While the big cities They have opted for self -consumption through solar panels and even wind turbinesmany remote areas of the world still fight to have a renewable system. However, in Kashmir, they have found a cheap, effective and inspired solution in the past: the hydraulic wheel.
An old advance. Surely the name of the hydraulic wheel will not come a direct image to the head, but if I describe a inn away from an village in the central European area, which had a large wheel shape that spinned with the water can be more enlightening. The fact is that they were important during the industrial revolution To perform mechanical tasks such as milling or hammering. However, its use began to decrease with the expansion of burning fossil fuels and the development of electricity. However, like fashions, everything comes back, and more if the original idea was good. So with the rise of renewable energies, hydraulic wheels have resurfaced as a viable option to produce electricity in a clean and continuous way in remote and impoverished areas.
A new clean source. Initial investments in renewables usually have a high cost that not everyone can afford. But what if they turn to an old energy system? That is what a group of researchers from the Technical University of Munich thought that They have managed to install A hydraulic wheel in a town of Kashmir, India.
The wheel in question measures about two meters and lets the stream water pass to produce electricity. In this way, it provides an uninterrupted energy source to the community, so it does not need centralized power, which was previously a problem with frequent cuts. In addition, the hydraulic wheel is accompanied by the use of other renewable energy systems, including the Decentralized microredwhich allows the inhabitants of the people to enjoy energy independence and resilience before a possible blackout.
Self -sufficient One of the highlights of the hydraulic wheel is its high efficiency, reaching the 85% energy conversion. As for the assembly cost of this system, it is relatively low, around $ 1,000, so it makes them accessible to different impoverished rural communities. In addition, the design is available on the Internet for free.
Only in rural areas. Hydraulic wheels are designed for rural and remote areas, specifically in communities that need a continuous and reliable energy source. This type of system offers a simple and economical way to generate electricity without depending on fossil fuels or intermittent energy sources.
In addition, its environmental impact is minimal, since they do not emit carbon and, According to studiesdamage to aquatic life is reduced. While this type of technology has limitations and is not suitable for all contexts, its potential to improve the energy self -sufficiency of small communities could make a considerable difference.
More for the world. The benefits of this technology are not limited to Kashmir. A similar system has been implemented in Nepal and a prototype has been developed in Tegernsee, Germany. In addition, in Northern Ireland, a hydraulic wheel has been restored with an old mill in Fermanagh County, which now supplies electricity to a restaurant.
Image | The Waterwheel Project V1.0
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