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Water vortex hydropower technology: a state-of-the-art review of developmental trends

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Abstract

With the explosive growth of global energy demand coupled with effects of climate change, there is a significant shift towards green energy generation in recent years. Of the various renewable energy resources available, micro-hydro-power and pico-hydro-power remain very popular in both developed and developing countries. Since 2006, significant growth has spurted in the use of artificial free-surface vortices to generate low and ultra-low-head hydropower following the development of the so-called gravitational water vortex hydropower plant. The technology works on the principle of harnessing hydroelectric power from the high angular velocity experienced in the core of a whirlpool generated in a vortex chamber. In this article, a state-of-the-art review is undertaken on the vortex hydropower technology including a historical review of the technology, the underlying hydraulic principles of such devices, overview of research and technologies that have been deployed to date together with an evaluation of their performance and key findings. Currently, there are 19–22 known live vortex hydropower technologies operating internationally with key academic and commercial research activity in Europe and Asia. The average efficiency from these sites was found to be in the region of 53% which is lower than conventional propeller turbines but higher than waterwheel systems. It was found that the vortex plant, due to its ability to sustain relatively high efficiencies at low heads and small to medium flow rates, addresses a gap in the current turbine application chart. Its key advantage lies in the high-power densities produced compared with conventional technologies. The system also demonstrates potential to be able to function as a fish passage; however, stronger validation is required to prove this for a range of turbine systems. Finally, the authors propose a number of areas that should be investigated that should provide immediate improvements to the turbine in terms of performance.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to acknowledge the support from the Ministry of Energy, Government of Nepal and Center for Energy Studies, Institute of Engineering. The authors would also like to thank the Institute of Technology, Sligo and the National University of Ireland, Galway for their support in compiling this article. Finally, the authors are especially grateful Franz Zotlöterer for his support in completing this article and allowing the use of his images and materials.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Ashesh Babu Timilsina & Tri Ratna Bajracharya

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Sean Mulligan

  3. Center for Energy Studies, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Ashesh Babu Timilsina & Tri Ratna Bajracharya

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Timilsina, A.B., Mulligan, S. & Bajracharya, T.R. Water vortex hydropower technology: a state-of-the-art review of developmental trends. Clean Techn Environ Policy 20, 1737–1760 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-018-1589-0

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