HERI – Research Organisations Database

Support the future of renewable energy, innovation, decarbonization, and the energy transition.
With a team of energy consultants, engineers, and experts, we support our members and different companies or investors in:
Market & Regulation
Energy project feasibility studies
Advocacy Governance & Regulation
Energy Project Development and Management
TSO and DSO infrastructure
Energy events management

Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) is France’s leading producer of 100% renewable electricity with a total installed capacity of 4GW (3.1GW of hydro, 735MW of wind and 135MW of solar). CNR manages the Rhône river with 19 run-of-river multipurpose assets (navigation, irrigation, hydropower generation). It has expertise in hydraulic management of river systems and O&M, among others. It also has strong competencies in ecological restoration of rivers. Besides, CNR carries out missions of general interests to develop the territories. It also innovates to optimise its practices in renewable energies such as hydrogen, battery storage systems and flexibility, floating PV, agriPV and osmotic energy.

EPFL is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university. It welcomes students, professors and collaborators of more than 120 nationalities. EPFL has both a Swiss and international vocation and focuses on three missions: teaching, research and innovation. EPFL collaborates with an important network of partners, including other universities and colleges, secondary schools and gymnasiums, industry and the economy, political circles and the general public, with the aim of having a real impact on society.

EDF (Electricite de France) is one of the largest power Utility in Europe. As regard to Hydropower, it owns and operates a fleet of more than 20,000 MW Hydro domestic capacity in France, including 430 power stations, more than 240 large dams, and one of the largest tidal range power plant at la Rance.
R&D and Engineering teams of EDF group are very active in all fields of research and innovation areas related to hydropower : civil engineering, dam safety, mechanics, hydraulics, hydrology, environment and river/ocean ecology, sustainability, electro-technics, economy and markets, SCADA, digitalization ... covering the whole life cycle of hydropower assets : design, construction, refurbishment, operation and maintenance, decommissiong. R&I activity.
These teams are closely connected to research partners in France, Europe and worlwide. EDF Hydro research teams are also involved in many R&I projects in France and Europe.

Our research addresses the greatest challenges of the future: keeping societies healthy, fostering intact environments, promoting sustainable energy and developing well-functioning political and social systems. Seeking answers through interaction between a variety of disciplines, we develop concrete solutions for regional problems which can then be applied globally. We continually strive to open new paths with science and innovation, by responding to society’s complex questions with answers geared to the needs of people.

Generation Scheduling and Control of Hydropower Plants (GSC Hydro) is a research team of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with experience in the development of optimization models for the electric power generation scheduling and of dynamic simulation models for the analysis of the system's frequency stability and of the contribution of various generation and storage technologies to the system's frequency control.
GSC Hydro has a broad experience in modelling the performance of hydropower and pumped-storage power plants for the above purposes, considering particular plant configurations and operation modes (variable speed, hydraulic short-circuit, high inertia conduits, etc.).

Hydro Alps is an applied research and development laboratory specializing in improving the monitoring and production of Alpine high-pressure and run-of-river power plants.

The National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), founded in 1946, is a public research institute devoted to Science, Technology and Innovation in Civil Engineering and related fields. It has a highly qualified community of about 200 researchers in about 500 staff members. LNEC’s activity includes infrastructures, housing and urban planning, hydraulics and water resources, dams, transportation and construction materials. Its main objectives are safety and quality of the works, protection and rehabilitation of the natural and built patrimony, technological innovation in the building sector (construction sector) and in the fields of water and environment.

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC) is a state-owned research and service institution responsible for environmental monitoring, hydrology, meteorology, and climate services in Latvia. The centre provides data collection, modelling, and analysis related to water systems, including river flow monitoring, flood forecasting, and climate impact assessments. LVGMC supports national policy, environmental protection, and risk management through applied research and operational services, including hydrological modelling, early warning systems, and long-term environmental data management.

The company
MobyGIS S.r.l. operates in the hydro-meteorological sector with specialization on water resources monitoring and forecasting. Through the Waterjade® brand, MobyGIS offers software solutions for water monitoring and water supply optimization to public and private Companies.

The experience gained working with Hydropower Industries, Water Utilities and Public Bodies in both Italian and foreign countries gives the company a well-rounded view on supply issues and a pragmatic approach to suggest the best solution. The team, composed of professional figures with expertise in hydrology, meteorology, and hydraulics, boasts visibility in Europe through awards in Big Data, Satellite Data, and the fight against Climate Change.

Natel Energy is a research-driven technology and engineering company dedicated to advancing sustainable hydropower. With a core focus on ecological integrity, Natel develops innovative turbine solutions that enable the safe downstream passage of fish and other aquatic organisms, contributing to healthy rivers, biodiversity, and grid decarbonization.

Through extensive laboratory and field testing, including through-turbine passage studies across multiple fish species and life stages, Natel’s FishSafe™ runner designs have consistently demonstrated 98-100% fish passage survival rates, while maintaining high hydraulic efficiency at conventional blade speeds.

Natel Energy's research is validated through peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals such as Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, North American Journal of Fisheries Management, and the Journal of Ecohydraulics. These publications, resulting from collaborations with leading institutions like Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Alden Laboratory, and Kleinschmidt Associates, underscore the scientific basis and credibility of Natel's technology.

Natel conducts feasibility studies, detailed fish passage and performance testing, and ongoing refinement of their FishSafe™ runner designs. They partner with trusted turbine manufacturers to translate their designs into real-world applications, driving the global advancement of FishSafe hydropower.

NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, is a university with a main profile in science and technology. With more than 40 000 students and 7 100 employees, it is Norway’s largest university. NTNU has four strategic areas of research in 2014-2023: sustainability, energy, oceans and health. As a supplier of high quality graduates, NTNU has a broad range of contacts with the industry. The annual budget of NTNU is around € 950 million. Four departments from NTNU are involved in the HydroFlex project.

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering at NTNU is an international driving force within education and research on the total energy chain from resource to customer. The focus is how to produce energy, which can be used by man and machine in a sustainable way, taking into consideration health, climate changes and available resources. One of the department’s principal focus areas is hydropower research, where most of the activity takes place in the Waterpower Laboratory, which combines 100 years of experience with state-of-the-art facilities that are unique in Europe. It plays a leading role in the development of global hydropower, including efficient design of hydro turbines.

The Department of Electric Power Engineering at NTNU covers the broad interdisciplinary aspects of power engineering in its research and education: generation, transmission, conversion and the use of electric energy, including the accompanying techno-economic aspects. Its mission is to contribute to the fundamental and applied knowledge of electric power engineering, and to develop technology and systems for the planning, operation and maintenance of efficient, sustainable energy systems.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NTNU provides competence and technological solutions within our areas of expertise for application in both the public and private sectors. Students and researchers graduating from our programs provide our partners with expertise and skills in the areas of civil and transportation engineering, structural engineering, water and wastewater engineering, and hydraulic engineering.

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at NTNU has broad interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of logistics, machine design, product development, materials science and risk and reliability of complex systems. The research at the department focuses on development, optimisation and improvement of industrial processes and production systems. One of our goals is to secure the Norwegian industry and administration with access to knowledge and expertise on an international level.

RSE carries out analysis, studies and research activities, applied to the energy sector as a whole. The big challenges and innovations stemming from advancements in the sustainable generation, distribution and storage of electrical energy, sustainable mobility and the flexibility and resilience of the energy systems provide the subject matter for RSE’s projects. RSE carries out them through a broader perspective that encopasses system scenarios, in line with the goals of the national energy policy and EU Energy Programmes. The results of RSE’s research activities are available to the full range of stakeholders in the energy field, thus being shared for the benefit of companies, market operators and citizens. RSE spans its research activity through four departments which cover the different topics of the energetic system: Materials and Generation Technologies Department (TGM); Transmission and Distribution Technologies Department (TTD); Energy Systems Development Department (SSE); Sustainable Development and Energy Sources Department (SFE). This promotes a strong interconnection between the technological (TGM and TTD) and systemic approach (SSE and SFE).

Description here

SERPA is a research group integrated within the Department of Civil Engineering: Hydraulics, Energy, and Environment at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. SERPA aims to deepen understanding of key aspects of dam safety and offer training courses based on the results of its research activities. Over the last few decades, the SERPA group has participated in various research projects funded by both public and private sources. Additionally, it has collaborated with civil engineering companies to provide specialized engineering consultancy services. The group organizes national and international courses, seminars, and workshops to provide high-quality education and disseminate the main findings of its research activities.

SuperGrid Institute Hydropower develops technologies for future electricity transmission & distribution systems. We play a key role in the field of grid balancing and energy storage solutions. Our experts are particularly involved in the economics of grid balancing services including energy trading and optimised management of storage assets. They also focus on enhancing the flexibility of hydropower plants through hybridisation technologies for hydraulic systems as well as improving the performance of hydraulic turbines through expertise, simulations, and testing. Testing activities are supported by two test rigs, one dedicated to validation of model test for Francis and PSP runners according to IEC60193 standard, and another one dedicated to real-time and transient tests.

CSAR CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUATIC RESEARCH
CSAR operates from state-of-the-art, controlled environment facilities in Swansea University's department of Biosciences.

CSAR conducts research and technological development, and provides training and advice on behalf of commercial farmers/aquaculture service providers, funding agencies and governmental institutions, in the UK and internationally.

In addition to its own experimental facilities, CSAR has direct access to comprehensive expertise and laboratories across Swansea University, encompassing biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, histo-pathology, water chemistry, systems engineering, bio-processing technologies and complex fluids processing.

CENTRE FOR BIOMATHEMATICS
The Centre for Biomathematics provides a cross-community, interdisciplinary focus for experts from across Science and Engineering at Swansea University and beyond with interests on the interface between mathematics and biology or medicine. Our aim is to foster collaborations which are mutually interesting, leading to new developments in both fields.

By exploiting complementary and wide-ranging knowledge across disciplines, we aim to develop novel biologically-informed predictive mathematical, and statistical models and computational approaches to tackle topical questions in biology and medicine and, hopefully, at the same time lead to new theoretical developments in mathematics and computer science.

Delft University of Technology is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive university of technology in The Netherlands. With over 20,000 students and 2,500 scientists (including 400 full professors), it is an establishment of national importance and of significant international standing. The University collaborates on a structural basis with other international education and research institutes and has partnerships with governments, branch organizations, numerous consultancies, industry partners and companies from the small and medium business sectors.
The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEG) comprises over 500 full time equivalent permanent scientific staff, over 180 PhD students, and over 3500 bachelor and master students. Currently, research and education are organized in seven departments: Engineering Structures, Geoscience & Engineering, Geoscience & Remote Sensing, Hydraulic Engineering, Materials, Mechanics, Management & Design, Transport & Planning, and Water management. TU Delft’s Faculty of Civil Engineering ranks 4th in the 2019 World University QS rankings.

The department Hydraulic Engineering does research and education and develops technology for the themes: coasts, rivers, dredging, hydraulic structures, floods and environmental fluid mechanics. The section on hydraulic structures focuses on the design and construction of levees, dams, locks, storm surge barriers, weirs, quay walls, tunnels and other hydraulic structures. Knowledge is developed on geotechnical and hydraulic aspects, as well as materials and resilience engineering. Probabilistic and structural dynamic analyses and experiments are often applied methods.

Civil Engineering has been taught at Trinity College Dublin since 1841, and since then has played a prominent role in the development of civil engineering as an academic subject. We currently offer a range of Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses which are multi-dimensional, having a strong technical focus but also an emphasis on the development of team working skills, knowledge of ethics and an awareness of the social and environmental impacts of their work. Graduates often end up working on multi-disciplinary projects that require innovative approaches and thinking, offering exciting careers both in Ireland and abroad, including work in developing countries.

Our strong research focus on quantitative and analytical methods, the application of innovation and the development and use of new technology to solve problems in the natural and built environments. We work with industry, governments and universities across the world on research which has economic, social, political, scientific and engineering dimensions.

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Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering
The research activity focuses on fundamental areas of engineering, design and applied sciences , such as environmental protection, landscape, architecture, renewable natural resources, energy, biomedical sciences, structures and intelligent materials, risk prevention, efficient and sustainable infrastructures and products, buildings and built heritage, service networks and the territory.

At DICAM, innovation and sustainability planning are promoted. In all these areas the Department pursues high-level scientific and educational objectives in terms of research and advanced training , in line with the most prestigious research-intensive Universities. Research can be divided into six areas:

Environmental Resources, Security and Climate Change
Smart Mechanics, Materials and Structures
Surveying, planning and design for urban and territorial sustainability - SusPlaces
Energy and “green” technologies
Science of architecture
Modeling and Simulation in Engineering and Science

SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY
River Basin Processes and Management
We provide international leadership in understanding and managing environmental processes and feedbacks that control and link water, sediment, solute and biotic dynamics in river basins, estuaries and marine systems.
We are particularly renowned for our research strengths in peatland science, glacial and ice-marginal systems, hillslope processes, and water resource management.

Our expertise:
Hydrology and hydraulics: Hillslope hydrology, soil water, river hydraulics, shallow groundwater, natural flood management.
Geomorphology: Soil erosion, hillslope and river sediment flux, peatland processes, 3D modelling.
Biogeochemistry: Carbon and nitrogen cycling, metals, emerging contaminants including pharmaceuticals, isotopes.
Aquatic ecosystems: Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, invasive species, macroinvertebrates, Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Glaciology: Glacier dynamics, glacial landforms, outburst floods, surface energy balance modelling.

As part of water@leeds we develop and use innovative observational science, field and laboratory experiments and modelling approaches in interdisciplinary research projects across the globe.


Ecology and Global Change
Working in biomes across the world from tropical rain forests to Arctic tundra, the Ecology and Global Change (EGC) group aims to determine the nature of environmental change at a range of temporal and spatial scales. EGC has made major advances in understanding the sensitivity of vegetation to orbital millennial scale climate forcing, carbon cycling in tropical forests and ecohydrological responses of peatlands to past climate change.

One of our key research areas has been the global monitoring of forests by setting up and leading international projects RAINFOR, FORESTPLOTS, AFRITRON, AMAZONICA and TForces. As a result, our work has made important contributions to both international and national climate and environmental management policy agendas.

Our research:
Ecosystems and evolution
Understanding ecological patterns of diversity, composition and ecosystem function in time and space
Quantifying the magnitude, rate and timing of ecosystem response to current and future climate change
Identifying the drivers of evolution in tropical ecosystems

Palaeoecology, palaeoclimate and chronostratigraphy
Understanding the nature and timing of climatic and environmental changes over millennial to decadal timescales
Quantifying past human impact on ecosystems
Examining the long-term ecohydrological dynamics of peatland environments
Developing high-resolution chronologies of past environmental change

Biogeochemical cycles
Analysing regional and global CO2 records to identify trends and the onset of feedbacks in the coupled climate-carbon cycle system
Dynamic vegetation modelling to predict the response of land vegetation to climate change
Analysing recent changes in the tropical hydrological cycle and plant functioning using tree ring isotopes
Analysing and modelling soil development
Understanding the importance of soil physical and chemical properties to ecosystem function in the tropics

Global environmental science
Designing and implementing measurement schemes to characterise and reduce global environmental uncertainties
Assessing dryland degradation and the sustainability of environmental management
Modelling long-term trends in national land use and land cover
Managing multiple ecosystem services
Communicating science concerning global environmental governance to policy makers

The activities of the Hydraulic Structures Laboratory concern experimental modeling and the development of new hybrid numerical/experimental approaches applied to the analysis of flows in the natural and built environment. Among others, we carry out applied research projects related to design of hydraulic structures, floods forecasting and management, pumped-storage development.