An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a re-direction of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.

An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a re-direction of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.

A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

An energy storage system includes a vessel, an energy conversion device, and a connection line connecting the vessel with the energy conversion device. The energy conversion device includes a housing, a pump turbine, and a motor generator. The pump turbine includes a first shaft, and an impeller. The motor generator includes a second shaft, and a rotor. The second shaft is coupled to the first shaft to transmit torque between the first shaft and the second shaft. The connection line connects a low pressure opening with an opening disposed at the vessel to receive water from the vessel or discharge water into the vessel. The connection line includes a switching unit with a shut-off device and a non-return device connected in parallel, the non-return device enabling flow of the water only in a first direction from the vessel to the low pressure opening.

An energy storage system includes a vessel, an energy conversion device, and a connection line connecting the vessel with the energy conversion device. The energy conversion device includes a housing, a pump turbine, and a motor generator. The pump turbine includes a first shaft, and an impeller. The motor generator includes a second shaft, and a rotor. The second shaft is coupled to the first shaft to transmit torque between the first shaft and the second shaft. The connection line connects a low pressure opening with an opening disposed at the vessel to receive water from the vessel or discharge water into the vessel. The connection line includes a switching unit with a shut-off device and a non-return device connected in parallel, the non-return device enabling flow of the water only in a first direction from the vessel to the low pressure opening.

A hydraulic power generation system is provided with a control unit which controls the power supply circuit to perform a normal operation of supplying power from the power system to a predetermined electric device provided at the water channel and an autonomous operation of supplying the power generated by the electric generator to the electric device. The control unit executes the autonomous operation when the power system fails.

A hydraulic power generation system is provided with a control unit which controls the power supply circuit to perform a normal operation of supplying power from the power system to a predetermined electric device provided at the water channel and an autonomous operation of supplying the power generated by the electric generator to the electric device. The control unit executes the autonomous operation when the power system fails.

The invention concerns a method for coupling to the grid a hydraulic unit having a synchronous generator, a runner, and wicket gates, the method comprises: a) a step of increasing the flow of water into the runner from a time t.sub.0 to a time t.sub.1 so that the rotation frequency of the rotor of the synchronous generator is, at time t.sub.1 equal to the frequency of the grid; b) a step of closing the circuit breaker at time t.sub.1, step a) further comprises a sub-step a1) executed from a time t.sub.2 to time t.sub.1, wherein the flow of water is adjusted so that, at time t.sub.1, the phase of the synchronous generator is aligned with the grid phase.

A hydroelectric generation system includes a fluid machine disposed in a penstock or channel, a generator driven by the fluid machine, and a control unit configured to generate a predetermined torque in the generator. Fluid flows through the penstock or channel. The penstock or channel has a main path in which the fluid machine is disposed, and a detour disposed in parallel with the main path. The detour includes an on-off valve. The on-off valve is opened when not electrified, and closed when electrified.