The Genius of Small Hydro Turbines
Undecided with Matt Ferrell・14 minutes read
Existing hydropower systems in the US are aging and unreliable, but companies like Vortex Hydrokinetics and Turbulent are developing innovative small hydropower turbines that can operate effectively in various water conditions. These new turbine designs offer a sustainable and reliable source of energy without the need for large dams, providing benefits to local communities and the environment.
Insights
- The majority of hydropower systems in the US are outdated, posing reliability and safety risks to surrounding communities due to aging infrastructure.
- Small hydropower (SHP) technologies like the Vortex Hydro SETUR and Turbulent turbines offer innovative, eco-friendly solutions that provide continuous, reliable energy production without the environmental and social costs associated with large dams, showcasing the potential for sustainable and flexible power generation.
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Recent questions
What are the benefits of small hydropower systems?
Small hydropower systems offer growth potential, innovation, and reliability. They provide nearby communities with electricity without the need for large dams or high hydraulic heads. Companies like Vortex Hydrokinetics and Turbulent are developing new turbine designs that are eco-friendly and scalable, allowing for continuous and reliable energy production.
How do Vortex Hydro SETUR turbines operate?
Vortex Hydro SETUR turbines are bladeless models that create a vortex in flowing water to generate electricity. They come in two models, SETUR-M (500 W) and SETUR-L (5 kW), producing significant amounts of energy per year. These turbines can operate in water bodies with low flows and depths, making them versatile and efficient for small hydropower systems.
What is the capacity factor of Turbulent's micro power plant?
Turbulent's micro power plant can achieve up to a 90% capacity factor, showcasing its high efficiency in converting potential energy into actual electricity production. This is significantly higher than the capacity factor of solar power, making small hydropower systems like Turbulent's a reliable and consistent source of energy.
How do Turbulent turbines address intermittency issues?
Turbulent turbines are designed with a rubber coating to withstand ice formation, ensuring their longevity and reliability despite intermittent power generation interruptions. While factors like seasonality can affect water flow and cause intermittency, Turbulent's turbines are equipped to handle these challenges, providing a continuous source of energy.
What are the advantages of small hydropower systems over large dams?
Small hydropower systems like Turbulent's offer more flexibility in installation locations, lower environmental impact, and contribute to local power generation needs. Unlike large dams that come with environmental and social costs, small hydropower systems provide a sustainable and efficient way to generate electricity while minimizing disruptions to ecosystems and communities.
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Summary
00:00
Innovative Small Hydropower Turbines Revolutionize Energy
- 95% of existing hydropower systems in the US were built before 1995, with over half using equipment designed over 80 years ago.
- Aging hydropower infrastructure can be unreliable and dangerous to local populations.
- Small hydropower (SHP) offers potential for growth and innovation, with companies like Vortex Hydrokinetics and Turbulent developing new turbine designs.
- SHP allows nearby communities to benefit from electricity without the need for high dams or hydraulic "head."
- The Vortex Hydro SETUR turbine is a bladeless model that operates by creating a vortex in flowing water.
- The SETUR turbine comes in two models: SETUR-M (500 W) and SETUR-L (5 kW), producing between 4,380 kWh to 65,700 kWh per year.
- The SETUR turbine can operate in water bodies with flows as low as 2 liters per second and depths of up to 50 meters.
- Turbulent, based in Belgium, offers a submersible vortex turbine that is eco- and fish-friendly, with power outputs ranging from 15 to 70 kW.
- Turbulent's turbine design allows for scalability and multiple turbines to be strung together along a body of water.
- SHP systems like the SETUR and Turbulent turbines provide a continuous and reliable source of energy without the need for large dams or high hydraulic heads.
11:03
Turbulent's Efficient Micro Hydropower Systems
- Turbulent's micro power plant can achieve up to a 90% capacity factor, which compares actual electricity production to potential production based on operational time. In contrast, solar power typically ranges between 10-30% capacity factor, with utility scale solar averaging around 17% in 2022.
- Turbulent turbines are not immune to intermittency issues due to factors like seasonality affecting water flow. However, the turbines are designed with a rubber coating to withstand ice formation, extending their lifespan despite intermittent power generation interruptions.
- While large dams like Itaipú Dam can generate significant electricity, they come with environmental and social costs, displacing thousands of people and disrupting ecosystems. In contrast, small hydropower systems (SHPs) like Turbulent's offer more flexibility in installation locations, lower environmental impact, and contribute to local power generation needs, with a global installed capacity of about 78 GW as of 2019.
