Our Technology

Hydro Green Energy, LLC (HGE) is a privately-held hydropower development company that focuses on new, low-impact hydropower projects in the U.S. and Latin America. 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. Patent #8303242
• U.S. Patent #8123457
• U.S. Patent #8087875
• U.S. Patent #8072089
• Canada Patent #2564065 
• Australia Patent #2004320413
• U.S. Patent #7837411
• U.S. Patent #7788828
• Russia Patent #2006 138 427 
• Mexico Patent #265975
• South Africa Patent #2006/09238
• U.S. Patent #6955049
• U.S. Patent #8333534
• Japanese Patent #5149621

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 methods and designs commonly used for fabrication and installation of modular 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 greatly minimize and interactions with project;
• No interference with existing operations of existing dams; and
• Vast majority of installation is “work in the wet.”