Hydropower represents the largest share of renewables worldwide and is increasingly recognised as the ideal partner for variable wind and solar power. Considerable installation potential remains undeveloped however, with low-head run-of-river installations using conventional technologies often regarded as uneconomical or environmentally harmful. Decentralised, low carbon electricity potential has therefore gone unharnessed. VerdErg Renewable Energy’s VETT technology was designed to take advantage of this low-head hydroelectric power in an economical, fish and environmentally-friendly way.

REDUCING COST BY AMPLIFYING WATER HEAD 

VETT’s low-cost design centres on its innovative use of the Venturi effect. The Venturi effect acts like a pressure amplifier to increase the pressure differential across a turbine. Instead of providing the turbine with a large volume of water at small pressure, the VETT system provides the turbine with a lower water volume but at a higher pressure by passing the majority of the flow through a Venturi pipe. The large Venturi pipe does not contain moving parts and is fish friendly.  

SIMPLE, ROBUST TURBINE

The VETT turbine is 3-5x smaller and 4-15x faster than conventional turbines with no gearbox required, helping to reduce maintenance burden. The simple, robust turbine has fixed blades with static guide vanes. Variable speed allows for optimum power output.

HIGHER RELIABILITY, LESS MAINTENANCE

Moving parts are kept to a minimum for increased reliability, also helped by smaller and lighter mechanical and electrical equipment. Design flexibility and the possibility to use any horizontal propeller turbine in combination with VETT allows the supply chain to be flexible. 

ZERO NOISE AND ZERO VISUAL POLLUTION 

Silent operation causes no sound impact on local eco systems. All civil infrastructure is concealed below the waterline and no turbine house is required. The only component positioned above the waterline is the control system in a compact electrical kiosk. This can be camouflaged into the surroundings with a location adaptable to suit the site. This means the VETT is suitable for installation by historic or listed sites, in watercourses in areas of outstanding natural beauty or where fish safety is paramount.