Welcome to our weekly newsletter focusing on environmental trends and solutions driving us towards a more sustainable future.
Hello, I’m Alexandra. We recently came across a concerning issue of eels facing fatal encounters at hydro dams. It’s a scenario that raises questions about the level of attention such incidents receive compared to other wildlife threats. These eels are crucial in our ecosystem and deserve safe passage through waterways. We highlight a company working on a technological solution to address this challenge.
This week’s topics include the ongoing eel mortality issue at hydro dams, the mechanics of heat pumps, and the peculiar sighting of an airship hovering over a central Alberta town.
The survival of American eels is at risk due to fatal encounters with hydroelectric dam turbines along their migration route. Natel Energy, a California-based startup focusing on fish-friendly turbines, has developed a new turbine design aimed at preventing these fatalities without compromising power generation efficiency.
American eels play a vital role in Canada’s biodiversity, symbolizing cultural significance to Indigenous communities in the region. However, factors like overfishing, habitat loss, and dam encounters have led to a drastic decline in their population. Natel Energy’s innovative turbine design offers a promising solution to enhance eel survival rates during migration.
This new turbine design, known as the “FishSafe” turbine, features a fish-friendly blade shape that minimizes the risk of injury to passing eels. Through computer simulations, the design has shown potential to significantly increase eel survival rates while maintaining operational efficiency.
The company’s efforts to address the eel mortality issue have garnered interest from Canadian firms, with successful turbine installations in France demonstrating the technology’s effectiveness. Natel Energy aims to revolutionize eel conservation efforts and contribute to the recovery of American eel populations.
The article also delves into the significance of heat pumps in the context of sustainable heating solutions and explores the use of innovative airships for aerial survey data collection in remote areas.
Thank you for reading. For questions, feedback, or story suggestions, please reach out to whatonearth@cbc.ca. Receive our What on Earth? newsletter every Thursday for the latest environmental insights.
Editor: Emily Chung | Logo design: Sködt McNalty
