Cadens

Cadens, LLC, established in 2011, is a specialized firm operating at the intersection of renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The company was founded by partners Randal Mueller, Joseph Millevolte, and Dan Gieschen. Cadens focuses on the design, production, and deployment of micro-to-small hydropower systems, addressing a market gap for cost-effective energy solutions for low-head dams and smaller water sources often overlooked by larger manufacturers. The business model centers on leveraging proprietary design software and large-format additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to create customized, site-specific water turbines.

This approach aims to radically reduce the traditionally high costs and long lead times associated with hydropower projects. By utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) and composite materials, the company can rapidly produce modular, efficient, and affordable turbine systems. Revenue is generated through the sale of these bespoke powertrain plus conveyance (PPC) systems to clients with small, low-head hydropower sites. The company's flagship project, Cadens Hydro, has demonstrated the technical viability of its full-scale 3D-printed composite turbine systems at its research facility in Sullivan, Wisconsin. This facility is crucial for testing and validating the durability and performance of its products in real-world conditions.

The company has received support through various accelerator programs, including The BREW (Business. Research. Entrepreneurship. In Wisconsin.) and the Midwest Energy Research Consortium's WERCBench Labs, which helped refine its business model. Cadens has also secured Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, including a notable $75,000 from SBIR Advance in late 2022, underscoring confidence in its approach. These grants have facilitated partnerships, including a collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to explore the utility of Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) for producing durable, low-cost hydropower components. The firm is actively developing a "Microhydro microgrid" to further enhance its design and manufacturing processes for off-grid applications.

Keywords: hydropower, additive manufacturing, renewable energy, water turbines, low-head hydro, 3D printing, clean energy, microgrid, sustainable energy, composite materials, Design-to-AM, small hydropower, turbine manufacturing, energy systems, water technology, advanced manufacturing, clean-tech, modular hydropower, site-specific turbines, energy independence, hydro systems