Hardware Podcasts

232. Turbine Innovations For A Greener Future [Rerun]

The Next Byte Podcast · 4 Nov 2025 · 26m

What this episode covers

Hosts discuss MIT research on optimizing wind farm output through software that coordinates turbine yaw to reduce wake interference, yielding a 1.2-3% efficiency gain. They then profile Natal Energy, a startup founded by siblings Gia and Abe Schneider, which designs fish-friendly hydro turbines with rounded blades to mitigate environmental damage while maintaining 90%+ efficiency. The episode highlights how these incremental hardware and software tweaks can significantly boost global renewable energy capacity without new construction.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Mouser Electronics, Dominion Energy, Natal Energy
Also
MIT, Gia Schneider, Abe Schneider

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Catalyst · 53m

    How to build more hydropower

    Gia Schneider, co-founder and CEO of Natel Energy, discusses the potential to double global hydropower capacity by shifting from massive mega-dams to smaller, distributed projects that minimize ecosystem disruption. She explains how Natel’s fish-safe turbine technology, featuring thick leading edges and swooping blades, allows fish to pass through turbines with near 100% survival rates without compromising power output. Schneider also highlights the critical role of run-of-river designs, improved hydrology forecasting, and natural infrastructure like beaver dams in managing water resources and recharging groundwater amid climate change.

    Energy & climate techMaterials & manufacturing processes
    7 chapters

  • Hardware to Save a Planet · 47m

    Developing an Environmentally-Friendly and Fish-Saving Hydropower Turbine with Abe Schneider, Co-founder and CTO of Natel Energy

    Abe Schneider, Co-founder and CTO of Natel Energy, explains how his company designs fish-safe hydropower turbines to mitigate the environmental impact of existing dams. He details the mechanical engineering behind their blade geometry—specifically thick, slanted leading edges—and the manufacturing challenges of producing utility-scale composite and metal blades. Schneider also discusses the regulatory drivers for adoption, the ecological importance of migratory fish like eels and salmon, and the potential for pumped storage hydropower.

    Mechanical engineeringMaterials & manufacturing processes
    6 chapters

  • Hardware to Save a Planet · 2m

    Trailer

    Host Dylan Garrett, President at Synapse, introduces the podcast 'Hardware to Save a Planet,' which explores physical technologies addressing climate change. The trailer highlights specific solutions and founders, including Peter Reinhardt, CEO of Charm Industrial, and Erica Boeing, CEO of Accelerate Wind, who discusses integrating wind turbines with solar installations. It also features Jeff Satwitz, cofounder and CPO of Product Strategy and Innovation at Big Belly, discussing the transformation of the waste management industry.

    Energy & climate tech
    5 chapters

  • Hardware to Save a Planet · 34m

    Transforming Wind with Erika Boeing, CEO & Founder of Accelerate Wind

    Erika Boeing, CEO and founder of Accelerate Wind, explains how her company is developing rooftop wind turbines for commercial buildings to generate affordable, local energy. She details their patent-pending powertrain, which uses a compact flywheel for intermediate energy storage to lower the cost of power electronics, and describes the 'spoiler' airfoil design that accelerates wind flow at roof edges. Boeing discusses the company's go-to-market strategy of partnering with solar installers to leverage existing networks, and outlines their current stage of validating prototypes at Argon National Lab while navigating certification challenges.

    Energy & climate techMechanical engineering
    7 chapters

  • Hardware to Save a Planet · 27m

    What It’s Really Going to Take to Save the Planet: Lessons from 2024

    Host Dylan Garrett presents a year-end review of 'Hardware to Save a Planet,' featuring clips from eight climate tech founders. The episode highlights specific hardware innovations from companies including Avalanche Energy, C-bound, Torrev Motors, Clean Crop Technologies, Airton Energy, Kala Systems, Renewal Energy, Yardstick, Matter, and Impossible Metals. Guests discuss the engineering challenges of scaling fusion, maritime carbon capture, rare-earth-free motors, soil carbon measurement devices, and underwater mining robots.

    Energy & climate techScaling production
    10 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Next Byte Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.