Abstract
Technological advancement is specifically identified by the usage of energy. The energy requirement is increasing because of the exponential population rise, increased industrial activities, and subsequent accelerated economic activities in both urban and suburban areas. The traditional power sources are becoming unsustainable as energy demand and induction of new sources for augmenting the energy need are lopsided. Additionally, traditional energy sources cause pollution, natural hazards, and more importantly, it is uneconomical. Due to these reasons, it becomes compelling to look for alternative sources of energy. Hydropower generation is reliable, non-polluting to a large extent, and a cheaper source of electrical energy. However, the conventional large hydropower projects, especially with reservoir components, are being opposed worldwide for social, environmental, economic, and safety reasons. Therefore, electricity production from free-flowing water may present a viable choice. Here, the free-flowing river water current is used to drive vertical-axis turbines preferably, Savonius rotors which are ideally built for wind energy conversion systems (WECS). The rotor is directly coupled to electric generators, and the scheme presents a typical variable voltage and variable frequency system similar to that of WECS except that the working force is due to water rather than wind. The use of the Savonius rotor for hydrokinetic power generation is uncommon; however, increased exploitation of this methodology may help in augmenting future energy need. This paper reviews the Savonius rotor and its possible application for hydrokinetic power generation; the merits and demerits of such schemes are clearly outlined.
