Contributed by David Sattler, founder and CEO of Marstecs

Hydroelectric power often takes a back seat in discussions involving alternative energy. While wind, solar, and hydrogen often take center stage, hydropower produces more energy worldwide than all three combined. Generating over 4,300 terawatt hours (TWh) annually, hydroelectricity provides enough power each year to meet the entire energy needs of the United States, which, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), consumed a record 4,070 TWh in 2022. 

Despite its immense potential, hydroelectric capacity in many developed nations, including those in North America and Europe, has reached its practical limits. Even where new dam sites are theoretically available, financial constraints and environmental considerations frequently pose significant obstacles. Recognizing the importance of hydroelectric energy, researchers are now focusing on enhancing the efficiency of existing hydropower infrastructure rather than expanding it. 

A key area of innovation involves the application of vortex energy. Conventional hydroelectric systems rely on channeling water through a penstock, using gravity, force, and pressure to drive a turbine. In contrast, vortex hydroelectric systems employ a swirling motion as water enters the penstock, intensifying the energy conversion process. This controlled whirlpool effect capitalizes on more than just gravitational force, potentially increasing energy generation by at least 10% when applied to existing hydroelectric plants. 

Although small-scale vortex hydroelectric systems have been successfully deployed in various countries, engineers have now refined the technology for larger applications. As an example, in Australia, engineers have developed systems that divert water as it flows downriver into a cylindrical chamber, creating a swirling effect reminiscent of water draining from a bathtub to create power. However, when scaled up and incorporated into hydroelectric power plants, this concept can be likened to harnessing the raw energy of a tornado. 

According to the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, hydroelectric power must sustain an average annual growth rate of approximately 4% to reach the targeted 5,500 TWh of electricity generation by 2030. However, recent trends indicate that growth has been falling short—achieving less than one-third of the necessary rate—emphasizing the pressing need for efficiency improvements. 

The report also underscores the role of hydroelectricity as “a reliable backbone of clean power systems” and stresses the necessity of modernizing existing plants. However, industry experts point out that major efficiency enhancements have been lacking. Hydropower technology has largely remained unchanged for over 75 years, with only incremental improvements such as PTFE-lined penstocks and enhanced turbine or generator technologies. While beneficial, these upgrades alone will not be sufficient to meet future energy demands. 

Hydroelectricity holds distinct advantages that position it as a cornerstone of the global transition to renewable energy. Unlike wind and solar power, which depend on fluctuating environmental conditions, hydroelectric plants provide a stable and adaptable energy supply, contributing to grid stability and energy security. 

Furthermore, hydropower ranks among the most efficient methods of electricity generation. Water-to-electricity conversion achieves an efficiency rate of approximately 90%, surpassing solar energy’s 30-36% and wind power’s 25-45%. Even coal-fired power plants, which remain widely used, operate at an efficiency range of just 33-40%. 

Other key benefits include: 

Historically, engineering principles discouraged vortex formation in hydroelectric systems. However, recent breakthroughs have demonstrated that controlled vortexes can substantially enhance energy capture, unlocking new efficiency gains for hydropower plants. 

In addition to increasing the mass flow rate through the penstock enabling turbines to capture greater energy at the system’s lower end, energy can also be extracted at the penstock’s entry point, further amplifying total output. 

Beyond mechanical energy, vortex systems can also harness electrostatic power from the surrounding atmosphere, a phenomenon likened to a controlled terrestrial black hole. This supplemental energy source offers further opportunities for optimizing hydroelectric efficiency. 

Hydro vortex turbines can be integrated into newly constructed hydroelectric plants or retrofitted onto existing facilities. While new installations would achieve the greatest efficiency gains, even modifications to current systems could potentially double or triple power output. 

Despite its promise, large-scale vortex engineering presents unique challenges. A striking example occurred in 1980 in Louisiana, when a miscalculation by Texaco Oil led to a drilling accident that punctured a salt mine beneath Lake Peigneur. The resulting vortex was so powerful that it consumed 3.5 billion gallons of water, 11 barges, and a $5 million drilling platform. While some of the barges later resurfaced due to buoyancy, the remaining equipment was lost permanently. 

The immense power that vortexes can generate is virtually limitless, but it requires careful management. Engineers have since developed precise methods for controlling vortex activity, allowing operators to regulate its intensity, engage or disengage it as needed, and ensure its safe integration into power generation systems. 

Improving hydroelectric efficiency is essential for meeting future clean energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Vortex engineering presents an innovative approach that leverages natural fluid dynamics to enhance energy output. By advancing these techniques and incorporating them into modern hydroelectric plants, the industry can move toward a more sustainable, high-capacity energy future. 

David Sattler is the Founder and CEO of Marstecs and a vortex engineering expert who helped design and build the first small-scale vortex hydropower systems around the world. His company Marstecs is looking to solve the energy challenges on Earth and beyond.