Water Power – A new spin on an old concept expanding hydro-electricity in Ontario

GreenBug Energy Inc. is taking a “reverse spin” on the concept of an Archimedean screw and has demonstrated that renewable energy investments in Ontario are no longer limited to wind and solar. Archimedes’ screw was invented by Archimedes of Syracuse (287 to 212 BC), an ancient Greek astronomer; engineer, physicist, and mathematician. It consists of a holicoid screw inside of a hollowed pipe and was historically used to pump low-lying water upward, often for irrigation purposes.

GreenBug uses the screw as a power generation mechanism for micro-hydro projects under the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program. The micro-hydro projects are strategically located alongside existing water control structure sites, such as dams and locks, to take advantage of existing water level differentials and flow speeds. Where possible GreenBug has partnered with municipalities through project site acquisition and ownership, giving rise to the possibility of obtaining a per-kilowatt-hour (kW/h) community participation price adder under the FIT Program. The projects range from 60 to 300 kW of estimated capacity and are estimated to generate, at minimum, an internal rate of return of eight per cent. Under the FIT Program agreement, the length of the power purchase for these hydro-power developments is 40 years, as opposed to wind or solar that have a length of 20. This improves the financial viability of the projects in the long term, which is attractive to investors.