H3E-INDUSTRIES : micro-hydro ecological

The ecological impact caused by micro-hydro facilities impedes the development of small hydro (<10>

In this context, H3E-Industries wants to develop and complete the installation of environmentally friendly turbines, the Aqualiennes ®, power from 50 kilowatts to 300 kilowatts. In a second phase, H3E-Industries develop ® Aqualiennes very small power of less than 50 KW and finally Aqualiennes ® exceeding 300 KW. 

Durin Roland, leader of H3E-Industries, won the national competition for the creation of innovative companies in 2005, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. As such, H3E-Industries has received funding to carry out his project of "Establishment and Development", on the study and implementation of 2 prototype micro Aqualiennes ® 50 kW and 150 kW. 

In his concept of micro turnkey, H3E-Industries integrates the waterwheel "invented by three researchers and for which the method was validated in 2004 in partnership with researchers CREMHyG (Center for Research and Testing Machines Hydraulic Grenoble) of the INP Grenoble. This "water wheel" has been the subject of patents in 60 countries. The exclusive exploitation rights for France are the property of the company H3E SARL, which has granted the right to H3E-Industries. Studies of international development are underway. 

The particularity of this new concept is the very slow speed of the wheel (about 10 rpm), which allows the descent of fish without mortality. The Aqualiennes ® are currently installed at sites falls low (1 to 3 meters) that may be channels or reaches existing reducing the civil engineering work and administrative procedures especially for sites based in the title ( about 30 000 sites are used in France / cf Dambrine report). 

The Aqualiennes ® have other advantages, particularly in terms of yields of around 80% and the payback time estimated at between 8 and 12 years. Sites equipped with Aqualiennes ® are managed remotely via a computer and software connected to a DSL line.

 

In his boot, H3E-Industries is accompanied by CREMHyG-INPG (University of Grenoble), IFMA (French Institute of Advanced Mechanics) (University of Clermont-Ferrand), a consulting firm specializing in mechanical and industry players such as Michelin. All these partners gives the project a multi skills on the technical information to optimize the performance of Aqualiennes ®. 

After a year and a half of work, the prototype of Aqualienne ® 50 kW has been installed and the second prototype of a power of 150 kW is being assembled and will be installed during the second half of 2007.

Source : H3E-industries, Phimeca, Tennerdis

More information : www.h3e.fr, www.tennerdis.fr, www.phimeca.com