Conventional energy sources are a huge thumbs up when it comes to harvesting the Green Power. However, it is a lesser known fact that these conventional sources do have some highly dangerous drawbacks. Take an example of water turbine. In a hydroelectric power plant water is released from a higher level and used to rotate the turbine fixed at a lower level. Thus, it uses the potential energy of the water stored at a height to rotate turbine blades. This technology might not release any pollutants but it has its own set of negatives. For starters, raising water and using it to rotate the turbine damages the equilibrium of the aquatic ecosystem. It also raises the temperature of the water, adding to the heat levels and disturbing the water’s habitual conditions.
As an answer to this problem, Alexander Gorlov, professor emeritus of mechanical engineering at Northeastern University, invented the Gorlov helical turbine — which won the 2001 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Thomas A. Edison Patent Award — dovetails with the University’s focus on use-inspired research that addresses global imperatives in health, security and sustainability. Ocean currents and tidal action power the low-cost, environmentally friendly turbine, an example of dam less hydro technology. Its vertical structure features blades twisted like strands of DNA. A Gorlov turbine currently powers some 500 homes on the Korean Island of Jindo. Gorlov said,
“My turbine has no negative impact on the environment. Conventional turbines that require dams interfere with migrating fish and other water habitats. Dams also cause flooding problems, which can destroy agricultural land.”
We maybe knowing a lot of conventional energy sources but it is important that they be completely eco-friendly at the same time. If they aren’t we might end up creating new problems while solving the old ones.
Shraddha Patil
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