Tidal Energy

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Hyper-Chute: Power Strokes from Slow-Moving Water
Hyper-Chute
Hyper-Chute: Power Strokes from Slow-Moving Water
Joseph Santos, Founder and CTO
Rivers, streams, canals, tidal channels, ocean currents and hydroelectric discharge flows quietly move enormous volumes of water every day. Yet most of these resources receive little attention because they move too slowly for the turbine-based in-stream energy technologies currently under development.

While navigating his boat through the five-mile-per-hour zone of California's Berkeley Marina, Joseph Santos lowered a one-gallon bucket into the water to wet his bait. When it nearly pulled away from his hand, he realized that a larger bucket would have been impossible to hold, and he wondered, "Can this pull force be used to drive a generator?"

As a parent who has been concerned about climate change since childhood, Santos recognized the profound implications of that question if the answer proved to be yes. Drawing on more than 45 years of experience working on diesel, turbine, gas, electric, hydraulic and pneumatic power systems, he bootstrapped and self-funded a project that he knew could prove impossible. He built a proprietary laboratory and 3,500-gallon flow bench and developed several prototypes that led to the world’s first operating water piston engine. His research resulted in the patented HydroChute Water Piston Engine (WPE), patented directional power-conversion concepts, an AIAA publication and recognition by Energy Tech Review as its Top In-Stream Energy Extraction Technology of 2026.

Unlike turbine-based in-stream energy technologies, which largely rely on velocity and typically require a 2-foot vertical drop, 6 to 9 feet of vertical head, or water velocities above approximately 6 ft/sec, HydroChute’s development is focused on shallow waterways with flow velocities of 3 to 6 ft/sec and coastal tidal ranges as low as 6 feet, where channelized flows can produce several inches of velocity head and significant dynamic pressure. Field measurements at California’s Brisbane Lagoon recorded water flows exceeding 6 ft/sec for more than 4 through two 10 × 10-foot tidal flows during a 3.5-foot tidal change in San Francisco Bay. These observations support further investigation of low-range coastal tidal lagoons as a renewable energy resource. Currently, the prototype extracts power from approximately 1 inch of velocity head under laboratory conditions.

At the heart of the WPE is a lightweight, framed, flexible, Marine-grade drogue enclosed within a cylinder. Flowing water repeatedly expands and collapses the drogue, creating power strokes that are converted into mechanical power.

When laboratory weight-lifting experiments produced greater mechanical work than anticipated, they raised new questions about how the system concentrates and transfers energy. When the drogue expands, a near-stationary pressure field forms ahead of it, and measurable hydraulic head develops in the pen area leading into the cylinder.

“Combined with a 10–20 percent flow bypass with increased velocity and lower pressure behind the drogue, these observations suggest a three-dimensional flow field shaped by the actual behavior of water rather than assumptions drawn from airflow simulations,” says Dr. Yuanyuan Xie at CSU Fresno.
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State of Industry

Scaling In-Stream Energy Extraction for Resilient and Decentralized Power Generation

Flowing water offers a reliable renewable energy source that supports decentralized electricity generation without requiring large dams or extensive land use. Rivers, canals and tidal channels can provide consistent power close to where it is needed, improving reliability and reducing transmission losses. Unlike traditional hydropower, these systems capture the natural movement of water with minimal disruption to waterways. Their flexible design allows gradual expansion as energy demand grows. Advances in in-stream energy extraction technology have improved efficiency, durability and environmental compatibility through modern turbine designs, better materials and digital monitoring, making these systems an increasingly practical option for resilient and sustainable local power generation.

Expanding Distributed Water Based Energy Systems

There are certain challenges to be taken care of when planning water based renewable projects at scale level; challenges of engineering, environmental stewardship and community needs. Each site has distinct flow, seasonal and ecological conditions that affect project design. Site evaluations and reports are becoming more critical to a developer's selection of equipment and installation techniques.

Modular designs have played a significant role in aiding expansion. Operators can install multiple smaller generating facilities along waterways where appropriate, rather than building one large plant. Several additional turbines can be added over time without the need to re-construct the entire system. This will enable the growth of energy production in line with the local demand and lower financial risk.

Throwing in has also been streamlined by advances in manufacturing. Standardized turbine parts can be manufactured more efficiently and can be customized for various installation conditions. This reduces the time required for construction and increases consistency between various construction projects. Portable installation techniques further minimize impact on surrounding landscapes, water and other systems.

Digital technologies play a part in successful scaling by providing real-time information on equipment performance, water flow and operational efficiency, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime through sensors that detect changing conditions before they impact production. Operators can monitor multiple facilities from a single control centre, reducing costs.

Environmental compatibility is an integral part of project planning. Designers conduct careful turbine placement and responsible operating practices to ensure natural water movement and protection of aquatic habitats. Continuous monitoring ensures that installations perform as expected in their environment throughout their useful life.

Strengthening Energy Resilience Through Local Generation

Distributed renewable generation improves resilience by reducing dependence on single sources of electricity. When power is generated closer to communities, essential services become less vulnerable to disruptions affecting distant transmission networks. Hospitals, emergency facilities, water treatment plants and communication systems all benefit from reliable local electricity during challenging conditions.

In stream systems complement other renewable resources by producing electricity during periods when solar or wind generation may fluctuate. This diversity strengthens local energy portfolios while supporting more balanced grid operations. Combining several renewable technologies creates greater operational flexibility without relying on a single energy source.

Industrial facilities also recognize the value of local water based generation. Manufacturing operations, processing plants and agricultural businesses often require dependable electricity throughout the day. Installing renewable systems near existing operations helps stabilize energy supplies while supporting long term sustainability objectives.

Microgrids further increase resilience by integrating local renewable resources with energy storage and intelligent control systems. During wider grid interruptions, these independent networks can continue supplying electricity to critical facilities. Water based generation provides a dependable foundation that works alongside batteries and complementary renewable technologies.

Utilities are also exploring distributed generation strategies that improve system reliability while reducing pressure on aging infrastructure. Smaller generating assets located throughout service territories provide additional flexibility during maintenance activities or in the event of unexpected equipment failures. This decentralized approach supports stronger overall grid performance.

Advancing Sustainable Deployment and Long Term Growth

Further development requires a collaborative effort between engineers, environmental consultants, technology providers, utilities, and local communities. Projects must be both technically sound and well-planned, with proper resource management. Before construction, early coordination allows for the identification of appropriate sites and the consideration of operational and environmental issues.

Research is ongoing to improve turbine durability and the efficiency of the materials and methods used to install them. Engineers are working on designs that will operate under varying moving-water conditions and minimize maintenance requirements. An extended equipment life improves project economics and boosts investor and operator confidence.

Education and workforce development also play an important role in future expansion. Skilled technicians, engineers and environmental professionals are needed to design, install, monitor and maintain these renewable systems. Training programs help build the expertise required to support growing deployment across diverse water resources.

Investment in grid modernization strengthens the value of distributed renewable generation. Intelligent control systems, advanced communication networks, and energy storage enable more effective management of locally generated electricity. These improvements enable renewable resources to respond quickly to changing demand while maintaining reliable service.

The continued evolution of in-stream energy extraction technology supports a future in which renewable electricity becomes more accessible to a wider range of communities and industries. Scalable designs, responsible environmental practices and modern digital management create opportunities for dependable local power generation. As decentralized energy strategies continue to advance, flowing water will remain an important renewable resource that contributes to resilient energy systems while supporting long-term sustainability and reliable electricity for future generations.

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Leadership Perspective
How Recent Technological Advancements are Paving the Way to an Energy-Efficient Future
CLEAResult
How Recent Technological Advancements are Paving the Way to an Energy-Efficient Future
Seth Little, Product Manager Director

Like most other industries, the widespread use of digital tools and platforms in the utility industry arose out of a need to gain more scalability and cost-effectiveness. But while software-as-a-service and other purely digital experiences have mostly been motivated by a need to find financial and operational efficiencies, the real value of a good utility program lies at the intersection of a modern digital experience and the ability to connect human expertise to each customer and need.

As customer behaviors change with expectations for managing turnkey services like residential and commercial energy usage through online and digital platforms, utilities must adapt their programs and systems to meet these demands or risk losing customer favorability. However, despite the trend of ‘digital everything’, relationships are still at the core of developing trust between energy end-users and their utilities.

Technological advancements that focus on improving communication and problem solving are one way that utilities can bring added value to customers. For example, while virtual assessment services that examined a home’s energy efficiency were available before the COVID-19 pandemic, these socially distanced programs became ever more important in the last year, particularly as many people began working from home and became intimately aware of their home’s energy usage, for better or worse. Where previously utility employees interacted minimally with homeowners as they independently walked a house to conduct a physical inspection of the home’s energy efficiency, virtual assessments now allowed for much more relationship-building between utilities and ratepayers, as customers used their own mobile devices and became actively engaged in the process. They could also see firsthand where the opportunities were to improve their home’s energy efficiency, rather than simply receive a written report at the end of the assessment.

“Technological advancements that focus on improving communication and problem solving are one way that utilities can bring added value to customers”

The availability of digital tools and services like virtual assessments can certainly make things easier, but utilities must also consider how to ensure equitable access across their customer base, particularly for low-income, elderly, or rural communities where internet access, limited data plans, and mobile devices like tablets may not be as readily available, or where customers have specific preferences for engaging with and conducting a virtual audit. Digital platforms that help utilities manage the end-to-end customer experience can also help with identifying the barriers to adoption for more advanced energy efficiency solutions. This level of insight gives utilities the opportunity to offer alternative solutions, including discounts for energy-saving products, like different types of heat pumps for various applications and LEDs that can help customers save more money on electricity bills.

Other ways utilities can bring added value to customers is by providing new data streams that allow for a more transparent view of individual energy usage, tailored solutions at the click of a button via online customer portals or e-newsletters (such as tips for keeping the home cool and incentives for purchasing ENERGY STAR® certified appliances or other items), and greater control over how to manage their unique challenges. Through robust analytics, such as details on the age of a customer’s home and insulation system, AC unit, meter-based energy usage statistics, or other unique data points, utilities can begin energy efficiency assessments with a baseline of customer data that helps them better understand what’s most important to the customer as well as better adapt services and solutions to fit the customer’s specific needs and challenges, saving both time and money.

Digital tools and the ongoing search for ever-greater technological advancements may not be a new concept to the utility industry any longer, but the way in which these tools are used and the goals for how they can add the most value should continue to evolve to be more customer-centric and go further than simply identifying cost efficiencies. The result of making this shift in focus will pay dividends for utilities as they build more trust with their end-users, encourage better energy efficiency behaviors, and earn more long-lasting loyalty among their customers.

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