Eco-friendly river turbine

July 2009 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

A river power station that uses the kinetic energy of the water to generate fish-friendly electric power has been introduced. The small F-LWK 5-300 kW is a low-cost hydro turbine providing alternative energy. Designed by International River Energy, the device allows electricity to be generated without constructional or optical interferences to the landscape, and without emissions.

The F-LWK generates electricity out of natural and artificial, over- and underground watercourses, inside rivers and streams, and in local and industrial wastewaters. It can also be used in tidal waters and in coastal streams. It is fastened in the bed of a stream with a ship’s anchor or concrete tie bar.

The great advantages of this power plant type are that there are an abundance of watercourses in which it can be used for electricity generation. In a recent study, it was found that an enormous potential of water power is unused. This potential lies at a capacity of 1300 gigawatts at low heads of 0,4–4 m and medium to large flow rates of 5–650 cubic metres per second. This corresponds to substituting about 10% of world energy.

Component requirements include anchorage, energy transmission, generator, GPS system, stream converter, interface for data transmission, sensors, electricity converter and additional elements.

The F-LWK 5-300 kW is based on a cone-formed screw that is fixed to the riverbed and is directly connected to a generator. The mobile unit can be installed anywhere between the spring and mouth of a stream, as well as in canals and sewers.

For more information contact Mike Andrews, OEN Enterprises, +27 (0)11 675 4447, [email protected], www.oenenterprises.co.za

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