Hydro Green Energy (HGE) is a privately-held hydropower project development company.

Our leadership team holds over 35 years of combined experience in the U.S. power sector, over 15 years in the hydropower sector and has developed more than 10,000 MW of power generation.

We were the first company in the United States to license, fabricate, install and operate a grid-connected hydrokinetic (zero-head) power project. Our first low-head hydropower project is expected to come on-line in 2015.

Our Business

HGE develops low-impact hydropower generation in the United States and Latin America. At certain low-head sites, we deploy our patented, modular hydropower technology.

In the U.S., we presently hold the development rights to 300 MW of hydropower capacity at existing non-powered dams, equivalent to the energy production from approximately 1,000 MW of solar power or 650 MW of wind power. In Latin America, we are presently involved in the development of 15 MW of new, low-impact hydropower capacity.

Through our low-impact hydropower development activities, we aim to lead a new era of responsible hydropower growth in the Americas.

Our Company

Hydro Green Energy (HGE) is a privately-held hydropower development company that focuses on building new, low-impact hydropower projects.  In the U.S., HGE is currently developing numerous projects in 13 states, including two projects presently in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower licensing process.  HGE hopes to deploy its first low-head hydropower project in 2014 near Pittsburgh, PA.

In the U.S., HGE holds permits for the development of nearly 300 MW of new hydropower capacity, equivalent to the energy production from approximately 1,000 MW of solar power or 650 MW of wind power.  HGE’s current projects could provide enough annual power for approximately 190,000 homes and annually avoid over 2.6 billion pounds of carbon emissions.  In Latin America, HGE is presently involved in the development of 15 MW of new hydropower capacity and is reviewing numerous other projects in several countries.

At hydropower sites that have less than 30 feet of head (the difference in elevation between the upper and lower pools at a dam) and large volumes of flow, HGE seeks to deploy its “plug-and-play,” low-head hydropower solution that minimizes the civil work and the costly, time-consuming and environmentally disruptive installation process of conventional hydropower.  HGE holds U.S. Patents 6,955,049; 7,837,411, 8,072,089 and 8,558,402 on its modular technology, as well as numerous foreign patents. 

HGE’s technology concept was successfully proven at its first facility in Hastings, MN.  While HGE’s technology is designed for specific low-head hydropower sites, the company’s focus is not limited only to those installations.  Where warranted, HGE will deploy more conventional technologies and project designs.  In fact, HGE is currently pursuing several different types of hydropower projects, including low-flow, high-head projects to generate clean, renewable power in the U.S. and in Latin America.

In 2009, HGE was presented with the National Hydropower Association’s President’s Award in recognition for the successful licensing and installation of the Hastings Project and for HGE’s industry leadership.  The Hastings Project, which was the first commercial, FERC-licensed hydrokinetic project in U.S. history, was named runner-up in Power Engineering magazine’s 2009 Renewable Energy Project of the Year competition, as well as Renewable Energy World magazine’s Project of the Year. 

In September 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $1.8 million in grants to HGE to perfect its second generation hydropower technology.  HGE received its Series-A financing in 2008 and Series-B financing in 2011.

HGE’s leadership team holds over 50 years of experience in the U.S. power sector, over 20 years in the hydropower sector and has developed over 10,000 MW of power generation.  With its patented technology, unique project development approach and its team of seasoned power industry professionals, HGE aims to lead a new era of responsible hydropower growth in the Americas.

Our Technology

Hydro Green Energy, LLC (HGE) is a privately-held hydropower development company that focuses on new, low-impact hydropower projects. Hydro Green Energy possesses proprietary hydropower technology for use at certain sites -- typically low-head, non-powered dams. HGE holds the following patents on its hydropower technology.

U.S. Patents:

• U.S. Patent #8558402
• U.S. Patent #8333534
• U.S. Patent #8303242
• U.S. Patent #8123457
• U.S. Patent #8087875
• U.S. Patent #8072089
• U.S. Patent #7837411
• U.S. Patent #6955049

Foreign Patents:

• Australia Patent #2004320413
• Canada Patent #2564065 
• China Patent #1168408
• Japanese Patent #5149621
• Mexico Patent #265975
• Russia Patent #2006 138 427 
• South Africa Patent #2006/09238

At “low-head” hydropower sites (head of less than 30 feet/10 meters) with high flow, HGE deploys a “plug-and-play” modular hydropower solution it developed that minimizes the civil work and the time consuming, costly installation process of conventional hydropower.

The foundation of HGE’s technology was successfully demonstrated at HGE's hydrokinetic power project in Hastings, MN (FERC P-4306). This modular hydropower technology will unlock scores of low-head hydropower sites that have been uneconomic to develop over the past several decades.

Due to Hydro Green Energy’s ability to license/permit and manufacture in parallel, projects could be brought on-line in approximately 18-24 months. And, while not needed to ensure profitability, its low-impact hydropower projects are eligible for a variety of renewable energy incentives, increasing their attractiveness. The highlights of HGE’s low-head, modular hydropower technology are found below.

• Based on over 130 years of hydropower production in the United States;
• Based on modular methods and designs commonly used for fabrication and installation of tested offshore oil, gas and LNG systems;
• Independent third party engineering validations of technology and development approach;
• System is comprised almost entirely of components that are “off-the-shelf,” dramatically reducing product development, costs and operational uncertainty;
• Power generating system is modular in nature, which simplifies installation and maintenance;
• Little to no hydraulic lubrication in the design;
• Use of debris screens to minimize environmental interactions with project;
• No interference with existing operations of existing dams; and
• Vast majority of installation is “work in the wet.”