What Smart Hydro Power does

Smart Hydro Power GmbH is a Feldafing, Germany-based company founded in 2010 that develops, manufactures, sells, and markets hydrokinetic micro-hydro power systems for decentralized electrification. Its core technology is a family of zero-head / in-stream turbines (SMART Monofloat, SMART Free Stream, and the 2018 SMART Slow Flow Turbine) that extract kinetic energy from flowing river or canal water without dams or head differential, featuring a patented anchoring system, debris protection with diving-float submersion, and a 5 kW permanent-magnet underwater generator. Turbines are sold standalone, bundled into the SMART Hybrid System (turbine + photovoltaic + 48V battery) priced at €33,350, paired with a direct-coupled SMART Irrigation System at €22,500, or complemented by the proprietary SMART Energy Management System for load balancing, battery management, and remote monitoring.

The business model is predominantly direct hardware sales of standardized products, quoted ex-works and shipped partly assembled, with prices ranging from €2,800 (PV panels) to €33,350 (full hybrid system). Distribution combines a website with direct "Order Now" capability, industry-event lead generation (Hannover Messe, EXPO Astana), and a network of local channel partners in Nigeria, Colombia, Peru, India, and Indonesia (Smart Hydro Power Nigeria, ENERA S.A.S., PT. BIMA Green Energi, Gram Oorja, ECI, IMP Powers) that handle project development and implementation. Customers are predominantly rural communities, agricultural operations (rice and cocoa farms, irrigation), a single telecom-tower deployment (Telkomsel in Indonesia), and grid-connected pilots in Germany. To date, more than 40 turbines have been deployed across six countries, with significant revenue reliance on co-financing from international development programs including GIZ, dena/BMWi, Wuppertal Institute, and EU Horizon 2020 (grant H2020-SMEINST-811624). Ownership is held primarily by the founding Kolmsee family (36%), eCapital (35%), KfW (12%), and HTGF (12%).

Name

Smart Hydro Power

Legal name

Smart Hydro Power GmbH

Website

https://smart-hydro.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Hydro Power GmbH develops and sells hydrokinetic micro-hydro turbines and hybrid off-grid energy systems for rural electrification, agricultural irrigation, and telecom infrastructure across emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrokinetic Turbines

NAICS

Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Small & Micro Hydropower Systems (Off-grid, Rural Electrification) (EUAMADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydropower Turbines & Electro-Mechanical Equipment (Turbines, Generators, Governors) (EUAMADAC), Hydropower Plant Controls, SCADA & Digital Optimization (Automation, Monitoring, Analytics) (EUAMADAG), Run-of-River Hydroelectric Generation (EUACAEAA)

Keywords

• Hydrokinetic turbines
• Micro hydropower systems
• Decentralized electrification
• Off-grid energy solutions
• River turbine technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Feldafing

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hydrokinetic Turbines: Sale of SMART Monofloat and SMART Free Stream turbines as core products. Prices range from €12,490 to €14,580 for standalone turbines. These are one-time hardware sales with delivery of generator, shroud, debris protection, float, anchoring sets, and electrical cable.
2. SMART Hybrid Systems: Complete off-grid hybrid systems combining hydrokinetic turbine, photovoltaic panels (4 kWp), and 48V battery bank (20 kWh). Sold as standardized packages at €33,350. Includes electrical off-grid cabinet with bidirectional Studer inverter and 4 kW hybrid inverter.
3. SMART Irrigation Systems: Integrated systems for agricultural applications combining SMART turbine with water pump and frequency inverter. Sold at €22,500. Enables direct-coupled irrigation without battery storage, providing cost-effective pumping solution.
4. Component Sales: Sale of individual components including electrical cabinets (€3,260-€8,650), photovoltaic panels (€2,800), battery banks (€4,950), and fuel generators (€5,050). Parts come partly assembled to reduce transportation costs.
5. Site Analysis and Training Services: Smart Hydro Power offers complete services related to site analysis, training, and measurement services. Practical Training was integrated as official part of SHP's portfolio in 2014.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smart Hydro Power develops, manufactures, sells, and markets kinetic micro-hydro power plants, including hydrokinetic in-stream turbines (SMART Monofloat, SMART Free Stream) that generate electricity from the kinetic energy of flowing water without dams or head differential. Core offerings include complete off-grid hybrid systems combining turbines with photovoltaic panels and battery storage, irrigation systems directly coupled to river turbines, and a proprietary SMART Energy Management System that balances power supply and demand for rural electrification and productive use applications.

Product overview

Smart Hydro Power offers a modular portfolio of hydrokinetic turbine products and complete energy solutions for decentralized electrification. The core products are the SMART Monofloat Turbine and SMART Free Stream Turbine, which are proprietary in-stream hydrokinetic turbines that generate power from river flow without requiring dams. These turbines can be standalone or integrated into SMART Packages, which include the SMART Hybrid System (turbine + photovoltaic), SMART Off-grid Photovoltaic Set (solar-only), and SMART Irrigation System. The SMART Energy Management Systems serve as the intelligent control layer for these solutions, managing power flow, load prioritization, and battery storage. Individual components like SMART Electrical Cabinets (grid-connected and off-grid variants) are also available separately. The product architecture is modular and scalable, allowing customers to add turbines, solar panels, and batteries as demand grows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SMART Turbines: Hydrokinetic in-stream turbines for rivers and canals, including SMART Monofloat and SMART Free Stream models.
• SMART Hybrid System
• SMART Packages
• SMART Energy Management Systems
• SMART Irrigation System

Products and services

• SMART Monofloat Turbine Hydrokinetic in-stream turbine designed for rivers, with reinforced debris protection, a patented anchoring system, and a patented diving float that submerges to avoid debris when water flow speed increases. Features a 5 kW permanent-magnet underwater generator providing three-phase AC power, stainless steel cable debris protection, slightly curved rotor blades, and a diffuser that increases water velocity. Output: 250-5000W. Dimensions: 3130x1600x2010 mm, weight 380 kg, 3 rotor blades of 1000mm diameter, rotational speed 90-230 rpm. Expandable with multiple turbines.
• SMART Free Stream Turbine Hydrokinetic turbine installed on the bed of a river or canal, particularly suited to canals or behind traditional hydro power plants. Compact and reliable base-load supply for locations with lower debris. Features debris protection with stainless steel cables, slightly curved rotor blades, and a 5 kW underwater permanent-magnet generator. Maximum power output at 3.1 m/s water velocity. Dimensions: 2640x1120x1120 mm, weight 300 kg.
• SMART Slow Flow Turbine
• SMART Hybrid System (Off-grid) Complete off-grid hybrid package combining a SMART hydrokinetic turbine, photovoltaic panels (4 kWp), and a 48V battery bank (20 kWh). Operates continuously at the optimal power point with separate MPP trackers. Includes electrical off-grid cabinet with bidirectional Studer inverter and 4 kW hybrid inverter. Sold as a standardized package at €33,350. Suitable for productive use of energy such as workshops, food processing, and community electrification.
• SMART Off-grid Photovoltaic Set
• SMART Irrigation System Integrated irrigation solution combining a SMART Monofloat Turbine with a water pump and pump inverter, enabling direct-coupled irrigation without battery storage. At 1.7 m/s water velocity, generates an average annual 1.1 kW and pumps 36 m³/hour of water. Pumps 1,000 m³ for 30% of the cost of diesel generators. Price €22,500. Reduces pumping cost by 70% versus diesel.
• SMART Energy Management Systems (EMS)
• SMART Electrical Cabinet (Grid-connected System) Electrical cabinet for grid-connected systems, including inverter, controller, dump load, and fuse box. Price €3,260. Designed for feeding power from SMART hydrokinetic turbines into the grid under feed-in tariff arrangements.
• SMART Electrical Cabinet (Off-grid Hybrid System) Electrical cabinet for off-grid hybrid systems, including Studer inverter, Ginlong inverter, and dump load. Price €8,650. Used in SMART Hybrid System configurations.
• Frequency Inverter for Irrigation Cost-efficient system for operating productive-use appliances through clean energy along rivers. The frequency controller adapts the rotational speed of motors driving mechanical systems, allowing pumps, mills, or cooling appliances to be operated directly from a SMART Turbine. No battery required; provides cost-effective three-phase power supply.
• Site Analysis and Practical Training Services Professional services including site analysis, training, and measurement services for SMART energy system deployments. Practical Training was integrated as an official part of the SHP portfolio in 2014. Targeted at channel partners, local teams, and end-customer operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost of Energy reduced to €0.20/kWh, 40% lower than solar-only and 30% lower than diesel generators
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gram Oorja (India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Indian partner for food processing project in Karnataka, India. Project financed by Wuppertal Institute for Climate Change, Environment and Energy.
• Sanjeevani Seva Trust (India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Indian partner for rural electrification project in Bhamane village, Karnataka. Project supports 34 households with electricity for multiple uses.
• Wuppertal Institute (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Wuppertal Institute for Climate Change, Environment and Energy financed the food processing project in Karnataka, India. Enables access to development funding.
• IMP Powers (India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Indian market partner announced in 2016 for market expansion in India. Smart Hydro Power Germany teams up with IMP Powers for Indian market.
• PT. BIMA Green Energi (Indonesia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Indonesian partner for telecom project in Tabang, Indonesia with Telkomsel. Partner for deploying hydrokinetic turbines in Indonesian market.
• Telkomsel (Indonesia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Indonesian telecom operator. SMART Monofloat Turbines installed powering telecom tower in remote Tabang, Indonesia where diesel was the only alternative.
• ECI (Peru)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Peruvian local partner for community services project with SMART hybrid system in Bellavista, Peru. Project developed through Innovate program from Peruvian Government.
• ENERA S.A.S. (Colombia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Colombian partner for irrigation project in Neiva and other Colombian projects. Project performed as part of dena Renewable Energy Solutions Programme coordinated by Deutsche Energie-Agentur.
• dena (Deutsche Energie-Agentur)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014German Energy Agency coordinating the worldwide dena Renewable Energy Solutions Programme. Smart Hydro Power projects in Colombia are part of this program co-financed by German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
• SENA (Colombia)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2014Colombian national learning service. Partner in SMART Irrigation System project in Colombia, demonstrating efficiency and economy of the solution.
• Colombian Government DelegationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Colombian delegation organized by Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy through Exportinitiative Erneuerbare Energien. Included professionals from ITELCO IT S.A.S., IEB, CIDET, SuperBrix International S.A., EPM, and Colombian universities.
• Dr. Gideon Adogbo / Smart Hydro Power NigeriacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013Local partner in Nigeria who has provided vital support in securing business opportunities. Facilitated sale of 16 total turbines to Nigeria (3 in 2013, 13 in 2014) for installations behind Oyan Dam near Lagos and in Akwanga.
• Kraemer'sche KunstmühlecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Traditional hydro power plant at Auer-Mühlbach in Munich hosting Smart Hydro Power's R&D operations since 2011. Site used for long-term testing and product development, with cold winters and hot summers testing material durability.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011German development organization working on rural electrification projects. Partner in Marisol, Peru project with local Government of San Martin and Comité de Electrificación Marisol. Also involved in management training programs.
• ARE (Alliance for Rural Electrification)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Internationally renowned partner and industry association for rural electrification. Dr. Karl Kolmsee became a member of ARE's Board in 2015, enhancing visibility in the sector.
• ESHA (European Small Hydropower Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010European industry association for small hydropower. Awarded Smart Hydro Power the ESHA Innovation Award in 2014. Serves as platform for industry networking and visibility.
• Siemens StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Internationally renowned partner through Siemens Stiftung. Listed in Empowering People Network recognizing impactful technology solutions for development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Turbulent: Belgium-based developer of hydrokinetic vortex turbines for low-head rivers and canals, targeting decentralized rural and small-grid power. Directly comparable in technology approach (zero-head/in-stream hydrokinetic) and rural/off-grid customer base.
• Hydrovolts: US-based hydrokinetic turbine manufacturer focused on in-river and canal installations generating power from flowing water without dams. Closely comparable product architecture and customer segment to Smart Hydro Power's Monofloat and Free Stream turbines.
• Ocean Renewable Power Company: Developer of hydrokinetic power systems (tidal and riverine) using seabed/river-bed-mounted turbines. Comparable proprietary turbine-generator technology and focus on baseload renewable power from flowing water in remote, off-grid contexts.
• New Energy Corporation: Hydrokinetic turbine manufacturer producing modular in-stream turbines for rivers and canals, including the 'Hydroscrew' family. Comparable product portfolio targeting small-scale, low-head hydro applications in distributed generation.

Broad incumbents

• Andritz Hydro: Global large-hydro equipment OEM (turbines, generators, automation) supplying utilities and large hydropower projects. Overlaps with Smart Hydro Power in electro-mechanical turbine manufacturing and digital plant controls but at much larger scale and traditional head-differential projects.
• Voith Hydro: Established global supplier of hydro turbines, generators, and automation systems for large and small hydro plants. Comparable in turbine/generator manufacturing and digital SCADA/optimization technology but addresses traditional head-differential hydropower rather than zero-head hydrokinetic.
• Cummins: Global manufacturer of diesel and natural gas generator sets used as backup and primary power in off-grid and weak-grid settings — the primary incumbent alternative Smart Hydro Power displaces. Comparable end-use application (telecom towers, rural communities, agricultural irrigation) but incumbent fossil-fuel technology rather than renewable.

Emerging players

• Husk Power Systems: Decentralized renewable energy provider operating mini-grids in rural Africa and Asia using hybrid solar, biomass, and storage systems. Comparable target customer (off-grid rural communities, agricultural operations) and business model (hardware + service) but uses different primary energy sources.
• M-KOPA: Pay-as-you-go solar home system provider serving off-grid households across East Africa. Comparable end customer (rural off-grid households in emerging markets) and product category (modular distributed renewable systems), though solar-only and consumer-financed rather than hydrokinetic.
• d.light: Global provider of affordable solar lanterns, home systems, and pay-as-you-go energy solutions for off-grid households. Comparable in distributed renewable energy for rural emerging markets but focused on solar lighting and small home systems rather than river-turbine power generation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smarthydropower
• Facebookfacebook.com/smarthydropower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-utilities-solutions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Hydro Power