Despite the high output of small-scale hydropower projects (from 500w Pico up to 100kW Micro), they often fail to materialise because of site constraints such as water flow and height differential that render projects unfeasible. Many opportunities have been missed because conventional hydro does not operate efficiently with a fall of less than 3m.

This could all be a thing of the past with the advent of a technology that takes advantage of the rotational power of Earth: The Kouris Centri Turbine, (or KCT for short) can operate with a minimum fall height of just 0.6m while being very efficient under low loads.

KCT takes advantage of Earth’s rotational force (Coriolis force), just like a kitchen sink, to achieve more efficient output and more importantly the ability to produce power from sites that traditional technologies could not take advantage of. With this disruptive ability, a number of additional advantages are also very appealing:

The units are constructed offsite and assembled on-site in as little as 12 hours and allow for future mobility and upgrades. In addition, the units can be installed on their own or in multiples, in series or in parallel, in-line or on the bank. KCT has already been implemented in conjunction with a fishery site and the units can also operate in greywater sites too. Units can also be installed in conjunction with existing installations to increase efficiency and can be used off-grid, on-grid or both. The units are produced in various configurations and sizes allowing tailored productivity and future modular upgrades. “KCT is extremely efficient, durable, and portable. The design offers such versatility that it’s hard to believe that many features were the result of serendipity.” explains KapaLamda MD, Spyros Lyssoudis.

Having completed two sites in Australia and the first commercial installation in Greece, the technology is now mature and ready for production. The European market will be served through manufacture in Greece, with international expansion currently in the works: “The technology has evoked such strong interest from international institutions, governments and private investors that in order to cater for these markets properly we are now on the lookout for international partnerships both for distribution as well as manufacture.” adds Lyssoudis.