All inland navigations involve the movement and control of water, sometimes in large quantities. Good design ensures that most of this water moves downhill by gravity but some inevitably must be pumped up hill to satisfy navigation needs.
The current desire to maximise the supply of green renewable energy and minimise operational expenditure has focused waterway managements to look at the potential use of the flowing water to generate electricity to increase revenues, reduce operational expenditure and lower the impact of inland navigation on climate change
Investing in hydro power does not come cheap but some waterway managers have been innovative in the way that they have implement schemes. This has required the skilful combination of technology for
existing types and models of hydro turbines and generators
control schemes integrated within existing navigation water control systems
integration within existing structures on the navigation including the use of redundant structures
dual use of the hydro scheme to both produce energy and pump water as required
Three other papers from the same working group presented aspects of hydro power related to inland navigations. This paper shows how these have been combined in projects that have been completed in different countries. The schemes will show waterway managers what can be achieved with investment and commitment.