Patent ID: 8196396

Claim:
A method of generating hydroelectric power, comprising: positioning a plurality of intakes instream a body of water, wherein the intakes are dispersed along a low-head dam, said intakes are positioned at or slightly above the top of the low-head dam so that water spilling over the low-head dam flows into the intake; positioning a turbine generator at an elevation below each intake, said turbine generator is in fluid communication with the respective intake, wherein the elevation difference creates a differential between head water and turbine generator; allowing water to flow into the intake to the turbine generator, wherein the kinetic energy in the directional flow of water coupled with the potential energy provided by the elevation drop between the intake and the turbine generator increase the turbine output; adjusting the elevation level of the intakes to accommodate various elevation levels of water spilling over the low-head dam so as to maximize capturing the kinetic energy in the directional flow of the water; and connecting the turbine generators in fluid communication with the dispersed intakes to an existing power grid.