As of wind; water is a flow of fluid. It has two main energy sources. Kinetic (flow) and potential (drop) energy.
Potential energy capturing is dam building. As Google on this topic give you much more information then I can talk here.
Water kinetic energy would include : Ocean current, Ocean wave current, tidal current...
In history human first are experiment with kinetic of water such as water wheel.Very recent there is one invention that we should note. It is Tyson turbine.
Most recent developments are those of using propeller turbines and Darrieus turbines. These type of turbines are very turbulence sensitive. This may cause by a fish passing by or other disturb such as a boat, of the wind etc . . .
To answer you first question " Is hydro power a good energy source?. It is yes. A 10m/s (very strong flow) water rushing has about 314KW/m^2. It is enough for 150 US families live comfortable include cook and air. Theoretically a tiny 4.5m^2 turbine (the size of a small boat) will have 1MW capacity.
This will prompt you one other question: "Why we don't use that?.
The answer is:
The technology is not there yet. Water wheel or Tyson turbines are not allowing us to build a good sizable device.
The other question: "Is any promissory technology on the radar screen?"
- Beside our "invention" I have not know any similar yet.
It is: Neo-Aerodynamic.
1. Elimination of the costly dam building
2. Enable mankind to tap into thousand, thousand miles of
river the forgotten renewable energy source, to be placed where it's
needed, voiding the high cost of transmission loss.
3. Neo-Aerodynamic works on virtually any water flow (speed, head).
4. It does not require the water to be deep and work even on a very low water speed as shown in the video.
5. After generating power; the turbine will lowering the speed of the water stream to reduce the soil erosion problems.
6. One of the main advantages is a Neo- Aerodynamic allowing
the device to be scaled independently in horizontally or vertically to
fit your existing environment.
7. Neo- Aerodynamic can also be modified to capture tidal flow and oceanic current, the virtually untapped blue power.
8. Neo- Aerodynamic neutralize the worst enemy; the
turbulence; this gives an answer to the question why it works while
others fail.
Free flow hydro is much better than dam hydro for the following reasons:
1. It may be used for both river and ocean currents
2. It does not block the passage of fish
3. It is more efficient in energy conversion than dam hydro
4. It does not create stagnant water which results in
a) The production of disease causing malaria mosquitoes
b) Environment suited to disease carrying snails
c) The production of methane gas caused by submersion of trees
5. It does not require people to move from areas as do dams
6. Permit the deposition of alluvial (water carried) soil during the flooding season for farmers as compared to dams that block distribution of this valuable resource
7. They do not have the potential hazard that dams pose as they age or become weakened by earthquakes
8. They cost less to install, maintain (removal of silt) and remove than dams.
9. They can be anchored in oceans where tidal or natural currents such as the Gulf Current flows. Dams cannot be used in open seas.
Disadvantages of free flowing hydro would be:
1. Transmission line length would have to increase
2. The amount of power might decrease during the dry season for rivers if water sources declined but this will also be true of dam water as well since water levels also drop.
I think I need to add a comment (even my business is relate to wind).
1. Most of the in-land sites that are "suitable" for wind farm have been utilized for either wind farm or other purposes. Now people are moving off-shore.
2. Where is the strong wind it has strong wave.
3. Wave are much stable then "wind"
4. Wave current are much powerful then wind.
5. Wave energy harnessing device are less "intrusive", the platform can be utilize other purposed such as retreat/get-away center or off-shore sunset/sundown watching, restaurant etc . . . .
I have to add that the existing grid also must figure into these new technologies. No one like power lines in there backyards as well. Hence while I agree these new technologies are superior to the in place dam turbines, the best locations, in the beginning at least, is down stream of said dams.
1. Because the grid is already there.
2. Flows are dependable and controllable.
So, has anyone contacted the Bureau of Reclamation or the Corps of Engineers to reserve these test sites in the U.S.?
Here are a couple of links that address some of the stuff covered in this thread:
The Guide to Hydropower is an good tutorial for first-timers. It's on the Canyon Hydro site but doesn't contain a bunch of sales hype: http://www.canyonhydro.com/guide
They also have a very cool photo gallery under "Projects."
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