Alternative Energy Forums

A colossal water wheel lowered from existing bridge structures, with the paddles submerged for optimum rpm. This paddle would look like the paddle wheels of an old time river boat, only they would be cupped and always remain vertical while submerged. The large gear on the wheel would transfer to a much smaller gear above to generate sufficient RPM for power generation. These structures could also be placed on barges anchored in the river. Of course, these stations would be out of the navigation routes. The weight of water moving in mass at a 4 knot current represents a great deal of energy… why not tap into this resource that represents 100% clean energy. We must think outside of the box to find solutions to the looming energy crisis that is clearly about to impact our lives in a negative way... perhaps at a catastrophic level.

james daniels

This sounds like a good idea!

AE LISA

James,

This sounds like a model of the US from the 1860’s. Waterwheels were common, the question is, where have they all gone?

I think it’s a great idea. With our current (really good pun) tech, we could easily tap a ton of free power in thousands of local production spots!

Chuck

Both hydro and aero renewable energy are everywhere, the problems are not the lacking of sources waited to be harnessed but integrating, mixing it with backbone of our civilization; the power grid.

As of today technology, at any angle one turns, this carries the biggest cost; the slower RPM the device turns the higher the cost increasing, therefore slow turning devices are feasibly impractical causing countless number of projects shelved to wait for a solution.

Hopefully a solution already appears on the radar screen.

Phi (neo-aerodynamic.com)

Another issue with these large structures mounted mid river is that where the best deep water for navigation is you will also find the fastest water for this type of power generation. That's a very real conflict of use.

Water wheels can be really efficient especially with the right wheel design. They are also very bulky(expensive) and slow and as such they require gearing that has a large energy loss. That's a couple of the trade offs that usually has limited their use. But they can also be very aesthetic in their appearance. Romance has its price. :lol:

The higher head pressure the faster the wheel or turbine's specific speed and smaller the unit can be for a given power output.

Jess
http://www.DoradoVista.com/DV_Hydro_Power.html

Instead of water wheels, the turbines are used and these projects are called "Run of the River" Projects.

If you have water flow details, we can design a power house for you.

Best wishes,
Mizun

Mizun is right, "Run of River" is the way to go.

Jess

Hello,

I have a better idea. So far everyone has been stuck on Turbines to produce energy from rivers. What about the possibility of using Buoyancy? I have designed a system capable of producing huge amounts of energy from rivers which can be installed in many locations without the need of a dam. It would be possible to produce a few Kilowatts up to many megawatts depending on the location.I see the potential as very promising and this will definitely be the next big thing. A Patent has been applied for. You will be hearing more about this soon.

Johnny

Lots of patriotic people live on a river. Rivers supply a constant flow, which can be harnessed for energy. Energy can be transferred to an existing GFI outlet, which is a part of the local grid. What I envision is a means to generate power from small individual generators, which could be DC converted to AC, at location. I don't know where to find this peice of equipment. Please let me know if anyone knows if one exists.

ruverrat