HydroelectricHydropower systems
Proven Generators for Long-Duty, Grid-Stabilizing Infrastructure
Hydro Demands Machines That Last for Generations IDEAL Builds Them That Way At

What We Do
At IDEAL, we build small hydro generators (1–20 MW) with conservative engineering and
modern quality controls — rugged, reliable, and built to serve.
We’ve delivered hundreds of hydro generators across North America, supporting independent
producers and OEM turbine manufacturers alike. Our machines serve in both high-head
mountain sites and low-head river applications, engineered for long-duty cycles, high inertia,
and grid stability.
Explore Products Built for Hydro

How We Work with Turbine OEMs
Most hydro projects are awarded through turbine manufacturers, and we understand how to
support that process. IDEAL works closely with OEM partners to deliver generators that
integrate seamlessly — with the documentation, drawings, and technical alignment they expect
from a trusted partner.
IDEAL builds to your specs, supports your timelines, and helps you deliver with confidence.


Synchronous Generators
Custom-built, small hydro generators (1–20 MW), engineered for both vertical and horizontal configurations.

Drop-In Replacements
eplacing legacy units? IDEAL builds to fit — with specs that match, and performance that
outlasts.

Need Something Now?
Check our inventory of available generators and machines ready for shipment.
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In the Field: Built for Real-World Hydro
When you’re replacing an older generator, every bolt pattern and shaft detail matters. IDEAL builds drop-in replacements that match the original specs — saving time, reducing install costs, and extending performance.
Hydro projects today require more than just a machine — they demand traceability, compliance, and long-term reliability. IDEAL generators are engineered and manufactured in
the U.S., with full quality control, documentation, and the kind of support that global sourcing
often can’t match.
From high-head mountain installations to low-head river systems
IDEAL generators power
small hydro sites across North America. Whether retrofitting a legacy unit or delivering for anew, grant-funded installation, our machines are engineered for exact fit, long service life, and system stability.

Reliable When It Matters Most
Grid-connected hydro systems can’t afford unplanned downtime. IDEAL generators deliver stable, responsive power with minimal maintenance — helping operators avoid outages, missed cycles, and costly delays.
The Synchronous Advantage
Rotating Machines for Real Grid Resilience
As the grid evolves, hydro plays a stabilizing role—and so do IDEAL generators. Our synchronous machines provide real inertia, voltage support, and ride-through capability that batteries and digital solutions simply can’t match.
Hydropower paired with synchronous generation is one of the few renewable combinations that can support microgrids, islanded systems, and long-term reliability—without degradation, hazardous waste, or performance drop-off.
Supporting the Next Generation of Hydro: Earth Storage
When you’re replacing an older generator, every bolt pattern and shaft detail matters. IDEAL builds drop-in replacements that match the original specs — saving time, reducing install costs, and extending performance.
As the energy sector looks for cleaner, longer-duration storage solutions, earth storage has
emerged as a breakthrough alternative to lithium-ion systems. These projects store energy by
shifting weight or water underground — then recover it through high-efficiency generation
cycles.
Our Process
Where Hydropower Meets Innovation
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Customization at Scale
Constrained site? Legacy turbine? IDEAL builds around your requirements — not the other way around.Learn More -
Electrification & Drive Conversions
From legacy turbine replacements to modernization, see how IDEAL supports decarbonized generation.Learn More -
The Synchronous Advantage
See why inertia, efficiency, and service life still make synchronous machines the smartest choice in hydro.Learn More
Let's Talk
Need a hydro generator that lasts as long as the dam it’s tied to? IDEAL delivers machines that support grid resilience, meet funding requirements, and perform for generations.
Ideal Electric
Why It’s Different Here
Drop-in replacements for legacy GE, Westinghouse, or other units
OEM-level engineering, records, and service — not just a product sale
Provides grid stability batteries can’t, real inertia, real torque, zero degradation
Hundreds of hydro installations across North America
Built to run for 50+ years — not just meet warranty terms