In collaboration with the innovative company Water2Energy, Physixfactor has developed a model based on Computational Fluid Dynamics of water through a vertical turbine. Shown here is a movie of a time-dependent simulation of a three-blade rotor, where the flow goes from left to right. This configuration delivers power through the shaft to an alternator. The current does not exceed 6 m/s, and fish and other living organisms can pass through this rotor system without damage. The system has also been simulated with 4 and 6 blades, where the criterion that 99.5% of the living organism can pass without problems is guaranteed. Field tests have shown this.
Test rig for measering the generated power with different flow velocities. The test rig contains fish and it has been concluded that more than 99.8% could survive the passage of the VAWT and the blades. This test rig was crucial in deducing the characteristics of the power generator.
The initial investment needed for such installations is typically high. To make it worthwhile and obtain a high power yield, a large number of turbines would be required. However, as fish are known to collide with the turbines placed in their stream, the authorities have imposed guidelines that allow no more than 0.1% fish mortality per passageway. The system has been tested, and has been proven to meet these specifications
The turbine is designed to be self starting, due to a confidential system to control the blade orientation which has been developed by Physixfactor. The turbine can be used in rivers while fish can still pass the turbine system.