Gravitation Water Vortex Power Plants for Canada?
I recently picked up a copy of Homepower magazine in a bookshop. Partly because they had a focus on small scale hydroelectric power And partly because Scott Davis of Victoria was mentioned in that article (I have met him). I wanted to see what new thinking was arising about small scale hydroelectric. But I was really disappointed. Basically they have embraced new electronic controls for power outupt so that small scale can interoperate easier with the grid. But they stated (with all the power and might of editorial voice) that there is NOTHING new or improved on the horison with regard to turbine design. So they want all the potential water power devellopers to go with banki, and Kaplan turbines which do NOT allow fish to pass through the power plant. I guess they have an ecosystem of advertizers who use their magazine and they didn't want to upset that.
Their viewpoint is about 20 years out of date! The reverse archimedes screw was patented almost 20 years ago and it is widely used on low head sites in Europe (Because it lets fish pass downstream). I guess the patent time is nearly over so anyone will be able to make one in a couple of years. How could they not have heard of it????
In my view, far better than the "hydrodynamic screw" (Fancy name for the archimedes screw working in reverse) is gravitational vortex power plants. These allow the fish, (and even shrimp and fly larvae) to migrate up and downstream through the power plant. They were started in Austria and are now spreading (very fast) in Europe and Asia. Why not here? The link below is the specifics about how the fish pass through the plant.
http://www.zotloeterer.com/welcome/gravitation_water_vortex_power_p303ea...
Do we have to wait until all the old wanna-be low head hydro devellopers DIE? These people by the way often hate environmentalists because environmental protection laws prevent their dams. (We have those laws for very good reasons) But there are also the old environmentalists who will not even look at the idea. Their brains seem to be hardwired in "Hydroelectric is evil" mode. Do we have to wait for all the old environmentalists to DIE too before this gets looked at? Reason I ask is because there are massive "ruin of river" hydropower projects slated for northern BC that are going ahead with the old technology.
We also have many remote fish dependent native communitys. Some are off grid and powered by diesol generators. There must be extraordinary pressure on them to develop their water power with the old tech. I think it is imperative that advisors and people in those communities know about this now before mistakes are made. A couple of gravitational vortex pilot plants are needed right now so people can access the benefits. I have emailed higher ups through all channels on all sides about this for the last couple of years. I can count responses on 1 finger.
I have spoken about it at a meeting attended by higher ups in Victoria. I person out of 50 comes over to ask questions.
Not too many enquiring minds in Victoria, I guess. Anyway, the english version of how the vortex power plant works was not available a year ago. Now it is and they have 5 or 6 years of electricity production data too. Please check out the details on the site. I am happy to answer questions but if you are really interested,
why not go directly to the inventor on the site itself?
His english isn't great but communication is possible. Brian
Interesting topic...
I admit I don't know much about the mechanics of the different turbine designs, but you have encouraged me to check them out.
I mostly agree that it would probably be helpful to allow fish and otehr marine life to pass up and downstream of the dam to minimize it's effect on migration and spawning habits. But just to play devil's advocate... dams can also serve as barriers to invasive species. In the past it may not have been so important, but these days there are at least a few invasive species that are on the brink of destroying north american marine ecosystems (zebra mussels and asian carp for example).
Perhaps there is a better way to both generate power, and create barriers and buffers to the looming threat of invasive species while minimizing the effect on the movement of native species.
Thoughts?