Today, more than 85% of renewable energy comes from rivers and most of the hydropower plants are situated in the hilly areas because hydel plants need the potential difference in the water level to rotate the turbine. Though it is considered renewable energy, it harms nature to a high extent in its construction. But the problem seems to be solved as a new and innovative concept of hydropower plant has been given by some Belgian engineers who have developed a turbine known as Whirlpool Turbine.

What is the Whirlpool turbine



In simple words, it is a low-pressure turbine with a submersible generator fitted inside it which generates electricity that is sufficient to power up to 60 houses 24/7 without harming nature as well as aquatic life.

It has been invented by Turbulent, a Belgian company. whose main aim is to make a green Hydel power plant which can make it easy to install at any place and can fulfill the power requirement of rural areas of the world. Currently, in Chil, they had built a 15-kilowatt demonstrative plant.

More: Turbine developed by Japanese engineers will generate electricity from sea waves

How does Whirlpool Turbine work?

One of the most dangerous forms of energy is Eddy and in Sea, it is Whirlpool, which is so much powerful and destructive that it can sink even Big ships. But here engineers are using the same destructive energy in a constructive way to generate electricity.

Let’s see how:

They dig the land beside the water source as in the picture and then construct a channel with the concrete.

The only requirement for the installation is that there should be a 1.5 m height difference in the water level.

The water channel should be created in such a way that whirlpool can easily be generated as shown in the picture.

After that, the main component turbine is fitted in the lower core of the basin. This turbine generates electricity with the help of a submersible generator which is fitted inside it.

Also, a gate is provided in the channel to control the excess of water flow to maintain the required pressure of water and save the turbine. As the water starts to flow whirlpool is generated and which gives the energy to rotate the turbine and generate electricity. A very small Power Station is also built near it to distribute electricity in surrounding areas.

Related: Why Blade-less Wind Turbine is getting So Famous?

Advantages Whirlpool turbines

It is small and compatible so that it can be installed near any water source if it provides the required water level difference. It doesn’t harm aquatic life because it is a low-pressure turbine and hence fishes have no danger. It is also cheaper to install, as in conventional hydro plants it is required to construct either big dams or tunnels, which costs too high. It also saves from high expenditure on electricity transportation, which involves the setup cost of a bigger power station and electric poles, wires and so many workers. It has low maintenance and high durability also no engineering required after its installation.

Limitations of Whirlpool turbine

It stops working only if water freezes ( but it’s not a big limitation because running water never freezes). Its electricity generating capacity is very low that is only in Kilowatt.

In Chile, they had already installed a 15-kilowatt demonstrative plant.

Engineers are now working to increase its power generating capacity in the megawatt

you can visit the company’s official website for more information here is the link given www.turbulrnt.be

If you want to purchase any, they have different models of Whirlpool turbine you can order any of them according to your requirement.

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