A prototype is under the testing phase by a team at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee that shall generate energy from flowing water surface
The fraternity of scientists are experimenting a floating device that can generate electricity from flowing surface water of rivers and streams. This shall stand as a landmark development in the path of alternative source or renewable energy.
The Problem
The hydel plants need the construction of huge dams, which has crucial impact of ecology, environment, habitats of the animals and people living in and about the area. To alleviate this, the scientists at IIT Roorkee are working on a prototype that shall harness energy from water currents of the surface.
Why this research is important in terms of renewable energy?
Presently, the hydel projects are utilizing water falling from the height to rotate the turbines. But, this could be potentially alterened where after the successful performance of prototype, the power plant shall use velocity of the flowing water to turn a turbine and produce power.
According to reports, the potential in flowing water has ability to generate 100 times more power than wind of similar velocity.
Benefits of Hydro-kinetic technology
Hydrokinetics promises an emerging industry with hundreds of potentially viable technologies. Today’s, power development programs from the water are staged around Hydro-kinetic technology. This is based owing to the high reliability and performance of the hydro-kinetic devices.
How Does Hydrokinetic Energy Work?
As water flows through a turbine or other device, the kinetic energy of the flowing river, tidal fluctuations, or waves is converted into electricity by the device.
Hydrokinetic power is about producing electrical power via flowing water. It is the underwater analog of wind power. In either wind or hydrokinetic, the flowing fluid spins a turbine rotor (which might look like a propeller). This rotor uses lift and drag forces to create torque that drives an electric generator.
