{"id":1594,"date":"2015-04-02T15:18:28","date_gmt":"2015-04-02T20:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idenergie.ca\/?page_id=1594"},"modified":"2017-01-11T16:45:13","modified_gmt":"2017-01-11T21:45:13","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/idenergie.ca\/en\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

How much does the river turbine cost?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

The regular price of the river turbine is $12,500 (Canadian dollars).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n

Is a permit required in order to install the turbine in a river?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

\nIn the majority of cases, an authorization is required for the installation of a river turbine, depending on the location of the installation site and on the regulations in force in the area. The decision to go through the authorization process is at the customer\u2019s discretion. Id\u00e9nergie will provide information documents about authorization procedures in certain jurisdictions to assist customers who wish to make an authorization request. For additional fees, Id\u00e9nergie also offers a customized support program to guide clients through the authorization request process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
\n

What other additional equipment is necessary to use the river turbine?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

The river turbine package includes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The river turbine<\/li>\n
  • Stainless steel anchorage and cable<\/li>\n
  • 15-metre (49-foot) underwater electric cable<\/li>\n
  • Water-ground junction box<\/li>\n
  • Base<\/li>\n
  • Built-in converter<\/li>\n
  • Transportation and installation in certain cases (for 2015, the installation is free of charge for sites located less than 250 km (155 miles) away from Montreal. Travel expenses will be charged beyond this distance.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Besides the river turbine, Id\u00e9nergie also offers batteries and electric equipment for a complete, turnkey installation. Depending on their needs, customers should expect additional fees starting at $3 500. This type of system is also compatible with other renewable energy systems (solar panels and wind turbines).<\/p>\n

    This price includes:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Charge controller<\/li>\n
    • 10-kWh batteries*<\/li>\n
    • 1 500 W 48-VDC to 120-VAC inverter*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      * It is possible to increase the number of batteries and the capacity of the inverter<\/em><\/p>\n

      Optional:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Installation and personal safety kit: safety jacket, waders, cleats, harness, carabiners, ascender, neoprene gloves, single rope, knife, helmet, anchoring pin<\/li>\n
      • Marine safety kit: warning buoy placed upstream of the river turbine, 'river turbine 100 m ahead' sign and flexible flags to place over the river turbine.<\/li>\n
      • Bidirectional voltage-lowering inverted (48VDC to 24 VDC) used in the following cases:\n
          \n
        1. The distance between the river turbine and the electrical panel is over 400 m<\/li>\n
        2. You wish to lower the voltage to use a 12 V \/ 24 V system<\/li>\n
        3. You wish to connect several river turbines together (one for each river turbine)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        4. Marine-grade electric cable (maximum length of 1000 m\/3 281 ft)<\/li>\n
        5. Anodizing for salt water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \n<\/div><\/div>
          \n

          What are the warranties on the equipment?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

          The warranties are the following:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Internal components of the river turbine\u2019s generator casing: three (3) years.<\/li>\n
          • 3-month parts and (in-shop) labour warranty on all other components. Components include all components free from manufacturing and material defects in normal conditions of use and operation.<\/li>\n
          • Any equipment supplied to the customer not made by Id\u00e9nergie Inc. is covered by the original manufacturer\u2019s warranty (subject to certain conditions).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            What is the warranty on the batteries?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            Most batteries are generally guaranteed for five (5) years. This varies depending on the manufacturer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Is the river turbine profitable for people connected to the local electricity grid?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            \nIt is important to note that people connected to the local electricity grid, Id\u00e9nergie\u2019s river turbine is generally not a competitive alternative, taking into account the long-term return on investment as well as the cost of the generated kWh. In some cases, it is also possible to resell the energy produced by a renewable energy system or be credited for it. The various net metering programs vary depending on the area, please check with your local power company for more details.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Is the river turbine profitable for off-grid customers?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            If your residence or establishment is isolated from the local electricity grid, powering it can be expensive. In certain cases it is necessary to plan for at least $50,000 by kilometre of distance to the closest electric pole. In these conditions, more and more people turn to renewable energy to meet their electricity needs. In this case, Id\u00e9nergie\u2019s river turbine is an ideal option as well as an excellent investment compared to gasoline-powered generators.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            How does the river turbine interact with the aquatic wildlife?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            \nId\u00e9nergie\u2019s mission is to improve people\u2019s access to a renewable energy source: the river. The objective is to generate energy while being environment-friendly, not create a new problem.<\/p>\n

            Alden Research Laboratory in the United States has conducted studies on a Darrieus-type turbine similar profile to the one used by Id\u00e9nergie, which showed that the impact on aquatic wildlife was extremely low. Tests on fishes in a closed flume led to the conclusion that the majority of fish avoided the turbine similar to the one used by Id\u00e9nergie. For those that did penetrate it, no significant impact was observed. Consequently, there is no evidence that the river turbine is a hazard for aquatic life. After careful consideration, Fisheries and Oceans Canada considers that Id\u00e9nergie river turbine, under its current characteristics, can be used in streams without danger.<\/p>\n

            (Source: American Department of the Energy and Fish and Oceans Canada, \u201cTurbine Passage survival estimates for the Dunvegan hydroelectric project\u201d, Stephan V. Amaral, Alden Research Lab et \u201cFish passage at small hydro sites, IEA technical report\u201d)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Are floating debris in the river stream a hazard to the turbine?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>
            <\/div><\/div>
            \n

            How to install the river turbine?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>
            <\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Can Id\u00e9nergie\u2019s river turbine be installed in any kind of river?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            A minimum water depth of 60 cm (2 ft) and a current velocity from 1 to 3 m\/s are necessary to use the river turbine. Rivers that meet these features are potential installation sites for the turbine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Can the river turbine be easily transported to my destination?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            The river turbine may be dismantled, facilitating its transport to the most remote places of our planet. It can be used all around the world if the conditions of the site are suitable. Contact us to know if a distributor is available in your region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Does the river turbine work in the winter?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            Every river and site is unique. The use of the river turbine in the winter season depends on the depth of the river and on the current velocity. If the site meets the right criteria and the river does not freeze, the river turbine can work efficiently. We are in the process of developing new solutions to ensure that the river turbine can work in conditions of extreme cold.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            What is the power generated by the river turbine and what is its output voltage?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            The river turbine generates between 100 and 500 W of continuous power, which is 2 to 12 kWh of energy per day (depending on current velocity). The output voltage of the river turbine is 48 V DC.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Can I use the river turbine to power a water heater or an electric heating system?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            The faster the river current, the more energy the river turbine generates. It works in currents velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m\/s. Even at minimal current velocity, the energy accumulated in batteries is enough for powering standard electric appliances typically found in a residence such as lighting, a television, a refrigerator, a computer, a microwave, etc. On the other hand, electric heaters or water heaters are more energy-consuming and require more energy that the turbine can supply.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            Can the river turbine supply enough electricity for one or several residences or for a small village near a river?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            Id\u00e9nergie offers the only solution on the market allowing to power an off-grid residence simply from the flow of a shallow river. Several river turbines can be used in network to supply more electricity to power, for example, an isolated community with low energy consumption.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>
            \n

            How can I keep up with the the company and the technology\u2019s latest developments?<\/i><\/i><\/h3>

            Follow our latest news by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

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