Bill Harris, founder of Harris Energy Group Inc., presents an energy program to students from Bishop Baraga Catholic School and Norway/Vulcan schools through his public foundation Renewable World Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News Photo)

NORWAY — The power of flowing water is the principle behind Harris Energy Group Inc.

The company at 1001 Stephenson St. in Norway, founded by William “Bill” Harris, of Neshkoro, Wis., and President/CEO Tom Berutti of Iron Mountain, has focused over the years on fostering hydroelectric power sources.

Harris Energy Group has three main subsidiaries: Renewable World Energies LLC, Kiser Hydro LLC, and Hydro Pipe, LLC.

Renewable World Energies owns and operates 21 hydroelectric power plants in the Midwest that produce 100 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable electricity.

“We take our stewardship of natural resources very seriously, as we own over 3,000 acres of forest land and over 38 miles of shoreline open to the public for hunting, fishing, and recreation,” Berutti said.

Kiser Hydro is a union field service company that employs members of Wisconsin Millwrights Local 1056 and Michigan Millwrights Local 1510 as well as Michigan Laborers Local 1329. Kiser Hydro specializes in repairs of hydroelectric power plants throughout North America.

The third subsidiary, Hydro Pipe, is a hydraulic engineering company that uses state-of-the-art technology, such as computational fluid dynamics (CPD) that simulate water flow, to design site-specific hydroelectric turbines for maximum energy production. Hydro Pipe also creates remote, off-grid irrigation systems and energy recovery units using 3-D-printed components.

In all, Harris Energy Group employs about 80 people, with the potential for growth. While hydroelectric plants are the dominant source of renewable power, the company is looking to branch out to other forms of renewable energy, Berutti said, adding, “We are working on a combined solar/wind project in downstate Michigan.”

Harris, through his public foundation Renewable World Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is well known to area schools, as the foundation does a number of in-school presentations, including renewable energy education, environmental conservation, electricity and magnetism, as well as out-of-classroom programs that include canoe trips, Day at the Dam field trips and the Isle Royale Education Program (IREP),

which allows a school to bring an entire class to Isle Royale for four days focused on conservation.

In all, RWF programs can touch 6,000 to 7,000 students a year throughout the Midwest, Harris said, adding, “The goal of the foundation is to inspire students to be good stewards of the environment and become aware of the importance of renewable energy. RWF is helping to shape today’s youth into tomorrow’s leaders in both energy and environmental conservation.”

Harris Energy Group donates significantly to Renewable World Foundation and its programs.

For more information, contact the Renewable World Foundation at 906-458-4505.

Theresa Proudfit can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 45, or tproudfit@ironmountaindailynews.com.