Scientists Develop Giant Turbine Capable of Replacing Hydroelectric Dams

Partnership With Natel Energy Promises To Revolutionize The Industry

The engineers from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory have also built their own model to analyze and study the issue, and are already “getting their hands dirty” in a partnership with Natel Energy.

In this case, the approach is broader, yet hybrid, including small hydroelectric plants and storage ponds at each waterfall, aiming to create a system to meet regional energy needs and ensure stable supply. According to scientist Gia Schneider, the issue has been addressed from the perspectives of ecological and economic sustainability, building a model that helped understand the trade-offs between downstream flow impacts and revenues.

According to the researcher, the study showed that the revenue reduction from the operational changes required to achieve all environmental goals is small, less than 4%.

Small Turbines Linked In Series

Scientists are working on small turbines that can be used in series to best take advantage of river flow without the need to build dams, preserving river connectivity for fish, navigation, and sediments.

According to the scientists, with the use of electronic power systems and controls, the small hydroelectric plant can be managed with other nodes to meet energy needs.

This flexibility allows the plant to generate reliable renewable energy, with dispatchable energy storage when needed, enabling system operators to integrate less flexible renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar energy.