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Generate free electricity with the Darrieus hydroturbine. Clean, sustainable energy directly from your local river
As countries seek to move away from fossil fuels, there is a need to develop ways to take advantage of energy sources renewable. Although solar panels and wind turbines have been implemented in most use cases, both systems have limitations in power generation. While wind turbines' energy output depends heavily on wind speed, solar panels are effectively non-generative for almost half the day.
A turbine placed in the water flow can generate energy continuously, whether day or night. A single tidal turbine can produce power generated from 12 solar panels, the company claims.
Rivers turn into power plants with this device
The invention that is revolutionizing everything is the Darrieus, a tidal turbine for individuals that converts waterways into free electricity. The company Idénergie allows homes to have a carbon-neutral and economical source of energy. The only requirement to benefit from this device is to live near a watercourse. This company, specialized in renewable energy for years, has made several forays into solar energy. Now, it has launched a different product: a hydroturbine for rivers.
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Energy innovation: Water turbines you can install yourself
This time, the entity decided to focus its efforts on water. After several years of research and development, the company launched a hydroturbine capable of powering a home. The device is simple, consisting of a turbine built into a stainless metal frame, alongside interchangeable blades. Furthermore, its application is also simple. Just place it over the course of a river for it to work.
Water is responsible for moving the turbine and producing energy. It is designed to be effective even in shallow, low-velocity waters. It consists of two Darrieus-type turbines, a model chosen for its ease of installation and manufacturing. It can be adapted to a water depth of just 60 cm and a minimum speed of 1 m/s.
Hydroturbine Technology: Efficiency and sustainability in energy production
Its other great quality is the type of blades that make it up. They are not very expensive to create and are easy to replace and ship if they break. So, just connect the device to the electrical circuit to get free energy. The potential of rivers is impressive: they can now be converted into power plants. The river current allows the turbines to rotate, which activates the generator.
Energy then appears and is transformed into electricity thanks to the built-in intelligent converter. This transformed energy is transmitted through the batteries by an electrical cable. We are talking about batteries that recharge 24 hours a day and, from there, an inverter converts direct current (24-48 V DC) into alternating current (120 V AC) to power electrical devices. As for production, it has the capacity to produce 12 kWh per day, that is, enough electricity to power a small house.
Idénergie and its commitment to renewable and ecological energy
The company argues that a single river turbine at maximum capacity can create the same energy as 12 photovoltaic panels. Furthermore, the Canadian generator represents an annual saving of 50% compared to the maintenance costs of a gasoline generator. It works at any time of the day.
Another positive point is that its installation is simple, does not require much maintenance and allows for network installation. Installation is done in half a day thanks to simple electrical connections. It can be disassembled to facilitate transport to the most remote corners of the world, and then assembled in the desired location. Its easy and quick installation requires just two people and a few hours. Several can be installed in a network for more important energy needs.
Several can be installed in the same section of the river and connected to each other in the same battery bank with greater capacity to power an establishment with more important energy needs and even a small isolated community.
Shaftless and 100% hermetic technology prevents any water intrusion into the generator envelope, limits maintenance and ensures a long life for the turbine.
The device is made mainly from metals such as aluminum and other environmentally friendly components, which makes the turbine the most environmentally friendly of all renewable energy products available. These materials do not react with the environment and are easily recyclable, which guarantees a sustainable value at the end of its useful life.
The hydroturbine is equipped with an intelligent converter that allows better control of energy production by automatically regulating the rotation speed, thus providing maximum power. With freely suspended turbines, the absence of an external structure and a rotation mechanism reduces the risk of waste accumulation. The turbine starts automatically and can be monitored remotely.
Idénergie has developed a new type of underwater electric generator technology that is highly efficient at low speeds and completely waterproof, thanks to an innovation that eliminates the transmission shaft between the turbine and the generator. Its waterproofness limits the maintenance required and guarantees a long product life in any type of water.
An integrated variable speed drive located inside the generator housing allows for optimum electricity conversion, control of the optimum rotation speed, automatic turbine start, continuous power optimisation, remote monitoring capability, emergency braking, etc. Installation of the turbine requires only three people with little or no experience. No cranes, modifications to the riverbed or any expensive civil works are required. The equipment can be shipped anywhere in the world, dismantled in a box and assembled on the riverbank simply with Allen keys.
