Below are a list of frequently asked questions related to the HydroPASSAGE project.

HOW IS RESEARCH TRANSFERRED INTO THE HYDROPASSAGE TOOLSETS?

One of our primary missions at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is to move innovations developed by our researchers—instruments, new processes, technologies, software, software applications, and more—into the marketplace where they can be applied for the betterment of our everyday lives. Patented and copyrighted inventions are made available to existing and startup companies through exclusive and nonexclusive licensing agreements. Each agreement is unique.

HOW DO YOU COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT FISH SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TURBINE STRESSORS?

Information about fish susceptibility to turbine stressors is collected through empirical studies that expose fish to known stressors and measure the response (e.g., mortality, injury). The HydroPASSAGE team performed laboratory-based studies on the effects of rapid decompression, shear, and blade strike on priority species. Fish susceptibility information was also collected from relevant scientific literature. Read more about these projects here.

WHO CURRENTLY USES THE HYDROPASSAGE TOOLSETS & TECHNOLOGIES?

Currently, licenses for the HydroPASSAGE toolsets are held by several companies. Information about the licensees can be found on the following pages: BioPA, HBET, and Sensor Fish. Additional information about the use of the toolsets can be found on the Applications page.

HOW IS THE HYDROPASSAGE PROJECT BENEFICIAL TO HYDROPOWER?

The HydroPASSAGE project benefits the hydropower community by providing tools and information that advance the biological performance of hydropower turbines and can lower the regulatory cost through improved designs and safer operational conditions.

HOW DO BIOPA, SENSOR FISH, HBET ALL FIT TOGETHER?

The BioPA, HBET, and Sensor Fish toolsets were developed under the HydroPASSAGE project. BioPA and HBET integrate hydraulic conditions collected via computational models (BioPA) and lab- or field-based data collection (HBET) with known fish impact information to compare the biological performance of hydropower turbines and/or operating conditions. Sensor Fish are autonomous devices that can be deployed into turbine units to collect hydraulic condition response information that can be integrated into HBET.

WHAT HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO USE HBET?

HBET has specific computer system requirements:

• 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

HBET was designed for the following operating systems:

• Windows 7 and higher

HBET requires SQL Server 2012 or newer.

WHAT SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO USE BIOPA?

BioPA requires a computational CFD code (e.g. STAR-CCM+, CFX) and Excel.

HOW MUCH DOES A SENSOR FISH COST?

The cost of Sensor Fish is set by the seller. Visit here to find where Sensor Fish are currently available for purchase.

HOW DO I USE HBET?

HBET is a software package that integrates exposure probabilities from Sensor Fish devices and combines them with empirically-derived fish impacts. Exposure probabilities are downloaded from Sensor Fish after they are deployed through turbines or other hydro structures.

HOW DO I USE BIOPA?

BioPA is a Microsoft Excel-based program that integrates the exposure probabilities of streamtraces and combines them with empirically-derived fish impacts. BioPA uses the outputs of CFD simulations to characterize the hydraulic environment in a turbine.

HOW DO I GET HBET?

HBET is available for license from PNNL. More information about licensing can be found here.

HOW DO I GET BIOPA?

BioPA is available for license from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. More information about licensing can be found here.

CAN I PURCHASE SENSOR FISH?

Yes. Sensor Fish are available for purchase through licensees.