Enhancing capabilities of Run of River facilities through computational modelling and experimental validation

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British Columbia (BC) generated more than 66,565 GW*hrs of electricity; around 90% of BC's power was produced by hydro technology. This generation amounted to a $6.57 billion market, and 5,462 full-time jobs in 2019 for BC alone. A prominent subset of hydropower involves smaller 'Run-of-River' (ROR) facilities. These facilities do not dam the waterway, and thus avoid the large-scale impacts caused by conventional 'big-hydro' operations. ROR facilities are a cornerstone of BC's sustainable energy program and economy. This proposal will improve the performance of ROR facilities by exploring new avenues with modelling, simulation, and experimental validation. First, the design and optimization of new Coanda-effect screens will be carried out to increase the water intake for energy conversion. Second, we will design a propeller to power up a cleaning device to remove the harmful algae that deposit in penstocks. The proposed tasks will help to improve the capabilities of current ROR facilities and help to remove algae in a gradual and environmentally friendly way.