THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A DESIGN FOR INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF AN ARCHIMEDES HYDRODYNAMIC TURBINE IN A LOW HEAD IRRIGATION DROP WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT ALTERATION TO THE EXISTING CHECK OR CONTROL STRUCTURE. THE PURPOSE IS TO ESTABLISH A COST-EFFECTIVE MEANS TO ENCOURAGE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF THIS TECHNOLOGY IN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ACROSS THE WEST. ADDITIONAL HYDROPOWER GENERATION LOWERS GREENHOUSE GASES, PROVIDES OFF-GRID POWER TO REMOTE LOCATIONS, AND SHOULD RETURN A USEFUL REVENUE STREAM TO IRRIGATORS, PARTICULARLY TO RURAL AND OFTEN DISADVANTAGED AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT ARE:
1) ENGAGE IRRIGATION DISTRICT OWNERS/OPERATORS, STUDENTS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND TECHNICAL MENTORS IN IDENTIFYING THE OPPORTUNITIES AND DRIVING THE POTENTIAL CIVIL WORKS SOLUTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL HYDROPOWER IN IRRIGATION CANALS.
2) DETERMINE WHETHER EXISTING IRRIGATION DROP STRUCTURES CAN BE GROUPED INTO A FEW “SOLUTION SETS” TO ENABLE A STANDARDIZED, MODULAR DESIGN/INSTALLATION APPROACH TO INTERFACE WITH THESE STRUCTURES BY EMPLOYING AN AERIAL BYPASS SYSTEM INSTEAD OF A CONVENTIONAL SIDE BYPASS.
3) DEVELOP LOWEST COST SOLUTIONS THAT RELY ON PREFABRICATED OR MODULAR UNITS AND CONVENTIONAL/READILY AVAILABLE MATERIALS WHICH CAN BE ASSEMBLED AND INSTALLED BY LOCAL LABOR.
4) COMPLETE DESIGN OF A FIRST DEMONSTRATION SITE FOR THE AERIAL BYPASS SYSTEM TO TRANSPORT WATER FROM AN IRRIGATION CANAL AND THROUGH AN ARCHIMEDES HYDRODYNAMIC SCREW.$243,540
· FY2025 · Department of Energy