Hydrokinetic Chamber Integration for Low-Impact Floating Hydropower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydroelectric power plants face high construction costs, environmental impacts, and limited location choices due to the need for large reservoirs, while hydrokinetic energy generation faces challenges in identifying suitable locations and developing efficient turbines.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid hydroelectric power generation system combining pressure-based and hydrokinetic energy generation in a Floating Hydroelectric Power Plant (FHPP) using a hydrokinetic chamber and energy generation chamber, optimizing energy production without large structures, suitable for flat topography and varying water levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional hydroelectric power plants use large reservoirs and dams, then energy generation capacity is improved, but construction costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hydroelectric power generation system into modular floating units (Energy Generating Modules - EGMs) that can be deployed independently. Each EGM contains its own hydrokinetic chambers and turbine systems, eliminating the need for large centralized reservoirs and dams while maintaining energy generation capacity through distributed generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydrokinetic energy extraction from flowing water through specially designed chambers that convert water flow velocity into mechanical energy. The system uses hydraulic principles to generate power from the kinetic energy of river flow without requiring large storage reservoirs, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining power generation.
2Power
If conventional hydroelectric power plants build large dams and reservoirs, then energy generation through pressure is improved, but construction complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hydraulic system is segmented into standardized, pre-fabricated Energy Generating Modules that can be assembled on-site. Each module contains integrated pressure-based and hydrokinetic energy generation systems, simplifying the overall hydraulic array while maintaining power generation capability through modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating EGMs are designed as multi-functional units that can generate both pressure-based hydraulic energy and hydrokinetic energy from water flow. This universal design allows a single modular unit to perform multiple energy generation functions, reducing the need for separate complex hydraulic structures.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional hydroelectric plants establish large reservoirs, then energy storage capacity is improved, but location flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs floating Energy Generating Modules that can dynamically adapt to varying water levels and flow conditions. These modular units can be deployed in locations with flat topography and varying water levels where conventional dams cannot be built, providing both energy generation and temporary water storage capacity through their floating nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from fixed large-scale reservoir storage to dynamic modular floating units that can adjust their position and function based on water level and flow velocity. This allows the same technology to operate effectively in diverse locations including rivers with flat topography, estuarine areas, and ocean currents.
4Productivity
If hydrokinetic energy generation is added to FHPP, then overall energy production is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pressure-based hydroelectric energy generation and hydrokinetic energy generation into a single integrated Energy Generating Module. The hydrokinetic chambers are positioned to utilize the same water flow that passes through the penstocks, allowing both energy extraction mechanisms to operate simultaneously within the same modular structure, thereby increasing overall productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Minimizes environmental impact and construction costs by generating hydroelectric power efficiently through both pressure and flow velocity, enabling faster financial returns and broader location suitability.
Implementation Method 1
hydrokinetic energy. This is based on the mechanical conversion of the kinetic energy of moving water in rivers, canals, estuarine tides, or ocean currents. In rivers, the velocity of the current lines drives the movements of the rotors, which will convert the hydraulic energy of the water flow into mechanical energy in the turbine.
Implementation Method 2
This is then converted into electrical energy in the electricity generators.
Implementation Method 3
Floating Hydroelectric Power Plant (FHPP)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the hydrokinetic chamber (22) comprising the propeller/vanes of the hydrokinetic turbine (23), the water collector (21) of the hydrokinetic chamber, a leak channel (26) of the hydrokinetic chamber, a flow control gate (28) for controlling the flow into the hydrokinetic chamber, and stop-logs (27) for the maintenance of the hydrokinetic chamber, the hydrokinetic chamber being associated with a chamber (24) for generating hydrokinetic energy, which houses a turbine-generator (23) and motor pumps, the chambers (22) and (24) being mounted in an energy-generating module for generating hybrid energy. The invention also relates to a method for generating energy and to a floating Hydroelectric Power Plant using the components of the present invention.