Run-of-the-River Intake Layout for Fish-Safe Hydropower
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydroelectric dams and powerhouses obstruct waterways, causing adverse impacts on aquatic life and limiting other uses such as shipping and recreation.
Innovation Solution
A hydro power generation system with a powerhouse and entrance region structure that allows fluid communication with a natural run-of-the-river portion, incorporating an entrance region operational support system to manage aquatic life and fluid volume, including attraction and deterrence systems to minimize harm to aquatic life and facilitate navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a hydroelectric dam or powerhouse obstructs a waterway to generate power, then electrical power production is improved, but aquatic life is harmed and waterway usability for shipping and recreation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waterway is segmented into a natural run-of-the-river portion and a powerhouse intake region, allowing fish to pass through the natural portion while water is diverted to the powerhouse for power generation. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the habitats and flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
A natural run-of-the-river portion acts as an intermediary zone between the powerhouse and the natural waterway, providing a transition area that protects aquatic life while enabling power generation. This intermediary structure mediates between the conflicting needs of power production and ecological preservation.
2Productivity
If a powerhouse intake structure is placed in the waterway to capture kinetic energy, then power generation efficiency is improved, but obstruction of the waterway for shipping and recreation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The waterway is divided into distinct functional zones: a natural run-of-the-river portion for shipping and recreation, and a powerhouse intake region for power generation. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the waterway are given different qualities and functions. The natural run-of-the-river portion maintains natural flow characteristics for ecological and recreational purposes, while the powerhouse intake region is engineered for efficient energy capture. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an entrance region structure is created to manage aquatic life, then protection of aquatic life is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The natural run-of-the-river portion serves as an intermediary structure that naturally protects aquatic life by providing a continuous habitat corridor. This intermediary zone reduces the need for complex active management systems while still achieving the goal of aquatic life protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The entrance region structure utilizes natural processes and self-organizing behaviors of aquatic life to achieve protection goals. By creating a natural run-of-the-river portion, the system allows aquatic life to self-regulate and thrive without requiring complex external control mechanisms, thus reducing system 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
Facilitates power generation while reducing destructive impacts on aquatic life and maintaining waterway usability for shipping and recreation.
Implementation Method 1
a power generator disposed therebetween, the power generator configured to generate electrical power as a function of fluid flow between the intake port and draft port
Implementation Method 2
the gas infusion system is configured to increase the amount of oxygen in the natural run-of-the-river portion of the waterway
Data Source
AI summary
A hydro power generation system may include a powerhouse and an entrance region structure. The powerhouse may include an intake port, a draft port, and a power generator disposed therebetween, the power generator configured to generate electrical power. The entrance region structure may be coupled to the powerhouse and define a portion of a boundary of an entrance region and the natural run-of-the-river portion of a waterway. The entrance region may be distinct from the natural run-of-the-river portion of the waterway and fluidically adjacent to the intake port.