posted
im not sure, but it looks interesting. if it can work, it is a good idea IMO. nothing is burning, and it probably has very little bad outputs (pollution, etc). they say fish wont be harmed, and if thats true i hope it works great and makes him rich.
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Jim-Me: am I missing something? it's a fancy waterwheel, right? why wouldn't it work?
Waterwheel functionality is just a theory. I personally believe in micro-waterwheel functionality, but not in macro-waterwheel functionality.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I wonder if it has fewer maintenance issues than higher velocity turbines. Also, given the attractiveness and low noise factors, this might be a feasible source of alternative energy for people with moderate-sized streams crossing their property.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Reading the website from the reasearch group this is a serious project that has been generatng electricity for over a year.
It is essentially a low head horizontal axis turbine. The main advantage is that needs only a 70cm head to be effective, compared to +/- 2 metres for a Francis or Kaplan turbine (usually employed in a low-head scenario).
They are also keen to point out it's other environ mental aspects - that is is great for aeriating rivers and introducing beneficial turbulance into modern chanalised river beds.
It looks cool to me. Less environmental impact than a water wheel, and more efficient. It's not a radical departure from current hydro technology, but it looks like it might open up possibilities for hydro schemes in places where it would have been impractical to site them before.
Posts: 892 | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
Noemon
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
