Turbulent: Eco-Friendly Hydroelectric Turbines for Sustainable Energy

What is the Turbulent Project?

Turbulent is all about resilient, cost-efficient hydroelectric turbines designed to power businesses, communities, and even feed energy back into the grid. It’s a fresh take on hydropower—low head, eco-friendly, and inspired by nature itself. Imagine harnessing the energy from rivers and canals with just a small height difference… That’s exactly what Turbulent does. Whether it’s a standalone turbine or a cluster powering entire regions, these turbines generate a steady flow of energy, anywhere from 15 to 90 kW, 24/7.

Main Benefits of Turbulent Technology

Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Turbulent stand out:

• Premium efficiency generator and gearbox built for nonstop operation
• Automated sluice gate for precise flow control
• Operates with a low head—just 1.5 meters height difference needed for the smallest turbine
• Low flow requirement—only 1.5 cubic meters per second for the smallest unit
• Eco-friendly design that’s fish friendly and zero CO2 emission

How Turbulent Works

At the heart of Turbulent’s innovation is a simple but powerful idea: using the natural principle of a whirlpool to generate energy. This low pressure turbine has only one moving component, making it robust and reliable. It’s designed to work efficiently with small height differences and low water flow, which means it can be installed in nearly every river without harming aquatic life. The turbine’s gentle approach ensures fish and other creatures can pass through safely—no harm done.

Sustainability: Living Rivers™

Turbulent’s mission goes beyond just producing clean energy. It’s about respecting the environment, supporting local communities, and protecting water life. The concept of Living Rivers™ captures this commitment perfectly. The technology doesn’t just minimize impact on rivers and their surroundings—it aims to improve water quality and bring benefits to the entire region. It’s a holistic approach to sustainable energy production.

Community and Local Engagement

One of the coolest things about Turbulent is how it involves local communities. The project emphasizes training locals and transferring technology, empowering people to take charge of their energy future. This hands-on approach helps build skills and creates jobs, all while ensuring the technology is maintained and supported locally. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

• Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
• Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
• Climate Action (SDG 13)
• Life Below Water (SDG 14)
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Getting Started with Turbulent

Turbulent is building a growing network of global partners to make sure local support and availability are top-notch. Whether it’s a single turbine installation or a large-scale project aiming to electrify entire regions, local experts are ready to assess and tailor solutions. This collaborative approach ensures the technology fits the unique needs of each site, making clean hydropower accessible and practical worldwide.

What Turbulent actually does

Turbulent, founded in Belgium in 2015, builds vortex-based hydroelectric turbines that generate power from low-head, low-flow water sources, rivers and canals too small for conventional hydro dams. A single turbine produces 15 to 90 kW of constant, baseload energy, and turbines can be clustered to generate multiple megawatts without disrupting the waterway or requiring a dam.

“Turbulent technology will cause a real revolution in terms of providing clean energy in remote parts of the world.”

Klaus Schuring, CEO, InnoEnergy

Where the turbines are installed

• Off-grid and rural electrification: Kenya (110 kW), Bali Green School in Indonesia (15 kW), Molino in California, Chile (15 kW)
• Distributed installations across Europe: Otepää, Estonia (5.5 kW); Versailles, France (5 kW); Papignies, Belgium
• Expanding footprint: additional sites in the Philippines, DRC, Idaho, Thailand, the Azores, Portugal and Taiwan

Proof, not just claims

Turbulent’s Papignies, Belgium installation was inaugurated with a Royal Visit, and the company was named a 2021 Cleantech Hero and a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize.

Why this belongs on a sustainability directory

Turbulent replaces diesel generators and grid extension in remote or off-grid locations with constant, renewable hydro power that does not require damming a river, directly supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Because the turbines work with low-head, low-flow water without disrupting the surrounding waterway or ecosystem, the technology also supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) through emissions displacement and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by avoiding the habitat disruption typical of conventional dam-based hydro.