Countries have innumerable conveyances of water associated with wastewater, stormwater, processed water, canals, pipelines, and rivers. These conveyances, with their lower flows, have historically been bypassed for hydroelectric power production because of the relative inconsistency of flow throughout the day. The current philosophy for generating hydroelectric power requires a large enough water source to maintain a predictable base flow, or that can be managed to provide electricity on command.
The inefficiency arises from avoiding the higher and lower fluctuating flows. Fluctuating flows create havoc with existing turbines and generators, which must either turn at a constant rate per minute or use costly variable speed exciters, speed control devices, and protection systems to generate electricity compatible with the electric grid. Variation from the constant speed will result in the electricity generated being rejected or, worse, the catastrophic failure of the system.
The VFH Turbine incorporates a series of components that have never been put into a similar sequence. The mechanically and hydraulically variable turbine and induction generator (or the constant speed synchronous speed generator) have never been joined in this configuration, permitting the automatic or remote computer control of the entire system. Adding the variable hydrologic splitter allows for more efficient hydroelectric power generation. Finally, the simple computer-controlled flow controller and the flywheel (promoting system inertia) enable the system to regulate the flow of electricity to the power grid system or the independently supplied load.
Combining these components into this configuration allows smaller fluctuating water conveyance systems the option and ability to generate electricity.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
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