
After generations of burning carbon-based resources, the world is looking to many alternative technologies and additional existing resources to alter that course. It is understood that the energy future will not be a case of "all our eggs in one basket", but a broad array of renewable fuels bolstered by massive conservation efforts to provide our energy.
NEHC's fuel is renewable rain and snow—historically predictable and quantifiable year over year. In looking at the landscape, we saw that thousands of small dams manage and store water as fuel. They have helped to power New England and other rainy states across America for generations, providing power for industry, containment for reservoirs, safety for towns and support for transportation and irrigation systems. Over 50% of dams in New England are situated next to mills, many still productive.
To take advantage of this for modern renewable power, we needed a "machine", and it had to be fish friendly and environmentally sensitive. In the Archimedes hydro-screw, we found a solution. Based on a 2,000-year old idea, modern hydro-screws have pumped water up for a century keeping lowlands dry. For the past ten years, since adding generation equipment to them and allowing water to run down through them in "reverse" in river settings, they have made clean, renewable power in the UK and Europe where they are often considered the small-scale hydropower standard.
NEHC is bringing Archimedes screw generators to North America with a partnership of engineers and manufacturers who have an established and distinguished track record.