Jobs and People

Malus named chief executive officer of Natel Energy

Malus named chief executive officer of Natel Energy
(photo courtesy Natel)

Natel Energy has announced the appointment of Bill Malus as chief executive officer (CEO), replacing co-founder Gia Schneider, who will transition to chief commercial officer and continue serving on the board of directors.

In this position, Malus will focus on advancing commercial growth of Natel’s FishSafe™ turbine technology, which can ensure the safe passage of fish through turbines, supporting healthy river ecosystems while generating renewable energy. His extensive commercial experience and industry relationships will be instrumental in advancing Natel’s mission to support healthy rivers, promote freshwater biodiversity, and decarbonize the grid.

Schneider served as CEO since the company’s inception in 2009. Other co-founder Abe Schneider will remain in his role of chief technology officer, and the two will work closely with Malus to drive Natel’s commercial growth and positive ecological impact.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bill Malus as the new CEO of Natel Energy,” said Gia Schneider. “Bill’s extensive experience in the hydropower industry will enable Natel to further scale its impact and more quickly achieve the vision of a planet where a reliable zero-carbon grid is balanced with a thriving natural environment.”

Malus brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the hydropower industry and is poised to accelerate Natel’s growth, according to a release. Previously, Malus was business development executive for utilities and energy at Capgemini. Other former roles include senior vice president and chief sales officer for Voith Hydro North America, president and CEO of Voith Hydro Canada and COO at Voith Hydro. He also has served as treasurer and executive board member for Waterpower Canada and was an executive member of Canada’s National Electricity Roundtable.

“I am honored and excited to be joining the team at Natel,” said Malus. “Hydropower is a vital renewable energy source for our planet and this will only intensify as we move forward due to the rapid electrification needs around the globe. Natel Energy brings a critical dimension to the hydro industry: enhancing safe downstream fish passage through turbines while enabling plant modernization with minimal change to existing infrastructure. Not only are we supporting critical energy infrastructure, but we are also protecting the ecosystems that coexist with these hydropower facilities.

“Natel has grown tremendously under Gia and Abe’s leadership, and I look forward to working side by side with them to accelerate adoption of Natel’s innovative FishSafe™ turbine designs.”

Natel has achieved through-turbine fish passage survival rates of 98% to 100% across multiple fish species and life stages with its FishSafe runner designs. These runners have demonstrated safe fish passage even while operating at conventional blade speeds and maintaining high hydraulic efficiency. Natel conducts feasibility studies, performs fish passage and performance testing, and works with turbine manufacturers to implement its runner designs worldwide.