​​Emily Morris and Thorsten Stoesser​

At the centre of their solution is the Hydro‑Transition System, which actively manipulates water flow to accelerate velocity and increase throughput. These transition units funnel and constrict water into a double-turbine frame, using structural components such as tensioned cables, reinforced brackets and anchoring systems to maintain stability across diverse canal geometries. The turbines themselves use counter‑rotating vertical‑axis Darrieus rotors optimised for shallow, slow‑moving water.  

Each module typically delivers 5–25 kW, enabling incremental scaling along long canal corridors. Highly standardised mechanical components, modular concrete flumes and a cassette mechanism allow turbines to be swapped or maintained quickly with minimal downtime. Combined with power electronics compatible with standard solar inverters, Emrgy’s technology transforms existing canal networks into distributed energy assets that complement intermittent solar and wind generation. 

Seizing an opportunity

In 2008, Stoesser was working at the Georgia Institute of Technology when he was approached by the Girl Scouts of Georgia, who wanted to see if they could generate power from tidal streams at their coastal camp. This led to early experiments in the university flume and laid the groundwork for his hydrokinetic research. Around the same time, Morris was at AMT Inc. working on a naval project for heavy-duty submarine drivetrains. When the navy project shifted direction, Morris seized the opportunity to apply similar engineering concepts to shallow-water hydropower. 

It was a blog post about Stoesser’s research that caught the eye of Tony Morris, Emily’s father and a fellow entrepreneur. The post initiated the connection that would ultimately lead Emily to spin the technology out into a dedicated company in 2014. Emrgy’s big break came from a partnership with the City of Atlanta, where full-scale testing at a wastewater plant helped refine the patented Hydro-Transition concept. The project drew interest from Denver Water, prompting a pivot from wastewater facilities to canals.  

Today, the company holds agreements with 48 water and irrigation districts, securing access to around 19 000 km of canal infrastructure across the United States. Reflecting on this expansion, Stoesser describes the experience as deeply fulfilling: “What began as a small academic project with a flume and a handful of students has now become a technology deployed across real canals. As a researcher, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing ideas leave the laboratory.” 

For Morris, growth is only part of the story; the underlying purpose remains unchanged. “I’ve always felt compelled to work on things that can make the world better than we found it,” she says. “Bringing innovation into the world that genuinely matters is what keeps me going.” 

About the inventors

Emily Morris is the founder and CEO of Emrgy Inc. A magna cum laude graduate from Vanderbilt University, she previously served as a project manager at AMT Inc. She has led  research contracts for the US Department of Energy and is named inventor on several patents. Thorsten Stoesser is a professor at University College London, having previously held positions at Cardiff University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers on computational fluid dynamics, specialising in the hydrodynamics of rivers and marine turbines.