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

Deep River AS is active in research and development related to power plants for producing electricity from rivers, waterfalls and ocean currents. Their products are based on container modules developed for standardized production of renewable energy. Their technology is protected by patent and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Deep River AScooperates with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and the Waterpower Laboratory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) developing global hydropower solutions, including efficient design of hydro turbines. We also cooperate closely with international technology and manufacturing suppliers combining knowhow from on and off shore industries to develop new micro and small scale electricity power plants.

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.

Founded in 2011 by research group ADAG - Aircaft Design & Aeroflight Dynamics Group - of the Department of Industrial Engineering - Aerospace division (DII, University of Naples “Federico II”), Eolpower Investments focuses on delivering state of the art energy consulting, technical and research services.

By investing on a tailored strategy, Eolpower Investments delivers unique consulting services to assist clients in their projects, usually acquiring whole-job assignments.

Eolpower Investments relies on a team of engineering experts with priority access to a unique R&D network of established universities, developing affordable, reliable and sustainable energy projects. Research and development activities often involve production processes as well, in many cases requiring strong collaboration with suppliers of specific elements, in order to optimize time, costs and product quality.

Eolpower Investments is a leading company in Italy, skilled in managing end to end projects, starting from preliminary studies to the final realization of the prototype. Prototyping of samples is one of our core services, often made in cooperation with the manufacturing branch of the same business group Eolpower belongs to.

EREF is the European federation of national renewable energy associations from across EU Member States, representing all renewable energy sectors. Since nealry 25 years, the Federation has been defending the interests of independent, renewable-sourced producers of power, fuel and heat, and promotes giving non-discriminatory access to the energy market.

EREF’s Small Hydropower Chapter, composed of national (small) hydropower associations from EU Member States, represents the interest of the European small hydropower sector by promoting the benefits and opportunities for small hydropower at EU level to secure and enhance its place as an equally important part in the EU renewable energy mix and to create business opportunities for the many small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Europe.

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.

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.

NORCE is an independent research institute that conducts research for both public and private sectors, to facilitate informed and sustainable choices for the future. We deliver research and innovation in energy, health care, climate, the environment, society and technology. Our solutions address key challenges for society and contribute to value creation on the local, national and global levels.

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.

Pliosaur Energy is an SME that aspires to transform the marine renewable energy market through the introduction of our truly ground breaking and patented technology to convert both wave and tidal energy into electricity.

Our design approach preferably avoids or endeavours to mitigate the socio-environmental impact of our turbines. We have also minimised the visual impact of our turbines in recognition of the potential concerns of the local population. Our technology has the visual impact of a yacht sail extending approximately 10 meters above sea level.

We value and very much appreciate the input from national and regional institutions, NGO's and the local population always endeavouring to integrate their suggestions, whenever possible into our designs.

Our technology addresses the issue of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions by displacing the need for electrical power generated by fossil fuel power stations. Our goal in the long term is to generate electricity at a similar lifecycle cost to other sources thereby eliminating the need for subsidies.

Culturally, we take a pragmatic approach to the development of our technology always seeking to learn from others in our industry. We also seek to import technology from other business sectors whenever possible to minimise development costs.

Our mission is to provide solutions for industry and companies to help them face the complex and constantly changing challenges of the future. Technological and scientific development doesn’t follow a linear path, infinite scenarios and opportunities open up before us, the strength of our group lies in the capacity to respond to new, complex needs with diversified skills, with our production capability, with our experience and our capacity for research at different levels. From communication to precision mechanics, from machinery to the production of energy from renewable sources, our commitment is to make the future work.
Rebecchi group has followed the evolution of the market developing new technologies and services and today the Group is driven by the passion and philosophy inherited from its founder: flexibility and care in following all the clients using best available technology standards and maximum commitment.
Rebecchi Group wanted to seize upon new incentives and opportunities offered by the market with projects of environmental sustainability and environmental integration and protection, such as the Hykinetics project (for the enhancement of water resources) and Jois (to reduce pollutants and develop a sustainable economy in the agricultural sector).

We are a multi-cultural team working in a German-based company. We are focused on developing and implementing affordable renewable energy projects that enhance productivity and improve people’s living standards. Smart Hydro Power started in 2010 as a group of kinetic turbine developers. The experience on installations and contact with the needs and challenges of remote or off-the-grid locations brought us to the current position of offering products and packages that follow principle of being simple, competitive, and complete. Nowadays, we run diverse decentralized electrification projects, offering a range of renewable energy solutions which are supported by an intelligent electrical management system. New ideas and inspired professionals are always welcome here. We believe in sustainable development and empowering people to be able to define their own choices and to shape their own lives.

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.

Tecnoturbines develops hydraulic turbines specially designed to generate electricity under variable hydraulic conditions from water distribution networks, hydro power plants and industries. Our mission is to promote progress by reducing power costs and bringing power to remote areas in water-related industrial sectors. Offering both, Off-Grid and Grid-Tied solutions from just 1Watt to 300kW.

Turbulent aims to provide even the most remote communities of the world with reliable and affordable energy. We’ve developed a special kind of Vortex Turbine that generates low cost electricity, without the ecological impact, without large civil works, and without the high upfront investment cost. Turbulent’s environmentally friendly hydropower technology (no dams !) is an ideal match for VRE (Variable Renewable Energy), offering continuous electricity 24/7/365 in mini-grids and micro-grids, even featuring dispatchability. Turbulent safely powers critical healthcare infrastructure, telecom, schools, villages, businesses … on a continuous basis, in combination with new (solar) and existing installations.

Turbulent’s R&D has increasingly been focused on the design and development of modular, fish-friendly, submersible vortex generators, making use of small vertical water drops (between 1-5 m), abundant in rivers and canals around the world. With its robust and flood-proof technology, Turbulent moves away from large conventional hydropower with dams and reservoirs, to a sustainable, low-maintenance technology allowing fish, debris and sediments to pass through the installation without impact. Turbulent offers off-grid, micro-grid and on-grid distributed electrification solutions with installed capacities of 15 kW, 30 kW, 50 kW, 70kW per turbine, easily scalable to a combination of multiple turbines to increase capacity.

CDIF is a R&D center within the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).

The research activities are developed by a group of Ph.Ds in industrial engineering, with over 30 years of experience in the field of turbomachinery vibrations, diagnosis and preventive maintenance, damage detection and fluid dynamics.Our goal is to provide technological support to industry worldwide in areas related to the field of power generation groups diagnosis, focusing on hydropower.

Our center offers technology transfer services to industry by means of consultancy and technological innovation projects in our areas of expertise: analysis and diagnosis of vibration problems in turbomachinery, remote on-line monitoring, predictive maintenance, fluid dynamics studies and on-site specialized training.

We are part of the UPC's Mechanical Engineering, Fluids and Aeronautics Ph.D. program. Our main research lines are: Structural Analysis, Diagnosis, Fluid Dynamics Simulation and Cavitation. We actively participate in leading scientifical societies/meetings/congresses in our area of expertise and our research results are published in top tier scientific journals internationally.

The research Group on Turbomachinery and Energy System is deeply involved in research activities dealing with fluid machines and in particular with hydropower. The group has also a research infrastructure with 4 open test-rigs for experimental analyses on turbines and pump-turbines. The main research topics are: design optimization, CFD analyses, cavitation, sediment transportation, hybridization, machine and system modelling for optimal management and predictive maintenance.

vgbe energy e.V. is the technical association of energy plant operators. Our members are companies that operate power, heat and cooling, energy storage and sector coupling plants worldwide.

vgbe energy l Hydro Power, as part of vgbe energy, is the first address for interested parties in techno-economic and ecological issues as well as application-oriented research concerning hydropower and maintenance and it performs as the collective European platform and key representative for operators, manufacturers and suppliers of the hydropower community.