Person-Portable Micro-Hydropower System

The small, person-portable, HydroCoil Turbine by HydroCoil Power, Inc. is a tested, revolutionary step forward for micro-hydropower with a helical, injection-molded design and few parts, generating more electricity from low head/ low-to-medium flow installations than other turbine technology (see chart in the full proposal). Phase I will incorporate the HydroCoil turbine design, combined with innovative head extension technology developed at e-Harvest Systems, Inc., into a dynamic system computer model. Using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools and techniques, combined system performance will be predicted under a range of various flow/head conditions and adaptable penstock configurations. Multiple turbine/generator units can be clustered together easily and quickly, extending generation capacity. Additional development tasks (Phase I Option) include designing and testing microcomputer-equipped, robotic submersible units embodying intake/debris screen, turbine, and output conditioning electronics. Equipped with RF links and IP addresses, these assemblies will directly monitor and control the integrated system via internet or smartphone application. Site selection and microhydro turbine set-up will also be simplified. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the N112-147 topic, the overall system will provide a portable demonstration and evaluation platform, significantly boosting commercialization efforts and product sales.