Kinetic Hydropower

Kinetic hyrdopower is power created by using turbines under water to collect energy. However, unlike hydrodams that are large, bulky and often times a danger to the ecosystem, kinetic hydropower is an effective way of creating electricity without putting too much of a footprint on the area in which the turbines are installed.

How Does Kinetic Hydropower Work?

By harnessing the power of the moving water, underwater turbines that are grouped together are able to spin and, with the continuous momentum provided by the water, generate electricity. To make it work is a straight forward process.

Installation of the turbines needs to be in a place that will be heavily influenced by tides. More importantly, they can't be in places that interfere with commercial fishing as well as Navy operations. On top of that, they can't be in a place that would have an incredibly negative impact on the environment due to the sudden appearance of the turbines.

The turbines are installed under water. As the water moves through them, the current forces the blades to spin. As the blades spin, the momentum causes energy which, in turn, is transmitted to land. Through a series of underwater cabling subsystems, the electricity is passed from the consistently generating turbines to the grid on land. The electricity is collected and can then be sent out again.

These turbines look similar to what a modern day wind turbine looks like. By harnessing the force of water (or wind in the case of a wind turbine), the wind mill spins, causing kinetic energy, which in turn leads to the creation of electricity.

Why Use Kinetic Hydropower?

The first main reason to use it, primarily, is because it is so much smaller than a hydrodam. Hydrodams have an incredibly negative impact on the environment. Getting rid of hydrodams and replacing them with these turbines would be an effective way of doing less damage to the environment while, at the same time, increasing production of election.

Another reason to use it is because of a government mandate that says that by 2025, 25% of all electricity needs to come from renewable sources. Using the currents and tides is an incredibly effective way of creating the much needed electricity.

Finally, the use of kinetic hydropower can be directly connected to wind power. In oceans where they are placing wind turbines, an effective approach that some researchers are trying is the use of these water turbines connected to the wind turbine. As the wind blows, it collects electricity, but then the water turbines, as well, collect even more.