Cadens Hydro
Developer of micro-hydropower turbine systems using large-format additive manufacturing (BAAM) and proprietary TurbineBuilder software for low-head, non-powered dam sites.
- CEO / Founder
- Randal Mueller
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $274,525
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- U.S. Department of Energy SBIR; Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) SBIR Advance; The BREW; WERCBench Labs
Technology & Products
Key Products
TurbineBuilder software; 3D-printed Fixed-Kaplan S-turbine systems; Micro-hydro testbed (30-ft, 25-35 kW); Debris mitigation for micro-hydropower; Micro-Hydropower AM Customizable Components; Microhydro microgrid off-grid demonstration
Technological Advantage
Proprietary TurbineBuilder software for automated site-specific design software; Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) for large polymer composite components; demonstrated 40% cost reduction per kW vs. traditional methods; 6+ years of operational data from operational prototype; DOE SBIR-funded R&D with ORNL MDF partnership.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Cost-effective micro-hydropower turbine systems for low-head sites using large-format additive manufacturing (BAAM) and automated design software, reducing turbine costs by up to 85% and deployment time by 90% compared to traditional methods.
How They Differentiate
Uses large-format additive manufacturing (BAAM) to produce customized turbine components at a fraction of traditional costs; TurbineBuilder software automates site-specific design; modular approach enables deployment at 85,000+ non-powered US dams previously considered uneconomical; demonstrated 6+ years of continuous operation.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Small dam owners; municipalities; rural communities; infrastructure owners with non-powered dams and canal drops; farm and factory operators seeking distributed energy
Industry Verticals
Renewable Energy; Hydropower; Distributed Energy Generation; Water Infrastructure
Competitors
Natel Energy; Emrgy; Hydrovolts
Growth & Milestones
Major Milestones
2011: Founded by Randal Mueller and Dan Gieschen; 2016: Cadens LLC formally established; 2016: IAM Hydro Grand Prize; 2018: CRADA with ORNL MDF (NFE-18-07280); 2020: IAM Hydro Grand Prize for Utility of Large Area AM for Small Hydro; 2021: AMUG Technical Competition 1st Place (Advanced Concepts); 2022: DOE SBIR Phase I Award ($199,525); 2022: SBIR Advance matching grant ($75,000); 2023: SBIR Advance; 2024: DOE SBIR Phase I Award; 2025: SBIR Advance; 2026: ORNL publishes success story on 6+ year continuous operation of 3D-printed turbine prototype