People | Faces of the sector
Tracking the people driving change in the hydro industry, from new board appointments to career milestones
Yves Rannou joins board of RheEnergise
RheEnergise, a UK-based developer of long- duration hydro energy storage, has appointed Yves Rannou, former President and CEO of Alstom Wind and GE Hydro, as a non-executive director.
Rannou, who has also held senior roles at Suez, will work with RheEnergise’s management team, led by CEO Stephen Crosher, and board chair Jim Campion. He will advise on the commercialisation of the company’s High-Density Hydro® technology, project development, and overall business strategy. RheEnergise is preparing to begin operations
at its pre-commercial demonstrator project in Devon, which is mainly funded by the UK government. The company expects its first commercial-scale projects to be operational by 2028 and has agreements to deploy its technology in the UK, South America, Australia, and mainland Europe.
Jim Campion, chair of RheEnergise, said:
“We are delighted that Yves Rannou has joined the RheEnergise board. His deep knowledge of pumped hydro storage, accumulated over decades with leadership roles in companies like Alstom Hydro and GE Hydro, and his involvement with a range of start-ups working in the green economy, will be a huge asset for us. As we navigate the pathway to our first commercial LDES projects, Yves’ industry knowledge and expert insight will be enormously valuable.” Yves Rannou commented: “My experience at GE, Alstom, and other major industrial leaders such as Suez showed me a simple truth: standardization of large-scale industrial products is the path to lower costs, greater efficiency, and the most affordable energy solutions. I’ve long believed the first company to apply this model to hydropower would revolutionize the energy transition; RheEnergise is that company. They are not only standardizing system design, but their innovative, ultra-high-density fluid dramatically expands the range of viable storage sites and significantly reduces the project footprint. RheEnergise is finally unlocking the true scaling potential of pumped hydro.” “Yves Rannou is a respected industry leader, and his endorsement of our vision is a powerful catalyst for the next phase of our mission to build a decarbonized power grid. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our Board,” added Stephen Crosher, CEO of RheEnergise.
Herbie Johnson receives 2025 Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award
The National Hydropower Association (NHA) has announced Herbie N. Johnson, Business Development Manager for Hydropower at Colliers Engineering & Design, as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, and commitment to advancing the hydropower industry. The Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award is the
NHA’s highest individual honour, presented annually to a professional whose career contributions have significantly influenced the field of hydropower. Johnson was recognised for his three decades of service in both the public and private sectors, focusing on modernising hydropower infrastructure and promoting innovation across the industry. “Herbie’s work has consistently elevated
hydropower as a cornerstone of America’s clean energy future,” said NHA President and CEO Malcolm Woolf. “His leadership in modernising facilities, improving cybersecurity, and strengthening partnerships reflects the innovative spirit that this award represents.” Johnson’s career includes leadership roles at Southern Company, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Colliers Engineering & Design. As General Manager of Hydropower Generation at Southern Company, he managed 30 hydropower plants producing 2,900MW of renewable energy. At DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office, he oversaw national research and development programs focused on hydropower modernisation and cybersecurity. In his current role, Johnson supports clients with project development, regulatory strategy, and investment incentives. An Auburn University graduate with a degree in civil engineering, Johnson has served in leadership roles with the International Hydro Association and the National Hydropower Association, including two terms as NHA president from 2017 to 2019. A US Air Force veteran, he has also been recognized for his mentorship and community service. “I am deeply honored to receive the Dr.
Kenneth Henwood Award,” Johnson said. “This recognition reflects the teams and mentors who share a vision for a modern, resilient hydropower future – and the support of my family, especially my wife Hannah and our daughters, Avery and Claire.”
8 | November 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
Entura Engineer Ambrose Canning retires after 40 years of hydropower work
Ambrose Canning, Principal Consultant, Mechanical Engineering at Entura, is retiring after 40 years with Hydro Tasmania, Hydro Tasmania Consulting, and Entura. He has worked on hydropower projects across Tasmania, Papua New Guinea, Sarawak, and other countries. Canning, who describes himself as a “quiet achiever,” worked on the last major hydropower schemes in Tasmania during the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, he has contributed to projects across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. In PNG, Canning played a key role in assessing new hydropower developments, modernising the Rouna and Ramu power stations, improving worker safety, and sharing knowledge to build local capacity. Colleagues have praised Canning for his
technical expertise, patience, composure, and mentorship. “Ambrose has made a wonderful contribution
to our business, our culture, our people, and to clients and communities throughout our regions,” said Amanda Ashworth. “He’s been an excellent mentor, technical expert, and generous, reliable presence over many years. Congratulations, Ambrose on your 40 years with Entura. We wish you all the best for a very happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement.” Leigh Smith, who has worked with Canning for four decades, said, “Ambrose sets the standard for mechanical engineers, especially in the design space, and has played a key role in building Entura’s respect among clients. Through his mentoring of other Entura engineers, he has ensured that Entura will maintain that esteem and continue to deliver excellence and value to our hydropower clients.” In retirement, Canning plans to focus on
gardening, bonsai, outdoor activities, and volunteering at the Mt Mawson ski slopes in Tasmania.
To share updates for the Faces of the Sector section, please email your information to
Carrieann.stocks@btmi. com. We welcome news about recent appointments, retirements, award wins, and other notable achievements.
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