Next Phase of Fish-Friendly Hydropower Turbine Development Under Way
In 2009, EPRI received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to continue the development of what is now called the Alden Turbine—a novel three-bladed hydropower turbine that has demonstrated high fish survival potential in pilot-scale testing.  In the new project, the turbine conceptual design is being engineered to support its future manufacture and deployment.  The preliminary engineering will be used to fabricate a physical model, which will be tested for operational and economic performance in a hydraulic test stand facility.  Physical model testing will be completed in late 2010, and the final report for the project will be delivered by March 2011.  EPRI has received $1.2 million in funding from DOE, which it will match with $1.4 million additional cost-share industry funds.  EPRI is seeking additional collaborative industry funding to complete the research.  For more information, contact Doug Dixon, (804) 642-1025, ddixon@epri.com.