Hydropower is used as a balancing energy source complementing other ways to produce renewable-energy. This requires complex data about the grid, but this data never takes into account the effects of hydropower on biodiversity. We needed to find a way to prove that hydropower is really an eco-friendly alternative to produce energy and its negative impact on the environment can be reduced – which is something that energy companies get criticized for. With FishHeart, Fortum installed an innovative solution to their Leppikoski dam, to help the fish to get to their breeding waters and get valuable data for preserving species.

As one of the most sustainable energy companies in Europe, Fortum looks to reduce their environmental impact wherever they can. Hydropower is one of the key renewable energy sources in the Nordics, and Fortum operates around 150 hydropower plants in Finland and Sweden altogether. Since it was created in 1878, hydroenergy has been by far the largest renewable energy source worldwide. Although it provides low-carbon, clean, eco-friendly electricity, the hydropower dams prevent thousands of fish from returning home every year. A problem which has been unsolved for almost two centuries. This creates a conflict for Fortum, for which they are also criticized by the public and in the media. Therefore, they need to find solutions that help them make existing renewable energy sources even more sustainable by enhancing their impact on biodiversity. With a campaign, we wanted the public to recognize hydropower as an eco-friendly way to produce energy.

Finland is said to be the country of a thousand lakes. And those lakes are connected to the sea by mighty rivers. Throughout history, communities have been built by those rivers, since they have provided food and energy for the developing nation. Hydropower is by far the largest renewable worldwide, producing over twice as much energy as wind, and over four times as much as solar. Sadly, rivers and other ecosystems that provide essential habitats to freshwater fish are under increasing pressure from global hydropower development. While dams can provide flood protection, energy supply, and water security, they also pose a significant threat to freshwater species. Dams block fish from moving along their natural pathways between feeding and spawning grounds, causing interruptions in their life cycles that limit their abilities to reproduce. As hydropower development continues along river basins around the world, helping migratory fish to come back to their natural environments has become urgent.

We knew that a regular communications campaign would not work, since Fortum would only get criticized for greenwashing. Therefore we needed a tangible action that would prove with data the value beyond energy, enhancing biodiversity. The solution is an innovation installed at Leppikoski dam together with FishHeart. It operates on three domains:

1. Attraction Flow: The device produces an additional attraction flow that helps fish find their way up the river.

2. Smart Detection: AI detects fish and collects real-time data and photos of the migration.

3. Elevation: In the tube, fish are propelled upstream over the hydropower plant unharmed, even longer distances and steep ascents.

This valuable data is then the basis for further communication about the sustainability of hydropower. Now we are able to point out how many single fish and even species we have helped while producing renewable energy.

A smart detection process collects the migration data in real-time. If the specimen does not belong to migratory species, the tunnel sends the fish back. If the specimen is a migratory fish, the underwater tunnel propels it safely and unharmed, to the other side of the dam.

This data is valuable not only for Fortum, but environmental researchers and local communities including fishermen. The data is reported to Fortum on a regular basis by FishHeart. For Fortum battling with the criticism around hydropower this is a real proof about conservation of biodiversity. The data is used for further campaigns, and it will shift our way of working towards a more data oriented approach. Environmental researchers and local communities also gain valuable insights on how different species behave, when they pursue their breeding waters.

New data driven campaigns can be directed to different target audiences with different proof points. As the greater public is concerned about the eco-friendliness of hydropower, we are able to tackle those concerns now in real time. We can show which, and how many species go through the system. This ability is also what we highlighted in the launch campaign.

These insights help Fortum to avoid the discourse about not doing enough and greenwashing in general, while it also helps to shift the perception about hydropower. Multiple campaigns are already in the pipeline and the data becomes crucial in this setting.

The data available also helps Fortum to direct investments to other dams, as a proof of concept.

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) is conducting a study on the size of the lake trout population that is migrating upstream towards the plant and the effectiveness of the water

The data gave us valuable insights on the river ecosystem. Over 13,300 fish are transferred per year, in the single unit in Leppikoski. 22 species are preserved in Finland. We are giving a second chance to Oulujärvi lake trout, an endangered species.

The perception of hydropower as an eco-friendly solution has since improved by 30 % in the Finnish public. We saw an increase also in the public demand for more hydropower, which rose by 15 %.

The technology by FishHeart is going to be adopted in 20 countries in 2024. The patent is active in 16 countries, and in process in 38 more countries. The US Department of Energy grants 1,3 million USD in funding for FishHeart.

Fortum showed an example to other energy companies, while the FishHeart technology is being implemented by them to even more rivers. This is true value beyond energy – beyond company silos.