5 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

"Hydrovolts is a Seattle, Washington-based start-up with an innovative micro-hydro turbine technology. Instead of relying on natural water resources,
the Hydrovolts turbine is designed specifically for use in man-made waterways, such as irrigation canals, water diversion channels, discharge channels for wastewater, cooling water discharges from thermal power plants and large hydropower projects.
The company was a global finalist in the 2009 CleanTech Open, and winner of that year’s National Sustainability Award. It also won the CleanTech Open Sustainability Award for the Northwest Region in 2010.
The company offers three different blade designs, which can be switched out to accommodate different current levels and applications. The turbine itself also comes in three different sizes, capable of producing 100w to 16kW, depending on water velocity.
The smallest model is about the size of a two-drawer filing cabinet, and can be installed by two people in less than an hour. The largest model fits inside of a standard shipping container."



http://www.earthtech...o-clean-energy/

[eweaver15]

This is really cool. If we're already making the energy by directing the water, we should be taking advantage of it. I visited the Hoover Dam once and the amount of power it generates is amazing.

[E3 wise]

Great posting

This is a great thread and I hope everyone will take a little time to check into Hydrovolts and their technology.  Environmental Power & Water Generation is looking at this company for waterway and irrigation canal instillations of micro hydro here in south Florida. The innovative turbine designs allow them to be used in a wide range of applications, in an easy modular, drop and go applications.   On a personal note I love this company because it demonstrates American technology solutions that can make a huge difference if Americans will just take notice and get involved in generative power solutions.  Here is a little more info for the thread. You can also see videos of Hydrovolts technology and other company’s micro hydro solutions on YouTube

   December 19, 2011 - Seattle WA.  Based Hydrovolts has been selected as one of the ten innovators of LAUNCH: Energy, a competition founded by NASA, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State and NIKE.  

Hydrovolts was selected for its “Switchblade” turbine and “Flipwing” turbine rotor that enables hydroelectricity generation from canals and other managed-flow water courses. The company’s zero-head hydrokinetic turbines offer a way to generate reliable, local clean power, including water canals, dam tailraces, thermal cooling discharges, water and wastewater treatment plants, rivers and tidal channels found in millions of locations around the world.

The LAUNCH: Energy challenge identifies transformative energy innovations with the potential to revolutionize both the developed and developing world. Hydrovolts was chosen from over 200 submissions.

  “This is great validation for Hydrovolts, our technology and vision,” said CEO Burt Hamner.  “The LAUNCH team had over 200 choices, we are very proud to be picked as one of the 10 finalists.  We look forward to engaging with LAUNCH’s Founding Partners and Council who represent a diverse cross section of leadership in energy research, global development and manufacturing.”
E3wise

[mariaandrea]

This is brilliant. Makes sense something like that would be developed here with all the water surrounding us! :)
What I especially like is this part

Quote

But, Hamner believes that micro-hydro in artificial water systems is an untapped, cheap distributed energy resource that can stand on its own without renewable energy incentives.

Incentives are important, but I think it's just as important for the future of renewable energy that technologies and companies are able to start up and run without help when it's feasible, just like many other companies started by entrepreneurs.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

mariaandrea, on 30 December 2011 - 08:37 PM, said:

Incentives are important, but I think it's just as important for the future of renewable energy that technologies and companies are able to start up and run without help when it's feasible, just like many other companies started by entrepreneurs.

Agree.
How many billions of dollars would us taxpayers save if all incentives, but especially subsides stopped?
Not just oil and gas, but sugar, farmers, Amtrak;  the list goes on.

[zararina]

A very nice innovation that could support or give energy for farmers for their machines or even supply some energy to households. Water gate of dams could be also good source of hydro power as it releases some amount of water to avoid overflowing or for not exceeding the capacity of dams. At least it will be utilized not just flooding near areas.