Hydroelectric power is one of the older and more proven forms of renewable energy, so it doesn’t get the same attention as new and exciting technologies. Even so, there’s plenty of innovation going on in the hydro space, both in new technology and upgrading older facilities.Gia Schneider, CEO of Natel Energy, is the perfect guest to talk about what’s going on in hydro, so we brought her onto the latest episode of the Siemens Energy Podcast. Gia has had extensive experience with renewables, not just from the investing and financing side, but also from a personal interest side: she cares about climate and the environment and wants to help drive positive change through her work in hydro.Host Amy Pempel begins the conversation by asking about the origins of Natel Energy and how it’s developed from its earliest days to where it is now.Amy and Gia also discuss:The 90,000 US dams that currently produce no power and why they present a great opportunity The meaning of river “connectivity” and why that’s integral to the design of new turbines at NatelThe work that needs to be done at existing hydro facilities to bring them up to modern standardsYou’ll also have a chance to hear Gia discuss cybersecurity and natural disasters, two vectors that can directly impact hydropower’s effectiveness, and what can be done to mitigate these vectors.If you enjoy today’s show, please leave a 5-star review. For more information and links to all the resources mentioned in today’s episode, visit Siemens-Energy.com  Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.