Two researchers from the mechanical engineering department of Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology (DUIET), Pranjal Sarmah and Siddhartha Sankar Sarmah, have patented a hydroelectric turbine designed to generate electricity from shallow water bodies like streams and rivers. Their device, titled ‘Turbine Device for Generating Electricity in Shallow Water Flow,’ is expected to advance small-scale hydroelectric power generation without the need for extensive dams.
Traditional turbines are often optimized for high-flow conditions, limiting their efficiency in shallower water. In contrast, the researchers’ design features adaptable blades that can be reconfigured on-site to maintain efficiency, even as water levels fluctuate, making it ideal for geographically diverse areas.
The researchers are now seeking implementing agencies to develop a prototype and test the device in the field, with potential applications in rural electrification and sustainable energy production.