VerdErg Renewable Energy

What VerdErg Renewable Energy does

VerdErg Renewable Energy Limited is a privately held British engineering company that designs and supplies hydropower equipment for ultra-low-head sites using its patented Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology (VETT). VETT uses venturi principles to amplify pressure around a conventional axial flow turbine, allowing compact, high-speed, gearbox-free turbines to operate at head drops of 1-5 metres — a segment the company cites as representing approximately 11 GW of globally undeveloped potential. The product portfolio comprises Standard VETT (20-180 kW per unit for larger run-of-river installations), VETT-in-a-Box (2-30 kW prefabricated portable systems for off-grid and humanitarian use launched July 2024), Tidal VETT (bi-directional tidal range turbines), and pipeline technologies including SMEC (wave and tidal current converter), Gyrerg (gigawatt-scale floating flywheel energy storage), and the Buoyant Compliant Weir (flood mitigation combined with hydropower). VerdErg's first and only publicly documented commercial reference is the 24 kW Eaton Socon hydro scheme on the River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire.

VerdErg generates revenue through three streams: hardware sales of turbine systems, professional services (pre-feasibility studies at £300 desktop-only or £480 with site visit, plus quote-based full feasibility studies), and end-to-end project development. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales to landowners, project developers, utilities, infrastructure operators, communities, and humanitarian organisations, with industry-conference participation — British Hydropower Association, EWTEC, ABRAPCH in Brazil, All Energy Conference, International Energy Week — generating mid-funnel leads. Active geographies are the United Kingdom and Brazil, the latter supported by a Portuguese-language website and a dedicated South America market lead. The company targets multiple segments: rural and remote communities (primary use case), landowners and developers, tidal energy projects, utilities and infrastructure operators, and humanitarian/emergency response.

Strategic positioning rests on regulatory validation — VETT received Environment Agency approval for run-of-river installations in May 2017 following two live fish trials documenting zero mortality and 100% scheme passage rate — and on the 2010 UK Severn Tidal Power feasibility study, which shortlisted VETT as the lowest-cost-of-energy option among evaluated designs. The firm is founder-controlled by Peter Roberts (Group Chairman and VETT inventor); day-to-day operations are led by Managing Director Lars Boerner, with Robert Kettle as Group Chief Engineer, Renato Martins as Financial & Administration Director, and Karla Quintao as Senior Engineer & Market Lead South America. VerdErg holds eight patent families across the UK, US, EU, BR, CN, JP, KR, AU, IN, CA and other jurisdictions covering its turbines, marine converters, energy storage, and flood infrastructure, and has won recognitions including the 2023 British Hydropower Association Innovation Award and the 2010 Rushlight Natural Energy Award.

Name

VerdErg Renewable Energy

Legal name

VerdErg Renewable Energy Limited

Website

https://verderg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VerdErg Renewable Energy Limited is a British engineering company developing patented Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology (VETT) for ultra-low-head hydropower sites (1-5m head), supplying turbines, feasibility studies, and project development services to landowners, developers, utilities, and humanitarian clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Low-head hydropower equipment and engineering services

NAICS

Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydropower Turbines, Generators & Balance-of-Plant Equipment Manufacturing (EUAMAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydropower Turbines & Electro-Mechanical Equipment (Turbines, Generators, Governors) (EUAMADAC), Hydropower Plant Development & Permitting (Greenfield/Brownfield) (EUACAEAE)

Keywords

• Low-head hydropower
• Micro hydro turbines
• Tidal range energy
• Fish-friendly turbines
• Renewable energy systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston Upon Thames

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Turbine and Equipment Sales: Sale of VETT turbine systems including Standard VETT (20-180kW per unit), VETT-in-a-Box (2-30kW), and Tidal VETT. Systems are individually scalable and multiple units can be installed in parallel for larger projects.
2. Professional Services: Pre-feasibility studies (desktop £300, with site visit £480), full feasibility studies, licencing and design support, and turbine enquiries for advanced projects.
3. Project Development: End-to-end project development services for low-head hydropower installations, from early feasibility through to construction support and commissioning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VerdErg designs, manufactures, and supplies patented VETT (Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology) hydropower systems for ultra low-head (1-5 metre) sites where conventional hydro is uneconomical. VETT turbine systems are sold in three variants (Standard VETT for 20-180kW run-of-river, VETT-in-a-Box for portable 2-30kW off-grid, and Tidal VETT for bi-directional tidal projects), along with engineering services including pre-feasibility studies, full feasibility studies, licensing support, and end-to-end project development for micro, mini, and tidal range hydropower installations.

Product overview

VerdErg Renewable Energy offers a portfolio of patented hydropower and marine energy technologies. The core product is VETT (Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology), a patented system using venturi principles to achieve pressure amplification for conventional turbines, enabling compact, high-speed, no-gearbox solutions for low-head settings of 5 metres or less. VETT variants include Standard VETT for large run-of-river projects (20-180kW per unit), VETT-in-a-Box for portable off-grid micro-hydro (2-30kW), and Tidal VETT for bi-directional tidal range projects. Supporting products include SMEC (Spectral Marine Energy Converter) for wave and tidal current energy, Gyrerg for gigawatt-scale wind energy storage, and the Buoyant Compliant Weir for flood mitigation combined with hydropower. The company also provides engineering services including pre-feasibility studies, full feasibility studies, licensing support, and turbine supply. VerdErg's first commercial deployment is the Eaton Socon hydro scheme in Cambridgeshire, UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VETT (Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology): Patented hydropower technology using venturi principles to achieve pressure amplification for conventional axial flow turbines, enabling compact, high-speed, no-gearbox turbines for ultra low head hydro settings of 5 metres or less.
• Gyrerg
• SMEC (Spectral Marine Energy Converter)
• Buoyant Compliant Weir
• VETT-in-a-Box

Products and services

• Standard VETT VerdErg's original VETT hydropower solution installed in an open concrete tank, targeting run-of-river projects with flow rates larger than 1,500 l/s. Each system is individually scalable from 20 to 180kW, with multiple units installed in parallel to reach installed capacities above 30kW up to 1MW+.
• VETT-in-a-Box Portable 'plug & play' mini hydropower solution manufactured off-site in a prefabricated pressurised duct arrangement. Designed for flow rates from 500 l/s with head drops of only 2m, includes a 2-30 kW power cabinet for direct electricity consumption or mini-grid connection. Suitable for temporary or permanent off-grid generation at remote sites and for disaster relief rapid deployments.
• Tidal VETT Bi-directional VETT variant specifically designed for tidal range projects in estuaries and lagoons. Can operate in bi-directional or uni-directional modes for ebb or flow generation, exploiting lower head over longer time periods compared with conventional tidal barrages or lagoons.
• SMEC (Spectral Marine Energy Converter) Apparatus for converting hydraulic energy from wave action and ocean/tidal current flows into electrical energy. Employs VETT technology with multiple linear venturis formed between multiple vertical pipes. Can be placed on the sea floor or float just under the sea surface, protected by several patents.
• Gyrerg Gigawatt-scale energy generation and storage system concept comprising a large, compartmentalised annulus or disc floating on a captive air cushion with multiple sails. Acts as a flywheel storing rotational mechanical energy sourced from sails or surplus grid electricity. Can be sited offshore or floating in a circular trough of water onshore, storing energy mechanically without requiring harmful chemicals or rare earth metals.
• Buoyant Compliant Weir Low-cost flood mitigation technology using a waterproof membrane attached to a buoyant cylinder that provides pop-up flood containment. Also offers hydropower generation for remote communities, long-term river power generation, and bi-directional tidal range energy for lagoon and estuary configurations.
• Pre-Feasibility Study Desktop pre-feasibility study covering desktop research, hydrology assessment, power estimate, conceptual design, grid connection review, environmental assessment, indicative budgets and economics, and project development outline. Also available with an additional on-site visit for more accurate assessment.
• Full Feasibility Study Tailored full feasibility study for low-head hydropower projects, scope-dependent on project complexity, size, existing data, and previous work completed.
• Licensing and Design Support End-to-end project development support for low-head hydropower installations, including licensing assistance, design support, and turbine enquiries for advanced projects from initial feasibility through to construction support and commissioning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon emissions reduction of 35t per year at Eaton Socon installation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Engaged University of Oxford MSc student to research Gyrerg technology, developing mathematical models for analyzing fundamental operation and optimizing control strategies. Also collaborating on DPhil research with Graham Benham on VETT hydrodynamics through InFoMM CDT, with supervision from Prof Colin Please, Dr Ian Hewitt, and Dr Rob Style.
• Qi3 LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with Qi3 Ltd on Innovate UK-funded global low-head hydropower market feasibility study, bringing sales, marketing and business development expertise with enabling and emerging technologies.
• Fishtek Consulting LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborated on Phase II fish testing programme at HR Wallingford to acquire audited experimental evidence of VETT's safe fish passage. Conducted fisheries risk assessment and led fish assessment and reporting.
• Vis Advies BVminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborated on initial fish testing programme in 2013 at their facility in Nieuwegein, Netherlands to assess fish passage and survivability through VETT.
• Greenford LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed as civil construction contractor for Eaton Socon hydro scheme build phase.
• Environment AgencyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUK regulatory body that approved VETT for installation in run-of-river hydro settings. Granted abstraction licence for Eaton Socon project and conducted site visits to understand VETT technology.
• Wyre Tidal EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupportive regulatory partner for tidal VETT prototype installation development.
• Solway Energy GatewayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupportive interest group partner for tidal VETT prototype installation development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Voith Hydro: Global leader in hydro turbine and generator manufacturing including Kaplan, Francis and Pelton designs. Comparable as a competing turbine technology provider in the broader hydropower market, though typically serving higher-head installations than VerdErg.
• Mavel: Czech manufacturer of small hydro turbines (Kaplan, Pelton, Bulb) up to ~25 MW. Comparable as a small-hydro turbine equipment supplier targeting run-of-river projects with similar decentralised generation use cases.
• Natel Energy: US-based developer of low-head hydro and hydrokinetic turbines focused on small-scale, fish-safe installations. Closest direct comparable to VerdErg in the ultra-low-head segment with similar environmental performance claims.
• ANDRITZ Hydro: One of the world's largest hydropower equipment manufacturers offering turbines, generators and complete hydro plants. Directly comparable as a turbine supplier to hydropower developers, though focused on large-scale rather than VerdErg's ultra-low-head niche.
• Tocardo: Dutch tidal and free-flow turbine manufacturer focused on marine and low-head hydrokinetic energy. Comparable technology peer in the tidal/ultra-low-head hydro space with similar bi-directional and environmentally-friendly design objectives.
• Gilkes: UK-based manufacturer of small hydro turbines and hydropower systems with long history in run-of-river and low-head installations. Comparable regional turbine peer serving similar UK/international developer customers.

Emerging players

• Lucid Energy: US developer of in-pipe hydro turbines installed in municipal water distribution pipes. Comparable as an emerging low-head hydro technology provider addressing decentralised generation, though using a different deployment model (in-pipe vs run-of-river).
• Rentricity: US-based company developing in-pipe hydropower from water distribution pressure reduction. Comparable as an emerging low-head hydro technology player pursuing decentralised generation, particularly through water infrastructure partnerships.
• Smart Hydro Power: German manufacturer of low-head (1.5–4m) kinetic hydro turbines for run-of-river sites. Comparable product offering targeting similar ultra-low-head installations and decentralised generation use cases.

Broad incumbents

• GE Renewable Energy (Hydro): Global incumbent in large hydro turbines and pumped storage with comprehensive service offerings. Provides direct competition in the wider hydropower equipment market though focused on utility-scale rather than ultra-low-head applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/verdergre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9JAsgT9-vutkA2xw8lSkeA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verderg-renewable-energy

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 VerdErg Renewable Energy