Getting consistent electricity from a river generator is now possible thanks to the concept behind Idénergie, in Montreal. This Canada-based company has developed a small river turbine (a hydrokinetic turbine) that can generate electricity at home, day and night, without smoke or loud noises, just from a river that flows.
This type of portable generator would be a great solution for people who want to reduce their energy costs or live off the grid. The company says that even in without of solar energy, its system can feel exactly like 12 solar panels are running at the same time, because a rivers never sleep and so it’s always working.
This is small-scale hydroelectricity designed for daily use, and it’s a genuinely sustainable energy solution for areas where sunlight is unstable or roof space is limited for a large number of panels. The actual device robust, silent, easy to use, and it stays in the water, so although is giving electricity to your house, is not taking space in it. It’s a real alternative path to clean energy designed for actual homes.
How the river turbine works
The fundamental principle behind this hydrokinetic turbine is that water has energy when it moves. The turbine’s blades spin in synchrony with the river’s flow to power a generator, and it doesn’t need a dam or other large structure to do it. The integrated converter helps smooth out the electricity and keep a consistent power supply, The generator Idénergie created works withouth an axle but it’s still more durable and requires less maintenance.
The frame is mostly made of steel and aluminum, which are anti-rust materials.
It’s designed to be easy to set up since it is a portable generator. And because of the modular design, that can be adjusted to different flow types, the turbine can operate even in shallow rivers. In addition, this system keeps on generating even if there’s no sunlight or if there’s bad weather (unlike solar panels that need clear skies). And this is very important for rural houses or cabins that aren’t always able to rely on solar power.
To check performance, you just need the help of remote monitoring and automatic startup. You won’t even get your hands dirty.
Small but very powerful
The turbine generates about 14 kWh of electricity per day. Which can already cover most of the basic needs like lights, a small fridge, charging devices, and other basic appliances. Actually, many off-grid homes use between 6 and 9 kWh per day. So you should have more than enough energy to keep your consumption as you already do.
The price is around $10,000. Maybe it sounds like a lot to you or maybe it doesn’t, but for the company in any case, is a reasonable price if you compare it to placing a dozen panels in full-sun locations, especially if your site gets little sunlight. Besides, this turbine is low maintenance and built from recyclable materials. And in comparison to some conventional generators, it’s possible to save of about 50% in energy cost.
A practical step toward sustainable energy
This river turbine is small in size but big in service.
But there’s two warnings yo should know before you start saving a spot in the river: First, you might need a permit to be able to place the equipment in a river, depending on local regulations. And second; buyers should confirm current availability and support before making plans because Idénergie has had a limited online presence since 2019.
For people who want renewable energy at home but don’t get enough solar energy, it’s a great option. It’s like a miniature green power plant, that will even help you reduce your electricity bills.