Dr. Alexander A. Tseng, a pioneer in the global hydropower industry, has received a United States Patent for his invention of a compact hydrokinetic design that uses in-stream river flow and/or pump discharge flow technology to increase hydro turbine output, thereby capturing sustainable energy that is otherwise wasted. The U.S. patent – number 8,196,396 B1 – was issued recently. Dr. Tseng is head of engineering for ORENCO Hydropower and president of ORENCO, Inc.
Palo Alto, California (PRWEB) October 26, 2012
Dr. Alexander A. Tseng, head of engineering for ORENCO Hydropower and president of ORENCO, Inc., has received a United States Patent for his invention of a compact hydrokinetic design that uses in-stream river flow and/or pump discharge flow technology to increase hydro turbine output, thereby capturing sustainable energy that is otherwise wasted.
The recently issued U.S. patent – number 8,196,396 B1 – is the second patent granted to Dr. Tseng, although he has developed inventions for other entities. A pioneer in the global hydropower industry, Dr. Tseng was named in 2011 as one of the ‘20 Most Influential People in Dam Engineering’ by International Water Power & Dam Construction, one of the industry’s leading publications, and its website http://www.waterpowermagazine.com.
More specifically, Dr. Tseng’s patented system and method are adapted to capture the kinetic energy in flowing water that spills over low-head dams or flows from pump discharge at reservoir pumping stations. The design captures this wasted energy and combines it with the pressure head to improve turbine output. At most dams, the water intake is not capable of capturing the kinetic energy of the moving water approaching the dam. By redesigning the intake structure, both the “velocity head” and pressure head of the water are captured. This is one of the first major enhancements in decades in potential efficiency at existing or new low-head dams or waterways.
ORENCO Hydropower is committed to bringing low-cost renewable power generation capability to many of the 81,000 dams in the U.S. that have do not have generating capability. Dr. Tseng is responsible for the management of its engineering services, R&D and equipment procurement. He also continues as president of ORENCO (Oriental Engineering and Supply Company), a division of Tseng Enterprises, Inc., which he founded in 1979.
In addition to his achievements in dam engineering, Dr. Tseng has numerous other accomplishments. ORENCO has been responsible for the engineering and/or equipment procurement in the operation of 46 hydro projects in the U.S., China and Latin America. These projects, which range from under 1 MW to over 30 MW, have included the development of new dams, addition of power generation capability to existing dams, retrofit/refurbishment of existing hydropower facilities, and addition of hydropower facilities to municipal water treatment facilities.
For over 30 years, Dr. Tseng has also been the key party integrating cost-advantaged Chinese turbines and generators for low-head dams with advanced U.S. control systems. In this role, ORENCO has been the primary importer and integrator of turbine/generators from several partners in China, all leading manufacturers. These systems’ reliability has been demonstrated over decades of service in the U.S.
Dr. Tseng was also key to the design of self-adjusting flood control gates now widely used in China, but not yet deployed in the U.S. The gates have proven to be a less costly means of replacing Tainter gates, rubber dams or new low head dams.
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ABOUT ORENCO HYDROPOWER
ORENCO Hydropower, Inc. develops small hydropower generation assets at existing dams and waterways that are low-cost and low-impact. The company assembles and manages a portfolio of hydro projects; and provides engineering, equipment procurement and financing for ongoing projects. Products and services include end-to end development of 1 MW to 50 MW hydropower projects; resale and integration of reliable Chinese turbines and generators to other hydro developers – at significant cost advantages; and partnering with small hydro developers to provide project financing and support.
Founded in 2010, ORENCO Hydropower brings together experts in hydro asset design and development, power markets, licensing and business strategy. In addition, key venture partners provide project financing. Based in Palo Alto, California, ORENCO Hydropower builds upon the expertise, experience and international business relationships of ORENCO, Inc., begun in 1979.
For more information, please contact ORENCO Hydropower by telephone at 650-475-4403, by email at info(at)orencohydro(dot)com or online at http://www.orencohydro.com
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For more information, contact:
JILL TURNER, Rodin & Shelley Associates Public Relations
Phone/Fax: 415-346-7300
Email: jillturnerpr(at)gmail(dot)com
MARK MATOUSEK, Vice Chairman, ORENCO Hydropower
Phone: 650-475-4403
Email: mmatousek(at)orencohydro(dot)com
http://www.orencohydro.com
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/10/prweb10055193.htm
This article (Dr. Alexander Tseng Receives U.S. Patent for Small Hydro Design that Captures Kinetic Energy at New and Existing Dams) was originally developed by and is property of American Banking News. Checkout American Banking News for up-to-date banking news and peer to peer lending news.