Eco-friendly hydropower system generates energy from rivers
If you have running water passing through your property, Turbulent can help you harness that energy and turn it into eco-friendly hydropower.
The innovative product, created by Belgian nationals Jasper Verreydt and Geert Slachmuylders, works by funneling water from a river or other body of water into a basin that spins into a low-pressure vortex.
The spinning turbine is used to generate electricity before the water is redirected back into the main waterway. The resilient, cost-efficient turbines are specifically designed for waterways that historically were not considered viable for sourcing hydropower.
According to the company, Turbulent opens up a new world of opportunities to isolated rural communities by providing clean, reliable energy in a cost-effective way.
One of Turbulent’s latest installations at the world-famous sustainable Green School Bali provides up to 80 percent of the energy consumed by more than 700 students, teachers and staff at the institution. The school’s single, 13-kilowatt water turbine provides as much as renewable energy as a solar installation the size of four tennis courts using water from the Ayung River.
Turbulent’s fish-friendly turbine is robust and was built to survive in even the toughest environments with little maintenance. Its strong blades can withstand sand and debris the size of a coconut, while its built-in trash rack protects the device from larger objects.
And, depending on several variables such as local energy prices and current energy solutions, Turbulent offers a return on investment between four and eight years.
”Eleven years ago, we dreamt of the vortex, we dreamt of a school that was off the grid,” said Jonh Hardy, co-founder of the Green School. “And after many, many years of struggle and many false starts, we discovered the Turbulent vortex and I’m very happy to say that is working well. I would totally recommend it. Local, beautiful, hydropower.”
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