White.png){kind=small}
Volturnus Selected by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Microgrid Deployment
- Verterra Energy, Inc.
- Apr 6, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Verterra Energy, developer of the scalable, modular water power technology "Volturnus", announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has selected its pioneering water power technology for deployment and testing on U.S. military bases. USACE Hydropower is the 5th largest electric supplier in the U.S. and the single largest renewable energy producer.
“Volturnus has the potential to fundamentally change how we harness the power of flowing water on our planet.”
In 2018 the US Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC-CERL, began a research and demonstration project with small hydro generation units. The objective was to identify technology and evaluate whether hydro was a viable energy source to enhance resilience and preparedness of soldiers and fixed installations. Their findings suggest that emerging turbine designs could lead to hydro systems that are useful at multiple scales producing anywhere from around 20W at the soldier scale to 500kW at the installation level, all from a portable and scalable design.
The purpose of the multi year collaborative program is to investigate and evaluate Verterra’s advanced hydro turbine technology over an extended period of time. The Volturnus technology, at multiple different scales, can provide a source of power that could enhance the resilience and fuel endurance of soldiers all the way up to advanced microgrid installations and distributed power utilities in the US and internationally.
"This isn’t just a modest improvement on existing technology but an entirely new concept."
“Volturnus represents a necessary departure from conventional wind-turbine style designs and other hydrokinetic turbine designs that are prone to fouling, and small dams that have limited viability along with significant physical site impacts. This isn’t a modest improvement of existing technology but an entirely new approach.” Eric Newberg, Director of Engineering at Verterra Energy continued, "Its novel, revolutionary design harnesses both the kinetic energy and head pressure of the water to produce clean electrical power across a wide range of flow rate scenarios. We are proud to be collaborating with the US Army Corps on their advanced microgrid project. ”
info@verterraenergy.com 612-349-9865 333 Washington Ave. N
6/15/2024 I saw the volturnus featured on Mo Rocca’s innovation nation. I live on a small creek that has a constant flow. I would be very interested in the Volturnus to provide electric power for my home. I have a photovoltaic grid installed on my outbuilding. The thought of constant 24/7 energy production is very exciting for me. Are these available for purchase? Can I be available for product development and testing. I have thought about the energy potential of the small creek flowing on my property ever since moving here. Please contact me and thank you. David Wernecke
We in South Africa have been ask to investigate alternative power to be added to our grid. Our local Municipality will fund any positive generation scheme on condition that it is a viable one.
We have a open to sea river that pushes up 26Km with the changing tides. As we have two piers made of concrete this would be ideal anchor points for any Hydro generation scheme. Hope to hear if you think this is possible. If so our government will buy any amount of electricity that would be generated. Regards Jan Wesselo