Daniel) Deng
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
As an advocate for climate action,
biodiversity preservation, and the
holistic growth of Alameda’s economy
and community, I take immense pride in
Natel’s contributions to Alameda.
Moreover, as a parent of two small
children here in Alameda, I find solace in
the prospect of nurturing a generation
of environmentally conscious
individuals inspired by the collective
efforts of climate-focused enterprises
in our town.
- Matt Kreutz, CEO
Firebrand
Support
Natel is a leader in the hydropower industry advancing the science around how to design fishsafe turbines that help restore critical corridors through rivers for fish and other aquatic life, while enabling reliable, renewable energy from hydropower.
With over half of the United States hydropower fleet over 50 years old and in need of modernization, Natel’s turbines present an opportunity to integrate enhanced environmental performance with the necessary cost of repowering.
The work that Natel does on their test facility in Alameda is critical to provide the rigorous test data that we and other environmental NGO's need to see to have confidence in their innovative designs. Natel has a robust track record of engaging with the environmental community, and I hope you approve the expansion of their test facility.
- Curtis Knight, Executive Director
California Trout
18 Support
19 The hydropower industry can be slow to embrace change, but Natel is successfully pushing the needle on sustainable practices across the industry… Natel is doing critical work to help keep the existing hydro fleet online while also improving fish passage and power generation.
If we are going to ensure a sustainable, clean, and secure electric system in North America, hydropower must be part of the solution. Natel Energy’s continued ability to bring innovative solutions to the industry through the expansion of their test facility will support a stronger, greener, energy future for all of us. - Malcolm Woolf, President & CEO
The National Hydropower Association
20 IMAGE SOURCE: CITY OF
ALAMEDA, ALAMEDA POINT
PRECISE PLAN
PROPOSED
EQUIPMENT
LOCATION
NORTH
MIDWAY
AVE VIEW
21 22
23 24
25 Current View View w/ Expansion