Powering Unpowered Low-Head Dams with kW River Hydroelectric's Paul Kling

In this Interview, we meet Paul Kling who is the Chief Executive Officer of KW River Hydroelectric, a Hydropower Technology Startup based in Cincinnati, Ohio. KW River Hydroelectric is developing breakthrough technology to power unpowered dams across the United States, using a unique approach that is both efficient and environmentally friendly.

ONE-LINER:

"KW River Hydroelectric is poised to make a significant impact on renewable energy by harnessing the power of America's rivers in a way that's efficient and environmentally safe."

Pitch/Reverse Pitch:

Don’t miss Paul’s Pitch for KW River Hydroelectric, which you can find on the video from [2:23] to [7:48].

Discussion:

After the pitch, we discuss:

• The development of KW River Hydroelectric’s patented technology, which uses a distributed generation model to capture power from low-head dams across the United States.
• The environmental and safety benefits of the technology, including its ability to operate without modifying existing dams and its resilience against flood debris.
• The potential market for KW River’s technology, with over 55,000 dams identified in the U.S. as candidates for generating power, and the company’s focus on securing funding for a demonstration unit.

Insights:

At [32:34], Paul shares how unexpected connections at the WaterPitch event led to discussions with organizations like the Greater Cincinnati Airport, highlighting the versatility of KW River’s technology in various industrial applications.

Advice:

At [41:47], Paul advises water startups to be patient and thorough in engaging with regulatory bodies like the Army Corps of Engineers and FERC, emphasizing the importance of understanding and navigating the permitting process.