During 2011, EERE worked with Free Flow Power to evaluate and optimize the technical and environmental performance and cost factors of its hydrokinetic SmarTurbines™—turbines that generate energy from free-flowing rivers. Free Flow Power deployed one of its turbines in the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge. Results were encouraging, as the device performed as expected, with no discernible harm to river-dwelling fish. Free Flow has also completed preliminary designs of utility-scale installations at a variety of sites along the Mississippi River. Data gathered during this deployment will aid hydrokinetic technology developers in addressing the design and cost challenges associated with turbine siting, installation, and maintenance in American rivers, enabling American utilities to generate clean, cost-effective energy from river sites not suited to conventional hydropower generation. Free Flow Power and other project participants contributed $2.3 million to this project.

Positive Impact

Generating energy from free-flowing rivers. Free Flow Power is working to enable American utilities to generate power from river sites not suited to conventional hydropower generation.

Locations

Louisiana and Mississippi

Partners

Free Flow Power

EERE Investment

$1.3 million

Clean Energy Sector

Renewable electricity generation

The Water Power Program is committed to developing and deploying a portfolio of innovative technologies for clean, domestic power generation from resources such as hydropower, waves, and tides. 

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.